MUNA’S GRAND SLAM LIFTS ORIOLES IN 9TH

By Robert Balajadia

The AM Insurance Orioles put together an excellent 9th inning to blow the game wide open against the Bank of Guam A’s, beating them by a score of 8-0 in Tuesday night’s Budweiser Baseball League game.

The Orioles scored all eight runs in the 9th inning after getting a huge grand slam from Matt Muna to take a 7-0 lead followed by a solo homer from Derwin Aguon. Both teams battled scoreless for the first eight innings before the Orioles offensive explosion in the 8th inning.

A’s pitcher Paul Pangelinan made his exit in the top of the 9th inning with three strikeouts after consecutively hitting batter Joe Duenas and walking Shon Muna Jr. to put runners on first and second with no outs.

Pitcher Joe Pangelinan came in as the relief for the A’s which changed the momentum of the game.

An error loaded the bases for the Orioles with only one out setting up a great opportunity for the Orioles to score the games first point.

A throwing error brought in the games first run loading the bases for Jathan Muna Barnes who then cashed in an RBI singe to go up 2-0. With the bases still loaded, JR Hattig was hit by pitch allowing another run to score with the Orioles going up 3-0.

Muna then stepped up after Hattig and delivered the dagger by hitting a grand slam that brought the entire Orioles dugout to the field to congratulate Muna.

Aguon wasted not time cashing in a solo home run a batter later to get the score up to 8-0 crushing the great defense the A’s played through the first eight innings.

A great stop by Orioles’ third base man JR Hattig delivers a ball to first baseman Matt Muna for the out.

Orioles starting pitcher Freddy Cepeda played a complete game getting a strikeout on the A’s to pick up the win while A’s Paul Pangelinan gets the loss. Cepeda finished with game with five strikeouts.

Muna had a terrific game for the O’s going 3-5 with his grand slam home getting him 4RBI’s. Aguon went 1-2 with his solo home run While Muna Barnes and Mariano both went 2-5 scoring a run each.

Ryan Martinez, Mike Bautista, DJ Cruz, Randy Alcantara and Fofo Santos each went 1-3 on the night.

The Orioles improve to a league best (8-0) while the A’s drop into a losing record of (3-4).

The next game will be played Friday between the (3-4) 76 Cardinals and the (1-5) Smokies.

PHOTO GALLERY:

A’s batter Mike Bautista sends a grounder to third base, but couldn’t beat the throw to first. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Orioles’ Shane McDonald watches a pitch fly by. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

A’s Mark Paulino creates contact with the ball. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

A’s starting pitcher Paul Pangelinan. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

A’s cornerman Gavin Santos watches as his team tries to establish offensive rhythm. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Orioles pitcher Freddy Cepeda makes a great play by sprinting to first base to make the out as first baseman Matt Muna tracked down the grounder. (photo by Robert Balajadia)