Pirates clinch Masters League pennant

The undefeated Pirates clinched the pennant after winning their 10th straight game and finished the regular season strong in the 2023 Tan Holdings-SBL Masters League.

They broke down the unlucky Spartans, 14-2, last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacio Baseball Field.

The Spartans struck first and seemed like they were going to get on a run-scoring roll, but Pirates pitcher Dung Tenorio put a stop to it before they could really take off. Isaac Aguon and J.J. Teigita scored the Spartans’ only two runs in the first inning, while the rest of the lineup fell silent.

The Pirates, on the other hand, got free bases from a flummoxed Spartans pitcher who could not seem to locate the strike zone. All but two batters got on base from walks and one hit by pitch, which the Pirates took advantage of. Ten Pirates reached home from freebies, with only Mario Aguon making contact with a double, and Jerome Delos Santos firing a triple.

It was all downhill from there for the Spartans as they went down in order in the second inning while the Pirates’ Eric Palacios added one more. After another three runs scored for the Pirates in the third inning, the Spartans waved the white flag in the fifth inning when they couldn’t make contact with heaters by Tenorio.

Only six hits were made by the Spartans while the Pirates racked up tallies in slugging categories that continue to showcase their offense in the unbeaten ride they’ve had so far.

The Pirates altogether walked 12 times, while the only hits besides Aguon and Delos Santos were from Pete Sablan’s triple and Audie Maratita’s single.

In last Tuesday’s game, the Blue Jays came back to win, 16-15, over the Marlins. There were no games last night, instead, a game is scheduled for tonight between the Reds and the Dodgers.

There is one more week in the regular season from Feb. 6 to 8, with the postseason set to start on Feb. 13, and the championship series slated for Feb. 19, Feb. 21, and if needed, Feb. 23.