Charros Open Season With 18-9 Win Over Tomateros

Opening Day Cebration

If the Charros de Jalisco were looking to make a statement in the opening game of the 2016-17 Liga Mexicana del Pacifico winter league, they did. They pounded out 20 hits, including a home run by Mario Valenzuela and 6 doubles in the 18-9 trouncing of the Tomateros de Culiacan. You can't expect this type of explosive output every day but it was fun to watch.

Jalisco sent 13 men to the plate in the bottom of the 1st inning and scored 9 runs. The first 8 batters reached base safely. They had 5 singles, a double and 2 reached on errors by the Culiacan infield. With 5 runs already across and the bases loaded, Amadeo Zazueta cleared the bases with a double to right center to make it 8-0 and Manny Rodriguez followed with his second double of the inning to drive in Zazueta for the 9-0 Charros lead.

After the Charros starter, Kyle Simon gave up 3 singles to load the bases in the top of the 3rd inning, Joey Meneses, the Tomateros first baseman, made him pay by hitting a long grand slam to right. Culiacan cut the Charros lead to 9-4 with one swing of the bat.

The Charros answered in their half of the inning. Zazueta was hit by a pitch, Manny Rodriguez singled and both runners scored on a double by Art Charles.

With 3 more runs in the 4th, the Charros upped their lead to 14-4. Mario Valenzuela hit a 2 run home run in the inning and Manny Rodriguez drove in a run with his third double of the game.

Valenzuela Home Run

Jalisco added a run in the 5th when Cacao Valdez reached on an error, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Valenzuela.

Things were quiet until the bottom of the 8th inning. 4 consecutive singles, a walk and a run producing ground ball double play by Art Charles increased the Charros lead to 18-5.

The relief pitching in the 9th for the Charros got off badly when Aaron Kurcz gave up 2 singles, walked a batter and, after getting an out, gave up a ground rule double to Ronnier Mustelier for 3 runs. A single by Sebastian Elisalde scored Mustelier to cut the lead to 18-9 but that was all and the Charros de Jalisco had the opening day victory.

Kyle Simon picked up the win with a shaky 5 innings in which he gave up 5 runs on 8 hits with 1 walk and 1 strikeout. He gave up the grand slam to Meneses.

Charros Celebrate the Win

Edgar Gonzalez did not record an out in the losing effort. He gave up 8 runs on 6 hits before being replaced by Jose Medina.

Manny Rodriguez was 5 for 5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Amadeo Zazueta went 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs and 3 runs scored for the Charros.

Ronnier Mustelier went 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs for the Tomateros. Sebastian Elizalde was 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and Joey Meneses 1 for 3 with the grand slam.

The Charros travel to Culiacan to take on these same Tomateros on Thursday and then Obregon to face the Yaquis for games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Charros return home on Tuesday the 18th to host the Caneros de Los Mochis.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION:

Hermosillo 3, Obregon 2

Erik Young Jr. homered in the 1st inning and the Naranjeros held on to defeat the Yaquis 3-2. Clell Hobson hit a home run for Obregon in the 7th inning to cut the lead to 3-2 but that was the end of the scoring. Joseph Colman picked up the win, giving up a run on 4 hits over 5 innings. Paul Sewald notched his 1st save of the year for Hermosillo. Rolando took the loss for Obregon. He gave up all 3 runs on 3 hits in his 5 innings on the mound.

Navojoa 4, Los Mochis 3

Hector Velazquez worked 5 innings for the Mayos, striking out 8 Caneros to get the win for Navojoa. Kyle Grana made it close in the 9th, giving up a run but held on to pick up the save. Luis Niebla took the loss, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings. Yosmany Guerra was 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 runs scored for Navojoa. Alejandro Gonzalez was also 2 for 3 for the Mayos. Leandro Castro was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored for the Caneros