Dorados Double Up on Peloteros in Win

June 19, 2021

By Ed Muniz-Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill

Featured action in the Elgin Mens Baseball League had the Peloteros (5-7) taking on the Dorados (9-6) on June 19 at Continental Park.

The family infused Peloteros are a team that genuinely enjoys all aspects of the game and win or lose, they simply enjoy playing the game with their family and friends.

**^{Peloteros batter’ Benito Cabral hits a single during the action against the Dorados on June 19 in Elgin.}**

“We really try and fun every time we take the field,” said Rick Cabral. “We have several relatives playing on the team and we just enjoy doing our best and having fun every game. We are a close team with friends involved as well.”

The Peloteros have been plagued by what many of the other teams have as well; getting enough guys to show up for games.

^{Peloteros starting pitcher’ Jake Sinatra strides towards home during his delivery against the Dorados on June 19 at Continental Park in Elgin.}

“We struggled early with that especially early in the season. Our biggest problem on the field is the mental errors we commit in games, but we still play hard and that’s a plus. We enjoy the game a lot and competing till the last out.”

Competing in the “A” division, the Peloteros sit in third place.

The Schedule does have “A” division teams crossing over to play, in this case, the “AA” Dorados.

**Peyton McMahon snags a ground ball for the Dorados during his game against the Peloteros on June 19 at Continental Park**

For Dorados’ Coach Alfonso Gutierrez, the season has been a steady flow of improvement. The team has gelled gradually and have now nearly eliminated the costly errors they committed early on.

“The team really has improved our hitting and a lot defensively,” said Alfonso. “As the season has gone on, guys that were missing games are now here and we have improved a lot. We have several guys that have stepped up to be leaders and has resulted in several wins.”

Alfonso also mentioned his brother Jose, who is leading the league in RBI’s. “He had a good game today and has been one of those guys stepping up and being clutch at the right time.”

**Dorados’ Jose Gutierrez crosses the plate and scores during action against the Peloteros on June 19 in Elgin.**

The Peloteros open the scoring in their half of the First inning, plating a run by Jesse Cabral after singling and then scoring on a two double by Danny Gutierrez.

Their lead lasted just a short time as the Dorados jumped ahead 3-1 after their at-bats. The Dorados scored runs by Jon Palmer, Peyton

McMahon and Jose Gutierrez without gaining a hit thanks to errors, walks and a wild pitch.

**Peloteros fist baseman David Ungar digs out a throw to put out Peyton McMahon of the Dorados in their game last Saturday in Elgin.**

Each team added to their tally in inning two. For the Peloteros, Benito Cabral scored on Matt Skiba’s single while the Dorados plated a run by Bobby Davis on Nate Marchen’s single.

The Dorados broke the game open when they tallied five runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 9-2 lead. Four hits and a hit batsman contributed to the Dorados batting around. Ryan Kane, Michael Caldwell, Palmer, McMahon and Ryan Johnson; with a triple, all scored runs.

^{Peyton McMahon drives a Pelotero pitch during their game. McMahon and his Dorados won 12-6 on June 19.}

The Peloteros were hopeful of getting back in the game in their half of the fifth inning but only managed to have Skiba score on Sam Miller’s single.

The Dorados extended their lead to 11-3 in their half with a double by Marchen who later scored on a wild pitch.

^{A Peloteros runner rounds third hoping to score during action against the Dorados on June 19 at Continental Park in Elgin.}

Three consecutive hits by the Peloteros produced a pair of runs in the sixth inning with Moises Barrios Cabral, Davis Ungar and Benito Cabral each with singles and Moises and Ungar scoring runs. Another run would cross the plate in their top of seven with Jake Sinatra scoring the Peloteros final run of the game on Jesse Cabral’s Sac Fly.

The shorten seven and a half inning game would run into time limit soon after the Dorados added one more to their run tally, for the 12-6 win.

**Dorados Starting Pitcher’ Jon Palmer delivers to the plate during the Dorados 12-6 win against the Peloteros last Saturday at Continental Park in Elgin.**

Dorados Starting Pitcher Jon Palmer went 5 1/3 innings and limited extra base hits in his outing.

“I feel I did well mostly because of the defense behind me,’ said Palmer. “What did work well for me was my change-up, it kept the batter off. I do feel I need better control of my curve and I have to make more plays. I’m happy we are hitting better as a team too.”

Leading the dorado offense with three RBI’s in the game was teammate Nate Marchen.

**Dorados’ Nate Marchen connects on the Pelotero pitch during their game on June 19 in Elgin at Continental Park.**

“I like being aggressive at the plate, in looking for the first pitch available to take a good swing on,” said Marchen. “I’ve got a good eye I feel right now I’m seeing and swinging at strikes, but I do want quicker hands and better barrel trailing on my swings.

Next up for the Peloteros on Sunday are the Cubs, while the Dorados will take on the Royals.