Hold on to first place

ACTION around the diamond in the Leo Palace Baseball League gave fans something to cheer about this past weekend despite the uncertainty of weather conditions. In the AAA Division, the Yigolos squared off against the AM-PCR Angels in a game that started out as the battle of the unbeaten. However, at the end of the night, only one team could remain perfect, while the other suffered their first defeat. After getting off to a huge start, the Yigolos managed to walk away with an 8-0 shutout victory.

The Yigolos came out playing with patience and capitalized on several errors by the Angels to start out the first inning posting seven unanswered runs. B.J. Balajadia added to the offensive production after being credited with a two-RBI double. Angels starter Derwin Aguon would leave early with a sore elbow giving way to Freddy Cepeda who would hold the Yigolos to only one run over the final five innings.

However, the lead that the Yigolos built early in the game was all starting pitcher Jesse Miner Jr. needed as he went through four innings and only gave up three hits. Despite several chances at getting on the board, the Angels found some difficulty as the stingy defense of the Yigolos didn’t allow any production. When the final out was recorded, the Yigolos walked away with a perfect (4-0) record, while the Angels dropped to 3-1 on the season.

Dela Cruz leads way for Rangers

The AAA Division Talofofo Rangers (3-2) and Philip & Son’s Phillies (0-4) faced off in the noon game on Saturday. Under beautiful skies the fans were treated to a great pitchers' duel between Rangers starter Frankie Dela Cruz and Phillies starter Eric Cepeda. Dela Cruz would go the distance allowing only three hits in seven innings to hold off a late Phillies rally and preserve the 3-2 victory.

The Rangers struck first, taking advantage of two Phillies errors to score three runs in the top of the first inning. Singles from RJ Cruz who was 3-for-3 in the game, Andrew Taijeron and Shawn Dela Cruz ignited the Rangers rally. However, despite falling into an early deficit, the Phillies defense kept Talofofo scoreless for the remainder of the game while giving their offense a chance for a comeback.

It wasn’t until the sixth inning when the Phillies pushed two runners across home plate to make it a one-run (3-2) game. Shortly after a Jess Alerta and JD San Nicolas walk put runners on the bag, teammate Chad Palomo hit a single that drove in two runs. The Phillies rally came to an end in the inning after Dela Cruz retired the next two batters. In their final chance for a come-from-behind win, the Phillies were denied as the Rangers ended the game with a three-up, three-down inning.

Ipan Rays sting AF Reserves

The Ipan Rays (3-1) and AF Reserves (0-4) faced off in the Saturday mid-day matchup. The Rays would jump out to an early 7-2 lead in the first inning and never look back despite a late rally by the Reserves. The Ipan Rays would cruise to a 13-7 win over the AF Reserves.

Alan Sarmiento would pace the Rays' offense with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI. Roman Duenas and Tony Doyle contributed RBI-doubles as the Rays pounded out 10 hits in five innings.

The Air Force Reserves battled back from the early deficit with two runs in the third and fourth innings but couldn’t make up the difference. Jacob Bamba was 2-for-3 with a run and RBI to lead the Reserves' offense.

Picking up the win for the Rays from the mound was starter Edward Sanchez, while Mike Gumataotao suffered the defeat for the AF Reserves.