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Pirates win second straight, 9-4
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Posted on Nov 28 2006
After struggling through the early part of the season, the defending champion Pirates won their second game in a row on Monday night by defeating the Manhoben Young Guns, 9-4, at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.
The Oleai Sports Complex lighting array illuminated the field but pitcher Josh Dela Cruz was a brighter light by far for the Pirates as the ace went the distance against some of the hottest bats in the Saipan Major League’s Fall season.
Dela Cruz sprinkled seven hits through nine innings atop the mound and fanned five to notch the win and his teammates provided enough offense to earn the Pirates their third game of the season.
First baseman B.J. Seman led the charge with a string of singles and three runs batted in to finish 3-for-5 on the night, while second baseman Tommy Dela Cruz went 2-for-5 with a pair of base hits and two ribbies for the Pirates.
After taking a 5-0 lead through the first four innings, the Pirates held on as the Young Guns clawed their way back to within two runs at 5-3. Feeling the heat, skipper Craig Sanchez’s crew plundered Manhoben reliever Shane Yamada for four runs in the bottom of the ninth to take a six-run advantage at 9-3.
After the game Sanchez said that both teams played tough and that he hopes his boys are as fortunate when and if the Pirates face the Young Guns in the playoffs.
“These guys just come out playing every game. That’s what they do. They come out with their bats and they’re a good team. Hopefully we get on top again,” he said.
The Pirates broke open a scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the third and followed with another outburst that produced a pair of runs in the fourth to take a 5-0 advantage. Manager Jess Wabol’s boys finally got their bats in gear by cranking out a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth and pulled to within two runs of the Pirates when they added another tally in the eighth.
That was as close as the blue crew would get as the Pirates sent four runners across home plate in their final at bats to put the game out of reach.
