AJ Lizama leads Bears against Mariners

Chalan Kanoa Bears pitcher A.J. Lizama waits for the sign of catcher Virgil Secharmidal during their game against the Mariners in the 2018 Saipan Baseball League last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Jon Perez)

A.J. Lizama closed out for the Chalan Kanoa Bears and drove in three RBIs to lift their team to a 7-3 decision over the Mariners in the 2018 Saipan Baseball League last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

Not even a slight scare early in the match and intermittent rain could stop the Bears from clinching their fourth win in five games and joining idle Falcons at second place behind the 6-0 slate of GSM. The victory was second in a row for the CK-based squad as it came from a 16-8 triumph over Ballistics last March 13. The Bears’ lone loss this season so far was against the defending champions Aces (4-14) last March 9.

The Mariners, on the other hand, absorbed their third defeat against two victories, as they failed to make a follow-up on their easy 25-7 win against the Outlaws last week.

The game between the Bears and Mariners was halted for more than 10 minutes after the former’s starting pitcher J.J. Lizama was hit by the line drive of leadoff hitter Shane Yamada at the top of the fourth. J.J. ducked and turned sideways as he tried to get out of the ball’s direction but it was too late. The ball hit the back of his head, prompting game officials to stop the match, as paramedics were called in to administer first aid. J.J. was later taken to CHCC to undergo observation and further tests.

Jose Lizama replaced J.J. and retired Mariners designated hitter Mark Flores, before giving up a single to Jon Villagomez, who was eventually stranded with Yamada after Rick Salas and Jerry Kintol struck out against the right-handed hurler.

Jose had a quick inning in the fifth—fanned Jonah Flores, forced Pat Tenorio to pop out, and grounded out K.J. Deleon Guerrero. However, it took him six batters to end the sixth where he was tagged with one earned run after Yamada, who got on base on a throwing error by shortstop Kiku Lizama with the bases loaded, scored on a Nate Smith RBI walk.

A.J. then took over from Jose and pitched the last three innings where he surrendered one run—earned—on two hits with four strikeouts and one walk. It took five batters and two hits for A.J. to wrap up the game.

He fanned Jonah Flores, but allowed a single to Pat Tenorio, keeping the Mariners’ hopes alive. Deleon Guerrero struck out, while Ton Tenorio drove in younger brother Pat with a double to help the Mariners stay in the game.

A.J. then finally pulled the plug on the Mariners after Yamada struck out swinging to the delight of Bears’ fans that stayed in the game past 10pm to cheer for their team.

Besides a strong finish on the mound, A.J. also went 3-for-4 at bat with one run, an RBI triple in the third, and an RBI single in the sixth. He doubled in the eighth, but was out at home on an excellent defensive play by Mariners catcher Deleon Guerrero, who caught a long throw by Smith from left field.

Kiku Lizama and Angel Palacios, who are both in the Top 10 batting leaders, each went 3-for-5 with the former scoring twice and earning a double and the latter getting one run. Henry Lizama had an RBI single in the second and RBI double in the seventh, as he hit 2-for-4, while Peyton Lizama had a triple and one run on a 1-for-5 performance at the plate.

The Mariners were held by the Bears bullpen to 5-for-31 (.161 average) with Deleon Guerrero going 0-for-5 and brothers Pat and Ton Tenorio combining only for 2-for-9. Their hits came in the ninth as they tried to stage a rally, but came up short.