2021 Yankees Win Third Consecutive Title in Tucson 45+ Division

Tucson MSBL, 45+ Division

Yankees 7, Rays 2

Submitted by Jim Baugher, Yankees manager

It was a hard-fought, best of three series between the Yankees and the Rays with them splitting the first two games.  Game three was just as hard-fought.  The Yankees jumped out ahead in the top of the first inning 2-0.  Oscar Alcantar drove in the runs with a two-rbi single.  Jorge Valencia shut down the Rays all game only allowing the leadoff hitter to reach first base in the fourth and fifth innings.  They were both erased on double-plays. 

Neither team could crack the goose eggs since the Yankees scored in the first until the top of the eighth inning.  Dean Wienhoff got on by an error.  Bryan Loving ran for Dean, stole second base, and went to third base on the throw.  Lalo Cota hit a sharp groundball that the shortstop dove and caught, with Loving sprinting home on the play.  The shortstop jumped up and threw a strike to the plate, but Loving slid and dislodged the ball and scored.   Taron Lawrence then singled and Luis Chavez doubled over the right fielder’s head to score two more runs.

Alcantar singled to drive in the fourth and final run of the inning.  The Yankees increased their lead to 6-0.  The Yankees added on a run in the ninth inning on a rbi single by Sean Flynn.  Valencia had a shutout until two outs and no one on base in the bottom of the ninth.   The Rays put together three straight hits, which scored two runs to make the final score 7-2.  

Martin Calvo called a great game behind the plate.  This Championship game had excellent pitching by both teams.  Mike Ross of the Rays struck out 14 in eight innings.  Valencia only gave up four hits and one walk through 8 2/3 innings and completed the game he started.  Juan Lopez did a great job pitching all year. Ben Villasenor, our fastest runner, pulled a muscle in the second inning of this game while stealing bases.  Thanks for selling out for the team, Ben.  Steve Anderson played a great shortstop all year and especially the last game.  It was a great TEAM effort this year.   The visiting team won every game.  The Yankees won their third consecutive championship!  Thanks, Yankees, for allowing me to be your manager.