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By Robert Balajadia

Rangers’ Andrew Concepcion slides into second base while Crusaders’ Eddie Garza with ball in glove waits to make the tag. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Barrigada Crusaders needed just one run to keep the game going in the top of the seventh inning but Talofofo Rangers pitcher and McDonald’s Player of the Game John Tenorio pitched two of his six strikeouts in the inning to seal the Rangers’ 3-2 win, to capture Game 1 of the Jim Beam Amateur Baseball League Championship Series at the Leo Palace Baseball Stadium Tuesday night.

The Rangers move within a single game of securing their 2013 title in this best-of-three series and Tenorio was on-point on the mound leaving Crusaders Kin Fernandez swinging for air to close out the final inning.

“We just needed one out to get the pressure off us because our defense was playing great.  The pressure was on me but in reality the pressure was on them too so I just had to think of it like that.  The 2-seam was working for me out there, big time,” stated Tenorio on having the game on his shoulders.

The Crusaders were heading into the bottom of the fourth inning with a 2-0 lead but the Rangers used a bolster of errors from the Crusaders outfield to cash in all of their runs for the game.

McDonald’s Player of the Game John Tenoirio

Rangers’ Conan Dela Cruz knocked a single but an error brought him to second base which allowed previous batter Kagan Rabago to score the teams first run.  A few batters later, Rangers’ Andrew Concepcion got a good lick on the ball which sent it deep right but the Crusaders’ outfielders had a tough time securing the ball which brought two more runs in for the Rangers which gave them the 3-2 lead.

The Rangers then flipped on their defensive switch, which was anchored by Tenorio, allowing just one hit in the final three innings.

When asked how important defense has been all season long Tenorio responded by saying, “It has been a big part.  If it wasn’t for our defense and pitching staff then we wouldn’t be in undefeated and we wouldn’t be in the playoffs.  Big-ups to our defense.”

Crusaders pitcher Clayton Cruz gets the loss for the game while teammate Eric Lizama had the lone RBI for the game which he got in the first inning.  The Crusaders scored their second run in the third inning off an error.

Game 2 action is Thursday at the Leo Palace baseball field at 7 p.m.  Game 3, if necessary, will conclude the 2013 season on Saturday at 6 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Rangers’ Terrence Pablo races Crusader pitcher Clayton Cruz to first base as Crusaders’ first baseman TJ Leon Guerrero tosses the ball. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Crusaders’ pitcher Clayton Cruz is set to release the pitch. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Rangers’ Nathan Duenas rounded out third base and headed home for the lead run after a Crusaders outfield error. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Crusaders’ shortstop Kin Fernandez scooped up the grounder to send it to first base. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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