17-Expos

THUNDER=DOMINATED AMERICANS TAKE AAA ALL STAR GAME AT SEMINOLE PALMS

Third time was a charm for the 18AAA All Star game. After two postponements due to bad weather, the game was played last night (Wednesday, July 27) with the Americans defeating the Nationals, headed by a majority of players from the first place Twins 5-2. Eric Morales of the Thunder, who drove in two runs with an RBI single and a run scoring double was selected as the game's MVP and received an NABA All Star MVP plaque. In addition to his two hits and two RBIs, Morales made a key defensive play at third base, snaring a hard grounder with the bases loaded and stepping on third base to kill a potential rally by the Nationals. The game was halted after eight innings due to time constraints at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. All players and managers received NABA All Star Commemorative shirts.

Danny LaPerna (Thunder) pitched the first three innings, gaining the victory under All Star game special rules, which do not require five innings from a starting pitcher. The Nationals scored both of their runs in the 7th inning on a double steal (home and second base) and a two base throwing error. Rafael Negron (White Sox) and Nestor Sanchez (Twins) both singled, with Negron stealing home and Sanchez second base. Sanchez later scored on the two base throwing miscue. Morales singled home Max Johnson (Thunder) after Max's triple to right center in the first inning, then doubled home Johnson in the fourth after Johnson had reached as a hit batsman. The Americans scored twice in the 7th on a single by Carlos Jimenez (Blades), and run scoring hits by Yosvany Garcia (Blades) and Luis Gonzales (Pirates), sandwiched around a walk drawn by Eduardo Del Toro (Blades).

They added a final run in the next inning when Brian Fitzsimmons (Thunder) singled and later scored on an infield grounder by Carlos Pupo (Chamos). Carlos' younger brother, Manny Pupo, fresh out of Trinity Christian and headed for the Uhiversity of Maine impressed with three scoreless inning, twice pitching out of trouble and notching three strikeouts. Ryan McDonald worked the last two innings, giving up two runs, one unearned. Donnie Teachman and Robbie Brown, both representing the Canes and Melvin Bruno (Twins) also pitched for the winning Americans squad.