Rangers a win away from title

Ford Rangers needed an extra inning to take Game 3 of the finals series in the 2008 Budweiser Saipan Major League and moved a win away from clinching the championship.

Shortstop Jesus Iguel hit a two-run single at the top of the 10th inning to lift the Rangers to a 9-6 victory at the continuation of the power outage-halted Game 3 last night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” M. Palacios Ballfield.

Game 3 was first played Sunday, but was suspended after the top of the ninth due to a power outage with the match tied at 6-all.

When the game resumed last night, Rock Steady needed only one run at the bottom of the ninth to claim the lead in the best-of-five championship series.

But the Rangers’ defense hung on, allowing only one hit and giving up no runs. Rock Steady shortstop Oliver Secharmidal was beaten to first, then relief pitcher Mel Sakisat struck out Eric Lizama for the second straight out.

Nikki San Nicolas, who relieved Luis Iguel at bat at the bottom of the ninth, singled and later advanced to second on a stolen base. But he was stranded on second base after centerfielder and fourth batter Tyrone Omar was beaten to first, sending the game to extra innings.

J.J. Laniyo led off for the Rangers at the bottom of the 10th and walked, while second batter J.P, Sablan singled. Mario Sablan was next at bat, but was beaten to first.

With runners in scoring position, Jesus Iguel stepped up to the plate and blasted a two-run homer to give the Rangers an 8-6 lead.

Rangers catcher Robert Bansil made it 9-6, when he singled and drove in Jesus Iguel. The Rangers next two batters were thrown out with Rock Steady relief pitcher Roy Celis, who replaced John Mafnas at the bottom of the eighth, striking out Pete Tomokane and Benwachi Taisakan flying out to left.

Rock Steady needed to score three runs to force another extra inning and four to steal the game. They did neither, as the Rangers’ defense was there again to preserve the victory.

Leadoff batter Dane Lizama and Toi Celis were beaten to first base.

Catcher Manny Sablan advanced on a shortstop error and moved to second, as Sakisat walked fourth batter Roy Celis.

But that was as far as Sablan could get, as the Rangers sealed the win when third baseman Peter Tomokane caught Vince Sablan’s line drive for the third out.

J.P. Sablan went 4-for-5 for the Rangers, while Jesus Iguel was 3-for-6 and had four RBIs. Bansil was 2-for-6 at the plate.

Winning pitcher Kelvin Kapileo pitched 8.2 innings for the Rangers, striking out four, walking three, and giving up seven hits.

Luis Iguel went 2-or-3 for Rock Steady, which ironically had a better batting average compared to the Rangers. Rock Steady hit 11-for-51 for a batting average of .215, while the Rangers recorded .200 after going 10-for-50.

Game 4 was being played last night, but results of the match were unavailable at press time. A Rangers win in Game 4 will wrap up the series, while a loss will force a deciding Game 5 tomorrow.