ORIOLES CLOSE OUT A’S FOR TOP SPOT

By Robert Balajadia

The AM Insurance Orioles are off to a great start in the 2014 Budweiser Baseball league by defeating the top two ranked teams from 2013 in Da Braves on opening night and a close win against the Bank of Guam A’s 4-2 Sunday night at the Paseo Stadium.

The Orioles improve to 2-0 on the season while the A’s suffer their first loss at 1-1.

Trailing 4-2 to begin the 9th inning, the A’s went three batters out after two game saving plays by short stop Deshon Naputi, who came in off a defensive switch. Orioles John Hattig Jr. grabbed a grounder to third base to send the game winning out to first base to capture the win.

While holding on to a slim 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning, the Orioles managed to score a run off an errant throw to home plate that allowed the Orioles to go up 4-2.

A’s pitcher Roke Alcantara Jr. managed to close out the bottom of the 6th with a strikeout, his only of the game, which set up the A’s for a great chance knot the score in the top of the 7th inning. The Orioles started the 7th with pitcher Luis San Nicolas who relieved Brandon San Nicolas through just one inning.

Bank of Guam’s Roke Alcantara Jr. delivers a pitch against the Orioles. (photo by Joey Blas)

With the bases loaded, Zackary Sablan stepped up to bat for the A’s, but a grounder to third base allowed the Orioles to close out the inning without letting the A’s close in on their lead. Derwin Aguon came in to relieve San Nicolas to start the 8th inning and allowed no runs. The A’s also went with their first pitching change retiring Alcantara Jr. in the bottom of the 8th for Gavin Santos.

The Orioles managed to get two hits off Santos from Jathan Muna Barnes and Matt Muna, but Barnes was tagged out a batter later trying to make it to third base, an out that was hoping to give the A’s momentum heading into the final stretch.

The Orioles went with John Pangelinan to close out the game allowing no hits in his one inning at the mound.

Winning Pitcher for the Orioles was Florencio Binuya with 2ks while Pangelinan picked up the save. The Losing pitcher was Roke Alcantara Jr. with 1K on the night. Orioles starting pitcher Eric Cepeda had 8Ks before exiting in the 5th. Hattig Jr. was the lead hitter for the Orioles going 2-3 with one run and 2RBIs and a triple.

The Orioles now retain sole possession of 1st place in the seasons early goings.

Current Standings

AM Insurance Orioles (2-0)
Guam Paradise Fitness Jr. Nationals (1-0)
Bank Of Guam Athletics (1-1)
Da Braves (1-1)
76 Cardinals (1-1)
Yona Redhawks (0-1)
Ralphies Lounge Smokeys (0-2)

PHOTO GALLERY:

Orioles’ John Hattig Jr. hits a grounder to third but was thrown at first. (photo by Joey Blas)

Bank of Guam’s Ryan Martinez hits a single to left field. (photo by Joey Blas)

Orioles’ Shane Mcdonald hits a grounder to short stop, but was thrown out at first. (photo by Joey Blas)

Orioles’ Michael Dean Aguon takes a swing against Bank of Guam. (photo by Joey Blas)

Bank Of Guam’s Randy Alcantara makes a nice dig for the out at first base. (photo by Joey Blas)