Charros Drop Game 1 to Aguilas 2-1

ALEX LIDDI HOME RUN LONE JALISCO OFFENSE

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.

Charros starter Terance Marin

Marin pitched 7 strong innings for the Charros giving u just 2 runs while scattering 6 hits, striking out 6, walking 3 and throwing 1 costly wild pitch.

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.

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.

Mayos Take 2 0f 3 From Charros With 4-3 Win

11 INNING VICTORY 2nd EXTRA INNING GAME OF SERIES

The Mayos de Navojoa improved to 6-5 on the season with the win in Guadalajara while dropping the Charros to 7-4. The two teams used a combined 15 pitchers and 23 position players. The game started in dry conditions but it began drizzling later. The rain was from the outer bands of hurricane Patricia, expected to hit the southern Mexican coast Friday or Saturday.

Charros Starter Alex Sanabia

Juan Robles (1-0) picked up the win in relief and Jesus Garcia picked up his 1st save of the year. Adrian Ramirez was charged with a blown save and Luis Rodriguez (0-1) was charged with the loss for Jalisco.

Jalisco opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st inning on a single by Eduardo Arredondo, a ground rule double by Manny Rodriguez and a ground ball double play by Cacao Valdez that scored Arredondo for the 1-0 lead.

Diego Madero led off the Mayos half of the 3rd inning with a triple and scored one out later on a ground ball to short and the score was tied at 1 all.

Madero hit his second triple of the game in the 5th inning and scored when the Charros shortstop missed the throw in from the outfield. Navojoa had taken a 2-1 lead.

Rodriguez' Home Run

Manny Rodriguez tied the game at 2 all for the Charros with a solo home run to left leading off the bottom of the 6th.
 
Pinch hitter Christian Presichi led off the bottom of the 7th inning for Jalisco with a single and went to third on a single by Gabriel Gutierrez. A wild pitch moved Gutierrez to second. Amadeo Zazueta singled to score Presichi as the Charros retook the lead 3-2.

Eliseo Aldazba hit a solo home run with 2 outs in the top of the 9th inning as Navojoa tied the score at 3.

The Charros loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the 9th inning but Cacao Valdez grounded into a 5-2 fielders choice that got Gutierrez, who had doubled to lead off the inning, at home and Japhet Amador flew out to center to end the inning.

Lance Zadwadski singled to start the 11th for the Mayos and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jesus Castillo. Luis Rodriguez was intentionally walked and with 2 outs, Diego Madero reached first safely on a throwing error by the Charros shortstop as Zadwadski scored and Navojoa was on top 4-3 and the win.

Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a home run and Gabriel Gutierrez was 3 for 5 in the loss.

Rain Soaked Charros Fans

Eliseo Aldazaba was 1 for 4 with the game tying, 2 out, home run and Diego Madero had 2 triples and a single in 5 trips to the plate for Navojoa.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION:

Mexicali 5, Culiacan 2

CJ Retherford went 3 for 4 with3 RBIs and Chris Roberson scored 2 runs and drove in 1 on a 3 for 5 night in the Aguilas 5-2 win in Culiacan. Oscar Robles was 3 for 4 with 3 doubles and Ryan Lollis 3 for 3 for the Tomateros. Javier Solano (2-1) was the winning pitcher and Jake Sanchez got his 1st save for the Aguilas. Oscar Villarreal (0-1) took the loss for Culiacan. 19,173 hometown fans watched the Tomateros record fall to 2-9 while the league leading Aguilas improved to 9-2.

Los Mochis 7, Hermosillo

Los Mochis scored 6 times in the 5th inning on their way to a 7-1 win over the Naranjero. Lead off hitter Juan Carlos Gamboa went 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored, Antonio Lamas 2 for 4 with an RBI and Jesus Arredondo 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs for the Caneros. Roberto Ramos was 1 for 4 with a run scoring double in the 1st inning for Hermosillo. Luke Irvine (2-0) pitched 7 innings to pick up the win while Alfredo Aceves (0-2) gave up all 7 runs in 4 2/3 innings in the loss.

Ciudad de Obregon 5, Mazatlán 1

Bernadina Home Run

Roger Bernadina hit a solo home run and scored 2 runs on a 1 for 4 night at the plate in the 5-1 Yaquis win in Mazatlán. Reynaldo Rodriguez added a 2 run triple for Obregon. The Venados scored their only run on a single by Heber Gomez in the top of the 8th inning. Rolando Valdez (1-1) pitched 6 shutout innings, giving up 3 hits in earning the win. Sergio Valenzuela (1-1) took the loss, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits in 5 1/3 innings on the mound.

Tomateros Defeat Charros 8-4

TAKE 3RD GAME OF THE SERIES

The Tomateros de Culiacan salvaged 1 game 3 of the series with the Charros on a blustery Sunday in Guadalajara with an 8-4 win. For the first time this season, the Charros pitching had a rough outing. William Oliver (1-1) started for Jalisco and gave up 6 runs on 5 hits in 2 1/3 innings of work, including a bases clearing triple by Carlos Alvarez.

William Oliver on the Mound

Marco Camerena (1-0) scattered 9 Charros hits over 5 innings allowing 3 runs while striking out 2. The Charros had 11 hits in the game but just 1 extra base hit, a double by Fernando Valenzuela.

With the score 1-0 Culiacan in the top of the 3rd, Nick Buss bunted for a single and moved to second on a walk to Oscar Robles. Jorge Cantu was hit by a pitch to load the bases. One out later, Joey Meneses singled to shallow right field to drive in Buss. Carlos Alvarez hit a 2-2 fastball to the wall in right center that cleared the bases. A relay throw trying to catch Alvarez at third got by Alex Liddi for an error as Alvarez scored. The Tomateros had taken a 6-0 lead.

Zazueta Singles

Gabriel Gutierrez and Amadeo Zazueta singled to lead off the bottom of the 3rd for the Charros. Eduardo Arredondo singled to load the bases with no outs. Manny Rodriguez grounded into a force out as Gutierrez scored. Cacao Valdez then hit a sac fly to plate Zazueta. Japhet Amador singled to put runners at the corners with two outs. Alex Liddi came through with a single to center that plated Rodriguez as the Charros cut the Tomatero lead to 6-3.

The Tomateros could have scored a run in the 4th. Ali Solis tripled to lead off the inning. Nick Buss then hit a fly ball to right for an out. Solis, tagging on the play, slid hard and short as he wound up 2 feet shy of home for the easy 9-2 double play.

Zazueta singled to lead off the bottom of the 7th for the Charros, stole second and scored when Valdez reached safely on a throwing error by the Culiacan second baseman. The Charros had pulled to within 2 runs at 6-4.

Valenzuela Jr. Double

Al Solis doubled for Culiacan with two outs in the 8th inning to score Carlos Alvarez to increase the Tomateros lead to 7-4.

Culiacan added their final run in the 9th inning on a single by Oscar Robles, a double by Jorge Cantu (the Charros challenged the fair/foul call claiming fan interference but the play was upheld) and a sac fly by Ryan Solis for the final 8-4 win.

Culiacan improved to 2-6 on the year with both victories against the Charros and Jalisco fell to 6-2, tied with the Aguilas de Mexicali atop the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico standings.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION

Mexicali 10, Los Mochis 7

The Aguilas scored 10 runs on 15 hits including home runs by CJ Retherford and Ricky Alvarez in the 10-7 win in Los Mochis. Reynier Romero and Sergio Garcia homered for the Caneros in the loss. Alvarez was 2 for 5 with 4 RBIs for the Aguilas. Ramon Orantes, Jesus Arredondo and Garcia were all 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Los Mochis. Edgar Gomez (1-0) picked up the win in relief and closer Adam Reifer recorded his 4th save for the Aguilas. Juan Noriega (1-1) was charged with a blown save and the loss for the Caneros.

Mazatlán 5, Hermosillo 4 (10 innings)

Venados Celebrate Walkoff Win

In the second straight extra inning game between these two teams, The Venados executed a squeeze bunt in the bottom of the 10th for the walk off 5-4 win over the Naranjeros. Pinch hitter Hector Paez pulled off the squeeze as Erick Rodriguez scored the winning run. The Venados closer, Steven Hensley (1-0), got the win and Derek Eitel (0-1) suffered the loss. Hermosillo committed 4 errors in the game leading to 2 unearned runs for the Venados. Mario Santana was 1 for 5 with a bases clearing double for Mazatlan. The Venados improved to 4-4 on the year while the Naranjeros fell to 1-7.

Navojoa 9, Ciudad de Obregon 4

The Mayos exploded for 5 runs in the 3rd inning to take a 7-3 lead and added 2 more runs in the 9th to top the Yaquis 9-4 in front of 8,230 Obregon fans. The Mayos and Yaquis are now both 4-4 on the year. Eddie Gamboa (1-0) picked up the win despite giving up home runs to Roger Bernadina and Said Gutierrez. David Reyes (0-1) lasted just 2 1/3 innings on the mound, allowing 7 runs on 8 hits.
Obregon reliever Mark Hamburger gave up home runs to Quncy Latimore and Jesus Castillo in the top of the 9th. Latimore was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored for the Mayos while Gutierrez went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs for the Yaquis.

Naranjeros Fall to 0-5; Squeezed by Charros 5-2

DANIEL GUERRERO PITCHES 5 SHUTOUT

The Charros de Jalisco peeled back the Naranjeros, sweeping Hermosillo in their three game series that dropped the Naranjeros to 0-5 on the year. Jalisco improved to 4-1 and sit atop the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico standings.

Daniel Guerrero On The Mound

Starting pitcher Daniel Guerrero (1-0) threw 5 shutout innings giving up just 2 hits while striking out 4. Brian Broderick picked up his 3rd save of the young season, pitching the 9th to preserve the win for Guerrero. Edgar Gonzalez (0-2) suffered the loss for Hermosillo.

Jalisco played small ball, with just 3 of their 11 hits going for extra bases and an error by the Naranjeros led to an unearned run. The Charros did commit their first error of the year, a fielding error by first baseman Max Muncy in the 3rd inning.

The scoring began for the Charros in the top of the 3rd when Max Muncy singled to left and moved to second on a wild pitch. Muncy would score on a single to right by Alex Liddi that gave a 1-0 lead to Jalisco.

The Charros added a run in the 6th inning on a one out single by Japhet Amador, a walk to Alex Liddi and a single by Edson Garcia that plated Amador for the 2-0 lead.

Gabriel Gutierrez drew a lead off walk in the top of the 7th, moved to second on a ground out and scored when the Hermosillo pitcher threw wildly to first on a ground ball hit by Eduardo Arredondo that gave the Charros a 3-0 lead without benefit of a hit in the inning.

Jose Amador, first pitch swinging, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th inning to left center that easily cleared the wall and cut the Charros lead to 3-1.

Japhet Amador drew a lead off base on balls in the top of the 8th. Amadeo Zazueta was brought in to run for "El Gigante" and went to third on a double by Max Muncy. Edson Garcia drove in Zazueta with a sac fly to center and increased the Charros lead to 4-1.

Max Muncy At The Plate

Jorge Flores and Jose Cardona hit consecutive singles to lead off the bottom of the 8th for the Naranjeros and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Carlos Gastelum. Flores scored on a ground out by Sebastion Elizalde to draw within 2 runs of the Charros at 4-2.

Eduardo Arredondo hit a one out double in the top of the 9th and scored on a single to right by Manny Rodriguez that completed the scoring and the final 5-2 Charros victory.

The Charros are off on Thursday but begin a 3 game series against the Tomateros de Culiacan on Friday the 16th of October.

Wild and Crazy Lucha Libre Fans in Hermosillo

IN OTHER LMP ACTION

Los Mochis 10, Culiacan 4

The Caneros scored 6 runs in the 4th inning and went on to beat the Tomateros 10-4 in Culican. Los Mochis had 17 hits in the game including 7 doubles and a triple. DH Saul Soto was 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs. Jesus Arredondo was also 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs. Luis Borges went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run for the Tomateros. Thomas Melgarejo (1-0) got the win and Jorge Gonzalez (0-1) took the loss for Culican.

Navojoa 4, Mazatlán 2

Hector Velazquez (1-0) worked 7 innings allowing 2 runs on 7 hits and striking out 5 as the Mayos topped the Venados 4-2 in front of 4,482 hometown fans. Esteban Haro recorded his 1st save for Navojoa. Francisco Lizarraga (1-1) was charged with a blown save and the loss for Mazatlán. Diego Madero and Lance Zawadski were both 2 for 3 for the Mayos. Esteban Quiroz was 3 for 4 with an RBI and Olmo Rosario 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Venados.

Ciudad de Obregon 5, Mexicali 3

Carlos Valencia went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and Christian Villanueva 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored as the Yaquis beat the Aguilas 5-3 in Mexicali. Yunesky Betancourt was 2 for 2 with 2 walks, a home run, an RBI and 2 runs scored in the loss for the Aguilas. Ramon Delgado (1-0) gave up a run on 2 hits in 5 1/3 innings to get the win. Stephen Landazuri (0-1) suffered the loss

Charros de Jalisco Prepare For 2nd Season In Guadalajara

The Charros de Jalisco will embark on their 2nd season of play in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, and their quest to capture the Championship, on the 9th of October with the opening game of the League's season against the Tomateros de Culiacan.

Read a link of my article for the Guadalajara Reporter, Mexico's largest English newspaper, HERE.

I'll be following the Charros' games on my blog with artiles of interest in the Reporter.

Follow me on Facebook at:  www.facebook.com/wdbarr
Follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/wdbarr1

Charros Fall To Tomateros 11-8

CULIACAN TAKES SERIES OPENER TO GO UP 1 GAME TO NONE

The Tomateros de Culiacan got the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Championship Series off to a wild start with an exciting 11-8 victory over the Charros de Jalisco.  

Charros Starter Marco Tovar / Bonnie Garrison Photo

Ali Solis got things going for the Tomateros in the 3rd with a one out base on balls. Solis went to second on a single to center by Rico Noel. Solis moved to third on a ground out and following a walk to Eric Farris that loaded the bases, Joey Meneses singled to score Solis and Maxwell Leon for the 2-0 Culiacan lead.  

The Charros got those runs back in their half of the 3rd on a singles by Marquez Smith and Sebastian Valle. With one out, Eduardo Arredondo singled to right to score Smith and get Valle to third. Manny Rodriguez hit a sac fly to left to drive in Valle and the score was tied at 2 each.

Dave Sappelt led off the Tomateros' 4th with a single and went to second on a single by Sergio Gastelum. Ramiro Pena singled to left and when the Charros left fielder, Jon Weber, overran the ball, Sappelt and Gastelum scored. Pena wound up on third and scored on a sac fly to left by Ali Solis as Culiacan retook the lead 5-2.  

Jalisco used three pitchers in the 5th as the Tomateros exploded for 6 runs in the inning. Joey Meneses drove in a run, Dave Sappelt belted a two run home run to right, Ramiro Pena hit a sac fly for a run and Rico Noel tripled to drive in two for the 11-2 Culiacan lead.  

In the 6th for the Charros, Leo Heras singled and CJ Retherford waited out a walk. Both runners scored on a three run home run by Japhet Amador, a long home run to left that narrowed the lead to 11-5 Culiacan.

Jalisco chipped away at the lead in the 7th. Jesus Lopez doubled to begin the inning and went to third on a fly ball to right by Eduardo Arredondo. Manny Rodriguez doubled to center to score Lopez. The lead was 11-6 Culiacan.     

With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Eduardo Arredondo singled to deep short and scored in front of a home run to left by Manny Rodriguez to bring the Charros to within three runs at 11-8. The next batter, Leo Heras, struck out to end this very exciting game.  

Manny Rodrigues Home Run / Straffon Images

The series continues today, Thursday, in Guadalajara with a travel day on Friday and games 3, 4, and 5 in Culiacan beginning on Saturday the 24th of January.

Charros Into Finals With 5-3 Win Over Obregon

TAKE SERIES 4 GAMES TO 2

12,347 Attended The 6th Game / Bonnie Garrison Photo

The Yaquis de Obregon got to the Charros starter, Ben Koslowski in the top of the 2nd. With one out, Sergio Contreras was hit by a pitch and Said Gutierrez hit a ball deep up the middle that the Charros shortstop threw away and the Yaquis had runners on second and third. Contreras scored on a sac fly to center by Esteban Quiroz and Gutierrez scored on a single by Daniel Castro to give Obregon the early 2-0 lead.

Israel Nunez led off the 3rd for Jalisco with a double and went to third on a single by Eduardo Arredondo. Manny Rodriguez then hit a ground rule double to center that scored Nunez with Arredondo forced to stop at third. CJ Retherford hit into a 6-4-3 double play that scored Arredondo and the game was tied at 2.    

Manny Rodriguz Double In The 3rd / Bonnie Garrison Photo

Jalisco added a run in the 4th on a double by Jon Weber, a single by Marquez Smith and a sac fly to left by Jesus Lopez. The Charros had the 3-2 lead.

Manny Rodriguez led off the 5th with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Leo Heras. Rodriguez scored on a sac fly to right by CJ Retherford for the insurance run and a 4-2 lead.

CJ Retherford Drives In The 4th Run / Bonnie Garrison Photo

With one out in the Charros 8th, Jon Weber tripled to deep right center and scored on a sac fly to right by Marquez Smith for a 5-2 Charros lead.

Obregon got a run back in the top of the 9th when Corey Wimberly singled, stole second and scored on a single to center by JC Linares but it wasn't enough as Charros closer, Manny Acosta, got the final two outs for the save and the Charros were into the finals against either the Tomateros de Culiacan or the Aguilas de Mexicali that begins on Wednesday night.

During the year, the Charros were 4-5 against the Tomateros and 6-5 against the Aguilas.

Terence Marin picked up the win in relief of starter Ben Koslowski and Manny Acosta got the save. Arturo Lopez was saddled with the loss for the Yaquis. 

Starter Ben Koslowski / Bonnie Garrison Photo

Manny Acosta Picks Up The Save / Bonnie Garrison Photo

     

Charros take 3 Games to 2 Lead in Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Semifinals

JALISCO TAKES NAILBITER FROM OBREGON 5-3

Obregon jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. Corey Wimberly singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jose Chavez. Wimberly stole third and scored on a single to right by Brad Nelson.

CJ Retherford tied the game for Jalisco in the top of the 2nd with his second home run of the postseason, a solo shot to left to bring the Charros back 1-1.   

CJ Retherford's Home Run in 2nd / Charros Facebook Page

=Obregon retook the lead in the 5th on a solo home run to left by Corey Wimberly, his second of this playoff series and his third hit of the evening.

Jalisco took the lead again in the top of the 6th on a single by Leo Heras and a single to right by CJ Retherford. Heras scored on a throwing error by the Yaquis right fielder as Retherford advanced to third. After Jon Weber popped out to second, Japhet Amador singled to center to score Retherford as the Charros took a 3-2 lead.

The Yaquis tied the game in the bottom of the 8th on a walk to JC Linares to begin the inning, a single by Brad Nelson and a ground out to second by Yunesky Sanchez that scored Linares to tie the game 3-3.

With two outs in the 9th for Jalisco, Eduardo Arredondo singled and went to third on a single to right by Manny Rodriguez. Leo Heras then singled to right to score Arredondo with the go ahead run and CJ Retherford singled to left to score Rodriguez with an insurance run. When Manny Acosta, who picked up the win, set the Yaquis down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9th, the Charros had the 5-3 win and a 3 games to 2 lead in the semifinals.

Manny Acosta Warming Up / Charros Facebook

The series returns to Guadalajara on Sunday afternoon for game 6 of the series and a game 7 if necessary.

Obregon Ties Series At Two Games Apiece

DEFEAT JALISCO 5-1

The semifinal series between the Charros de Jalisco and the Yaquis de Obregon is tied at 2 games apiece following Obregon's 5-1 victory over the Charros on Thursday night.

The Yaguis opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd. Yunesky Sanchez led off with a single and stole second. Sergio Contreras singled to deep short that got Sanchez to third. Armando Araiza drew a base on balls to load the bases. Daniel Castro doubled to left to score Sanchez and Contreras. After a pitching change by the Charros, reliever Manuel Flores hit Corey Wimberly with a pitch to load the bases again. With one out, JC Linares singled to short to score Araiza and the bases remained full of Yaquis. Flores got Brad Nelson to pop out to short and Carlos Valencia struck out to end the inning but the damage was done and Obregon led 3-0 after two innings.

Corey Wimberly led off the bottom of the 4th for the Yaquis with a home run to right to give Obregon a 4-0 lead.

The Charros got on the board in the top of the 6th when Leo Heras took the Yaquis starter, Virgil Vasquez, deep to right for a solo home run that narrowed the Yaquis lead to 4-1.

Armando Araiza walked to lead off the Yaquis half of the 6th. Daniel Castro sacrificed him to second. Charros reliever, Terrance Marin, threw a wild pitch that moved Araiza to third and Araiza scored on a fielding error by the Charros shortstop to give Obregon a 5-1 lead and the game.

Orlando Lara took the loss for Jalisco and Virgil Vasquez picked up the win for the Yaquis. Both pitchers are 1-1 in the playoffs.

One more game in Obregon then the series will return to Guadalajara for game 6 on Sunday afternoon and, if necessary, game 7 on Monday night.

Good Pitching Gives Charros The Victory Over Obregon

FINAL SCORE CHARROS 4, YAQUIS 2

Juan Delgadillo got the win for the Charros on Wednesday, going 5 2/3 innings, giving up just 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 4. Manny Acosta picked up his 2nd save of this postseason for Jalisco. Irwin Delgado took the loss for the Yaquis.

The Charros jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first on CJ Retherford's solo home run to left off of Yaquis starter Irwin Delgado.

In the 2nd, Jon Weber hit a one out single to right and went to third on a double by Jesus Lopez. Weber scored on a sac fly to left by Ivan Araujo to make the score 2-0 Charros.

Jon Weber drew a two out base on balls in the 4th and went to second on a single to deep short by Jesus Lopez. Weber scored on a single by Ivan Araujo to give the Charros a 3-0 lead after four innings.

The Yaquis fought back in their half of the 6th inning to cut the lead to 3-2. Carlos Valencia singled with two outs and scored in front of a home run by JC Linares.

Jalisco added an insurance run in the top of the 9th on a walk to Israel Nunez, a double by Leo Heras and a sac fly to left by Manny Rodriguez that plated Nunez and gave the Charros the final margin of victory at 4-2.

Obregon Takes 2nd Game of Semifinals

YAQUIS TOP CHARROS 6-5

The Yaquis de Obregon took game 2 of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico semifinals on Monday in Guadalajara against the Charros on the power hitting of Carlos Valencia.

Jalisco opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st. Eduardo Arredondo hit a ground rule double to right to lead off the inning but was thrown out at third on an infield single by Manny Rodriguez. The play was in front of Arredondo who should have held his position at second base. The Yaquis pitcher, Arturo Lopez, threw a wild pitch that moved Rodriguez to second. Leo Heras walked. Japhet Amador singled to shallow center and Rodriguez was cut down at the plate on a strong throw by Yaqui center fielder Corey Weber. The third base coach should have held Rodriguez at third because the ball was hit to shallow center and Wimberly was charging the ball. CJ Retherford then singled to left to score Heras and the Charros led 1-0. Those base running errors would have made the difference in the game for Jalisco. If the Charros expect to win the championship they must avoid these types of base running errors.

Obregon got that run back in the top of the 2nd on a solo home run by JC Linares that tied the score at 1 all.

Things were quiet until the top of the 6th when Obregon erupted for 4 runs. Daniel Castro hit a lead off double and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Corey Wimberly. With two outs, Yunesky Sanchez drew a base on balls. Brad Nelson singled to score Castro and get Yunesky to third. Carlos Valencia then homered to drive in three and the Yaquis led 5-1.

The Charros answered in their half of the 6th on a one out single by Leo Heras. Japhet Amador singled to right to move Heras to third but Amador was thrown out at second trying to stretch his single into a double. Arturo Lopez the uncorked another wild pitch to score Heras from third as the Charros cut the Yaquis' lead to 5-2.

Jesus Lopez doubled with two outs in the 7th for Jalisco and scored on a single by Eduardo Arredondo. Following a pitching change by the Yaquis, Manny Rodriguez hit a two run home run to left to score pinch runner Edson garcia and tie the game at 5.

Obregon scored the eventual winning run in their half of the 8th. Brad Nelson doubled, went to third on a fly to right by Carlos Valencia and scored on a sac fly by Christian Villanueva. The final score was 6-5 Obregon.

The series shifts to Ciudad de Obregon tied at 1 game apiece. games 3, 4 and 5 will be played in Ogregon with games 6 and 7 played in Guadalajara if necessary.

Charros Score 5 Runs in 7th, Top Obregon 6-1

JALISCO TAKES 1 GAME TO NONE LEAD IN SEMIFINALS    

Marco Tovar

Marco Tovar pitched an outstanding game going 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run, scattering 7 hits but left with the score tied 1-1. Mario Mendoza got the win in relief of Tovar with the help of a 5 run Charros 7th. Manny Acosta worked the 9th for the Charros. Jose Pina took the loss for the Yaquis de Obregon.

There was playoff electricity in the air from the 12,005 people in attendence at the stadium as Marco Tovar set the Yaquis down in order and the Charros came to bat. The Charros would score in the bottom of the 1st. Manny Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. Leo Heras and Japhet Amador drew walks and Jon Weber singled to right to score Rodriguez for the early 1-0 Charros lead.                                                               

Manny Rodriguez Hit by Pitch

One of the strangest plays of the year happened in the bottom of the second. Gabriel Gutierrez was hit by a pitch with one out. Jesus Lopez singled with Gutierrez stopping at second. Eduardo Arredondo then hit a ball that he thought went off his foot that would have been a foul ball. No foul call was made by the home plate ump and the ball went to the pitcher who threw to the shortstop covering second to force out Lopez. The relay to first went wild but because Arredondo was hobbling at home and didn't run, the Yaquis retrieved the errant throw and got Arredondo at first to end the inning.

JC Linares drew a base on balls to lead off the 5th for Obregon. Two outs and a sacrifice bunt later,  Said Gutierrez reached safely on an error by the Charros CJ Retherford that scored Linares with the tying run. Corey Wimberly then doubled down the line in left. A fan in the seats along the wall grabbed the ball for a fan interference ground rule double. Tovar then got Jose Chaves to ground out to second to end the inning, but the score was tied at 1.

The Yaquis threatened in the 7th when Corey Wimberly and Jose Chaves singled with two outs. Mario Mendoza came on in relief of Tovar and struck out Yunesky Sanchez to end the inning.

Jesus Lopez reached for the Charros in the bottom of the 7th when the Yaquis left fielder dropped Lopez' fly ball. Lopez was not running on the fly ball and only reached first when he should easily have been on second. Eduardo Arredondo then hit into a 6-4 fielder's choice that cut down Lopez at second. Manny Rodriguez singled to put runners on first and second with one out. Japhet Amador singled to score Arredondo and Jon Weber followed with a single to right that scored Rodriguez and Heras. CJ Retherford waited out a walk to load the bases again for Jalisco and Marquez Smith came through with a two run single that plated Amador and Weber. The Charros had scored 5 runs and had a 6-1 lead. Mario Mendoza and Manny Acosta did the rest.    

Marquez Smith 2 Run Single

Charros First Round Series With Venados Continues

CHARROS TAKE GAME 2, 2-0

The second game of the series between the Charros de Jalisco and the Venados de Mazatlan went to the Charros, 2-0, behind the pitching of starter Ben Koslowski, who pitched seven strong innings, and 3 relievers who held the Venaods scoreless. Mario Mendoza picked up his second save in as many days in the series. The series moves to Mazatlan for the next three games and would return to Guadalajara on Thursday the 8th if necessary.    

Ben Kozlowski courtesy Charros Jalisco

The Charros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd. As in game 1, Marquez Smith led off the inning by drawing a base on balls. Gabriel Gutierrez singled to center with Smith stopping at second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch by the Venados starter, Anthony Vasquez. Eduardo Arredondo hit a sac fly to right that scored Smith and Jalisco broke on top 1-0 after three innings.

With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Jon Weber doubled and came in to score on a double by Marquez Smith. The Charros had their second run and the final score of 2-0.

Eduardo Arredondo was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Jon Weber went 1 for 3 with a run scored and Marquez Smith, hitting .600 for the series, was 2 for 2 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Gabriel Gutierrez, batting .800 for the series, was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Playoff Baseball Returns to Guadalajara

CHARROS TOP VENADOS 4-1 TO TAKE GAME 1

The 2014 Liga de Mexicana del Pacifico regular season has come to an end and the Charros de Jalisco have finished as the top seed in their first year in the league. Jalisco started off the post season with a 4-1 win over the Venados de Mazatlan to go up 1 game to none in the best of seven series.

Marquez Smith got things going for the Charros in the bottom of the 3rd by drawing a lead off walk. Gabriel Gutierrez followed with a double to move Smith to third. Jesus Lopez then hit a sac fly to center that scored Smith and moved Gutierrez to third. Gutierrez scored when the Venados third baseman threw wild to first on a ground ball off the bat of Manny Rodriguez. The Charros led 2-0 and never looked back.

The Venados got a run back in the top of the 4th on a double by Ronnier Mustelier and a single by Olmo Rosario to cut the lead to 2-1 Charros.

Jalisco scored in the bottom of the 6th on singles by Leo Heras and Japhet Amador and a single by Charros newcomer, Jon Weber, formerly of the Mayos de Navojoa, that scored Heras for the 3-1 Jalisco lead.

The Charros scored their final run on a lead off, solo home run by Marquez Smith in the bottom of the 7th for the final score of 4-1.

Starting pitcher for the Charros, Marco Tovar, picked up the win, going 6 innings while scattering 7 hits, walking 1 and striking out 3. Mario Mendoza notched the save by pitching a perfect 9th inning.

Gabriel Gutierrez was 3 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Marquez went 1 for 3 with the home run, an RBI and 2 runs scored while Jon Weber was 1 for 4 with an RBI

Charros Come from Behind to Beat Venados 12-7

Hugo Castellanos recorded the win for Jalisco on Sunday over the Venados de Mazatlan as the Charros took game two of the final series of the year by a score of 12-7. The game was all Venados until the Charros exploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Mazatlan jumped on Charros starter Marco Tovar for 3 runs in the top of the 1st. Blake Gailen hit a solo home run to right with one out. Ronnier Mustelier, who had doubled, scored in front of a home run by Olmo Rosario to give the visiting Venados a 3-0 lead.

The Charros fought back in their half of the inning. After Eduardo Arredondo and Manny Rodriguez fouled out, Leo Heras walked, Japhet Amador singled and CJ Retherford drew a base on balls to load the bases. Gabriel Gutierrez came through with a double to score Heras and Amador to cut the Venados lead to 3-2.                                                               

Japhet Amador  Scores Courtesy of Carros Jalisco Beisbol

Jalisco tied the score in the 3rd when Eduardo Arredondo tripled with two outs and scored when the Mazatlan shortstop botched a ground ball by Manny Rodriguez.

Ronnier Mustelier doubled with one out in the 3rd for Mazatlan and scored on a single by Heber Gomez as the Venados retook the lead 4-3.

The Venados added to their lead in the 4th on a triple by Jesus Fabela and a single by Blake Gailen to increase the Venados lead to 5-3.

Jesus Fabela singled with one out in the 6th and scored on a double by Blake Gailen. Oswaldo Morejon's single scored Gailen and Mazatlan extended their lead to 7-3.

Eduardo Arredondo singled to lead off the Charros 7th and scored on Manny Rodriguez' eighth home run of the year as Jalisco kept fighting to narrow the lead to 7-5 Mazatlan.          

Rodriguez Home Run Courtesy of Charros Jalisco Beisbol

The 8th inning was all Charros. CJ Retherford singled to lead off the inning and went to second on a single by Gabriel Gutierrez. Marquez Smith drew a free pass to load the bases. After a pitching change for Mazatlan, Jesus Lopez singled to score Retherford. Edson Garcia hit a sac fly to right that scored Gutierrez. Eduardo Arredondo then singled to reload the bases. Manny Rodriguez drilled a single to left to score Smith and Lopez and the Charros had their first lead of the game at 9-7. After Jalisco pulled off a double steal, the Venados chose to walk Leo Heras to load the bases and bring up the league leader in RBIs, Japhet Amador. Amador delivered a single that scored Arredondo and Rodriguez for an 11-7 lead. CJ Retherford hit into a 6-4 fielder's choice that gave the Charros a 12-7 victory over Mazatlan.

Eduardo Arredondo was 2 for 5 with a triple and 2 runs scored while Manny Rodriguez had a home run and 4 RBIs as he went 2 for 5. Gabriel Gutierrez went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 RBIs. Japhet Amador drove in 2 runs, his 53rd and 54th on the season, going 3 for 5 while scoring a run.

Jalisco is a league best 42-25 overall and 21-11 in the second half. They have clinched the best record in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico as the Tomateros de Culiacan are 4 1/2 games back with one game to play.

Charros Smother Venados de Mazatlan 9-4

The Venados de Mazatlan came to Guadalajara for the final 3 games of the regular season and lost the first game to the Charros by a 9-4 score.

The Charros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th on a single by CJ Retherford, a sacrifice bunt by Edson Garcia and a double by Gabriel Gutierrez that scored Retherford for the 1-0 Jalisco lead.

Jalisco scored again in the bottom of the 5th on a throwing error, a fielder's choice that the Venados pitcher threw away and a single by Manny Rodriguez that scored Jesus Lopez for a 2-0 lead.

With one out in the Charros 6th, Edson Garcia doubled to right and scored on a Gabriel Gurierrez single. The Charros were up 3-0 after 6 innings.

The Venados would score two runs in their half of the 7th. Jesus Castillo doubled, Heber Gomez walked, and a single by Erick Rodriguez scored Castillo. A sac fly to center by Hector Paez scored pinch runner Paul Leon and the Vendados had cut the Charros lead to 3-2.

Eduardo Arredondo singled to lead off the home half of the 7th, stole second and scored on a double to left by Leo Heras. Japhet Amador was walked intentionally and CJ Retherford flew out to right to get Heras to third. Mazatlan reliever, Francisco Felix, then threw a wild pitch that scored Heras and moved Amador to second. After Edson Garcia and Gabriel Gutierrez walked, Fernando Valenzuela doubled to right to score Amador and Garcia for the 7-2 Charros lead.

Manny Rodriguez connected for his 7th home run of the year in the Jalisco 8th, a two run shot to left that scored Eduardo Arredondo to increase the Charros lead to 9-2.

Mazatlan refused to give up. In the top of the 9th, after Ivan Salas replaced Adrian Ramirez for the Charros, Jesus Fabela and Hector Paez singled. With one out, Oswaldo Morejon singled to score Fabela with Paez stopping at second. Ronnier Mustelier singled to plate Paez but Sean Gleason got Olmo Rosario to ground into a 6-4 fielder's choice that ended the game with the Charros 9-4 victory.

Manuel Flores picked up the win for Jalisco to improve to 2-1 on the year. Flores went 6 innings, scattering 6 hits while striking out 3 and holding the Venados scoreless. Fredy Quintero dropped to 3-4 with the loss.

Manny Rodriguez was 3 for 5 with the home run, 3 RBIs, giving him 40 on the year, and a run scored as he raised his batting average to .335. Gabriel Gutierrez went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Leo Heras had a double and a single in his 5 trips to the plate with an RBI.

The Charros are now 41-25 overall and 20-11 in the second half. The Venados de Mazatlan fall to 30-35 overall and 14-17 for the second half.

Charros Best Obregon, 7-3

The Charros de Jalisco visited Obregon on Monday the 22nd for the start of a three game series with the Yaquis and took the first game by a 7-3 score. Juan Delgadillo picked up his second win in a row to improve to 3-6 and CJ Retherford hit his sixth home run of the season.

Obregon scored in the bottom of the 1st on a single by Esteban Quiroz, a stolen base and a double to right by Brad Nelson as the Yaquiz took a 1-0 lead.

CJ Retherford hit a solo home run to left in the top of the 2nd to tie the score at 1.

The Charros took the lead in the top of the 4th. Leo Heras led off with a triple and Japhet Amador walked. With one out, CJ Retherford hit a grounder to third that scored Heras with the go ahead run and a 2-1 Charros advantage.

Amadeo Zazueta and Israel Nunez singled for Jalisco in the top of the 5th. Both runners advanced on a ground ball to first. Zazueta scored on a single by Manny Rodriguez and Leo Heras walked to load the bases. Japhet Amador hit a sac fly to left to drive in Nunez and the Charros led 4-1.

The Yaquis made a run at the Charros in the 6th. With one out Esteban Quiroz singled and Christian Villanueva drew a base on balls. Brad Nelson singled to left to load the bases. Ivan Zavala relieved Juan Delgadillo for Jalisco and gave up a single to Carlos Valencia that scored Quiroz and Villanueva. Obregon had cut the lead to 4-3 but that is as close as they would get.

Manny Rodriguez singled and scored on a double by Leo Heras in the top of the 7th. Japhet Amador singled to score Heras and the Charros had increased their lead to 6-3.

In the top of the 9th, Eduardo Arredondo singled, stole second, went to third on a Manny Rodriguez ground out and scored on a single by Leo Heras for the final 7-3 score

Caneros Stop Charros Win Streak At 8 In A Row

los Mochis snapped the longest winning streak of the year for the Charros with a 4-3 victory on Sunday.

The Caneros scored three runs in the bottom of the 1st off of Jalisco starter Marco Tovar. Greg Golson drew a lead off walk and went to third on a single to right by Antonio Lamas. Golson scored on a double by Luis Terrero and Lamas scored on a grounder to short with Terrero moving to third. Saul Soto hit a sac fly to right that scored Terrero for the 3-0 Caneros lead.

Eduardo Arredondo led off the 3rd for the Charros by waiting out a base on balls. Arredondo advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a ground rule double to right by Manny Rodriguez. Jalisco had cut the lead to 3-1.

The Charros tied the game in the 5th on a double by Eduardo Arredondo and Leo Heras' 9th home run of the year. The score was tied at 3 apiece.

David Kopp replaced Marco Tovar in the bottom of the 7th and gave up a two out, solo home run to Luis Terrero that gave the Caneros the 4-3 final margin of victory.

Leo Heras was 1 for 4 on the night with the home run and 2 RBIs while Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with his 23rd double of the year and an RBI.

David Kopp took the loss to fall to 1-1 on the season while Carlos Fisher got the win for los Mochi to improve to 3-1 for the Caneros.

8 In A Row - Charros Beat los Mochis 6-5

With a two run rally in the 7th inning, the Charros overtook the Caneros 6-5 for their 8th win in a row, a 39-23 record overall in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, and alone at the top of the second half standings at 17-9.

The Charros started quickly against the Caneros de los Mochis. Marquez Smith singled to drive in Leo Heras for the early 1-0 lead.

Greg Golson drew a walk to lead off the Caneros half of the 1st, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on a single by Carlos Pedroso to tie the game at 1 all.

Jalisco scored three runs in the top of the 5th to take a 4-1 lead. Manny Rodriguez led off with a single and stole second. Leo Heras singled to left with Rodriguez stopping at third. CJ Retherford singled to score Rodriguez. After Marguez Smith struck out, Jesus Cota singled to score Heras and move Retherford to third. Gabriel Gutierrez grounded out to first as Retherford scored to give the lead to the Charros.

The Caneros struck back in the bottom of the 5th. Justin Christian led off with a double and scored on a single to center by Juan Gamboa. With one out, Greg Golson tripled to score Gamboa. Jesus Arredondo walked and stole second. Golson scored on a ground ball to third and the score was knotted at 4.

los Mochis loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the 6th and Charros reliever, Hogo Castellanos hit Greg Golson with a pitch forcing in Luis Terrero with the go ahead run for the Caneros at 5-4.

Jalisco fought back in the 7th. Leo Heras singled and with two outs, Jesus Cota singled with Heras moving to third. Gabriel Gutierrez singled to score Heras and Jesus Lopez doubled to drive in Cota. The Charros had regained the lead and the eventual final winning score of 6-5

Charros win 7th in a Row - Top Caneros 6-4

It took 10 innings but the Charros topped the Caneros de los Mochis 6-4 to win their 7th game in a row and catch Mexicali for the 2nd half lead in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.

Jesus Lopez started things off for the Charros in the top of the 3rd by hitting a solo home run to left to lead off and give Jalisco a 1-0 lead.         

Leo Heras' Home Run courtesy of Charros Jalisco Beisbol

The Caneros scored in the bottom of the 3rd on two errors by the Charros and a sacrifice bunt by Greg Golson that scored Yancarlo Angulo and the game was tied at 1.

Leo Heras singled to lead off the 6th and Japhet Amador followed with a base on balls. After Marquez Smith's ground out moved the runners up, CJ Retherford cleared the bases with his 5th home run of the season and a 4-1 Charros lead.

los Mochis had two outs and a man on second in the bottom of the 7th when Yancarlo Angulo was hit by a pitch by Charros starter, Ben Kozlowski. Juan Gamboa singled to right to score Saul Soto to cut the lead to 4-2. Adrian Gonzalez entered the game in relief and gave up a single to Greg Golson that scored Angulo. Antonio Lamas singled to right to score Gamboa and the Caneros had tied the game at 4-4.

The score remained tied through regulation. CJ Retherford walked to lead off the Charros half of the 10th inning. Gabriel Gutierrez sacrificed Retherford to second and after Jesus Lopez flied out to center for the second out, Edson Garcia singled to score Retherford. Garcia, who had taken second on the throw to the plate, moved to third on a wild pitch. Eduardo Arredondo singled to score Garcia and when Mario Mendoza pitched a perfect bottom of the 10th, the Charros had the 6-4 victory.

Mendoza picked up the win in relief to improve to 1-1 on the year while lowering his ERA to 2.66. Charros starter, Ben Kozlowski, went 6 2/3 innings, charged with 4 runs on just 4 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts. Santiago Gutierrez took the loss for los Mochis to drop to 2-5 on the season.

CJ Retherford was 2 for 4 on the night with a 3 run home run and 2 runs scored. Manny Rodriguez, Leo Heras, Jesus Lopez and Edson Garcia were all 2 for 5.

The Charros are now 37-23 overall in the league, 2 games ahead of the Aguilas de Mexicali and 16-9 in the second half, tied with the Aguilas.