DUBAI: A 7-3 win by the Mid East Falcons over the Mumbai Cobras on Tuesday saw the team end its two-game losing streak in Baseball United’s inaugural season.
Gregory Cano hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, which Jake Hjelle repeated in the ninth. Manato Tanai went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and one run batted in, securing a vital win for the Abu Dhabi franchise.
The Falcons are now second in the table behind the Cobras, with the Arabia Wolves in third and Karachi Monarchs fourth.
Tanai, one of two Yokohama Baystars prospects, hit a solo home run in the fourth inning; Hjelle went 2-for-5 with one run scored and three RBIs; and Cano went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs; all three led an outstanding offensive performance for Mid East.
The team’s pitching staff also had a solid night on the mound, highlighted by starter Kazuki Yabuta (4.0 IP 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO). Shuto Sakurai picked up the win after a solid 2.0 IP relief with one hit and five strikeouts after scoring a Fire Ball with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
Shingo Hirata (1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 SO), Kodai Hamaya (0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER), and Severino Gonzalez, who earned the save (1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) completed the Falcons’ pitching line.
The win means the Falcons take sole possession of second place in the Baseball United Season One standings (3-2).
Other highlights:
Karan Patel took the loss after 4.0 IP (6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR); Brandon Kaminer (1.0 IP, O ER, 2 SO, 1HR); Nyan Hernandez (3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 1HR) and Saurabh Gaikwad (1.0 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR).
Brantley Bell (2-for-5), and Karim Ayubi (2-for-4) stood out in the Mumbai offense.
Bell reached 14 total hits to remain the absolute leader in this category.
