Tokyo pitcher Jonathan Bryant had a large part in his team subduing the Athens Fighting Centaurs, 5-2. The opposition could never mount much of a rally against the left-hander. In 5.1 innings, Bryant surrendered 3 hits, while striking out 8 and walking 2. He allowed 2 runs. This win makes it 5 in a row for Tokyo.
The Fighting Centaurs had been locked in a 2-2 tie with the Pearls going into the bottom of the fifth inning. That changed quickly when the two-time All-Star Jules Le Gal came to the plate. Le Gal hit a run-scoring double on a 2-2 cutter from Athens hurler Vincente Hernandez. It was Le Gal's 25th double of the year.
"It's nice to step up when your team needs you," said Le Gal.
Vincente Hernandez picked up the loss for Athens, pitching 4.1 innings while allowing 5 runs on 7 hits with 4 walks and strikeouts each.
Athens started the game out great, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning. Jack Acheson hit a 2-0 pitch for a double before Andres Soto hit a 2 out 1-0 pitch 353 feet for his 20th home run of the season. Athens would be hitless the remainder of the game.
For the 2nd straight game, the Fighting Centaurs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st on 2 solo homeruns. With one out, Carl Torraville hit a 1-0 pitch 380 feet for his 5th of the season. Two batters later on a 2-2 count, Matthew Woods hit is 1st of the game and 21st of the season to make it 2-0 Athens.
Despite Woods’ terrific game it still wasn't enough to get his team a win as Tokyo beat the Fighting Centaurs, 6-5. Tokyo has now reeled off 6 straight wins.
José Espinoza was the walk-off hero for Tokyo. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Pearls shortstop hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home. "It's what good teams do, find a way to win," said Espinoza.
Tokyo center fielder Matthew Ewing contributed significantly to his team's 8-0 win over the Athens Fighting Centaurs. Ewing, who is tied for 2nd in the GBC EA in triples with 5, went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored to lead the offensive attack for the Pearls. The first-place Pearls have a one-game lead in their division.
With Tokyo leading 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Ewing came up to bat against Athens pitcher Abdul-Muhaimin Saleem. Ewing hit a cutter to right for a 3-run home run. His 8th home run of the season put the Pearls on top, 7-0. "We had a nice day," said Tokyo skipper Tiljad Mwarania.
The Fighting Centaurs mustered only 3 hits. Pearls pitcher Barry Short pitched a solid 6.1 innings, allowing just those 3 hits while strikeout out 4. For Athens, Saleem lasted just 3.2 innings allowing 7 runs on 7 hits with 3 strikeouts. Three of those seven hits were the long ball. Saleem moves to 6-7 on the year.
Athens is nothing if not consistent, again jumping out to a lead in the top of the 1st inning on a Carl Torraville run scoring doubule. That's all the offense the Fighting Centaurs would muster as they'd scatter 7 more hits over the next 8 innings without scoring a run. The Johannesburg Gold scored 4 runs in the 8th to coast to a win over the Athens Fighting Centaurs, 10-1. James Belinda had a good day at the plate for Johannesburg. He was 3 for 4 with a home run and a double, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 5. Johannesburg is now 57-47, while Athens is 36-67.
With Johannesburg trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Belinda hit a 2-run single off Athens hurler Romain Cormier. It was the 92nd hit of the season for Belinda and put his team ahead, 2-1.
"We'll need a much better effort, the next time out," said losing manager Raoul de Braber.
Another 2 run first inning for Athens but Essam bin Eisa had a 3-RBI game, during Johannesburg's 12-4 triumph over the Athens Fighting Centaurs. bin Eisa contributed 1 single and 1 home run to the cause. The Gold, at 58-47, sit in first place in the GBC AfSAmOc.
With Johannesburg trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the second, bin Eisa hit a slider from Vincente Hernandez for a 3-run home run. It was his 4th home run of the season and put the Gold ahead, 4-2.
"Every time you put a 'W' on the board is always good," said bin Eisa.
Vincente Hernandez lasted only 2.1 innings for Athens, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits to move to 0-2 on the year. His third straight game lasting 4.2 innings or less.
The Athens Fighting Centaurs needed 12 innings to defeat the London Monarchs, 8-5, at Piraeus Park. Athens right fielder Hussein Suhayb had a superb performance. He was 3-5 with a home run, 2 singles, and a walk, while adding 3 RBI and scoring once. The Monarchs have now dropped 5 straight and the Fighting Centaurs snap a 2 game skid.
Travis Wearne was on the mound for Athens and pitched 5.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. Sabih bin Husam al Din picked up the win out of the bullpen, pitching a hitless 12th inning.
The game was still up for grabs in the bottom of the 12th. With one out, Suhayb hit a fastball from Connor Hetherington for a 3-run home run. The Fighting Centaurs, in dramatic fashion, had a walk-off win. "It's great when the crowd gets into it," Suhayb said.
Next week, Athens closes out the Month of July, finishing up the 3-game series with the Monarchs before a 4-game set vs Moscow.
