Charros Score 5 Runs in 7th, Top Obregon 6-1

JALISCO TAKES 1 GAME TO NONE LEAD IN SEMIFINALS    

Marco Tovar

Marco Tovar pitched an outstanding game going 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run, scattering 7 hits but left with the score tied 1-1. Mario Mendoza got the win in relief of Tovar with the help of a 5 run Charros 7th. Manny Acosta worked the 9th for the Charros. Jose Pina took the loss for the Yaquis de Obregon.

There was playoff electricity in the air from the 12,005 people in attendence at the stadium as Marco Tovar set the Yaquis down in order and the Charros came to bat. The Charros would score in the bottom of the 1st. Manny Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. Leo Heras and Japhet Amador drew walks and Jon Weber singled to right to score Rodriguez for the early 1-0 Charros lead.                                                               

Manny Rodriguez Hit by Pitch

One of the strangest plays of the year happened in the bottom of the second. Gabriel Gutierrez was hit by a pitch with one out. Jesus Lopez singled with Gutierrez stopping at second. Eduardo Arredondo then hit a ball that he thought went off his foot that would have been a foul ball. No foul call was made by the home plate ump and the ball went to the pitcher who threw to the shortstop covering second to force out Lopez. The relay to first went wild but because Arredondo was hobbling at home and didn't run, the Yaquis retrieved the errant throw and got Arredondo at first to end the inning.

JC Linares drew a base on balls to lead off the 5th for Obregon. Two outs and a sacrifice bunt later,  Said Gutierrez reached safely on an error by the Charros CJ Retherford that scored Linares with the tying run. Corey Wimberly then doubled down the line in left. A fan in the seats along the wall grabbed the ball for a fan interference ground rule double. Tovar then got Jose Chaves to ground out to second to end the inning, but the score was tied at 1.

The Yaquis threatened in the 7th when Corey Wimberly and Jose Chaves singled with two outs. Mario Mendoza came on in relief of Tovar and struck out Yunesky Sanchez to end the inning.

Jesus Lopez reached for the Charros in the bottom of the 7th when the Yaquis left fielder dropped Lopez' fly ball. Lopez was not running on the fly ball and only reached first when he should easily have been on second. Eduardo Arredondo then hit into a 6-4 fielder's choice that cut down Lopez at second. Manny Rodriguez singled to put runners on first and second with one out. Japhet Amador singled to score Arredondo and Jon Weber followed with a single to right that scored Rodriguez and Heras. CJ Retherford waited out a walk to load the bases again for Jalisco and Marquez Smith came through with a two run single that plated Amador and Weber. The Charros had scored 5 runs and had a 6-1 lead. Mario Mendoza and Manny Acosta did the rest.    

Marquez Smith 2 Run Single