Leones Keep Tigres At Bay With 3-1 Win

TRAIL ZONA SUR SERIES 3 GAMES TO 1

Watch video highlights of the game HERE.

Juan Delgadillo / Leones Facebook

Juan Delgadillo, until yesterday, was listed on the Leones official roster as "reserve". Activated to take on the Tigres and their 3 games to none Zona Sur Championship lead, Delgadillo pitched masterfully. Allowing just 2 hits over 6 innings while walking 2 and striking out 2, Delgadillo held the Tigres scoreless in the "must win" game. Yucatan used 7 pitchers over the last 3 innings, with Adam Reifer notching the save. Pablo Ortiz gave up 2 runs on 6 hits, walked 3 and struckout 4 to take the loss for the Tigres.

Following a short rain delay, Ricardo Serrano led off the top of the 4th for the Leones with a single and scored on a double to center by Jesus Valdez for the 1-0 Yucatan lead.

Valdez doubled again in the 5th inning to score Jose Aguilar, who had singled with 2 outs, as the Leones increased their lead to 2-0.

Hector Navarro relieved Delgadillo in the 7th and, after getting Eugenio Velez to pop up to the third baseman, hit Francisco Peguero with a pitch. Miguel Aguilar was brought in to replace Navarro for the Leones and struck out Alfredo Amezaga for the second out. Leones manager, Wilfredo Romero changed pitchers again and the Tigre's Ricardo Vazquez drew a walk. Another pitching change, another walk and the Tigres had the bases loaded with 2 outs. The 5th pitcher of the inning for Yucatan, Manuel Rodriguez, threw a wild pitch that scored pinch runner Brandon Villareal with the lone run of the game for the Tigres who now trailed Yucatan by a 2-1 score.

Jaime Pedroza hit a solo home run to right in the top of the 8th inning to add an insurance run for the Leones and stretch the Yucatan lead to 3-1.

Adam Reifer came on to pitch for the Leones with one out in the bottom of the 8th inning and shut down the Tigres to get the save.

Jose Aguilar was 2 for 4 with a run scored, Jesus Valdez 2 for 4 with  doubles and 2 RBIs and Jaime Pedroza 1 for 3 with the home run and an RBI for Yucatan.

Greg Golson and Carlos Gastelum got the only hits for the Tigres, both singles as he Yucatan pitching did an excellent job of keeping runners out of scoring position.

The series continues on Thursday with the Tigres holding a 3 games to 1 lead in the best of seven playoff.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Tijuana 6, Monclova 5

Watch video highlights of the game HERE.

The Toros de Tijuana scored 4 times in the bottom of the 1st inning and held on to beat the Acereros de Monclova 6-5 to tie the best of seven Zona Norte Championship playoff at 2 games apiece.

Jose Lopez picked up the win in relief of starter Logan Duran who gave up 5 runs on 5 hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. Mario Mendoza gave up 2 hits in 1 1/3 innings to get his 3rd save of the playoffs. Anthony Capra took the loss for Monclova, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits over 4 2/3 innings on the mound.

Dustin Martin was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored, Luis Suarez 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Eduardo Arredondo 2 for 4 with a run scored and Miguel Olivo 1 for 2 with and RBI and 2 walks in the Toros win.

Hernando Arredondo, who entered to game as a pinch runner in the 2nd inning, was 2 for 3 with a home run for Monclova. Jose Amdor went 2 for 4 with a run scored and Flavio Romero 1 for 3 with an RBI.