Tel Aviv Lighning closes on in faltering Blue Sox

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
The Tel Aviv Lightning pulled within a half-game of the Beit Shemesh Blue Sox with a 5-0 victory on Friday. It turned into a heated game after two collisions at home plate in which Bet Shemesh catcher Scott Jarmakowicz somehow managed to hold onto the ball in both collisions and then exchanged words with the Tel Aviv bench. But no matter what Jarmakowicz said it wasn't enough to get any offense going against Lighting hurler Aaron Pribble of San Francisco, California. Pribble dominated the Sox in a complete game, scattering five hits while striking out 11 and walking two batters to improve to a league-best 4-0 with a 0.71 ERA. Tel Aviv centerfielder Bryan Langbord of Atlanta, Georgia went 2-for-3, putting the game away in the sixth with a three-run home run as Tel Aviv improves to 10-3. Pioneers 2, Tigers 1 For the second day in a row it took a home run derby to decide an IBL game, but this time it was the last-place Petah Tikva Pioneers beating the Netanya Tigers 2-1. The Tigers' Matt Comiter and the Pioneers' Andrew Morales both pitched a solid game, allowing just one run apiece. Netanya scored first in the fourth when centerfielder Josh Doane, who went 2-for-3, tripled before he was brought in on a sac fly from New York native Dan Rootenberg. Pioneers leftfielder Ryan Crotin raised his average to .357 with a 3-for-3 day, including an RBI double in the sixth inning that tied the score. Crotin also hit two homers in the home run derby as Petah Tikva won the derby 3-1 and snapped their nine-game losing streak. Miracle 6, Express 4 At Gezer Field, the Modi'in Miracle held off the Ra'anana Express in the final inning to take the 6-4 victory. The win puts manager Art Shamsky's club within 2.5 games of the first-place Blue Sox. Modi'in first baseman Aaron Levin led the way with a 3-for-3 day and three RBI, including a two-run shot in the third. Miracle pitcher Matt Bennett of Australia threw a complete game, giving up six hits, three earned runs and striking out ten batters while walking two.