In a pitchers duel worthy of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Championship playoffs, Terance Marin squared off against Javier Solano to produce one of the more entertaining games in the Charros season.
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| Charros starter Terance Marin |
The Charros offense sputtered once again, getting just 5 hits, two of them by Liddi and scoring 1 run in support of Marin.
Jalisco had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs in the 3rd inning but failed to score. They wouldn't get runners in scoring position again until Liddi led off the top of the 7th with a double. Again the Charros were unable to score.
Yunesky Betancourt, of the Aguilas, singled to lead off the bottom of the second, advanced to second on a fly ball to center, moved to third on a ground out by Wellington Dotel and scored on a wild pitch by Marin to put Mexicali up 1-0. Luis Juarez followed the wild pitch with a singl and scored on a double to left center by Xorge Carrillo with what proved to be the winning run and a 2-0 lead.
Alex Liddi, given the green light on a 3-1 pitch, drilled a fast ball over the wall in left center to cut the lead to 2-1 in the 4th inning but the Charros would score no more.
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| Liddi HR in the 4th |
Marin was charged with the loss. Javier Solano went 7 innings for Mexicali allowing 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 7 Charros. Esmailin Caridad picked up the save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning in relief.
Game 2 of the first round series continues on Saturday the 2nd of January on Mexicali before returning to Guadalajara foe game 3 on Monday the 4th of January.
Their offense is in trouble with Japhet on his way to Japan, Smith sent home to Florida, and Manny injured. Apparently the team has decided that the ear biting Miguel Olivo is more of an asset to the team than Marquez Smith. I am having a hard time buying it, especially with Olivo's backwards K strikeout with Liddy on second and no outs in the 7th. It was a shame to waste such good pitching as the Charros pitching has been mostly poor this year, especially the relievers. Hopefully the Charros can get a win tonight and bring the series back home even.
ReplyDeleteTheir offense is in trouble with Japhet on his way to Japan, Smith sent home to Florida, and Manny injured. Apparently the team has decided that the ear biting Miguel Olivo is more of an asset to the team than Marquez Smith. I am having a hard time buying it, especially with Olivo's backwards K strikeout with Liddy on second and no outs in the 7th. It was a shame to waste such good pitching as the Charros pitching has been mostly poor this year, especially the relievers. Hopefully the Charros can get a win tonight and bring the series back home even.
ReplyDeleteYou are right David...Add in Eduardo Arredondo injured, Gabriel Gutierrez injured, ineffective starters, Navarrete fired with 9 games left in the season, Leo Heras "traded" to the Yaquis, Valenzuela hardly playing, Edson Garcia out of position in centerfield, Cacao hitting .347 but somewhere around .250 with RISP...the Charros were fortunate to make the playoffs. If this were the MLB the media would say this is a front office in turmoil. The Charros have a really tough row to hoe if they expect to beat the Aguilas and advance to the 2nd round but this is baseball and anything can happen. IF, and that's a big if, the starting pitching improves dramatically...who knows? Thanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteGood points. Leo Heras was traded for the whiz kid at third, Murillo, right? He's done a good job underachieving. Unlike last year, Valenzuela has looked good when given opportunities. Especially with Japhet gone, FV seems like a good player to put at first or DH. Good point about Cacao; he is a league leader with his batting average, but not so much when it counts. That is what makes me angry about Smith getting dumped as he was clutch when the game was on the line. The starting pitching as of late has been okay, but the relievers have been nightmares.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, this is baseball and anything can happen. I love it and am so glad to have a local team to follow and to attend games in January! I look forward to more of your articles and appreciate your reply.
Vamos Charros!!!!