IBL: Miracle outslugs Blue Sox

Netanya Tigers beat Petah Tikva Pioneers; Ra'anana Express defeat the second-place Tel Aviv Lighting.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Baseball Tigers 298.88 (photo credit: Efrat Sa'ar)
Baseball Tigers 298.88
(photo credit: Efrat Sa'ar)
The Beit Shemesh Blue Sox and the Modi'in Miracle played out a slugfest at Gezer on Sunday as the teams combined for six home runs in a 10-6 Miracle victory. The win puts the third-place Miracle just one and a half games behind the first-place Blue Sox. Second baseman Noah Walker of Oakland, California had a big game for the Miracle, going 2-for-4 with a three-run shot in the first inning that put Modi'in up 5-0. Catcher Eladio Rodriguez and centerfielder Adalberto Paulino also had two hits each and a home run apiece for the Miracle. Beit Shemesh waged a comeback in the third inning off back-to-back-to-back homers from Jason Rees, Johnny Lopez, and Scott Jarmakowicz, but it wasn't enough for the Sox, who have now lost three of their last four games. Netanya 8, Petah Tikva 7 The Netanya Tigers handed the Petah Tikva Pioneers their 13th loss of the season in an 8-7 Tigers victory that was called after six innings due to darkness. Petah Tikva jumped out to an early lead in the first inning before falling behind in the third and then taking the 7-6 lead once again in the fourth. But in the sixth and final inning of this game, Dominican designated hitter Julio Guerrero hit a double to center that scored the tying run. Guerrero, the brother of Los Angelese Angels batter Vladimir Guerrero, went 3-for-4 with two RBI, and then scored the go-ahead run on a Hector De Los Santos sacrifice bunt. Ra'anana 4, Tel Aviv 0 The late game of the night saw the Ra'anana Express defeat the second-place Tel Aviv Lighting. Express right-hander Esequier Pie threw another gem, lasting all seven innings and allowing no runs on just one hit while striking out eleven and walking five. Pie needed little offensive support and he received all of it in the first inning when rightfielder Matt Castillo laced a triple to right field that scored the first three runs of the game. It was all Pie would need as the win puts Ra'anana within five and a half games of Beit Shemesh.