Rangers lock hubs to beat Brewers, 10-9

The Ford Rangers used three pitchers and played effective small ball to earn their fourth win of the season in a one-run squeaker over the defending champion Miller Lite Brewers Monday night in the continuation of the Saipan Major League.

Starter Craig Sanchez went six and two-thirds for the Rangers in which he allowed eight runs off of 10 hits while striking out a pair, but he received enough help from his offense to keep them in the game played at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.

Heavy-hitting first baseman Fred Kaipat was the fuel in the Rangers tank as he hit three singles, drove in a run, and crossed the plate during a solid 3-for-5 performance at the plate.

Teammate Joey Dela Cruz continued hitting like a champ with a single, a double, a run scored and a sac fly that drove in Roy Celis in the top of the eighth inning for the game-winning score.

Centerfielder Mario Sablan added to the squad-wide contributions with a 2-for-3 outing in which he hit a pair of singles, scored a run, stole a pair of bases, and hit a sac fly to center that drove in designated hitter Jason Gaye.

In his final inning atop the hill, Sanchez began to tire after retiring the first two batters, and allowed five runs off of four hits before manager Glen Palacios made the call to the bullpen.

When Sanchez left the mound, the Rangers still maintained a one-run lead, but a single by Frances George drove home the tying run off of reliever Chris Nelson to even up the contest at eight runs apiece before the hurler retired the side.

Nelson returned in the eighth with a one-run lead, and plunked the first two batters before allowing Tony Celis to single home Ray Seman. The big pitcher struggled to find his control, but managed to fan slugger Mark Toves before ending the inning. The Rocket Roy Celis clocked in to start the ninth inning with a 10-9 lead and ended the contest with a one-two-three finish.

Though the Brewers picked up their second loss of the year, starting pitcher Jonathan Camacho had another strong game despite allowing seven runs through six innings and five strikeouts. Camacho now leads all pitchers with 26.1 innings of work spread out over four games for the Brew crew.

The action in the SML continues tonight when the San Antonio Metropolitans take on the Northern Yankees at 6:30pm at the Palacios Field.