Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Pirates,Yankees battle for Little League division lead

By Dick Sparrer

It may still be early in the season in the major division of the Los Gatos Little League.

But the time of year doesn't make this week's confrontation between the Pirates and Yankees any less important.

The two clubs share the division lead with matching 4-0 records, and they'll go head-to-head in a pair of games that will surround this Saturday's Little League Celebration Day at Baggerly Field in Blossom Hill Park.

The Yanks and Bucs will collide in a 5:30 p.m. game on Friday, then meet again on Sunday in a 1:30 p.m. battle.

In between, the Los Gatos Little League Celebration Day will keep players and parents busy.

The league will host all of the players on all of the teams in every division in special ceremonies on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the major-division field in Blossom Hill Park. There will be a hit-a-thon, league pictures will be taken and there will be a special barbecue.

Following the morning ceremonies, the defending division champion Padres will take on the Expos in the first game of the day at 11:15 a.m. The Mariners and Giants will collide at 1:30 p.m., with the A's and the Indians capping the day with a 3:45 p.m. game.

The Cubs and Rangers will take to the field at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, following the key clash between the Yankees and Pirates.

The two unbeaten clubs set up their key games this week with victories last week. The Pirates edged the Rangers 5-3 and the Yankees clubbed the Giants 14-5.

The Pirates rallied for four runs in the fourth to pull out the win over the Rangers. A two-run single by Daniel Silva was the key hit in the game-winning rally. Matt Seymour singled home a run, and Dylan Burke chased home another with a sacrifice fly. Danny Frey and Justin Schafer also singled in the inning.

Nick Scarlata singled and doubled in the game for the Rangers.

Jason Livingstone struck out seven in four innings to lead the Yanks to the win over the Giants. Daniel Bates singled and doubled and scored three runs in the win.

Michael Robards and Kyle Jensen slapped two hits apiece for the Yankees, and Beau Brigham ripped a double.

Chad Rabello belted two hits, and Jake Schonig doubled in the game for the Giants.

The Giants had opened the week with a tight 13-12 win over the Cubs. Jeremy Bays was four-for-four with a double and scored three times in the win. Rabello scored four runs for the Giants, and Schonig walked three times and was hit by a pitch.

Ryan Presley doubled and singled twice for the Cubs and Tyler Carnathan had two hits.

The Cubs came back later the same the day to nip the Giants 4-3. Kenny Rodrigues doubled and singled in the win. Sean Fetke had two hits and scored twice, and Jordan Fenner cracked a double.

Erik Rollin and Bays each singled and doubled for the Giants.

The Cubs evened their season record at 2-2 with a 12-2 win over the Expos to close out the week. Presley tossed a complete game to get the win, fanning seven and giving up just four hits. He also scored four runs for the winners. Rodrigues ripped a two-run double in the second for the key hit of the game.

Marc Hellebrand's two-run single in the second was the only score for the Expos.

In other action, the A's handled the Padres 8-2 and the Marlins beat the Indians 7-2.

Danny Sullivan, a 10-year-old, went the distance to pick up the pitching win for the A's against the Pads. Sullivan struck out eight, and he also helped the club offensively with a pair of singles. Nick Gionfriddo doubled and tripled, Scott Brown had two hits and Jesse Barron doubled.

Bryan Ceglio tripled in the game for the Padres.

Russell Laubach went all the way to fire a two-hitter for the Marlins in the win over the Indians. Laubach fanned 10 and helped his cause at the plate with a couple of singles. Mike Brienzo singled and doubled, and Bret Davis had two hits in the win.

Los Gatos Little League major-division standings: Pirates 4-0, Yankees 4-0, Marlins 3-1, A's 2-2, Cubs 2-2, Expos 2-2, Giants 1-3, Indians 1-3, Rangers 1-3, Padres 0-4.

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