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By Gus Untalan

Cougars’ Peter Grey makes it safely back to third base while Smokey’s Calvin Naputi makes the late tag. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

After dropping their first two games, the Venue Smokey’s claimed their first win in the Budweiser Baseball League defeating the Agana Heights Sushi Rock Cougars 9-3 Sunday evening at the Paseo Stadium.

The Smokey’s drew first blood scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. A huge RBI triple to deep center field by Laurence Idelbong drove home second baseman RJ Miner. Idelbong would add a run a few batters later off a sacrifice fly by Matthew Fernandez.

The Cougars bounced back in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game at two. A RBI by third baseman Luke Tedtaotao drove home Shane McDonald for their first run. Then, the DH Peter Grey ran home on an error at first base to tie the game.

Tied at two runs even, the Smokey’s began to pull away in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two runners on base, Miner whacked a pitch passed second base to send home Chris Concepcion and Brandon Bamba on the two run-scoring single. Miner later added a run of his own to close out the inning off a RBI single by JR Hattig to give the Smokey’s a 5-2 lead.

Smokeys’ Richard Miner was able to make this catch and then the tag on Cougars’ Keith Castro who slides for the base. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The Smokey’s continued to extend their lead adding insurance in the bottom of the seventh inning. While on third base, a sacrifice fly by Joseph Salas drove home Hatting. To round out the inning, a RBI single by George Flores sent home Jonathan Mayo.

The final two runs for the Smokey’s came in the bottom of the eighth inning off runs scored by Idelbong and Mayo to total their team’s score at nine.

In the win, Smokey’s relief pitcher Cody Dowless finished with six strikeouts. Despite the loss, Cougars starting pitcher Gerry Paulino finished with an impressive seven strikeouts.

The Smokey’s improve to 1-2 with the win while the Cougars drop to 1-2.

BBL action continues Tuesday evening at 7pm at the Paseo Stadium as the Bank of Guam Athletics take on the Saipan Cyclones. Add “Guam BBL” on Facebook for the latest stats and updates on the Budweiser Baseball League.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Smokey’s starting pitcher John Anderson. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Smokey’s Chris Concepcion lets the ball slip from his grasp allowing Cougars’ Shane McDonald to steal second base. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Cougars’ pitcher Gerry Paulino. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Cougars’ Peter Grey gets a good hit on the ball to advance to first. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Smokey’s pitcher John Anderson quickly gets the ball to Chris Concepcion to try and force the out on Cougars’ Shane McDonald who runs back to first base. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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