WITH playoffs in the Leo Palace Baseball League right around the corner, many teams are fighting to improve their records in hopes of getting a better seeding.

In a recently scheduled AAA division matchup, the Merizo Rebels were looking to improve their regular season record as they took on the unbeaten Yigolos. Both teams came with their A-game and left everything out on the diamond. At the end of the game, it was the Yigolos who managed to stave off the feisty Rebels for the 2-1 victory. With the win, the Yigolos improve their record to a league-best 7-0, while the Rebels drop to 1-6.

In the second inning, the Yigolos sparked a small offensive rally and posted runs on the board. With two runners on base, John Concepcion smacked a two-RBI single that gave his team a 2-0 lead. The Rebels put forth a valiant effort and managed to score a run to trim their deficit and make it a one-run ballgame.

Late in the game, the Rebels had the perfect opportunity in the bottom of the seventh. After loading the bases with two outs, Merizo needed one to tie and two to steal the victory. However, the Yigolos played excellent defense and heads-up ball as Merizo’s Paul Taijeron was thrown out at home on a stolen base attempt to end the game.

The Yigolos’ Cliff Rafael picked up the win from the mound going sixth innings and tallying five strikeouts. Teammate Peterson Guerrero earned the save. Merizo’s Joey Blas was dealt the loss despite giving up three hits.

Phillies shut out AF Reserves

In another AAA division matchup, the Philip & Son’s Phillies took on the AF Reserves. Phillies starter Chad Palomo would keep the AF Reserves guessing all game as he threw a nifty three-hit shutout to blank the AF Reserves 6-0. Brandon San Nicolas was 2-for-4 with an RBI and stolen base to help pace the Phillies’ offense. Palomo went the distance, striking out six batters to pick up the win for the Phillies who improve to 2-4 on the season. AF Reserves, still looking for their first win of the season, fall to 0-6

Angels crush Rangers

The AM-PCR Angels and Talofofo Rangers went head-to-head in a game that concluded earlier than expected. The Angels used a big seven-run fifth inning to end the game via the ten-run mercy rule and cruise to the 15-0 win over the Rangers. It was a perfect storm when poor defense, walks and no hitting all combined to make for a very lopsided scoring game. The Rangers committed seven errors and allowed nine unearned runs to dig a hole that their offense couldn’t get out of which managed only three hits against Angels pitching.

Randy Alcantara was 2-for-4 with three runs and an RBI to help pace the Angels offense in the win. Angels’ starter Chad Fernandez picks up the win going three innings, allowing no hits and striking out two. Angels improve to 6-1 on the season with their only loss coming at the hands of the Yigolos. Andrew Taijeron, Angelo Taijeron, and Robbie Rabago picked up the only hits for the Rangers. Joseph Salas picks up the loss on the mound. Rangers fall to 3-5 on the season.