Leme Stays Dominant, Gamblers Capture Event Title with 2-0 Record

By: Mandi McCary

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Propelled by the torrid riding of their No. 1 draft pick Jose Vitor Leme, the Austin Gamblers went an undefeated 2-0 inside the Honda Center to win the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series competition in Anaheim, California.

On Friday night, the Gamblers defeated the Nashville Stampede by one ride score, 175.25-86.75, and tonight they edged the Kansas City Outlaws, 171.50 – 171.25.

Leme, who contributed critical qualified rides both nights, is now 7-for-19 on the season and leads the league’s MVP race.

The Austin Gamblers (4-3) also overtook the Ridge Riders (4-3) for the No. 2 rank in the early 2022 PBR Team Series season standings.

The PBR Team Series will next travel to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, for the Nashville Stampede’s homestand event on Friday, August 19 at 7:45 p.m. P.T., Saturday, August 20 at 6:45 p.m. P.T. and Sunday, August 21.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Anaheim. Fans can also tune in to a special doubleheader of the CBS Game of the Week on Sunday, August 14 at 1:30 pm ET (check local listings). Click here for the latest programming schedule.

Austin Gamblers: 171.50
Kansas City Outlaws: 171.25

Only three events into the new PBR Team Series, the sport is running out of superlatives for Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil), who once again rode his Austin Gamblers to a late-game victory, this time over the Kansas City Outlaws.

Leme is now 7-for-9 on the season and leads the league’s MVP race. After a triumphant Friday night where the Outlaws recovered from their previous week’s homestand loss, the resilient Midwest team came into Saturday night determined.

As the first rider of the night in Anaheim, Outlaws free agent Dalton Rudman (Wellington, Utah) fired from the chutes aboard Skeeter Peter (Dakota Rodeo/ Mark Baker/ Clay Struve/ Chad Berger), securing the first points on the board with an 84.5-point score.

Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas), again in the lead-off spot for the Gamblers, responded by matching Get Shorty (Heald Pro Bulls/Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger) jump-for-jump for 82.75 points.

While the game was scoreless through the next two rounds of outs, 19-year-old Bob Mitchell (Steelville, Missouri) climbed aboard Elvis (D&H Cattle Co) ready to recreate his previous night’s high-scoring ride.

Throttled in the chutes as he prepared, Mitchell had to be evaluated by Sports Medicine to continue. He stood on the back of the chutes while Claudio Montanha (Pacaembu, Brazil) from the Gamblers attempted Tiger King (D&H Cattle Co) only to be dispatched in just over six seconds.

Cleared to compete, Mitchell blew out of the chutes giving it all he had to put up an 86.75-point ride for the gritty Outlaws.

The Outlaws had one last chance to add points to the board, but Marcus Mast (Middlebury, Indiana) was bucked off, bringing up Leme.

The Gamblers franchise player was in complete control aboard Monkey Blues (M Rafter E/ Rockin’ L Bucking Bulls) to record an 88.75-point ride score — just enough to give the Gamblers (4-3) a hairline .25-point win over the Outlaws (2-6). It was Leme’s eighth-consecutive qualified ride in the Honda Center.

“These are the moments that these guys have got to come through on the clutch, and luckily for our team, the Outlaws were not able to deliver,” said Austin Gamblers Head Coach Michael Gaffney. “We were able to deliver just enough to get the win by .25 points – it was a thin margin to take the win, but we will take it. I know we will move on to the bonus round, that will probably be Jose and if it is he will probably hit a homerun again, but we will see.”

“I thank God for all the skills he gives me to do what I do. I am happy to help my team on this big win tonight. The fans bring the energy to me and make me feel so good in this arena.” – Jose Vitor Leme

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media

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