THE Falcons were just one win away from claiming the pennant of the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League, but they lost to the Padres, 4-8, at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
It was an intense ball game from start to finish.
The top of the opening inning was quickly turned over as the Falcons were met with a strikeout while their next two runners were picked off. In the bottom half, the Padres had a scoring opportunity as second at bat JR Suel made his way to third base with only one out made. But the Falcons inflicted two consecutive outs to end the inning.
After silencing the Falcons in the top of the second, the Padres opened up the scoreboard with a single run contributed by Keith Kintol, who brought in Austin Benavente for an RBI triple, 1-0.
The Falcons scored a solo run in the top of the third inning, but the Padres retaliated with four runs highlighted by a two-RBI single from Jordan Suel and a two-RBI triple from Frankie Lifoifoi in the bottom half to regain the lead, 5-1.
The Falcons continued to put up a fight as Darren Pua brought in two runs for a two-RBI single, but they were held back on the defensive end as their errors allowed three runners to slip by.
Leading 8-3, the Padres were silenced for the remainder of the game, but the Falcons failed to close the distance.
After scoring one run in the top of the fifth, the Falcons barely had the chance to reach first base before being handed three outs. They had no answers throughout the sixth and seventh innings. The Padres were in a similar situation but only needed to focus on defense and hold their ground, which they did to bag the win, 8-4.
Despite the loss, the Falcons still have once more shot at claiming the pennant if they win their final regular season game against the White Sox on July 29.
If the Falcons loses and if two or more teams hold the same win/loss record, the pennant winner will be determined by a points system.
The Falcons’ Tonchu Norita slides to third for a stolen base capitalizing off an error during a game against the Padres in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
The Padres’ Austin Benavente sprints home to score a run during a game against the Falcons in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
Padre’s JP Sablan winds up and sends an offspeed pitch against the Falcons.
Padre’s 3rd Baseman Darion Jones applauds the hit his teammate made to secure 2 RBIs against the Falcons.
Padre’s #27 Tony Salas daps up his base coach off a walk against the Falcons.
Padre’s Kolby Lifoifoi high-fives his base coach off a solid hit against the Falcons.
