IBL: Blue Sox keep winning streak going

The first-place Beit Shemesh Blue Sox held on to beat the last-place Petah Tikva Pioneers 7-6.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Baseball Tigers 298.88 (photo credit: Efrat Sa'ar)
Baseball Tigers 298.88
(photo credit: Efrat Sa'ar)
Following the IBL All-Star Break play resumed on Tuesday, but not all games were completed as the Ra'anana Express and Tel Aviv Lightning were tied at five runs apiece through seven innings before the game was suspended due to darkness. Tel Aviv went up 5-0 after two innings on a two-run double from Dominican shortstop Raul Franco, a two-run triple from third baseman Nate Fish, and an RBI-single from first baseman Stewart Brito. After scoring one run in the top of the first inning, Ra'anana continued to chip away at the lead before designated hitter Scott Feller tied up the game in the seventh inning with his first home run of the year. Following the seventh, the game was suspended and the tie-breaking home run derby will be played at a later date. In the late game at the Baptist Village the first-place Beit Shemesh Blue Sox held on to beat the last-place Petah Tikva Pioneers 7-6. Michigan native Jason Benson earned his fourth victory with five innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts and five walks. The Blue Sox offense drew nine walks and stole eleven bases, including three from leftfielder Mike Lyons of Miami, Florida. Beit Shemesh was up 7-2 entering the seventh inning, but right-handed hurler Alon Leichman couldn't finish the game, giving up a few singles and walks before Scott Jarmakowicz came in to shut the door. The win is the fourth consecutive victory for the Sox, who are now 21⁄2 games ahead of the Tel Aviv Lightning. Meanwhile at Kibbutz Gezer the Modi'in Miracle defeated the Netanya Tigers 7-0 as Dominican Maximo Nelson picked up his league-tying fifth win of the season. The right-hander threw a complete-game shutout, allowing six hits with nine strikeouts and three walks to lower his ERA to 3.42. Nelson needed very little offensive support, but got plenty of it as Australian leftfielder Moko Moanaroa went 2-for-3 with a first-inning grand slam home run. Designated hitter Steve Litvack added a three-run home run in the third, his third long ball of the season.