Dueñas starts strong in SML

(Last of Two Parts)

Only a handful of games have been inked in the 2006 Saipan Major League record books, but a number of pitchers have jumped out in front of the pack with impressive debut performances, but the true test will be how long they can maintain the lofty marks set early on in the season.

In his first game of the year, hurler Ben Dueñas allowed just one earned run off of 11 hits through eight and a third innings for the Masters. Despite being credited with three losses, Dueñas currently sports the lowest earned run average of the SML at 1.08.

The ace is also third in the strikeout race with four fans, and it’s no coincidence that he trails one of the top pitchers in town—Clint Quitugua. The CQ Kid leads the league with seven strikeouts and is just a few percentage points behind Dueñas in the ERA race at 1.28.

Quitugua allowed one earned run off of three hits through seven innings of work for Toyota, and he looks to be a force throughout the season if he can keep it up. If not, Ford Rangers Lord of the Mound Craig Sanchez is more than willing to take his place.

The most valuable player from last season’s post-season picked up where he left off as he went the distance in his debut and surrendered a pair of runs off of 11 hits for an ERA of 2.00.

There’s no question that Sanchez will be Ford’s power atop the hill, but the Northern Yankees are still searching to replace the starting role left vacant by Jonathan Jones. The heel-clicking-closer-turned-superb starter was one of the pinstriper’s stars of last year, but Jones created a black hole in the rotation that youngster McGregory Camacho is looking to fill.

Camacho gave up an earned run off of half a dozen hits during his four-inning stint for a 2.25 earned run average. While he picked up the loss for the Yanks, Camacho has plenty of time to right the ship.

Another Camacho proved his mettle on the mound last year and followed with an impressive start in ’06 as the durable dart throwing Jonathan Camacho returned to the hill in a pair of solid showings.

At 1-1, Camacho is riding an even keel, but his 3.64 ERA through 12 and a third innings speaks for itself. Camacho is tied with Quitugua for the strikeout lead and is the most tested pitcher in the game. He should definitely help Toyota reach the Promised Land provided that his hitters come through for him.

With a 4.00 ERA, Ray Dela Cruz pulled of a strong start in the opener for the Bud Kings as the hurler allowed four earned runs off of 14 hits through the full nine innings before sitting out the extra frame in the dugout.

He will be great for the Kings in much the same way that Jonathan Tenorio will be great for the Yankees. Though his 6.75 earned run average is not as flashy as his colleagues, “JT Wakefield” possesses a unique mixture of talent and grit that will fuel the Yankees to the post-season.