Miami Sunset Edges Past Braddock In Pitchers’ Duel

The starting pitchers for each team were not fazed by the scorching heat Tuesday afternoon. Miami Sunset starter Ryan Quintero and Braddock pitcher Erne Valdes put on a show for everyone. Unfortunately, one pitcher had to take the loss as the Sunset Knights were able to knock in a couple runs to hold off the Bulldogs for the 2-1 victory in 8A District 15.

The Knights got their second victory of the season against Braddock, but it was a completely different ball game this time around. After a game that ended 15-5 last time, the Bulldogs showed up ready to battle Tuesday and made this game a nail-biter.

Ryan Quintero had a great afternoon for the Knights. He pitched six innings and allowed one run on four hits. Quintero did a good job limiting the Bulldogs chances to drive in runs, but also managed to dig deep and get big outs when he found himself in a jam.

“I was able to show every pitch I have and throw them for strikes to keep mixing things up,” Quintero said. “I have to thank the defense because I just threw strikes, but they made the plays behind me.”

In the second inning, Braddock had a man on first and second with one out after a walk and then a single by Anthony Alvarez. Quintero struck out the next batter and picked off the runner at second base to end the Bulldogs’ inning.

Then in the fourth inning, Braddock finally was able to break through and score the game’s first run. Carlos Cabrera hit a single to left field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Teammate Anthony Alvarez came up a couple batters later and drove in Cabrera with a hard-hit shot just out of reach for the shortstop and gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

“I knew after I gave up that run that I had to hang tough and give our team a chance to come back and win it,” Quintero said. “We were in a similar situation last week down four runs, so I knew we were still in the game.”

The way Braddock pitcher Erne Valdes was throwing, the small lead seemed to be enough. Valdes had great command of his pitches and was able to throw the breaking ball for strikes in key moments to keep hitters off balance. Valdes pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts. He also did a great job getting out of jams throughout the afternoon.

In the third inning, Valdes had a runner on third base with no outs after an error and a stolen base, but he held tough and struck out the following three hitters to keep his team in the ball game.

“Braddock’s pitcher (Valdes) is crafty,” coach Pelaez said. “He threw that curve ball deep in the count and he was real effective with it.”

But it was the Knights’ small ball in the fifth that finally got to Valdes. Jeremy Sinski led off the inning for the Knights with a single to right-center. Then coach Armando Pelaez called on William Weiss to pinch hit and attempt to execute a sacrifice bunt to move the runner over. Instead, Weiss laid down a beautiful bunt and hustle down the line to beat out the throw. Weiss and Sinski advanced on a wild pitch, and Sinski scored on another ball in the dirt later on to tie the game up. Second baseman Michael Centeno drove a deep sacrifice fly to right center to bring Weiss around for the go-ahead run.

“Weiss was able to do the same thing last week against Southridge for a win,” Pelaez said. “He is the type of kid that does all of the little things and can plug in at any position.”

Quintero and Miami Sunset’s closer Michael Paez were able to fight through the heat and keep the Bulldogs scoreless in the final two innings to secure the close win.

“Our defense really kept us in there today,” Pelaez said. “It was our third consecutive game without an error and that is huge for us in today’s win.”

The Knights will take on Ferguson on Thursday in another district showdown. Braddock also will play Thursday against Goleman at St. Thomas University.

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