Sharks snap slide, trounce Bulls by Jonas Terrado
Sharks 6, Bulls 1
It has been a disappointing campaign thus far for the Manila Sharks in Baseball Philippines Series 4. However, the Sharks rediscovered their dominating ways by dismantling the Batangas Bulls, 6-1.
Manila’s ace pitcher Charlie Labrador rediscovered his old form as the fireballer fanned a tournament-high eight batters in a no-relief effort while the Sharks managed to get 12 hits against the Bulls.
The Sharks snapped a season-worst - and a franchise record - six-game losing skid to improve to 2-6 on the tournament.
Manila is a half-game behind the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers (2-5) for fifth place in the team standings.
Edward Landicho had a two-run double in the fourth that put Manila on the board while Francis Candela, Al-Denn Lozada and Jenald Pareja had two hits apiece in the win.
Labrador, a national team member, yielded 10 hits and a lone run in the ninth inning when Batangas’ Nikko Dizer scored off a catching error by Lozada in centerfield.
The tall but hefty hurler from Sorsogon in the Bicol region has been struggling as of late, posting a mere 1-3 pitching record in the first half of the series.
But the two-time Best Pitcher awardee started off strong by fanning three Batangas batters in the first two innings before eventually throwing eight scoreless innings.
The Bulls dropped to 2-4 but kept themselves in fourth place in the team standings.