BRAVES CLOSE OUT JR NATIONALS

By Robert Balajadia

The IT&E Braves have climbed their way out of the losing column after defeating the Paradise Fitness Jr. Nationals 5-3 in Budweiser Baseball League action Tuesday night at Paseo Stadium. The Braves improve to (5-5) while the Jr. Nationals drop to (6-3).

Coming up big for the Braves was pitcher Tony Yatar who pitched a complete game earning two strikeouts. Yatar was tasked with holding out the Jr. Nationals in final the three innings leading just 5-2.

Jr. Nationals’ Daniel Cruz hit a RBI double in the bottom of the 8th inning bringing home Julian Flores to trim the Braves lead 5-3. Yatar immediately put an end to the inning after Jr. Nationals’ Shane Muna was unable to get on base ending the inning.

Braves’ JQ Quintanilla sits at home plate denying the Jr. Nationals a late inning score after a great throw from centerfielder BJ Balajadia.(photo by Robert Balajadia)

The Braves missed an opportunity to further the lead giving the Jr. Nationals a great chance to tie or take the lead, but Yatar and the defense made quick work of the three Jr. Nationals batters ending the game to earn the win.

The Braves got their first scores in off a big 2RBI hit from Rico Castro in the 3rd inning. Dominic Cruz would add to the 2-0 lead in the top of the 5th inning after Cruz brought home Castro. An inning later, Carl Quintanilla rewarded a lead-off double from JQ Quintanilla, bringing home another run to go up 4-0 through six innings.

The Junior Nationals took advantage of a sloppy 6th inning by the Braves to cash in a score of an error. Jesse Minor brought in a much needed run in the 7th inning to trim the lead 4-2 where it appeared the Jr. Nationals were picking up momentum. Yatar was able to prevent Darrin Meno from adding more runs despite have two runners left on base before ending the 7th inning.

Braves pitcher Tony Yatar pitched a complete game. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Billy Quenga gets the loss for the Jr. Nationals although earning six strikeouts.

Carl Quintanilla went 2-5 with one run and an RBI while Castro went 2-4 scoring a run while getting 2RBIs with a double. Cruz went 2-5 also bring in a run for the Braves.

Daniel Cruz was the lead man for the Jr. Nationals going 2-5 with an RBI and a double.

BBL action will continue Friday with the (3-6) Smokies taking on the )3-5) BOG A’s

Current BBL Standings

Os (10-0) 10 game wining streak

Jr Nationals (6-3) 1 game losing streak

Braves (5-5) 1 game win streak

BOG (3-5) 3 game losing streak

Smokies (3-6) 1 game losing streak

Cardinals (3-6) 2 game losing streak

Yona (2-7) 1 game winning streak

PHOTO GALLERY

Braves JQ Quintanilla tries to track down a foul ball. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Braves Jared Palomo makes the athletic open field grab. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Braves’ Jared Palomo creates contact with the ball. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Jr Nationals starting pitcher Billy Quenga. (photo by Robert Balajadia)