The Padres’ Jonah Flores slides to second base to beat a pick-off attempt during a game in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios baseball field.
THE Padres have advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League after eliminating the Blue Jays, 7-4, in their quarterfinal game at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Thursday.
The game started slow with neither team able to break the ice after two innings.
But in the top of the third, the Blue Jays connected a series of hits that turned into an earned run by Frankie Lieto with an RBI single that brought in Terrel Rabago to give their team the lead, 1-0.
However, their time in the spotlight was short-lived as they struggled to find their chemistry on the defensive end.
The bottom of the third was filled with defensive errors that allowed the Padres to steal bases and score six runs to take over the lead, 6-1.
After two innings of silence, the Blue Jays finally regained momentum with Lieto scoring off an error, but the Padres retaliated in the bottom of the fifth with a solo run off an error to remain afloat, 7-2.
The Blue Jays had one last chance to stay relevant and nearly pulled it off with two runs scored — one off a stolen base while the other was contributed by Jun Salalila’s sacrifice play.
But Padres first baseman Tony Salas dashed the Blue Jay’s hopes by picking off a runner on third for the third and final out, which sealed the deal, 7-4.
