Sharks stymie Bulls, wrest solo lead

Manila, Philippines - Manila held Batangas’ runners at bay while exploding for six runs in the third inning as the Sharks rolled to a 7-1 victory yesterday to regain the solo lead in the Baseball Philippines Series 8 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. 

Manila starter Charlie Labrado, Welvin Vispo and Roy Baclao gave up eight hits but stranded 11 runners on base, preserving their lead and the victory, their fourth against one loss.

“Our pitching especially the bullpen had problems in the last two games but they still delivered,” said Manila coach Jhoel Palanog.

Catcher Rommel Roja made two RBIs, including a double that scored Edward Landicho in the sixth for the Sharks’ final run of the game in the league organized by Community Sports Inc. and sponsored by Gatorade and Rawlings.

The Bulls played without coach Randy Dizon, who was in the National Softball Open, and made seven errors in the game, including five in the third frame that hastened their down. They fell to 2-3.

Vladi Eguia was the lone scorer for the Bulls, slamming a solo home run to right field in the fourth off Vispo but failed to draw support from the rest of the team.