The Blue Jays’ Benji Palacios pitches against the D9er’s during a 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League game at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
The Blue Jays’ Alvin Takai beats the tag as he slides to second base during a 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League game at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
THE Blue Jays tasted their first win in the 2024 season of the Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League after holding down the D9er’s, 5-1, at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios baseball field.
The game was delayed, but it was what the Blue Jays needed to get their rhythm going.
The D9er’s seemed to have a strong start as first at bat Isaiah Lizama nearly rounded the bases, but was denied a scored run as three consecutive outs followed right after.
The Blue Jays then took advantage of the D9er’s’ faulty defense. Opening batter James Salalila wreaked havoc infield after a base on ball as he stole his way through third and quickly made his way home safely off a fielder’s choice. Terrel Rabago and Jesse Mesa added a run each while Joe Kaipat earned an RBI single before moving on to the second inning with the Blue Jays leading 3-0.
After two scoreless innings, the D9er’s were finally able to shed some light. After a couple of hits, a run was finally scored by Cody Omengkar’s single that brought in Joe Tudela Jr. to cut the Blue Jays’ lead, 1-3.
But it turned out to be the D9er’s only run in the ball game.
The Blue Jays quickly erased all hopes of a rally in the fifth inning, leaving two D9er’s runners on base, The Blue Jays then squeezed in two runs — one off a wild pitch and the other aided by Jesse Mesa for an RBI single to further stretch the gap, 5-1.
The D9er’s continued to put up a fight but Blue Jays pitcher Benji Palacios struck out three batters in the top of the sixth and two more in the seventh and final inning to seal the deal for his team.
