The Pinto Yankees celebrate after the final out of their 12-10 victory over the Cubs.
Gage Grimes hit two home runs, including a two-run blast that capped a six-run fifth inning, as the Yankees rallied past the Cubs, 12-10, Thursday to win the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association‘s Pinto Division championship at the Palisades Recreation Center‘s Field of Dreams.
The Yankees won the American League and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, but they lost the first game, forcing them to win six in a row — the last two against the Cubs — to win the title.
After the Cubs tied it 10-10 in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run homer by Nathan Eisfelder, Samuel Petrocelli tripled to lead off the top of the sixth and scored on a hit by Ben Leshgold. Ryan Pack went three-for-three, including a single to score the Yankees’ final run.
After belting a solo homer in the first inning Grimes hit a ground-rule double and scored on Petrocelli’s double to pull the Yankees to within 4-3 in the fourth. Petrocelli scored on a groundout to tie the game.
The Cubs exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Hudson Mangold doubled and scored on Caden Gendall‘s double and three more runs scored on Logan Sands’ inside-the-park home run to put the Cubs ahead 8-4 in the fourth.
It was the second straight Pinto Division championship for Coach Brian Grimes and the Yankees. Look for a story in next Thursday’s issue.
The Red Sox won the Mustang Division title Tuesday with an 11-2 victory over the Cubs and the Tigers won the Bronco Division with a 10-6 victory over the Cardinals. All-Star games and closing ceremonies are Saturday at the Field of Dreams.
— Steve Galluzzo
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
