Monterrey Wins 4-3 Over Tijuana to Advance to Zona Norte Championship

EXCITING GAME 7...NEXT UP ACEREROS de MONCLOVA

The Sultanes scored first and held on through an exciting bottom of the 9th inning to beat the Toros de Tijuana 4-3 and now move on to face Monclova in the Zona Norte Championship round of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol playoffs.

Nick Struck

Nick Struck (2-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Jose De Paula. Struck went 2 2/3 innings, giving up a hit while striking out 2, Wirfin Obispo earned his second save of the series although over 2 innings he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, including a home run in the bottom of the 9th.

Horacio Ramirez (0-1) was tagged for 2 runs on 3 hits over 4 1/3 innings on the mound in taking the loss. Although Ramirez took the loss, the Toros relievers were responsible for the overall damage. Aaron Kurcz gave up a home run to Ali Solis in the top of the 7th and closer Jake Sanchez allowed what would be the winning run to score on a home run to Chris Roberson in the top of the 9th.

Tijuana made things interesting in the bottom of the 9th inning. Trailing 4-1, Frederich Cepeda singled to begin the inning. Jorge Cantu followed with his 3rd home run of the series, and his 3rd hit of the game, to plate Cepeda and pull the Toros to within a run at 4-3. With 2 outs, Xorge Carrillo singled to center and Juan Perez was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Jose Guadalupe Chavez struck out to end the exciting 9th inning and the game.

Monterrey had just 6 hits in the game with Solis and Roberson getting 5 of them and driving in all 4 runs for the Sultanes.

Ali Solis

Jorge Cantu went 3 for 4 with the home run and all 3 RBIs for the Toros.

Aguilas de Mexicali to Compete in 2018 Mexican Baseball Fiesta

1ª de una serie de 4 partes sobre los equipos que compiten

Cuatro equipos de la Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) competirán en la Fiesta de Béisbol Mexicana de este año en Tucson, junto con el equipo de béisbol salvaje de Arizona y las jóvenes estrellas de los Royals de Kansas City. Esta serie de artículos se centrará en los equipos de la LMP.

En primer lugar están las Aguilas de Mexicali. Con una población de 689.000, Mexicali, la ciudad capital de baja California, se encuentra a unos 60 kilómetros al oeste de Yuma, AZ y a pocos kilómetros al sur de Calexico, CA. La ciudad ha sido un semillero de la tradición del béisbol desde su fundación en 1976. El equipo ha ganado el Campeonato LMP cuatro veces y ha competido en la serie del Caribe cada vez, ganando todo en 1986.

Enterestingly, el equipo es propiedad del gobierno del estado de baja California. Aunque la mayoría de los equipos mexicanos son apoyados por los gobiernos locales, las Aguilas son propiedad de lock, stock y barril por el gobierno del estado. La obra de Aguilas es estadio B'Air, sede de 17.000 asientos en el centro de Mexicali. Para la temporada de invierno 2017-18, las Aguilas dibujaron un promedio de 13.242 ventiladores por noche. Compare eso con el expreso de Round Rock de la Liga de la costa pacífica que tenía 8.809 aficionados aparecen cada noche.

Ha habido unas cuantas futuras ligas mayores juegan a la pelota de invierno en México. Algunos de los que jugaron para las Aguilas fueron, Mike Piazza, John Kruk, Fernando Valenzuela, Sergio Romo y Jeff Samardzija.

El equipo de este año tendrá algunos extranjeros jugando para ellos. 

CJ Retherford

CJ Retherford, nacido en Homestead, FL, asistió al estado de Arizona y ha jugado para las Aguilas durante 3 temporadas, bateando 31 jonrones, conduciendo en 112 carreras mientras bate. 282.

Yuniesky Betancourt hit. 261, acumuló 80 jonrones y condujo en 477 mientras jugaba para 4 equipos en la MLB.

Chris Roberson, de 39 años de edad, apareció en 157 juegos para los Philos de Filadelfia y ha jugado durante 13 temporadas en las ligas mexicanas. Roberson ha alcanzado 146 jonrones y conducido en 668 carreras mientras compilando un. 280 promedio.

Las Aguilas son un equipo ofensivo explosivo y debe ser divertido para ver en la fiesta de este año de béisbol mexicano. 

Usted puede comprar los boletos en www.mexicanbaseballfiesta.com  

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Aguilas de Mexicali to Compete in 2018 Mexican Baseball Fiesta

1st OF A 4 PART SERIES ON THE TEAMS COMPETING

Four teams from the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) will be competing at this year's Mexican Baseball Fiesta in Tucson, along with the Arizona Wildcats baseball team and the young stars of the Kansas City Royals. This series of articles will focus on the teams from the LMP

First up are the Aguilas de Mexicali. With a population of 689,000, Mexicali, the capital city of Baja California, is located about 60 miles west of Yuma, Az and just a few miles south of Calexico, CA. The city has been a hotbed of baseball tradition since it's founding in 1976. The team has won the LMP Championship four times and competed in the Serie del Caribe each time, winning it all in 1986.

Interestingly, the team is owned by the State Government of Baja California. Although most Mexican teams are supported by the local governments, The Aguilas are owned lock, stock and barrel by the state government. The Aguilas play is Estadio B'Air, a 17,000 seat venue in downtown Mexicali. For the 2017-18 winter season, the Aguilas drew an average of 13,242 fans per night. Compare that to the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League who had 8,809 fans show up each night.

There have been quite a few future major leaguers play winter ball in Mexico. Some of those who played for the Aguilas were, Mike Piazza, John Kruk, Fernando Valenzuela, Sergio Romo and Jeff Samardzija.

Luis Sojo, who played in the MLB for several seasons, will pilot the Aguilas for the 2018-19 season.

This year's team will have some "extranjeros", or foreigners, playing for them.

Retherford at the plate

CJ Retherford, born in Homestead, FL, attended Arizona State and has played for the Aguilas for 3 seasons, hitting 31 home runs, driving in 112 runs while batting .282.

Yuniesky Betancourt hit .261, accumulated 80 home runs and drove in 477 while playing for 4 teams in the MLB.

39 year old Chris Roberson appeared in 157 games for the Philadelphia Phillies and has played for 13 seasons in the Mexican leagues. Roberson has hit 146 home runs and driven in 668 runs while compiling a .280 average.

Roberson safe at home on a close play

The Aguilas are an explosive offensive team and should be fun to watch at this year's Mexican Baseball Fiesta.

You can buy tickets at www.mexicanbaseballfiesta.com

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Aguilas Pull Off Improbable Win in Game 1 of LMP Playoffs

TOP MAYOS WITH WALK OFF RUN WITH 2 OUTS IN 9TH INNING

The Aguilas de Mexicali, down 6-5 entering the bottom of the 9th inning, got a bases loaded 2 out single from Luis Juarez to beat the Mayos de Navojoa 7-6 in game 1 of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs.

Juarez Walk Off Single

The walk off single completed a comeback from a 6-0 deficit that began with a 5 run outburst in the 7th inning. Jose Oyervides, arguably the ace of the Mayos pitching staff, had scattered 5 hits and struck out 9 Aguilas in 6 complete innings on the mound. Faced with a 97 pitch night by Oyervides, the Mayos manager opted to bring on Luis de La O to start the 7th inning. O lasted just 1/3 of an inning and 3 more relievers gave up 5 runs on 5 hits.

Carlos Bustamante, on in the closer role for the Mayos in the bottom  of the 9th was charged with a blown save, and the loss, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and walking 2 batters.

The Aguilas closer, Esmailin Caridad, picked up the win in relief, pitching a perfect top of the 9th for Mexicali.

The Mexicali starter, Javier Solano, lasted 4 1/3 innings giving up 5 runs on 5 hits, striking out 4 and hitting 2 batters.

Fernando Flores and Nate Tenbrink were both 2 for 5 for Navojoa. Jesus Castillo and his replacement at 1B, Victor Mendoza, combined to go 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored on the night. Jose Amador and Carlos Orrantia were each 1 for 3 with RBIs for the Mayos.

Chris Roberson went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs for Mexicali. Luis Juarez was 2 for 5 with the game winning RBI. Ramon Urias was 2 for 5 from the leadoff spot with 2 runs scored. Yuniesky Betancourt, Xorge Carrillo and CJ Retherford all went 2 for 4 for the Aguilas. Retherford and Betancourt each drove in a run while Carrillo scored a run. Pinch hitter Ramon Rios was 1 for 2 with an RBI and  run scored.

Game 2 of the series continues on Monday, the 11th in Mexicali with games 3 and 4 scheduled for the 13th and 14th in Navojoa.

Aguilas Celebrate in Mexicali


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Charros Swept by Aguilas; Lose game 4 by a 7-4 Score

AGUILAS SCORE 6 RUNS IN THE 7th TO PUT AWAY CHARROS

The Charros de Jalisco were officially eliminated from the Liga Mexicana del Pacifco playoffs on Wednesday night. The Aguilas de Mexicali used a 6 run outburst in the 7th inning to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 7-3 lead from which the Charros would not recover.

Terance Marin on the Mound

Terance Marin, the Jalisco starting pitcher, took the loss working 6 innings and left the game after scattering 5 hits, giving up 1 run and striking out 2. Marin had thrown 83 pitches in those 6 innings.

I give these stats because the Charros manager, Homer Rojas, replaced Marin with reliever Manuel Flores to start the 7th inning. Flores walked the first batter he faced and gave up singles to Jon Del Campo and Roman Urias that allowed the Aguilas to cut the Charros lead to 3-2. Rojas replaced Flores with reliever Ivan Salas. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners up a base, Salas unleashed a wild pitch that scored Del Campo and tied the score at 3 all. Mexicali went on to score 4 more runs in the inning to bury the Charros.

Should Rojas have left Marin in the game? The answer is a resounding yes! Marin had thrown 83 pitches in 6 innings, an average of 14 pitches per inning, and held the Aguilas in check. Even using a 110 pitch count, Marin should have been able to pitch 8 innings. This was an elimination game. Lose and go home. Rojas should have allowed Marin to pitch until he proved ineffective. Marin could not have pitched worse than Flores and Salas. He deserved the chance as did the 8,800 plus fans that hoped for a victory to extend the Charros season.

Cacao Scores the 1st Run

Jalisco jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. Cacao Valdez drew a 2 out walk and moved to second on a one hop fly ball to center by Alex Liddi. Valdez scored on a single to center by Agustin Murillo and Liddi came home on a single to left by Miguel Olive that gave the Charros a 2-0 lead.

Liddi Scores on a Single by Olivo

Asael Sanchez singled to lead off the 4th for Jalisco, stole second, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Luis Medina and scored on a throwing error by the Aguilas catcher to extend the Charros lead to 3-0.

Mexicali struck back in the top of the 5th inning on a walk to Luis Juarez, a single by Xorge Carrillo and a line drive single to center by Chris Roberson that scored Juarez and cut the Charros lead to 3-1.

The Aguilas scored all the runs they would need in the 7th inning and the Charros entered the bottom of the 9th inning behind 7-3. Asael Sanchez doubled to lead off the inning and scored, one out later, on a double by pinch hitter Ivan Araujo. That would be all the scoring and the Aguilas move on to the next round of the LMP playoffs with the 4 game sweep of the Charros under their belts.

Ex Charros player, CJ Retherford, went 3 for 5 on the night for Mexicali while teammate Wellington Dotel was 2 for 4.

Jesus "Cacao" Valdez and Miguel Olivo were both 2 for 4 for the Charros and Asael Sanchez was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored.

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Jalisco Falls To Aguilas 4-3

LIDDI AND ESPINOZA HOMER IN LOSS

The Charros de Jalisco are fast running out of time in the 2016 Liga Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs. Last night's 4-3 loss to the Aguilas de Mexicali have Jalisco in an 0-3 hole from which it seems improbable they can recover.

Marco Duarte

Marco Duarte threw 7 shutout innings in his start for the Aguilas allowing 4 hits and striking out 7 in the win while Jose Manuel Lopez picked up the save, striking out the 2 Charros he faced in the bottom of the 9th.

Orlando Lara gave up all 4 Mexicali runs, 3 via the home run ball, scattering 6 hits and striking out 4 over 6 1/3 innings of work. Julio Felix and Manuel Flores held the Aguilas hitless over the final 2 2/3 innings in relief of Lara.

Charros Starter Orlando Lara

Ramon Urias got things going for Mexicali in the top of the 1st inning when he sent an 0-1 fastball from Lara deep to left center for a solo home run that quieted the home town Charros fans.

Wellington Dotel led off the top of the 2nd with a single to center, advanced to 2nd, one out later, on a ground ball to the pitcher and scored on a double to left center by Xorge Carrillo that gave Mexicali a 2-0 lead.

Dorel doubled in the 4th inning and scored on a long home run to left by Chris Roberson giving the Aguilas a 4-0 lead.

The Charros bats were silent until the bottom of the 8th inning when Alan Espinoza hit a rocket of a home run over the left field wall. The Mexicali left fielder, Ramom Rios, could only turn and stare as the ball cleared the wall quickly. The lead was down to 4-1, Aguilas.

Liddi Home Run

With 1 out in the bottom of the 9th for Jalisco, Cacao Valdez doubled to left. Alex Liddi, who earlier had twice driven balls deep to center for outs, hit a 1-1 pitch from the Mexicali reliever, Yair Lozoya, over the fence in right that scored Valdez and cut the lad to 4-3. Miguel Olivo and Agustin Murillo both struck out to end the game with the Aguilas taking game 3 by that 4-3 score.

The LMP Playoffs continue with game 4 on Tuesday night at 7:30 in Guadalajara. Should the Aguilas win, they move on to the next round of the playoffs. If the Charros win, game 5 will be played at the Estadio de Los Charros on Wednesday night the 6th of January.

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Charros Drop Game 1 In Mexicali 6-2

Jalisco dropped the opening game of a three game set in Mexicali on Friday night by a 6-2 score. The turning point in the game happened in the 3rd inning when the Charros' relievers gave up 4 runs after getting the first two outs.

Mexicali started off the scoring in the bottom of the 1st. With two outs, Charros starter, Juan Delgadillo, issued a walk to Dave Sappelt who scored on a triple by Luis Juarez. The Aguilas jumped out to an early 1-0 lead.

Jalisco tied the game at 1all in the top of the 2nd on a solo home run by Jose Felix, his first of the year.

In the bottom of the third, Juan Delgadillo got the first two batters to fly out to center. At this point, Juan Navarrete brought in Charros reliever Ken Sigman to replace Delgadillo. Sigman immediately gave up a double to Josh Whitesell and a single to Humberto Cota that scored Whitesell. Sigman threw a wild pitch to move up the runner and then walked Ricardo Serrano. Chris Roberson followed the walk with a single to right that scored Cota. Manuel Flores was called on to relieve Sigman. Gil Velazquez doubled off Flores to drive in Serrano and Roberson. Justin Greene grounded out to third to end the inning but the damage was done. The Aguilas had a 5-1 lead after 3 innings.

The Aguilas scored again in the bottom of the 6th. With one out, Gil Velazquez singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Justin Greene. Walter Ibarra singled to plate Velazquez and Mexicali led 6-1.

Brendan Harris singled to lead off the 9th for Jalisco. Ivan Araujo entered the game as a pinch runner for Harris. Japhet Amador grounded out to first base moving Araujo to second. A wild pitch got Araujo to third and he came home on a single by Jose Felix. The Aguilas lead had been cut to 6-2 but the Charros would not score again and Mexicali had won the game.

Ken Sigman took the loss for Jalisco. Coming on in relief of starter Juan Delgadillo in the 3rd, Sigman gave up 4 runs on three hits and a walk without recording an out. In this game, manager Juan Navarrete deserves a loss too as he replaced Delgadillo too early. Navarrete has had the quick hook all year. Javier Solano got the win for Mexicali, his 5th of the year, throwing a 4 hitter through 7 innings of work.

Jose Felix had 2 RBIs and a run scored, including a home run while going 2 for 4. Edson Garcia was 1 for 3 and Brendan Harris went 2 for 2 with 2 walks. 

Mexicali Overpowers Charros 8-1 to Take Series 3 Games to 2

The Aguilas de Mexicali overpowered the Charros 8-1 in the third game of the three game series behind the strong pitching of Javier Solano and four relievers. Solano gave up just 1 hit in six innings with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. Reliever Adrian Garza gave up the only Charros run in the top of the 9th. Ben Koslowski took the loss for Jalisco, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits in five innings.

The Aguilas scored a run in the bottom of the 3rd on a lead off double by Gil Velazquez and a single by Chris Roberson for the 1-0 Mexicali lead.

The Aguilas would score two more in the bottom of the 5th. Walter Ibarra singled and went to second on a walk to Dave Sappelt. Mike Jacobs singled to score Ibarra and Sappelt scored on a ground out to short by Luis Juarez. The Aguilas had a 3-0 lead.

Gil Velazquez led off the 6th for Mexicali by drawing a walk. Chris Roberson also waited out a walk and Mexicali had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Ken Sigman replaced Kozlowski on the mound for Jalisco and walked Walter Ibarra to load the bases. Dave Sappelt singled to score Valezquez and Roberson. After Carlos Vazquez replaced Sigman, Luis Juarez hit a ground ball to third  that scored Ibarra. Xorge Carrillo doubled to score Juarez and the Aguilas led 7-0.

Mexicali scored again in the bottom of the 7th when Gil Velazquez doubled and scored on a ground out to second by Walter Ibarra for the 8th run in the game for Mexicali.

The Charros threatened in the top of the 9th. Leo Heras walked and after Japhet Amador popped up to the catcher, Cory Vaughn walked. Marquez Smith singled to load the bases with one out. Jose Felix singled to score Heras but Jesus Lopez struck out and Amadeo Zazueta grounded out to the pitcher to end the game

Charros Sweep Mexicali With 2-1 Win

The Charros swept the three game series with the Aguilas de Mexicali Eagles with a 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon, Family Day at Panamerican Stadium.

The pitching was very good by the starters for both teams. Orlando Lara, starter for the Charros went 5 complete innings allowing 3 hits, no runs, 4 base on balls while striking out three. Omar Espinoza of the Aguilas went 6 innings without allowing a run while giving up 4 hits with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. Espinoza lowered his ERA to 1.04 on the year.

In the top of the 7th, with one out, the Aguilas' Gil Valezquez singled to center. Chris Roberson then doubled to left center that scored Valezquez. Roberson stole third but the Charros reliever, Murphy Smith, got Walter Ibarra to ground out to second and Xorge Carrillo to ground out to first to end the inning but the Aguilas had the 1-0 lead.

Jalisco tied the score in the bottom of the 8th. Mario Meza, on in relief, gave up a double to Jesus Lopez with one out. Jose Sanchez replaced Meza for the Aguilas. Sanchez threw a wild pitch that got Lopez to third. Eduardo Arredondo hit a sac fly to left that plated Lopez and the score was 1-1.

Brian Broderick came on in relief to pitch the 9th for the Charros and he pitched another 1-2-3 9th inning. He would pick up the win when the Charros scored in the bottom of the 9th.

Marquez Smith grounded out to short to lead off the 9th for the Charros. Cory Vaughn was hit by a pitch and immediately stole second. Amadeo Zazueta singled to center to score Vaughn and the Charros had their second walk off win in as many games.

Orlando Lara lowered his ERA to 0.57 and Brian Broderick, with the win, is now 2-0 with 5 saves and an ERA of 1.08 on the year.

Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double while Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 4 to bring his batting average to .362 on the year. Eduardo Arredondo, although 0 for 3, had the game tying sac fly in the 8th. Jesus Lopez went 1 for 3 with a double to maintain his .333 average on the season while Amadeo Zazueta went 1 for 2 with the game winning RBI.

The Yaquis de Obregon come to Zapopan for a three game series beginning on Monday the 27th of October. With the win today the Charros are 9-5 on the year, tied with the Venados de Mazatlan for the league lead.