Rock Steady, Rangers advanced to BSML finals

Rock Steady continued its unbeaten streak, while Ford Rangers dethroned Tanapag Falcons to arrange a best-of-five series for the 2008 Budweiser Saipan Major League.

With the 2008 season seeing its first weekend morning game at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field last Saturday, Rock Steady defeated the San Roque D-9ers, 9-0, in controversial fashion in the first game when D-9ers third baseman Bob Lizama was thrown out of the game for excessive arguing with the umpires.

And with his ouster reducing the San Roque team’s lineup to eight, officials had no recourse but to call the game in Rock Steady’s favor via 9-0 forfeit.

The controversial ending marred an otherwise fine outing by Rock Steady pitcher Jonathan Camacho, who went all five innings without giving up a run and only allowed six hits.

Second baseman Dane Lizama also had a good game, batting in two runs despite going only 1-for-3. Other contributors were Roy Celis and Tyrone Omar, who accounted for an RBI each, and Nick San Nicolas who went 3-for-3, including a double in the second inning.

While Camacho was wheeling and dealing from the plate, D-9ers pitcher Derik Babauta was getting pelted aplenty by Rock Steady’s hitters.

After giving up only two runs in the first three innings, Babauta allowed four players to cross home plate in the fourth, as the deficit ballooned to 0-6.

It was 9-0 after 4 1/2 innings and San Roque was in trouble of losing via 10-run mercy rule, but fortunately or unfortunately for the D-9ers, Lizama’s outburst saved them the misery and kept Rock Steady on course to a perfect season.

SML commissioner Tony Rogologoi said Lizama’s antics was not left unnoticed by the board.

“With respect to the incident in the first game that resulted in an ejection of a player, the SML will meet to decide on what sanctions to take,” he said.

In the second game, Tanapag kissed its back-to-back championship aspirations goodbye after losing to pennant runner-up 13-5.

In a continuation of their July 31 match-up that interrupted by power outage, Rangers ace Craig Sanchez settled down after surrendering a two-run double to Falcons’ Manny Evangelista at the start of the reset.

Sanchez bounced back in spectacular fashion by blanking the Falcons the rest of the way. In fact, so efficient was Sanchez from the mound that he retired the 15 batters he faced after the fifth inning in consecutive order to earn the win.

The Joeten Motors Corp.-sponsored team scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of three hits and a double by Benwachi Taisakan, a sacrifice fly by J.P. Sablan, and two wild pitches.

Designated hitter Mel Sakisat led the Rangers with a 2-for-5 performance from the plate, scoring three runs, and driving in three runs as well. Teammate Clifton Silil went 2-for-5 with one run, while J.J. Laniyo went 2-for-4.

Game 1 of the best-of-five series between Rock Steady and the Ford Rangers start tonight at the Oleai Sports Complex.