Adelaide storms past Bandits with six-run fifth, Saltiban homers twice in 9–7 win

BRISBANE, Australia — A six-run fifth inning turned the game on its head and propelled the Adelaide Giants to a 9–7 win over the Brisbane Bandits on Thursday night at Viticon Stadium, opening the series with a decisive offensive surge and timely relief pitching.

Adelaide (7–9) trailed 5 –1 entering the fifth before sending 10 batters to the plate and seizing control. Yu Aramaki delivered the biggest swing of the inning with a three-run double, part of a five-hit frame that also included run-scoring knocks from Mitchell Edwards and Alirio Ferrebus. Devin Saltiban contributed to the rally as well, later adding solo home runs in the fifth and eighth innings to finish a two-homer, three-RBI night.

Saltiban went 2-for-4 and reached base twice, continuing a strong start to his ABL campaign. Aramaki also had two hits, while Yusei Ishizuka scored twice with a single and three walks. Adelaide’s offense made the most of its nine hits, going 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

The Bandits (8–9) provided plenty of offense of their own, pounding out 11 hits and launching three home runs off Giants starter Tomoki Tamura. Sooho Ham opened Brisbane’s power display with a two-out, two-run drive in the fourth. The Bandits struck again in the fifth when Robbie Perkins and Alex Skepton connected for back-to-back solo homers, pushing the lead to 5–1 before Adelaide’s decisive response.

Brisbane scored in four straight innings from the third through the sixth. Rixon Wingrove continued his strong run at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance that included two RBIs, while Max Durrington doubled, scored twice and drove in a run. George Callil added two hits and Will Riley doubled, walked twice, stole a base and plated a run.

Tamura allowed six runs on nine hits over four innings, giving way to left-hander Camron Hill, who steadied the Giants with 3 2/3 innings of two-hit, one-run relief. Hill (2–1) struck out five and walked two before Adenson Verastegui recorded the final out of the eighth. Todd Van Steensel pitched a perfect ninth with three strikeouts to earn his second save.

Kamdyn Perry (5 R, 5 H, 5 BB in 4 IP) struggled with command and took a no-decision for Brisbane. Ryo Kohigashi allowed two runs in his two innings of work before Sam Holland (1–1) surrendered Saltiban’s second home run leading off the eighth, giving Adelaide additional insurance.

Despite matching Adelaide in extra-base hits (five each), the Bandits left eight runners on base and went 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Adelaide, meanwhile, grounded into two double plays but stranded only four runners.

The Bandits will round out the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, with first pitch set for 2:30 p.m., with game two set for 6 p.m. Fans can tune in to all the action on Baseball+, and fans in Japan and Taiwan can watch on DAZN Japan.