Filipino sluggers forge overpowering East Asia start

The Philippines scored six runs in the first inning to provide enough run support for ace pitcher Romeo Jasmin in pouncing Indonesia, 13-1, in seven innings as the East Asia Baseball Cup began Tuesday in Clark, Pampanga.

Mark Beronilla’s two-run triple with two outs in the opening frame sparked the scoring onslaught the Filipino batters needed to help put in motion their bid for a sixth consecutive title at Field 1 of The Villages.

Jasmin, the MVP of last year’s event in Thailand, pitched five innings, allowing four hits and the lone run in the fourth as the Philippines won the opener that was abbreviated because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Tournament rules call for the end of the game if a team is up by 10 runs after seven innings or more.

“I give credit to Indonesia, they worked hard. But our philosophy is we are going to score runs,” coach Vince Sagisi said. “We like to swing the bat … And we’ve got guys who can hit.”

The Nationals close their Group B campaign Wednesday against Singapore for a chance to punch their ticket into the Super Round of the seven-team competition.

The top two teams will join their counterparts in Group A in the Super Round where at stake are spots in Sunday’s championship game. The two finalists will also qualify for the Asian Baseball Championship.

Jasmin also struck out two batters before relievers Kennedy Torres and JP Macasaet pitched the sixth and seventh innings, respectively. INQ