Announcement
FALL 2009-PIRATES DOMINATED NATIONALS BEAT AMERICANS IN 18AA ALL STAR GAME
NATIONALS TOP AMERICANS IN 18AA ALL STAR ‘PLUNKFEST’
The Nationals (Pirates, Sugar Kings, Dodgers, Braves) survived being hit by pitches six times to down the Americans (Mariners, Rangers, Marlins and Tigers) 10-5 in the twice postponed 18AA All Star Game December 22 at Santaluces.
A four run first inning and a three run third inning helped lift the Nats to victory. Singles by Damon Gammons (Pirates), Joe Perez (Sugar Kings), and Sean Keller (Pirates), sandwiched around a hit batsman, fielder’s choice and a walk comprised the big inning off starter Rick Mullan (Mariners), who lasted only 1/3 of an inning before leaving with an injury. Reliever Marty Guethler (Mariners) struck out two to end the inning, but also gave up Keller’s two run single.
Nestor Sanjurjo (Sugar Kings) drove in the first run on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded. Perez knocked in the second run with his base hit. Three more in the third gave the Nationals a 7-0 lead for starting pitcher Jason Plocek, who pitched three shutout innings, allowing only a hit by the Marlins’ Mike Mitchell. He struck out four, walked two and hit a batter, and was the winning pitcher. He aided his own cause with a single and an RBI double to earn Most Valuable Player honors. Rick Mullan (Mariners) took the loss.
Four walks, three singles and a hit batsman gave the Nats three in the third. Luis Gonzalez (Pirates) walked with the bases loaded, Sanjurjo singled in a run, and Yandri Cabrera was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Plocek and Keller also had hits in the inning. Keller’s hit came on a ground ball that hit runner Perez. The Nationals made it 8-0 with a run in the fourth when Anthony Rosa (Pirates) stole second, third and home after drawing a two out walk. The Americans scored five unanswered runs, and Emilio Vargas (Rangers) blanked the Nationals on no hits and three strikeouts.
In the 5th, Richard Pearce (Rangers) doubled and scored on a single by Teddy Saldivar. In the 6th, Eddie Vazquez (Rangers) reached on an error, moved to third on an errant pickoff attempt and scored on a wild pitch by Mario Estevez (Sugar Kings). And, in the 7th, John Denski (Marlins) clouted a long double to center field and eventually scored on an infield roller by Mike Payne (Tigers). They made it 8-5 with two more in the 8th. Pearce reached on an error by the catcher, and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Barry Glinton (Mariners) singled in another run.
The Pirates tacked on two more in the 9th on a single by Jason Martin (Dodgers), an RBI double by Plocek and a run scoring single by Damon Gammons rounded out the scoring before time ran out.
