Rodriguez, Hialeah Gardens Handcuff Krop For 4-0 District Win

The Hialeah Gardens Gladiators picked up their third 8A District 13 win of the season, 4-0 over Dr. Krop, behind a strong pitching performance from Chris Rodriguez. Rodriguez pitched a complete game for the Gladiators (3-6), allowing just three hits and striking out seven.

“I felt pretty good warming up,” Rodriguez said. “My fastball was really working today, and we played as a team and just got the job done.”

Leadoff hitter Brandon Morales got things started for the Gladiators with a walk. He stole second and got to third on an overthrow. Gabriel Delarosa then dropped a bunt down the first-base line, bringing in Morales for the first score of the game.

Ronnie Williams started on the mound for the Lightning (4-7) but he left in the third after suffering an injury to his throwing arm. Williams gave up just one hit and recorded two strikeouts.

The Gladiators attacked late in the third after Morales trotted to first by way of another base-on-balls. He again stole second and came home when Jorge Vivo singled up the middle. Vivo then scored after Jorge Delgado hit an RBI single to left, giving the Gladiators a 3-0 lead.

The Lightning finally got on base in the fourth after Rodriquez walked Jake Norman. Zack Scheck had a bunt single for the Lightning’s first hit of the game. But Rodriguez stranded both runners with a strikeout to get out of the inning, giving him five strikeouts through four innings.

“We had great pitching today,” Gladiators coach Tino Burgos said. “He (Rodriguez) was able to throw strikes in key moments.”

Morales drove in a run in the fourth after his grounder to shortstop was misplayed. Soon after, Morales darted to second for his third steal of the game. Morales got on base on all three of his at-bats.

With one out and Dr. Krop down 4-0 in the seventh, the Lightning’s Jordan Alcolea began attempted to start a rally when his line drive split between first and second for a single. But the rally was short-lived as Rodriguez forced a grounder that resulted in a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

“That’s a very good ball club,” Burgos said of Krop. “We got some timely hitting and were able to put things together at the right time, and had some key hits. Luckily we were able to come away with the W.”

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