BATANGAS exploited the absence of several key men in the enemy’s lineup to stun three-time defending champion Manila, 11-4, yesterday in Baseball Philippines’ Series 9 at the Clark Field in Pampanga.
The Bulls pelted the Sharks’ pitching rotation with 15 hits to gain a share of the lead after Alabang and Dumaguete floundered in nearby fields for identical 2-1 slates.
Dumaguete notched its first victory after a clinical 10-3 thumping of Alabang, while Series 2 and 4 champion Cebu went down, 4-5, to Taguig after blowing a 4-3 lead at the top of the ninth inning.
Batangas scored heavily in the first and third frames to take command early as it looked very capable of reclaiming the championship it won in Seasons 3 and 5.
Team manager Randy Dizer’s charges displayed sharpness on offense and defense, forcing four 1-2-3 innings on the Sharks.
Hurler Charlie Labrador and Jonjon Robles and four other national players left a void too big for Manila to fill as the Sharks sank to 1-2.
Francis Gesmundo, Roel Baclay, Jayson Dimacutac and Tawi delos Reyes took turns at the mound but couldn’t hold down the Bulls.
Joseph Apura ignited the scoring spree with a two-run double in the opening inning.
Linescores:
First Game
BATANGAS—315 000 020—11 15 6
MANILA—102 000 010—4 5 5
Second Game
CEBU—000 010 003—4 5 2
TAGUIG—000 002 003—5 5 3
Third Game
ALABANG—110 100 000—3 2 2
DUMAGUETE—300 310 120—10 6 1