RED SOX OR ATHLETICS

NINTH INNING RALLY CARRIES NATIONALS TO WIN IN 18AAA ALL STAR GAME Jose Espino of Los Tigres smashed a double to score Billy Brescia (Rockets) with the winning run in the 9th inning as the National Division nipped the Americans 4-3 in the 18AAA midseason clash at Lantana Sports Complex Wednesday, December 11. Espino’s game winner, off the Twins’ Geraldo Vasquez, came with two outs and decided an exciting game dominated by pitching and solid defense. Steve Ausdenmoore (Cardinals) drew a leadoff walk to start the rally, but was forced at second on Brescia’s grounder. Brescia raced home from first on Espino’s smash high off the fence in left center field. It was only the third hit of the game for the winners off five American division pitchers. The Americans had eight hits off a quintet of Nationals’ pitchers. The Americans took an early lead in the first when Aaron Hancock (Orioles) singled, stole second and scored on Orioles’ teammate Stefan Clarke’s sharp single up the middle off Nationals’ starter Mike Draper (Rockets). Clarke stole second and advanced to third on a one out single by Matt Bautz (Indians), but Draper got out of the jam by coaxing Jim Romano (Orioles) into an inning ending double play started by Espino at third base. The Nationals took a 3-1 lead in the third. Diego Lezcano (Pirates), singled, Antonio Herrera (Rockets) walked, Max Johnson hit into a fielder’s choice, putting runners at the corners. Emilio Vargas (Cardinals) reached on an infield error, Lezcano scoring to make it 2-0 and moving Johnson to third. Vargas stole second. Nick Adames (Los Tigres) singled down the third base line, scoring Johnson. Vargas also scored when the relay to the plate was wide. They American squad cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the third. Dan DiStefano (A’s) singled and went to second on a wild pitch by Carlos Mercedes (Los Tigres). Mercedes struck out Brandon Grishaber (Orioles) but Grishaber reached first and DiStefano took third on the wild pitch third strike. Di Stefano scored on a tapper to the mound by Ricky Dominguez (Twins). Hancock ignited a rally that tied it at 3-3 in the fifth. He doubled to left, stole third and scored on a long single by Chris Murphy (Indians), who got caught and was retired on a rundown between first and second. The teams battled through three scoreless innings until Espino’s game winning blow in the ninth. Espino then retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, chalking up a save for winning pitcher Brian Fitzsimmons (Rockets). Espino was selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player. Hancock was outstanding in a losing cause for the American division squad with a double, single, two stolen bases and two runs scored. Mike Crum (A’s) made the defensive play of the game, a diving catch in right to rob Draper of extra bases.