Dodgers vs. Pirates in Masters Finals

Third seed Dodgers escaped the clutches of secon seed Reds to take the finals spot against the undefeated Pirates in the 2023 Tan Holdings-SBL Masters League.

The Dodgers got to work early on and defeated the Reds, 16-4, last Thursday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

The Reds couldn’t get past Dodgers pitcher John Acosta in the first inning and left lead better Justin Reyes and Dennis Cruz stranded on base. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ made their mark in their turn with the bat as they scored nine in the first inning.

Errors and passed balls by the Reds allowed Dodgers runners to advance, plus a 3-RBI triple from Jeff Cruz solidified a 7-0 inning. It wasn’t over yet as Mark Villagomez and Clint Quitugua added two runs for a 9-0 lead.

The Reds then tried to get things started in the second inning and with a little help by wayward pitches by Acosta, allowed two runners to get on base by hit by pitches and one base on balls. All three batters scored after a single by Reyes and Cruz, which cut down the Dodgers’ lead, 3-9.

However, Dodgers middleman Bruce Norita hit a 2-run homer in the second inning after a run scored, for a bigger lead of 12-3. More hits pummeled the Reds pitching staff, but they managed to get out of the inning without any more damage.

The Reds’ downfall was their inability to get hits off the ground, as the Dodgers’ pitching induced ground balls and strikeouts, making for an easy 1-2-3 third inning. The fourth inning ignited a late spark as the bottom of the order got on base—but they could not deliver and left them stranded once again.

The Dodgers went on to maintain their 12-3 lead, and to top it off, added four more runs in the last inning. The Reds could only conjure up one more run—to end the game, 16-4.

The championship series between the Dodgers and Pirates begins tonight, Monday, Feb. 19, with Game 2 scheduled this Wednesday, Feb. 21, and if needed Game 3 on Friday, Feb. 23.