Yucatan Advances To Championship Round In The Zona Sur

When hired by the Leones de Yucatan in September of 2014 the new manager, Wilfredo Romero, was quoted as saying “(w)e know what it takes to win and we will implement the changes necessary”.

2015 arrived and the Leones de Yucatan started off slowly but finished 1st in the Zona Sur division of the LMB, 1 ½  games ahead of the Tigres de Quintana Roo.

Romero led the Leones to a 66-46 record, a 20 game improvement over the 2014 season. If I had a vote, Romero would be the Manager of the Year in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol. As it is, Miguel Ojeda led the Diablos Rojos del Mexico to a 73-39 record this year, the most ever in LMB play. Ojeda will probably be the MOY for 2015.

The Piratas de Campeche took a different path to their meeting with Yucatan. Finishing the season with a 53-56 record, the Piratas had to defeat the Pericos de Puebla in a 1 game play-in for the chance to face the #1 seed Leones.

Once they got to Merida the Piratas gave the Leones all they could handle.

The Leones took game 1 of the divisional playoffs with Campeche by an 8-0 score leading some to believe the series was as good as over. Yoanner Negrin pitched well and the Leones hitters flexed their muscles in the win.

Game 2 saw the Leones limited to 5 hits in a 3-1 loss. This time the Piratas pitching was superb.

The bats came alive in game 3, in Campeche, as the Leones had 14 hits, including 5 home runs to top the Piratas 9-2. Jonathan Castellanos picked up the win. Jesus Valdez, Kevin Flores, Israel Nunez and Ricardo Serrano (2) all hit home runs for Yucatan.

Campeche started strong and got great pitching from Evan Maclane as the Piratas shut out the Leones 5-0 in game 4. There wasn’t much to cheer about for the Leones as the Piratas evened the series at 2 game each.

Game 5 was all Piratas as they topped the Leones 4-2. The Piratas took a 3 games to 2 lead in the best of 7 game series.

Back again in Merida, Luis Garcia was the hero of game 6 with a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 8th giving the win to the Leones. The series was tied at 3 games apiece.

The Leones left no doubt as to the outcome in game 7, building a 5-1 lead after 3 innings and coasting to the win. Jonathan Castellanos worked 7 very good innings for the win.

Yucatan now faces the Tigres de Quintana Roo in the Zona Sur Championship round. The series begins in Merida on Friday the 28th of August with the winner of that series paying the winner of the Zona Norte series between the Toros de Tijuana and the Acereros de Monclova.  

Yucatan Takes Divisional Playoff Series From Campche 6-1

5 RUNS IN 3 INNINGS LIFT LEONES

The Leones de Yucatan dispatched the #4 seed Piratas de Campeche 6-1 to take the Zona Sur divisional series 4 games to 3 and advance to the Championship round. Jonathan Castellanos pitched 7 innings of 5 hit ball, allowing 1 run while striking out 7 Piratas to get the win. RolandoValdez lasted just 2 innings and gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in the loss.

Valdez' 2 run home run in the 1st
Leones Facebook

Jesus Valdez gave the Leones an early 2-0 lead when Ricardo Serrano singled with 2 outs and Valdez sent a pitch by Ricardo Valdez over the left field fence for a 2 run home run.

Carlos Colmenares drew a 2 out walk from Leones starter, Jonathan Castellanos, in the top of the 3rd and scored on a triple by Adan Velazquez to cut the lead to 2-1 Leones.

Israel Nunez led off the bottom of the 3rd with a single. Corey Wimberly was hit by a pitch and Jose Aguilar singled to load the bases with no outs. Ricardo Serrano hit into a 1-2-3 double play that caught Nunez at home. The Piratas decided to intentionally walk Jesus Valdez to reload the bases for Hector Gimenez. Gimenez made them pay for that decision by hitting a single that, with the help of a throwing error by the right fielder, cleared the bases and left Gimenez on second base. Yucatan took a 5-1 lead.

After a walk to Jaime Pedroza was erased on a double play grounder by Kevin Flores in the 6th inning, Israel Nunez doubled and scored on a single by Corey Wimberly. Wimberly was thrown out at second trying to advance on the throw but the Leones had a 6-1 lead and the pitching staff made the lead stand up over the remaining 3 innings

Jesus Valdez was 1 for 2 with a home run, 2 walks, 2 RBIs and a run scored, Israel Nunez 2 for 3 with a run scored, Ricardo Serrano 2 for 5, Kevin Flores 2 for 4 and Corey Wimberly 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored for Yucatan.

Adan Velazquez was 2 for 4 with the lone RBI for the Piratas.

Jonathan Castellanos/Leones Facebook

The Divisional Championship will begin on Friday the 28th of August with the Leones taking on the #2 seed Tigres de Quintana Roo, who beat the Guerreros de Oaxaca 6-3 in the other Zona Sur contest.

If the Leones should win that series, the LMB Championship series would be played in Merida.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Tijuana 7, Mexico 6

Watch video highlights HERE.

The upstart Toros de Tijuana (54-53 on the season and 16 1/2 games behind the 73-39 Diablos) won their biggest game of the year on Wednesday, eliminating the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in game 7 of the Zona Norte divisional playoffs.

The Toros scored 5 runs in the 3rd, for a 7-2 lead inning and held on to beat the Diablos 7-6.

Barry Enright (3-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits while striking out 5 and allowing 4 home runs in getting the win for the Toros. The Tijuana used 4 relief pitchers for 2 innings before turning the game over to Mario Mendoza for the final 1 2/3 innings. Mendoza shut down the Diablos bats on no hits and no runs to get the save.

David Reyes lasted 2 1/3 innings, gave up 6 runs on 4 hits and walked 3 in the loss.

Dustin Martin HR in the 1st
Toros Facebook

Dustin Martin was 1 for 4 with a 2 run home run in the 1st for the Toros and Luis Suarez went 2 for 4 with a grand slam home run in the 3rd. Lew Ford was 3 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored while Oscar Robles was 3 for 5 for Tijuana.

Jesus Fabela and Japhet Amador had home runs for the Diablos and Ivan Terrazas belted 2 more for Mexico on a 2 for 4 night at the plate with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Japhet Amador was 3 for 4 with an RBI for the Diablos. Terraza and Cyle Hankerd combined for 24 RBIs in the series but that wasn't enough to overcome the Toros.

The Toros will take on the Acereros de Monclova, who won 11-3 over the Saraperos in their Zona Norte divisional playoff in a series that begins on Friday the 28th of August.

Monclova 11, Saltillo 3

Watch video high lights HERE.

The Acereros jumped in front of the Saraperos d Saltillo 9-0 after 4 innings and added 2 more runs in the 6th inning to top the Saraperos 11-3 in the Zona Norte divisional playoffs in front of 6,180 hometown fans. Monclova took the best of seven series 4 games to 3.

Juan Pena picked up the win, pitching 5 innings, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 1 while Michael Nix worked 3 1/3 innings and gave up 6 runs on 4 hits in the loss.

Monclova scored the 3 runs in the 2nd inning on 2 walks, a hit batter, a single and a sac fly by Carlos Penuelas for the 3-0 lead and the pitching staff did the rest.

Jose Ruiz was 2 for 3 with a 3 run home run, Hector Garanzuay 2 for 4 with an RBI, Brett Harper 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Eder Salcedo 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs for Monclova.

Jon Del Campo was 2 for 4 wit a 2 run home run in the 9th inning while Ramon Ortiz went 3 for 4 with a run scored for the Saraperos.

Monclova will take on the Toros de Tijuana in the Zona Norte Championship round of the playoffs beginning Friday the 28th of August in Monclova.

Quintana Roo 6, Oaxaca 3

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The Tigres put away the Guerreros de Oaxaca 6-3 in game 7 of their Zona Sur divisional playoffs to earn the right to play the Leones de Yucatan, in Merida, for the Zona Sur Championship beginning Friday the 28th of August.

Arturo Barradas picked up the win in relief of Tigre starter Carlos Bustamante, pitching 2 1/3 shutout innings and Ramon Ramirez notched his 3rd save of the playoffs. Rodolfo Aguilar took the loss, giving up 2 runs on 1 hit in 1/3 of an inning.

Carlos Gastelum was 3 for 4 with an RBI, Francisco Peguero 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Jorge Cantu 3 for 4 with an RBI and Greg Golson 3 for 5 with an RBI for the Tigres.

Mike Jacobs went 2 for4 with an RBI and a run scored, Ronny Cedeno 1 for 4 with an RBI and Jaime Brena 1 for 3 with an RBI in the loss for Oaxaca.

Luis Garcia Powers Leones To 4-0 Win Over Piratas

3 RUN HOME RUN IN THE 8TH SEALS THE DEAL

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Luis Garcia was the hero of the game against the Piratas, hitting a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 8th for the Leones as Yucatan evened the best of seven Zona Sur divisional playoffs at 3 games apiece and forcing a deciding seventh game, in Merida, on Wednesday the 26th of August.

Marco Quevedo / Leones Facebook

Marco Quevedo got the win, pitching 7 innings, scattering 8 hits and striking out 5 for the Leones. Jorge Castillo pitched well, giving up just 1 run on 5 hits in 5 1/3 innings on the mound to take the loss for the Piratas.

Kevin Flores got things going for the Leones in the bottom of the 5th inning with a lead off triple. Israel Nunez hit a long sac fly to center to score Flores and the Leones grabbed a 1-0 lead.

Flores scores the 1st run
Leones Faebook

Jose Aguilar led off the bottom of the 8th for the Leones with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ricardo Serrano. Jesus Valdez, the regular season leader in batting average at .363, was intentionally walked by the Piratas reliever Ivan Salas. Hector Gimenez flew out to right but the DH for Yucatan, Luis Garcia, hit a frozen rope over the wall in left for a 3 run home run and the 4-0 Leones lead.

The Piratas had chances to score in the 6th, with men on 1st and 2nd, aided by a throwing error by Quevedo, and 7th inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs but could not score as Quevedo (8 hits, 0 runs and 5 strikeouts in 7 innings) pitched out of the jams both times to keep the shut out in place.

Garcia was 1 for 3 with the home run and 3 RBIs for the Leones while Carlos Colmenares went 3 for 4 for the Piratas.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Mexico 14, Tijuana 1

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The Diablos scored 3 times in the bottom of the 1st and added 7 runs in the 4th on their way to  14-1 thrashing of the Toros de Tijuana. Mexico evened the Zona Norte divisional playoffs at 3 games apiece with the win.

Hankerd & Terrazas
LMB Website

Mexico pounded out 17 hits, including a double and a home run by Cyle Hankerd (his third home run and 11th RBI of the series). Ivan Terrazas has driven in 10 runs for the Diablos this post season.

Juan Pablo Oramas worked 7 full innings, scattering 4 Toros hits and giving up 1 run while striking out 6. Oramas' only mistake of the game was a lead off home run to Miguel Olivo in the 7th inning.

Logan Duran lasted 2 1/3 innings and was touched for 4 runs on 5 hits while striking out 2 in the loss for Tijuana.

Second baseman, Carlos Valencia, was 2 for 4 for the Toros and Miguel Olivo 1 for 3 with the home run for Tijuana.

Hankerd and Terrazas were a combined 5 for 9 with 8 RBIs and 3 runs scored for the Diablos. Ramon Urias was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Luis Flores went 2 for 4 with an RBI for Mexico.

The 7th game will be played tonight, in Mexico City, with the winner to face either Monclova or Saltillo in the Zona Norte divisional finals set to begin on Friday the 28th of August.

Saltillo 7, Monclova 3

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The Saraperos used 2 walks and 5 singles to chase the Acereros starter, Jose Oyervides, with 6 runs in the 1st inning. Oyervides lasted just 1/3 of an inning, his shortest stint of the year, with the lone out coming on a sacrifice bunt by Luis Borges.

With the win, the Saraperos even the Zona Norte divisional series at 3 all and force a game 7 tonight in Monclova. The winner of that game will face either the Diablos Rojos del Mexico or the Toros de Tijuana in the championship round of the Zona Norte playoffs.

Santiago Gutierrez allowed 3 hits and a run in his 5 innings on the mound to get the win for Saltillo.

Justin Greene was 3 for 5 with a run scored, Jon del Campo 1 for 3 with 2 walks and an RBI, Christian Zazueta 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and Manny Rodriguez 1 for 5 with an RBI for Saltillo.

Olmo Rosario went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for the Acereros in the loss.

Quintana Roo 9, Oaxaca 3

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Jorge Cantu and Jose Felix homered in the 4 run 4th for the Tigres and Quintana Roo scored 4 more times in the 5th to put the game away in the 9-3 pasting of the Guerreros.

The Zona Sur divisional playoff series is tied at 3 games apiece forcing a 7th game to be played, in Cancun, on Wednesday the 26th of August. The winner of that game will take on either the Leones de Yucatan or the Piratas de Campeche in the championship round beginning on Friday the 28th of August.

Daniel Cabrera worked 6 innings, scattering 8 hits and giving up 3 runs while striking out 11 Guerreros to get the win while Irwin Delgado went 4 1/3, allowing 5 hits, including the 2 home runs to take the loss.

In addition to the home runs by Cantu and Felix, Alfredo Amezaga was 2 for 4 with2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Eugenio Velez 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Tigres.

Luis Rodriguez was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss for Oaxaca.

Piratas Down Leones 4-2

TAKE A 3 GAMES TO 2 LEAD BACK TO MERIDA

Campeche starter Hector Velazquez and 4 relief pitchers held the Leones to 2 runs on 6 hits to win Sunday's game 4-2. Ozzie Mendez picked up the win in relief with Fernando Nieve recording his 3rd save of the playoffs. Francisco Rodriguez gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in 1/3 of an inning to take the loss for Yucatan.

Garcia scores for the Leones
Leones Facebook

Both starting pitchers kept the game scoreless until the 7th inning. The Leones scored first. Hector Gimenez singled to lead off the top of the 7th. Luis Garcia drew a base on balls. After Ricardo Serrano grounded into a fielder's choice and Kevin Flores popped out, pinch hitter Albino Contreras singled to right to score Garcia. Corey Wimberly was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. Jaime Pedroza singled to score Serrano but Contreras was thrown out at home on a perfect throw by the Piratas right fielder. The Leones had a 2-0 lead.

Campeche got those runs back and more in their half of the inning. Eliseo Aldazaba was hit by a pitch to lead off but was erased on a good 1-6 put out by the Leones starter, Yoanner Negrin. Lopez went to second on a single by Fernando Flores. Negrin was replaced on the mound by Francisco Rodriguez who walked pinch hitter Jesus Valenzuela on four pitches to load the bases with one out. After the second out, Roberto Valencia singled to right with Lopez and Flores scoring. Alfredo Silverio singled to drive in pinch runner Jasson Atondo and Ronny Paulino plated Valencia with a single for the Piratas final 4-2 win.

Jose Aguilar went 2 for 3 and Albino Contreras 1 for 1 with an RBI while Jaime Pedroza was 1 for 4 with an RBI for Yucatan.

Roberto Valencia was 1 for 1 as a pinch hitter, driving in 2, Alfredo Silverio 2 for 4 with an RBI, Roberto Lopez 2 for 3 with a run scored and Ronny Paulino 1 for 4 with an RBI for Campeche.

The Zona Sur divisional playoff between these two teams returns to Merida for game 6 on Tuesday the 25th of August and game 7, if necessary, Wednesday the 26th.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Saltillo 4, Monclova 2

The Saraperos broke a 2-2 tie with the Acereros in the bottom of the 7th on solo home runs by Justin Greene and Manny Rodriguez on their way to a 4-2 win. They cut the Zona Norte divisional playoff lead by Monclova to 3 games to 2.

Monclova had opened the scoring with a solo home run by Brett Harper in the top of the 4th as the Acereros took a 1-0 lead.

Saltillo scored twice in the bottom of the 5th to take a 2-1 lead. Christian Zazueta singled and went to second on a hit batter. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Justin Greene.

Antonio Lamas doubled for Monclova in the top of the 6th and scored on a single by Olmo Rosario to tie the game at 2 all before the Saraperos put the game away in the 7th.

Josh Lowey gave up all 4 runs to Saltillo in 6 2/3 innings on the mound. He allowed 8  and struck out 6 in the loss. Edgmer Escalona picked up the win for the Saraperos, going 7 innings, scattering 7 hits and allowing both Acereros runs. Robert Suarez picked up his 2nd save for Saltillo.

Justin Greene was 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Christian Zazueta 3 for 4, Refugio Cervantes 3 for 4 and Manny Rodriguez 1 for 4 with the home run for Saltillo.

Antonio Lamas went 2 for 4 and Brett Harper 1 for 4 with the home run for Monclova.

The series moves to Monclova for game 6 and game 7, if necessary, beginning on Tuesday the 25th of August.

Oaxaca 3, Quintana Roo 1

The Guerreros took a 3 games to 2 lead in the best of seven Zona Sur divisional playoffs against the Tigres by virtue of their 3-1 win over the Tigres on Sunday in Oaxaca.

Gonzalez' sacrifice bunt
Oaxaca Facebook

Alan Sanchez singled, as did Alejandro Ortiz to lead off  the bottom of the 3rd for Oaxaca. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a double by Ronny Cedeno. One out later, Yancarlo Angulo singled to score Cedeno and the Guerreros had all the runs they needed. They led 3-0.

Iker Franco led off the top of the 8th for the Tigres with a single, moved to second on a ground out and Angel Erro, a pinch runner for Franco, scored on a single by Carlos Gastelum for the final score of 3-1 Guerreros.

Sergio Valenzuela / Guerreros Facebook

Sergio Valenzuela went 7 1/3 innings to pick up the win for Oaxaca. He gave up 5 hits, 1 run and struck out 7. Manny Corpas pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to record the save. Ramon Ortiz gave up all 3 Guerreros runs on 9 hits to take the loss.

The series shifts to Cancun for game 6 and game 7, if necessary, beginning on Tuesday the 25th of August.

Tijuana 3, Mexico 1

Miguel Olivo hit a home run, with Oscar Robles on base to give the Toros a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st that would hold up as the Tijuana pitching staff held the Diablos to 3 hits to beat Mexico 3-1 and take game 5 of the Zona Norte divisional playoffs.

The series now heads back to Mexico City for game 6 on Tuesday the 25th of August with the wild card Toros, after sweeping the 3 games in Tijuana, holding a 3 games to 2 lead in the series.

Fabio Castro went 5 2/3 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and striking out 6. He also walked 5 Diablos but Mexico was unable to take advantage of the free passes. 4 Toros pitchers were credited with holds and Mario Mendoza earned the save, pitching a 1-2-3 top of the 9th.

Marco Duarte pitched well for Mexico, throwing 8 complete innings, giving up 3 runs while scattering 5 hits and striking out 4. One bad pitch, the home run to Olivo in the bottom of the 1st, was Durante's downfall in the loss.

Miguel Olivo was 2 for 2 with a walk, 2 RBIs and a run scored, Lew Ford 2 for 3 with a run scored and Eduardo Arredondo went 0 for 3 with a sac fly RBI in the 8th for Tijuana.

Ramon Urias, Ivan Terraas and Jesus Lopez had the 3 hits for Mexico 

Campeche Shuts Out The Leones 5-0

TAKE GAME 4 AND EVEN SERIES AT 2-2

Evan Maclane / Leones Facebook

The #3, 4 and 5 hitters for the Piratas went a combined 8 for 12 at the plate with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored as Campeche topped the Leones 5-0. The Piratas exploded for 5 runs in the fifth and their pitchers did the rest.

The bottom of the 5th started with a base on balls to Paul Leon who went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Adan Velazquez reached base on an error by the Leones second baseman that got Leon to third. A single by Alfredo Silverio scored Leon. Ronny Paulino singled to drive in Velazquez and CJ Retherford followed with a double to plate Silverio. Paulino and Retherford scored on a single by Roberto Lopez to give Campeche the 5-0 lead and would prove to be all the scoring in the game.

Evan Maclane, the winning pitcher, and 2 relievers held the Leones scoreless on 3 hits while striking out 5.

Alejandro Astorga/ Leones Facebook

Alejandro Astorga worked 4 1/3 innings for the Leones giving up 1 run on 5 hits but walked 4 and struck out just 1.

With the series now tied at 2 games each, the 5th game of the Zona Sur series will be played in Campeche on Sunday he 23rd of August with the winner taking a 3-2 lead back to Merida for game 6 on Tuesday, the 25th.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Quintana Roo 6, Oaxaca 4

The Tigres de Quintana Roo evened their Zona Sur playoff series with the Guerreros de Oaxaca at two games apiece with the help of a 4 run 8th inning, good pitching and 3 Oaxaca errors in the 6-4 win.

Quintana Roo starter, Carlos Bustamante and 4 relief pitchers held the Guerreros to 4 runs on 7 hits while striking out 8.

Mike Jacobs led off the bottom of the 2nd inning with a solo home run to give Oaxaca an early 1-0 lead.

Jose Felix answered the Oaxaca home run with one of his own in the top of the 3rd to knot the score at one all.

After loading the bases in the bottom of the 7th, the Guerreros scored a run to retake the lead on a single by Erick Rodriguez but the Tigres pitchers were able to pitch out of the jam without further damage.

Alfredo Amezaga led off the 8th with a solo shot to right center for the Tigres and Quintana Roo broke the game open with 3 more runs in the inning with the help of 2 walks and 3 Guerreros errors for a 5-2 lead.

Both teams would score in the 8th and 9th innings but the Tigres prevailed in the game 6-4.

Jose Felix and Amezaga homered for the Tigres.

Alejandro Gonzalez was 2 for 4  with a home run and Mike Jacobs added a home run on a 1 for 2 night at the plate for Oaxaca.

Jesus Castillo got the win in relief with Ramon Ramirez notching his second save of the playoffs. Jose Ascanio was charged with a blown save and the loss for the Guerreros.

Jose Ascanio / Guerreros Facebook

The win ensures that the divisional playoffs will return to Cancun for game 6 and game 7 (if necessary) beginning on Tuesday the 25th of August.

Monclova 5, Saltillo 2

The Acereros de Monclova rode the bat of Francisco Cordoba, who went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, to a 3 games to 1 lead over the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Zona Norte divisional playoffs on Saturday.

Monclova scored 5 runs in the first 3 innings and let their pitching staff do the rest. The Acereros staff scattered 11 Saltillo hits and struck out 6.

Raul Barron picked up the win in relief, because starter Anthony Capra failed to complete 5 innings, and Juan Noriega notched his second save. Jorge Ibarra gave up 5 runs on 3 hits in 2 1/3 innings for the loss. Ibarra was charged with 1 earned run as the Saraperos defense committed 2 errors behind him.

Cordoba had a 2 run home run in the 2nd for Monclova.

Ramon Ortiz was 2 for 5 with an RBI for Saltillo.

Monclova has an opportunity to take the Zona Norte playoffs in game 6. in Saltillo, on Sunday the 23rd f August.

Tijuana 5, Mexico 1

Jason Urquidez
LMB.com

Jason Urquidez, the Toros starter, held the Diablos to just 1 hit and 1 run over 6 innings to get the win, 5-1, and even the Zona Norte divisional playoff series at 2 games each.

The Toros pitching staff held the 2014 LMB Champions, and winners of 73 regular season games in 2015, to just 3 hits while walking 5 and striking out 6.

The Diablos drew 2 walks in the second inning and scored their only run on a single by Jesus Lopez that drove in Cyle Hankerd. Mexico would not threaten again.

Lew Ford doubled and scored on a single by Jose Chavez in the 5th, Miguel Olivo doubled and scored on a sac fly by Carlos Valencia to take the lead in the 6th and the Toros scored 3 times in the 7th to seal the win.

Arturo Lopez pitched 6 innings for the Diablos and gave up 2 runs on 7 hits to take the loss.

Eduardo Arredondo was 3 for 3 with a run scored and Lew Ford 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored for the Toros.

Jesus Lopez went 2 for 4 with the lone RBI for the Diablos and pinch hitter Samar Leyva had the other hit for Mexico.

The win on Saturday ensures the playoffs ill return to Mexico City on Tuesday the 25th of August with the winner of game 5 on Sunday will hold a 3-2 edge in games. 

Yucatan Smothers Campeche 9-2

Opening ceremonies in Campeche
Leones Facebook

The Leones pounded out 14 hits, including 5 home runs in their 9-2 win over the Piratas de Campeche in game 3 of their Zona Sur divisional playoffs. Ricardo Serrano had 2 home runs on the night.

Jesus Valdez hit a solo home run to left to lead off the top of the 2nd for the Leones. Luis Garcia drew a one out walk but was erased on a 4-6 fielders choice. Kevin Flores followed with a 2 run home run to left center that scored Ricardo Serrano and put the Leones up 3-0. Israel Nunez hit a 3-2 fastball over the wall in left for the third home run of the inning and a 4-0 Yucatan lead.

Corey Wimberly led off the top of the 5th with a single and moved to second on a two strike sacrifice bunt by Jaime Pedroza that caught the Piratas defense napping. Wimberly scored on a single by Jose Aguilar to increase the Leones lead to 5-0.

Ricardo Serrano hit the first of his two home runs leading off the 6th inning to give Yucatan a 6-0 lead.

The Piratas scored in their half of the 6th. Fernando Flores led off the inning with a walk and went to third, one out later, on a ground rule double to right center by Carlos Colmenares. Oscar Verdugo replaced starter Jonathan Castellanos for the Leones. Adan Velazquez reached safely on a throwing error by the Yucatan shortstop as Flores scored the first Piratas run of the game. One out later, Verdugo threw a wild pitch that allowed Colmenares to score. Ronny Paulino hit a grounder to third for the final out of the inning but Campeche had scored twice and the score was 6-2 Leones.

Yucatan scored a run without benefit of a hit in the top of the 8th. Israel Nunez drew a lead off walk, went to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on consecutive wild pitches by the Piratas reliever Ivan Salas. Leones 7, Piratas 2.

Jesus Valdez singled to lead off the 9th for Yucatan and came around to score on Ricardo Serrano's  second home run of the game for a 9-2 Leones lead.

With one out in the Piratas half of the 9th and a man on first, closer Adam Reifer made three attempts to pick off the runner at first. Why, with a 9-2 lead, would Leones manager Wilfredo Romero order three pick off attempts? The third throw went wide and the runner advanced to third. No harm was done as the next to Pirata hitters made outs but the logic of the situation eludes me.

Jonathan Castellanos
Leones Facebook

Jonathan Castellanos allowed 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 6 in 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win for Yucatan. Rolabdo Valdez gave up 3 home runs and 5 earned runs in 4 innings to take the loss for the Piratas.

Jesus Valdez went 3 for 4 with a home run, Ricardo Serrano 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs, Kevin Flores 1 for 5 with a home run and Israel Nunez 1 for 3 with a home run for the Leones.

Yucatan holds a 2-1 lead in the divisional series which continues on Saturday in Campeche.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Saltillo 3, Monclova 1
The Saraperos de Saltillo scored all of their runs in the bottom of the 3rd and held on to top the Acereros de Monclova 3-1 and take game 3 of their Zona Norte divisional series.

Michael Nix allowed 2 hits and 1 run while walking 3 and striking out 4 Acereros in 5 complete innings on the hill. Robert Suarez recorded the save, striking out 3 in 1 1/3 innings of work. Juan Pena gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in the loss.

Christian Zazueta was 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs while Jonathan Aceves and Jose Lopez were 2 for 3 for Saltillo. Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 4 for Saltillo.

Antonio Lamas, Jose Amador and Eder Salcedo each had a hit for Monclova and Olmo Rosario scored their only run.

Game 4 will be played in Saltillo on Saturday with the Acereros holding a 2-1 lead in the best of seven series.

Quintana Roo 5, Oaxaca 3
The Tigres got 6 solid innings of work from starter Daniel Cabrera, who got the win, and Quintana Roo won game 3 of their Zona Sur series with the Guerreros by a 5-3 score.

Daniel Cabrera / Tigres Facebook

Ramon Ramirez picked up the save. Ruddy Acosta gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 4 1/3 for the loss. The defense behind Acosta was deplorable as the Guerreros committed 4 errors in the game.

After singling to lead off the 4th for the Tigres, Esteban Quiroz would score on a single by Sergio Contreras. Following a sacrifice bunt by Francisco Peguero and an intentional walk to Alfredo Amezaga, Jose Felix singled to drive in Jorge Cantu, Contreras and Amezaga. A throwing error by the Guerrereos center fielder allowed the third run to score and Felix wound up on third. The 4-1 lead would be enough for the Tigres.

Sergio Contreras was 2 for 4, Esteban Quiroz 2 for 5 and Jose Felix 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Quintana Roo.

Yancarlo Angulo was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, an RBI and a run scored for Oaxaca.

The series continues on Saturday, in Oaxaca, with the Guerreros holding a 2-1 lead in the series

Tijuana 11, Mexico 4
the Toros scored 5 runs in the 1st inning and added 6 more runs in the 8th to gore the Diablos 11-4. The Toros victory brought them from down 2 games to none to 2-1 in the Zona Norte divisional series with the best team in the LMB.

Barry Enright improved to 2-0 in the playoffs, holding the Diablos to 3 runs on 5 hits over 6 1/3 innings and the Toros used four relievers to shut done the Diablos over the remaining 2 2/3 frames. The Diablos starter, David Reyes lasted just 2/3 of an inning and gave up 5 runs on 4 hits in taking the loss.

Eduardo Arredondo went 3 for 5 with a home run to lead off the game for Tijuana while teammate Luis Suarez was 3 for 4 with a double and a triple, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Lew Ford and Enrique were both 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for the Toros.

Ivan Terrazas continued his hot hitting for the Diablos, going 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs to raise his  playoff batting average to .727. 

Piratas Take Game 2 With Leones 3-1

EVEN SERIES AT 1-1

The Piratas de Campeche scored twice in the 1st inning and used excellent pitching to defeat the Leones de Yucatan 3-1 in the second game of the Zona Sur divisional playoffs.

Jorge Castillo / Leones Facebook

Jorge Castillo, who earned the win, and 3 relievers allowed the Leones 5 hits and 1 run over 7 1/3 innings before turning the game over to their closer Fernando Nieve. Nieve picked up his second save of the playoffs, shutting down the Leones over the final 1 2/3 innings

Marco Quevedo, the Leones starter, gave up 4 hits and 2 runs, walked 1 and struck out 4 in the loss.

Marco Quevedo / Leones Facebook

Carlos Colmenares drew a lead off walk to start the game for Campeche. A pick off attempt by Quevedo went wide of first and Colmenares wound up on third base. Ronny Paulino singled to drive in Colmenares and Paulino scored on a double by CJ Retherford. The Piratas had the early 2-0 lead.

Both pitching staffs were in control until the 7th inning. Fernando Flores doubled to left with two outs in the top of the 7th and scored on a single to left by Paul Leon to stretch the Piratas lead 3-0.

Yucatan got a run back in their half of the 7th. Jesus Valdez and Hector Gimenez both walked. Luis Garcia hit a ground ball to third that forced Valdez for the first out. Ricardo Serrano doubled to right to score Gimenez to cut the lead to 3-1 but the Leones would score no more as the Piratas won by that final score.

Both teams travel to Campeche today and will continue the best of seven series on Friday the 21st of August.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Mexico 10, Tijuana 5

Cyle Hankerd after 1 of 2
home runs on the night
diablos Facebook

Cyle Hankerd powered the Diablos to victory on Wednesday, going 2 for 3 at the plate with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs. He also had a walk and scored 2 runs. Ivan Terrazas, the star on the first game of this series, continued his hot hitting with a 3 for 4 night to raise his average for the playoffs to .714. Terrazas drove in a run and scored twice in the Diablos 10-5 win over the Toros.

Steven Hensley picked up the win in relief for Mexico while Logan Duran, the Tijuana starter, gave up 6 runs on 5 hits in 2 innings on the mound to take the loss. The Toros pitchers walked 5 batters and 3 of them scored.

Enrique Trujillo was 3 for 3 at the plate for Tijuana with a run scored. Dustin Martin was 2 for 5 and Miguel Olivo went 1 for 4 with a solo home run.

The Diablos take a 2-0 lead into the travel day and will continue the series in Tijuana on Friday.

Monclova 1, Saltillo 0

Jose Oyervides allowed just 1 hit, walked 1 and struck out 9 Saraperos over 8 innings to get the win for the Acereros. Angel Ramirez pitched to one batter in the top of the 9th and Juan Noriega got the final 2 outs to record the save.

The Acereros are 2-0 in the divisional playoff series with Saltillo. The series now shifts to Saltillo for 3 games (if necessary) beginning on Friday the 21st of August.

The Saltillo pitchers matched the Monclova pitchers pitch for pitch except for the 4th inning. Olmo Rosario drew a one out walk for the Acereros and Brett Harper followed with a single. Jose Amador drew a base on balls to load the bases with one out. Jose Ruiz hit a grounder to first that scored Rosario with the only run of the game and the Monclova win.

Oaxaca 7, Quintana Roo 2

The Tigres dropped to 0-2 in the Zona Sur playoffs against the Guerreros with the 7-2 loss at home. Oaxaca took both games in Cancun, outscoring the Tigres 15-2 in the process. The Tigres are the #2 seed and the Guerreros the #3 seed in the Sur playoffs.

The series now moves to Oaxaca where the Guerreros have a chance to take the series in front of the home crowd.

Irwin Delgado
Guerreros Facebook

Irwin Delgado picked up the win for Oaxaca, going 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and a run while striking out 5 Tigres. Manny Corpas pitched his way into a save situation in the 9th before getting credit for the save. Pablo Ortega was roughed up for 5 runs on 6 hits in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss.

Yancarlo Angulo was 2 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs while Alan Sanchez went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and Jaime Brena was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs for the Guerreros.

Alan Sanchez
Guerreros Fcebook

Greg Goson and Alfredo Almezaga were 2 for 4 and Carlos Gastelum 2 for 5 with a run scored for the Tigres. Eugenio Velez and Jorge Vasquez drove in the runs for Quintana Roo.

Leones Open Zona Sur Series With 7-1 Win Over Piratas

Watch the highlight video here.

Yucatan jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after 2 innings and Yoanner Negrin, with the help of 4 relief pitchers, did the rest as the Leones beat the Piratas 7-1 in the first game of a best of seven series.


Yoanner Negrin on the mound
Leones facebook

Corey Wimberly lead off the bottom of the 1st with a single and went to third on a single by Jaime Pedroza, who took second on the throw to third. Wimberly scored on a ground out and Pedroza scored on a single by Jesus Valdez. Hector Gimenez followed with a single to drive in Valdez, who had stolen second. Ricardo Serrano got Gimenez home with a single and the Leones led 4-0 after one inning.

Wimberly scores / Leones facebook

Israel Nunez started the 2nd for Yucatan with a bunt single down the third base line. Corey Wimberly and Jose Aguilar were both hit by pitches. The Leones had the bases loaded with one out. Jesus Valdez tripled to clear the bases and the Leones were up 7-0.

The Piratas remained scoreless until Paul Leon tripled with one out in the top of the 9th and scored on a ground ball out by Jason Alondo for the only Campeche run of the game.

Negrin worked 5 2/3 innings, scattering 6 hits and walking 2 while striking out 5 to get the win for Yucatan. Francisco Campos was roughed up for 7 runs on 7 hits in just 1 1/3 innings for the Piratas, to take the loss.

Jesus Valdez was 2 for 4 for the Leones with 4 RBIs while Jose Aguilar went 1 for 4 with an RBI and Hector Gimenez was 1 for 3 with and RBI.

The Piratas' Adan Velazquez was the bright spot in the Campeche lineup going 2 for 4 while Jasson Alondo drove in the teams only run.

These two teams meet again today, Wednesday the 19th of August, to continue the best of seven series. Thursday is a travel day and the series will pick up again on Friday the 21st of August in Campeche.
IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Mexico 5, Tijuana 2

Watch a highlight video here.

Diablos Celebrate

Ivan Terrazas was 2 for 3 on the night and hit a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 5th for the Diablos as they took game 1 of the Zona Norte series with Tijuana by a 5-2 score. Sergio Gastelum scored a run on a 2 for 4 night at the late.

The Toros used 2 walks and a single by Luis Suarez to score Dustin Martin with their 1st run and a solo home run by Carlos Valencia in the 7th for their 2 runs. Suarez was 2 for 4 and Valencia 1 for 4 for the game.

Marcos Duarte got the win and Juan Sandoval earned the save for the Diablos. Fabio Castro started for the Toros and gave up 3 runs on 3 hits while walking 4 in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss.


Monclova 10, Saltillo 3

Watch a highlight video here.

The Saraperos pitching staff finished 14th in ERA in the league this year, giving up just over 5 runs a game. The Acereros made Saltillo pay for another poor showing, topping the Saraperos 10-3. Monclova leads the Zona Norte series 1-0

Josh Lowey wasn't as sharp as he has been but he scattered 7 hits over 6 innings to get the win. Lowey's only bad pitch of the night resulted in a 2 run home run by Refugio Cervantes in the top of the 1st inning to give the Saraperos their only lead of the game.

Francisco Cordoba blasted a 3 run home run for Monclova in the bottom of the 2nd as theAcereros took the lead and didn't look back, scoring in the 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th for the 10-3 win.

Josh Lowey / LMB Website

Lowey got the win and Edgmer Escalona worked 5 1/3 innings giving up 7 runs to be saddled with the loss.

Francisco Cordoba, Jose Ruiz and Antonio Lamas homered for Monclova with Cordoba going 2 for 3 with 3 RBIS and 2 runs scored. Ruiz was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and Lamas 1 for 5 with 2 RBIs.

Refugio Cervantes was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs while Justin Greene was 3 for 4 with a run scored for Saltillo.

Oaxaca 8, Quintana Roo 0

Watch a highlight video here.

The Guerreros used 11 hits to score 8 runs as Oaxaca took the 1st game of their Zona Sur playoff series with the Tigres 8-0.

Sergio Valenzuela / Guerreros Facebook

Sergio Valenzuela gave up just 4 hits to the Tigres in his 6 2/3 innings on the mound to pick up the win. 3 relievers worked the final 2 1/3 innings holding the Tigres hitless. Ramon Ortiz lasted just 4 innings in the loss, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits.

Erick Rodriguez, the Guerreros catcher, was 3 for 4 on the night with an RBI and 2 runs scored while Alan Sanchez was 1 for 5 with 2 RBIs and Ronny Cedeno went 2 for 4 with an RBI



Video highlights courtesy of the LMB and ITV

Puebla Eliminated by Campeche in 3-2 Loss

PIRATAS TO FACE LEONES de YUCATAN ON TUESDAY

Watch the LMB highlights of the game here, courtesy of ITV and the LMB.

CJ Retherford scored from third on a single by Fernando Flores in the bottom of the 5th inning to break a 2-2 tie and the Piratas de Campeche went on to win the Zona Sur elimination game and keep their hopes of an LMB Championship alive.

The Piratas opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st when Adan Velazquez singled to left and scored on a double by Alfredo Silverio for the quick 1-0 Campeche lead.

Roberto Lopez, the Campeche 1st baseman, launched a lead off home run to left off of the Pericos starter, Hector Galvan, in the bottom of the 2nd inning to increase the Piratas lead to 2-0.

Puebla got a run back in the top of the 3rd inning on a solo home run by Miguel Tejada off of Evan Maclane, the Piratas starting pitcher.

Rolando Acosta drew a two out walk in the top of the 4th for Puebla and went to second on a sharply hit single to left by Mario Santana. Acosta scored when Roman Pena singled and when the Piratas failed to score in their half of the inning the score was tied at 2 all.

The Piratas took the lead in the 5th and 5 Campeche relief pitchers shut down the Pericos hitters on 1 hit over the final 3 1/3 innings, walking 1 and striking out 5. Evan Maclane got the win and Fernando Nieve recorded the save.

Edwin Salas took the loss for the Pericos, giving up 1 run on 1 hit while walking 2 and striking out 1 in his 1 1/3 innings on the mound.

Roberto Lopez was 1 for 1 with a home run and 2 walks for the Piratas while Fernando Flores added an RBI.

Miguel Tejada was 1 for 3 with a home run and an RBI while Mario Santana went 2 for 3 and Brent Clevlen was 2 for 4. Roman Pena drove in the other Pericos run.

The Piratas must get ready quickly as they travel to Merida on Tuesday to take on the Zona Sur champion Leones de Yucatan in a best of seven series to continue the LMB playoffs. The Guerreros de Oaxaca will be in Cancun to face the Tigres de Quintana Roo in the other Zona Sur series.

The Toros de Tijuana will face the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, in Mexico City and the Saraperos de Saltillo play the Acereros de Monclova, in Monclova for the Zona Norte playoffs.

Let The games Begin!

TOROS SMOTHER VAQUEROS 10-3

Watch a short LMB video here.

Barry Enright scattered 7 hits, walked none and struck out 3 in the 10-3 win over the Vaqueros in the Zona Norte elimination game of the LMB playoffs. Enright gave up a two run home run to Sergio Garcia with two outs in the 7th inning before being replaced in the 8th.

Eduardo Arredondo

Eduardo Arredondo drew a lead off walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Maxwell Leon and scored on a single to center by Oscar Robles to give the Toros the early 1-0 lead after 1 inning.

Laguna tied the score in the top of the 3rd on a single by Sergio Garcia, who stole second, and a run scoring double to left center by Mario Vega.

The Toros answered quickly in their half of the 3rd. Jose Chavez waited out a lead off base on balls and moved to second on a single by Eduardo Arredondo. Maxwell Leon placed a bunt down the third base line and when the Vaqueros third baseman threw wildly to 1st, Chavez scored and Arredondo went to third. Oscar Robles then singled to right to score Arredondo, his 2nd RBI of the night, and the 3-1 Tijuana lead.

The Toros Crowd Enjoys The Game

After Miguel Olivo singled with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th and stole second, Luis Suarez singled to drive in Olivo and increase the Toros lead to 4-1. Suarez took second on a throwing error by the Laguna right fielder. Jose Chavez walked and Eduardo Arredondo singled to score Suarez for the 5-1 lead.

The Vaqueros got the 2 run home run by Sergio Garcia in the 7th to bring Laguna to within 2 runs at 5-3.

Lew Ford led off the bottom of the 7th for Tijuana with a triple and scored one out later on a single to center by Carlos Valencia. Toros 6, Vaqueros 3.

Toros Score Again

Tony Pena Jr., the LMB leader in saves with 25, was brought in to pitch the 8th inning for the Vaqueros and gave up 4 runs. Eduardo Arredondo singled and scored on a double by Maxwell Leon. Leon would score in front of a home run by Lew Ford. Dustin Martin singled to center, Carlos Valencia singled and Martin scored on a single by Miguel Olivo to bring the score to the final 10-3.

Eduardo Arredondo was 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored, Lew Ford 2 for 5 with the home run and 2 RBIs and Miguel Olivo 3 for 5 with an RBI for the Toros. Oscar Robles added 2 RBIs on a 2 for 5 night at the plate.

Sergio Garcia went 2 for 3 with the home run, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored for Laguna.

Barry Enright got the win while the Vaqueros starter, Danny Gutierrez, took the loss.

The Toros now travel to Mexico City to take on the #1 seed Diablos Rojos del Mexico in a seven game series beginning on Tuesday the 18th of August.

IN THE OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

The elimination game between the Piratas de Campeche and the Pericos de Puebla was rained out and will be played today at 1 PM.

Leones' Road To The 2015 Playoffs

Since winning the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Championship in 2006, the Leones struggled in the playoffs from 2007 through 2010. The team lost in the finals in 2007, lost the Zona Sur Championship round in 2008 and lost in he 1st round in 2009 and 2010.

The Leones did not qualify for the league playoffs from 2011 - 2014. At the end of the 2013 season the ownership decided changes had to be made. They fired their manager, Daniel Fernandez and hired Matias Carrillo. After a losing season in 2014, Carrillo was let go and a former Leones player with little managerial experience, Wilfredo Romero, was hired for the 2015 season. Romero was a player on the 2006 LMB Championship team.

Fernandez' team had missed the 2013 playoff by 5 games, finishing 6th of 8 teams in the Zona Sur. Things did not go well in 2014 as the team finished 8 games out of the playoffs and 7th out of 8 teams. Carrillo was fired and Romero hired in October of 2014.

Typical Merida Crowd/Leones facebook

In 2015, Romero and the Leones have turned things around. The team finished the regular season in 1st place in the Zona Sur of the LMB, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Tigres de Quintana Roo. Yucatan's record of 66-46 is a twenty game improvement over 2014.

The Leones change in their record from 2014 to 2015 was dramatic. In 2014, Yucatan finished 10th in the league in batting average, 14th in hits, 8th in doubles, 13th in home runs and 15th in RBIs. Conversely in 2015, the team is 6th in batting average (at .291), 3rd in hits (1105), 3rd in doubles (211), 3rd in triples (18) and 4th in RBIs (562). They also finished 4th in steals with 77, pointing to a speedier team that is more aggressive on the base paths.

At the same time the pitching improved dramatically. In 2014 the Leones pitchers were 14th in wins, 9th in ERA, 13th in strikeouts and 12th in WHIP (Walks plus Hits / Innings Pitched) The pitching staff in 2015 is 2nd in wins (66), 1st in ERA (3.77), 1st in shutouts (14), 5th in walks allowed (358) and 1st in WHIP (1.34).

Marco Quevedo
team leader in Wins
ERA and WHIP

Good players can make a manager look good but the turn around in just one year can and does justify accolades for Romero. If the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, under Miguel Ojeda, had not finished with 73 victories, the most in league history, Romero would have been a shoo-in for Manager of the Year in the LMB.

Jose Aguilar

The Leones are loaded with talent. Second baseman Jaime Pedroza hit .305 on the year playing the second half. Hector Gimenez, from Venezuela, hit .301 with 20 home runs and 77 RBIs. Jose Aguilar had 8 home runs and 57 RBIs while batting .299.

The two biggest stars for the Leones though, were Corey "El Flow" Wimberly and Jesus "Cacao" Valdez. Wimberly, from the US, led the league in runs scored with 97, hit .340, stole 34 bases and had 15 assists from his centerfield position. He also led the league in being hit by a pitch 24 times.

Corey Wimberly

Jesus Valdez
BA .363 leads
the league

Valdez, hailing from the Dominican Republic led the league in batting average, hitting .363 on the year with 7 home runs and 98 RBIs. Had Japhet Amador not had a monster year at the plate, hitting 41 home runs and driving in 117 runs, Valdez would have been a serious contender for the LMB Most Valuable Player.

As it is, Wimberly and Valdez finished in a tie, based on fan voting, for the Leones MVP.

The pitching improved for 2015 but as any fan will tell you, pitching wins games but hitting fills the seats!

One fact that is all telling about a team's success is attendance. From 2011 through 2014 the attendance at Estadio de Beisbol Kukulkan Alamo had steadily fallen until just 225,404 (4,600/game) crossed through the turnstiles in 2014. The winning in 2015 brought the fans back in droves. 528,351 fans, or 8,755 per game, passed through the gates to watch the Leones.

The playoffs begin on Sunday with the Piratas de Campeche and the Pericos de Puebla in a one game playoff to determine who will play the Leones in a 7 game series beginning on Tuesday the 18 of August. The Guerreros de Oaxaca travel to Cancun to take on the Tigres de Quintana Roo in the other playoff of the Zona Sur. As long as the Leones keep on winning the road to the 2015 Division Championship will go through Merida.  

Tigres Beat Leones 6-0 In Season Finale

The Leones captured the Zona Sur Championship on Thursday night and rested their regulars for the final game of the year, a 6-0 loss to the Tigres. It was apparent that both pitchers and back up fielders were rusty to say the least. Jonathan Castellanos (7-7) and 7 relief pitchers walked 6 Tigres. The fielders committed 3 errors and could only manage 5 hits off of Wilmer Rios (4-1) and 5 Tigre relievers.

Quintana Roo opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd inning. Hiram Martinez singled to left. The next batter bunted the ball back to Castellanos who threw wildly to first for an error, allowing Martinez to score from first for the 1-0 Tigres lead.

Large Crowd For Final Game

Things fell apart for the Leones pitchers in the top of the 6th. Angel Erro drew a lead off walk and went to third on a double by Alfredo Amezaga. Esteban Quiroz was intentionally walked to load the bases. After a pitching change, Raul Sanchez waited out the bases loaded walk to bring home Erro. Jose Felix followed with a single to drive in Amezaga. After another pitching change for the Leones, Eduardo Mendivil walked to plate Quiroz. The bases remained loaded with 1 out. After a fly ball to short left produced the second out, Manuel Rodriguez, the Leones reliever, uncorked a wild pitch that scored Sanchez with the 4th run of the inning and a 5-0 Tigres lead.

In the top of the 9th, Angel Erro worked a 2 out base on balls. Alfredo Amezaga singled to right but the right fielder misplayed the short hop and Erro scored the sixth and final run for the Tigres.

Leones Turn 2 /Leones Facebook

Yucatan now awaits the result of the playoff between the Pericos de Puebla and the Piratas de Campeche in Campeche. The Tigres will meet the Guerreros de Oaxaca in the series of the #2 and #3 seeds in the Zona Sur.

The Zona Norte will see the Toros de Tijuana take on the Vaqueros de Laguna to determine who faces the #1 seed 73-39 Diablos de Mexico. The Acereros de Monclova will face the #2 seed Saraperos de Satillo in the other series.

Watch a short LMB video of the game here.

IN OTHER LMB ACTION

Monclova 5, Tamaulipas 4 (1st game 8 innings)
Brett Harper singled and Jose Ruiz walked with 1 out Jose Amador walked to load the bases and Hector Garanzuay pulled off a squeeze but to score pinch runner Abraham Ramos as the Acereros topped the Broncos 5-4 in the1st game of a double header. Nick Van Stratten was 4 for 4 with 3 RBIs in he loss.
here.
Monclova 5, Tamaulipas 0 (2nd game)
The Acereros used a 3 run 4th inning to sweep the Broncos with a 5-0 win in the nightcap. Juan Savin (2-3) picked up the win while Wilfredo Ramirez (0-1) took the loss. Brett Harper was 1 for 1 with a home run for Monclova. The Broncos managed just 2 hits off of the 3 Acereros pitchers.

Monterrey 4, Laguna 1 (1st Game)
Marco Tovar (10-3) pitched 6 2/3 innings of 2 hit ball and held the Vaqueros to one run to get the 4-1 win. Felipe Arredondo (8-10) took the loss in the 1st game of a double header. Chris Rberson was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for the Sultanes and Francisco Mendez went 1 for 3 with a home run for the Vaqueros.

Watch  short LMB video

Monterrey 4, Laguna 2 (2nd game)
Edgar Gonzalez (4-12) held the Vaqueros to 5 hits and 2 runs as the Sultanes took the nightcap of a twin bill 4-2. Jaime Espinoza (1-2) took the loss. Heber Gomez was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Monterrey.

Watch a short LMB video here.

Oaxaca 4, Puebla 3
Ruddy Acosta (8-6) pitched 7 innings to get the 4-3 win for the Guerreros over the Percos. Mauricio Lara (5-9) took the loss. Yancarlo Angulo and Mario Vanenzuela both homered for Oaxaca. Sandy Madera went 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs for Puebla.

Watch a short LMB video of the game Here.

Aguascalientes 14, Saltillo 7
Carlos Rodriguez was 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs, Jesus Castillo 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored and Julian Casro 3 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored as the Rieleros throttled the Saraperos 14-7. Jonathan Aceves had 2 home runs on a 2 for 4 night at the plate for Saltillo and Christian Zazueta added a home run.

Veracruz 2, Tabasco 0
The Aguilas scored single runs in the 7th and 8th innings and Rudy Gonzalez (1-4) held the Olmecas to 1 hit over 5 innings in the 2-0 win. Ricardo Gomez notched his 19th save of the year. Antonio Guzman (1-2) took the loss.

Campeche 6, Ciudad del Carmen 4
The Piratas got a go ahead 2 run home run from CJ Retherford in the top of the 7th inning to break a 4-4 tie and defeated the Delfines 6-4. Jorge Rivera (2-2) picked up the win in relief and Fernando Nieve recorded his 10th save of the season. Erubiel Gonzalez (3-2) suffered the loss.

Mexico 9, Tijuana 4
Samar Leyva had a home run on a 2 for 2 night at the plate with 2 RBIs and Jesus Fabela added a home run as the Diablos beat the Toros 9-4. Miguel Oivo had a home run for Tijuana. David Reyes (10-6) got the win and Alejandro Martinez (4-6) took the loss. The Diablos finished the year at 73-39, the most wins in a single season in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol

Watch a short LMB video of the game Here.

ALL VIDEOS COURTESY OF ITV

Yucatan Beats Quintana Roo 5-2

CHAMPIONS OF THE ZONA SUR DIVISION OF THE LMB

Marco Quevdo / Leones Facebook

Marco Quevedo (8-3) pitched a masterful game in a must win situation, going 6 innings in the 5-2 win and holding the Tigres to 2 runs while waiting for the Leones bats to come alive. Adam Reifer worked a 1-2-3 top of the 9th inning to earn his 21st save. Daniel Cabrera (6-2) took the loss for the Tigres.

With the win, the Leones are the Champions of the Zona Sur of the LMB and the #1 seed in the divisional playoffs. They will take on the winner of the playoff between the #4 and #5 seeds. As of today those teams would be the Piratas de Campeche and the Pericos de Puebla.

The Tigres put a scare into the Leones home town crowd by scoring 2 runs in the top of the 1st. Carlos Gastelum singled with one out and went to third on a single by Eugenio Velez. Gastelum scored on a sac fly and Velez took second. Jorge Vazquez then singled to score Velez for the early lead.

Josa Aguilar Drives in 2 / Leones Facebook

Ricardo Serrano singled to open the bottom of the 5th for Yucatan. One out later Israel Nunez singled to right and Serrano went to third on an error by the Tigres' right fielder. Corey Wimberly singled to score Serrano with Nunez stopping at second. Jaime Pedroza drew a walk to load the bases. With the runners breaking, Jose Aguilar hit a slow roller to second that resulted in a force out but Nunez and Wimberly both scored. The Leones had taken a 3-2 lead.

Yucatan scored a run in the 6th on a single by Ricardo Serrano and a two out single by Kevin Flores to give the Leones a 4-2 lead.

Corey Wimberly led off the bottom of the 7th inning with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jaime Pedroza and scored the final run of the contest on a single by Jose Aguilar.

Leones are Zona Sur Champions / Leones facebook

IN OTHER LMB ACTION

Puebla 5, Oaxaca 4
The Pericos scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to top the Guerreros 5-4. Francisco Cruceta (5-1) pitched 2 innings of no hit ball to pick up the win. Jose Ascanio (3-5 was charged with his 4th blown save of the year while suffering the loss.

Monclova 10, Tamaulipas 7 (10 innings)
Back to back doubles by Hector Garanzuay and Antonio Lamas and a two out single by Olmo Rosario in the top of the 10th inning gave the Acereros  the 10-7 win in Reynosa. Juan Noriega (1-2) got the win in relief and Luis Daniel suffered the loss.

Aguascalientes 17, Saltillo 2
he Rieleros scored 10 runs in the bottom of the 7th to overpower the Saraperos 17-2. Carlos Rodriguez, Eliezer Ortiz and Saul Soto all homered for the Rieleros in the win. Despite the win, the Rieleros were eliminate from he Zona Norte playoff picture.

Ciudad del Carmen 3, Campeche 2
Henry Rodriguez hit a two out walk off single in the 9th to score Horacio Vasquez as the Delfines kept their playoff hopes alive with the 3-2 win at home. Josh Lueke (7-5) benefited as he picked up the win in relief.

Tabasco 10, Veracruz 2
The Olmecas jumped out to 5-0 lead after 2 innings and coasted to the final 10-2 win over the Aguilas. Max Ramirez was 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs and Pedro Diaz added a home run for Tabasco. Angel Araiza (3-5) threw a complete game for the win.

Laguna 8, Monterrey 1
The Vaqueros scored 3 runs in the 2nd and 3 more in the 8th to hand the Sultanes their 62nd loss of the year while reaching .500 for the season. Laguna secured the 5th spot in the Zona Norte playoffs with the win. Ivan Zavala (7-7) got the win while Ramon Garcia (1-3) took the loss.

Tijuana 9, Mexico 5
The Toros built a 6-1 lead after 4 innings and withstood a late rally to defeat the Diablos 9-5. The Toros are currently in 4th place in the Zona Norte with 1 game to play. Oscar Robles was 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs for Tijuana and Luis Suarez added a home run in the win. Walter Silva (6-6) picked up the win while Arturo Lopez (8-4) took the loss.