BASEBALL : Bell Ties for 2nd Place by Beating Roosevelt

Roosevelt High pitcher Jesse Monarez experienced a first against Bell High on Tuesday: his first loss this season.

Monarez’s record slipped to 8-1 as Roosevelt lost to Bell, 4-1, in a Southeastern Conference game at Evergreen Park.

Bell (14-2, 6-2) and Roosevelt (15-2, 6-2) are now tied for second place in the conference.

Although Monarez pitched a solid game, giving up only six hits and three walks while striking out two, he did not receive much offensive support.

“They hit the ball early on (Monarez), but he adjusted in the later innings,” Roosevelt coach Ernie Rodriguez said. “We just couldn’t score any runs.”

Roosevelt scored the first run of the game, but it was also its last.

After a leadoff single by Ivan Rodriguez, who then took second base on a passed ball, David Gomez doubled and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Ramon Ruiz.

But Roosevelt’s lead was short-lived as Bell scored three runs in the third inning.

Center fielder Willie Mendez tripled in two runs to give Bell a 2-1 lead. Mendez then scored on Christopher Gonzales’ groundout.

As he has done all season, Bell coach Henry Santiago relied on relief pitching to close out the victory.

Over the next four innings, Yamel Delgado (5-1) retired 10 of 14 batters while striking out three.

First baseman Val Beltran provided the final run with a home run to center in the seventh inning.