Monterrey Opens With 4-3 Win Over Monclova

SULTANES OPEN ZONA NORTE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND WITH ROAD WIN

If you are the type of person who loves to watch good baseball, pitching, hitting and defense, then last night's game between the Sultanes de Monterrey and the Acereros de Monclova was right up your alley. Plenty of offense, good pitching and a dramatic finish!

Julio Borbon

The game started off as if this was going to be an offensive game. The Sultane's lead off hitter, Julio Borbon took an 0-1 pitch deep to right center to give the Sultanes a quick 1-0 lead. Not to be out done, the Acereros responded with home runs from Erick Aybar and Francisco Peguero in their half of the 1st to take a 2-1 lead.

The pitching for both teams settled down but Monclova added a run in the bottom of the 3rd on a single by Jesus Castillo, a walk to Danny Espinosa and a Juan Perez double to left that scored Castillo. Acereros 3-1.

Ali Solis led off the top of the 6th for Monterrey with a single and went to third on a single by Julio Borbon. Solis scored on a double play ball off the bat of Ramiro Pena. The Sultanes trailed 3-2.

Leading off the top of the 8th inning, Solis singled again. Marco Guzman entered the game as a pinch runner for Solis. Julio Borbon hit a ball back up the middle that the Acereros second baseman got to but couldn't get to the shortstop in time for a force out. Pinch running for Solis paid off as the speedy Guzman was safe at second. Ramiro Pena laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved the runners up. Following an intentional walk to Felix Perez, Chris Roberson walked on 4 pitches to force in Guzman with the tying run. The Acereros pitchers only walked 3 batters all night but these two were costly.

Yadir Drake launched a long fly ball to left in the top of the 9th inning that appeared to glance off of the glove of the Acereros left fielder before landing over the wall for the home run and a 4-3 lead for the Sultanes.

Yadir Drake

The Acerero's Rodolfo Amador singled off of Wirfin Obispo in the bottom of the 9th and stole second. Amador was stranded as Cade Gotta struck out to end the game.

Anthony Vasquez started the game for the Sultanes and gave up all 3 Monclova runs on 6 hits, including 2 home runs, walking 2 and striking 1 in 5 innings. Nick Struck (1-0) worked the 8th to get the win and Wirfin Obispo pickup the save, although not without drama.

Andre Rienzo pitched well for the Acereros, going 6 1/3 innings, scattering 6 hits but did not figure in the decision. Mario Morales was charged with a blown save for giving up the run in the 8th and Zack Segovia (0-1) took the loss, allowing the home run to Drake in his inning on the mound.

Julio Borbon was 3 for 5 with a home run, Ali Solis 2 for 3 and Yadir Drake had the home run in his 4 trips to the plate.

Erick Aybar went 2 for 4 with a home run and team mate Francisco Peguero 1 for 3 with his 1st inning home run.