Tomateros Salvage One Game of Series With Mazatlan

4 RUNS IN THE 8TH GIVE CULIACAN THE 5-2 WIN

Manny Corpas

Roy Merritt, the Venados starter, had held the Tomateros to a single run on 3 hits over 6 innings of work but reliever Manny Corpas (0-2) gave up all 4 runs in the 8th to be charges with a blown save and the loss. Jesus Castillo (1-0) got the win in relief of starter Dallas Beeler and Casey Coleman earned his 5th save of the season.

With the Venados ahead 2-1 and 1 out in the top of the 8th, Jose Orozco got things going with a single. Roemon Fields and Rico Noel followed with singles of their own to load the bases. A single by Luis Cruz cleared the bases, with the help of a throwing error by the center fielder. A single by Ryan McBroom and the 6th single of the inning scored Cruz to give the Tomateros the 5-2 lead and the game.

Cruz was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored for Culiacan while McBroom went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Jose Orozco, who pinch hit for Ali Solis in the 8th, was 2 for 2 with a run scored.

Luis Cruz

Anthony Giansanti was 2 for 4 for the Venados.

With the loss, the Venados fall into a 1st place tie with the Charros de Jalisco at 10-7. The Tomateros improved to 8-9 on the season.