Blue Jays’ shortstop Shawn Matsutaro and second baseman Harlan Reyes rush to pick off an attempt to steal by Marlin’s Roy Matagolai during a 2024 SBL Masters League game at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Friday.
Marlins pitcher Aaron Benavente winds up during a game against the Blue Jays in the 2024 SBL Masters League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Friday.
THE Blue Jays bagged their first win in the 2024 SBL Masters League by defeating the Marlins, 19-14, at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Friday.
The Blue Jays came out swinging in the top of the opening inning. First blood was drawn by Rick Bauer whose hit not only put him on first base, but brought Jun Salalila home safely to give their team the lead. Not long after, Marino Hiroichi capitalized on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 2-0.
Despite two outs, the Blue Jays added two more runs with Paul Salalila bringing in Bauer and earning an RBI single. Salalila then made his way home off Harlan Reyes’ RBI single to make it 4-0 in favor of the Blue Jays.
In the second inning, the Blue Jays quickly disposed of the Marlins and added three more runs to gain a comfortable 7-0 distance.
The Blue Jays then fell into a defensive slump. Walk after walk, the Marlins were handed free runs with a total of nine of the 11 scored off base on balls, allowing them to take over the lead, 11-7.
As the game progressed, the Marlins added two runs by the end of the fifth inning while the Blue Jays could answer with one run only.
Down 8-13, the Blue Jays had no choice but to make a last stand. In the top of the sixth inning, they played more aggressively and were rewarded for their efforts with Shawn Matsutaro stealing his way to third base and eventually reaching home safely off a sacrifice fly by Hiroichi. Two more runs followed via fielder’s choice while Harlan Reyes earned a two-RBI double to tie the game, 13-13.
Although the Marlins retaliated with a solo run s in the bottom half, the Blue Jays unleashed six more runs in the top of the seventh to regain the upper hand, 19-14.
The Marlins had one last chance for a comeback, but the Blue Jays gave up just one hit before recording the three outs needed to seal the win.
