Bulls gore Uni-Bikers in Baseball-5

MANILA, Philippines - Newly acquired Romeo Jasmin proved why he was a key addition for the Batangas Bulls as they rallied past the upset-minded Dumaguete Uni-Bikers, 2-1, at the resumption of Baseball Philippines Series 5 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Jasmin, acquired in a trade with the Alabang Tigers (formerly Muntinlupa Mariners), kept the Uni-Bikers hitless in the last five innings of the contest while scoring the go-ahead run in the seventh on a gutsy steal from third base that pushed the Bulls to their third win in as many games to grab sole possession of first place.

Earlier, the two-time champion Cebu Dolphins pulled away with a six-run seventh inning in cruising past the cellar-dwelling Forward Taguig Patriots, 8-1.

The Dolphins annexed their second win in as many games following a 17-7 massacre of Dumaguete last Sunday while the Patriots succumbed to their third consecutive setback.

A former UAAP Most Valuable Player and reigning Best Pitcher for champion Adamson University, Jasmin also had two strikeouts and walked two batters since replacing ace pitcher Vladimir Eguia at the start of the fifth inning.

“His addition has really helped the team, especially with the new pitch count rule. It helps solidify our rotation,” Batangas team manager Randy Dizer said of Jasmin.

Jesse Natanauan was responsible for tying the game at 1-1 after his ingle to right field sent home second base runner Ericson Eguia with two outs in the seventh frame.

Then, Dumaguete catcher Edmer del Socorro gambled by trying to pick off a stealing Natanauan at second base. This allowed Jasmin, who reached third on the earlier hit, to score Batangas’ second run in the contest.

Uni-Bikers’ ace lefty Darwin dela Calzada didn’t mind the 75-pitch count limit as he hurled a no-relief effort, fanning four batters and gave up seven hits in 99 pitches thrown as they remained winless with a record of 0-2.

Meanwhile, centerfielder Jonash Ponce had two runs-batted-in, including one in the seventh inning, that helped the Dolphins’ pull-away.

Cebu starter Joseph Orillana, the Series 4 MVP, had four strikeouts in four innings of work and kept the Taguig offense off as he allowed just one run and three hits to earn the win.