Aztecs Deal Blazers 7-5 Loss
The Mexico City Aztecs beat the Montreal Blazers by a score of 7-5. Mexico City left fielder Felipe Vega deserved the lion's share of the credit. Vega went 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 walks for the Aztecs. Michael Sullivan, the winning pitcher, is now 1-0. He went 7.2 innings, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits, while fanning 6 and walking 1. Manuel Cruz closed the door for Mexico City, picking up his 3rd save of the year.
With one out in the top of the second, Fernando Moreno put Mexico City in front, 4-3, with a run-scoring single. The Aztecs went on to win the ballgame. "No time for posing," said Vega. "The next game will be here before you know it." The win puts Mexico City at 3-3.
The youngster Cheslav Evgrafov was on the mound for the Blazers and would last only 2.2 innings before being yanked. He'd allow 6 runs on 8 hits with 2 walks. The bullpen would come in and allow only 1 run on 6 hits across 3 pitchers.
Blazers Deal Pioneers 3-1 Defeat
Montreal got a strong outing from Don Jaramillo as the Blazers defeated the Calgary Pioneers, 3-1, at The Stockyard. Jaramillo went 7 innings to notch the win. He scattered 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. His record improves to 1-1. The loss puts Calgary at 5-2. Max Birstall would pitch 2 innings in relief, while allowing 1 hit. He'd be credited with the save.
Eduardo González, the two-time All-Star, had a direct impact on the outcome. González contributed a solo home run in the top of the first inning to put Montreal up, 1-0. "We'll kick back tonight and enjoy this win," said González. Honrable mention would be first baseman Lineu Aldo, who would go 3 for 4 on the day.
Pioneers Get Past Montreal for 7-6 Win
In a tight contest at The Stockyard, the Calgary Pioneers edged the Montreal Blazers by the score of 7-6. Calgary right fielder Chris 'Don't touch my drums!' Thomas, who blasted 2 home runs, was a key contributor. The win gives Calgary a record of 6-2.
Larry Stinson was the walk-off hero for Calgary. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Pioneers first baseman hit a dramatic run-scoring double to send the teams home. "This place was rockin'," said Stinson.
The Montreal Blazers were led by Lineu Aldo who went 2 for 4 on the day with 2 runs batted in.
Blazers Drop Pioneers, 9-3
The Montreal Blazers grabbed a win, 9-3, over the Calgary Pioneers at The Stockyard. Montreal right fielder Erik Wignes went 3-5 with a home run and 2 singles, while scoring 3 times. The save was credited to Max Birstall, his 2nd. Calgary falls to 6-3.
With two out in the top of the first, Coy Skinner barreled up a changeup from Frank Boland. The result was a 3-run home run, putting the Blazers in front, 6-0. "If we play like this, we can win a lot of games," Skinner told the Montreal Gazette.
Offseason free agent singing Boris Milatovic was on the mound for Montreal and pitched 6.0 innings while allowing 3 runs on 9 hits with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. Arsenio Lambrinos would pitch 1.1 scoreless innings before Birstall picked up the save.
Pioneers Sneak By Blazers, 9-8
The Calgary Pioneers bested the Montreal Blazers, 9-8, at The Stockyard. Juan Noriega was one of the standouts. He was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double, while adding 4 RBI and scoring once. The win gives Calgary a record of 7-3.
Adam Backhouse was the walk-off hero for Calgary. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Pioneers designated hitter hit a dramatic solo home run to send the teams home. "It was a nice win for our side today," said Pioneers manager Terry Cochran. "Not perfect, but we'll take it."
Both starters would leave the game with no decision. Bill Mills for Montreal would go 5.1 innings while allowing 8 runs on 11 hits with 2 home runs. Gerald 'The Boogeyman' Sizemore for Calgary went 6.0 innings allowing 5 runson 6 hits with 3 strikeouts and 2 home runs.
DH/CL Carlton Casson lead the Blazers on the offensive side, going 2 for 3 with 2 runs batted in.
Allen Helps Charm City Outscore Montreal
It was a day for offense at OLD BAY Park at Camden Yards as the Charm City Jimmies trumped the Montreal Blazers, 11-10. Charm City first baseman Gary Allen was terrific. He went 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 doubles. He scored 3 times and drove in 3. Charm City reliever José Rodríguez picked up the win, upping his record to 2-0. Cheslav Evgrafov absorbed the loss, his 2nd straight loss while giving up a combined 12 runs. Lindsay Barber finished the game for Charm City and earned his 3rd save.
Allen contributed in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on 1st and 2nd, he hit a 3-run home run. It was one at-bat among others that helped Charm City get the win. "We maximized our offense today," said Charm City skipper Pedro Medina. "That makes everyone's life easier." The Jimmies, now 3-8, have not found much traction so far in 2051.
Montreal was lead offensively by second baseman Coy Skinner who went 2 for 3 with 4 RBI's and 2 walks.
Blazers Lick Jimmies, 11-2
Behind the hitting of Coy Skinner, the Montreal Blazers stopped the Charm City Jimmies, 11-2. Skinner was 4-4 with 4 singles and a walk, while scoring 2 times and driving in 2 for the Blazers. Don Jaramillo earned the win for Montreal. He lasted 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, while striking out 3. With the win, he raised his record to 2-1. The Jimmies fall to 3-9 and continue their unimpressive start to the 2051 season.
Who knows how it might've ended, had it not been for Joe Bradshaw? The Montreal catcher had a run-scoring double in the top of the second inning to put the Blazers on top, 1-0. For the game, Bradshaw had 2 doubles and 1 single in 5 at-bats.
"We did a lot of things right," said Bradshaw.
