Blue Jays have McBlue day, 9-7

After being perched atop the Saipan Little League standings since the start of the season, the Dan Dan Blue Jays were finally dealt their first loss of the year when McDonald’s ordered up two runs in the top of the seventh to win the game in extra innings, 9-7.

Starting pitcher Peter Tenorio went three innings atop the hill in which he surrendered five runs off of six hits and fanned a pair before John Maratita finished the job for the small fries with two runs allowed off of five hits and striking out one.

Tenorio also had the super-sized bat for McDonalds by hitting 3-for-5 with a pair of singles, a triple, four runs batted in, and a run scored. Catcher J.D. Sablan loved to see his teammates smile when he went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, drove in a run, and stole a base.

Sunday’s loss put the Jays into a tie with the Tanapag Braves for second place behind the undefeated Hustlers.

HUSTLERS 4, TWINS 0

Eric Tenorio got his, but the Twins were unable to generate hits from anyone else, as they fell to the Hustlers in a six inning shutout pitched by Nokkie Lizama. The little laser went the distance in the contest to pick up the win. Along the way, Lizama struck out 14 batters and allowed just two hits to the leagues top hitter. The laser offered up a pair of walks to the Twins, but he was able to “K” the competition after each occasion to get out of the jams.

Aside from pitching a gem, Lizama led his team at the plate with a pair of double and a run scored en route to going 2-for-3 on the day. Anthony Manalo singled Lizama across the plate in the top of the second inning for the game winning RBI, and finished the day with a 1-for-3 outing and a run scored.

OL’ACES 18, BOMBERS 7

The Ol’Aces did most of their collective damage during a nine-run, eight-hit fourth inning, but none of them had more success than third Baseman Joel Kaipat. Kaipat was perfect when he swung his kai-bat, hitting 4-for-4 with a pair of singles, a double, and a homerun. Kaipat also crossed the plate four times, drove in three runs, and stole two bases for good measure.

Anyone with information on teammate Rocco Reyes should contact Crime Stoppers immediately, as the centerfielder stole five bases on the Bombers pitching staff. Reyes is considered legged and dangerous following his pair of plate crossings and three runs batted in.

Late edition Lamar Iguel entered the game in the top of the third inning and finished a flawless 2-for-2 with a pair of singles, a run batted in, a run scored, and a stolen base, while Kevin Yamada smacked a three run homerun in the top of the first and finished with two runs scored.

The Church’s Chicken Bombers had a highlight of their own in the bottom of the third when speedy T.J. Sablan wheeled around the bases to turn what looked like and infield double into an inside the park homerun to the delight of his favorite horn honking fan.

KAGMAN 1-2-3 3, VFW PATRIOTS 0

Joe Palacios went the distance for the Patriots in a closely contested match with the homesteaders, but received no offense in a 3-0 Kagman KO. Despite picking up the loss, Palacios went six solid innings in which he fanned nine, allowed just three hits, and walked two.

Two of the hits came from the bat of 1-2-3 shortstop Jonathan Celis, who went 2-for-3 three on the day with a single, a triple, a run scored, and two runs batted. Second baseman Leeroy Regis picked up the other off of a single in the top of the sixth inning en route to a 1-for-3 outing at the plate.