Braves Alan Sarmiento avoids a wild pitch in the big win over the Cardinals. (photo by Jose Perez)
The first night of BBL Playoffs started off with a bang as the number one seeded Braves dismantled the fourth seeded 76 Cardinals 17-0 via the 10 run mercy rule Tuesday night in Game 1 of the best of 5 series at the Paseo Stadium.
After losing their last two regular season games and barely getting the top seed of the playoffs, the Braves came out on all cylinders in their quest to win their fifth straight BBL championship. They are the only team in Guam GML/BBL history to win four consecutive.
The Braves got off to a hot start as Jared Palomo hit a double. Plays later, Palomo would score on a run after an RBI Single from Jim Reyes, making the score 1-0 at the bottom of the first. Moments later Pete Guerrero hit a 2 RBI single that would bring in Reyes and teammate Rico Castro home and making the score 3-0. The Braves would score another two runs before retiring at the bottom of the first giving them a lead of 5-0.
Not only were the Braves hot on offense; their defense was on point as well. Pitcher John Pangelinan threw six strikeouts as the Moylan’s defense made it hard for the Cardinals to even get on base, which they hardly did.
After three innings of play the Braves were still in the lead 7-0 and it seemed as if the Cardinals were trying to gather some momentum looking for a good defensive stop in the bottom of the fourth. However, the Braves had an offensive surge by scoring a total of seven runs in the inning to increasing the lead to 14-0.
Reyes was the spark for the Braves’ scoring spree hitting a highlight reel single into left field putting his team in good position to score. Plays later he would score off of another RBI single hit by Palomo making the score 11-0. Reyes and Jared Palomo both went 3-4 to lead the 16-hit attack.
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday night at Paseo Stadium at 7 pm.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
The Cardinals could not develop any type of offensive rhythm against an alert Braves defense. (photo by Jose Perez)
Cardinals catcher CJ San Miguel misjudges the pop fly by Jimmy Reyes. (photo by Jose Perez)
Braves starter John Pangelinan was in control with a lot of offensive help behind him. (photo by Jose Perez)
“That’s enough for today” : The Braves cashed in three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to seal the win. (photo by Jose Perez)