Puebla Tops Diablos Rojos in Zona Sur Playoff Clash

WIN DECREASES DIABLOS LEAD TO 2-1

The Pericos de Puebla overcame a 2 run deficit with 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning and went on to defeat the Diablos Rojos del Mexico 7-6. Although the Diablos out hit the Pericos 15 to 6, Mexico managed only 2 extra base hits and were 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position. Peubla on, on the other hand, went 3 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Jesus Fabela

Mexico scored 4 times in the top of the 5th inning. Carlos Figueroa got things going with a lead off walk and came around to score on a double by Juan Carlos Gamboa. Two outs later David Vidal walked. Michael Choice followed with a single to right that scored Gamboa. Emmanuel Avila was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ricardo Valenzuela waited out a walk to force in Vidal and Jesus Fabela drew a walk to bring home Choice. The Diablos led 6-4.

Puebla answered in the bottom of the 6th. Delmon Young walked. Ricky Rodriguez singled to right and when the Diablos right fielder misplayed the ball, Young scored and Rodriguez wound up on third. Michael Crouse drove in Rodriguez with a sac fly to right. Bernardo Heras followed with a home run to right and the Pericos had the lead and the game.

Juan Ramon Noriega (1-0) picked up the win in relief and Jeff Johnson notched his 1st save of the series. Patrick Johnson (0-1) gave up 7 runs in 5 1/3 innings on the mound, walking 1 and striking out 7 in the loss.

Ricky Rodriguez was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and Bernardo Heras had the home run in his 4 trips to the plate for the Pericos.

Juan Carlos Gamboa and Yeison Ascencio were both 3 for 5 for Mexico.

Mexico now leads the best of 7 Zona Norte 1st round with the games continuing with 2 more in Puebla and a return to Mexico City if necessary.

Aguilas Get Walk Off Triple To Top Charros 5-4

JALISCO'S 3RD EXTRA INNING CONTEST IN LAST 4 GAMES

Manager Juan Navarrete

The Charros lost this game on two decisions made by the coaching staff. After Jalisco took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 6th inning, manager Juan Navarrete made the decision to pull starter Marco Tovar. To this point Tovar had given up 1 run and gotten the 1st out of the inning before giving up a single. Reliever Manuel Flores came in and gave up a 1st pitch 2 run home run that tied the game. The second mistake occurred in the top of the 9th inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Leo Heras doubled, scoring the runner on second but the third base coach made the decision to send the runner who had been on first, home. The relay throw nailed the runner and although the Charros had regained the lead, the Aguilas would score in the bottom of the 9th.

Marquis Smith walked with one out in the top of the second for the Charros and went to second when Alejandro Ortiz hit a slow roller to short for a single. Amadeo Zazueta followed with a single to center to score Smith that gave Jalisco a 1-0 lead.

Zazueta RBI Single

The Aguilas tied the score in their half of the 2nd inning when CJ Retherford drew a walk and scored on a triple to the alley in left center by Luis Juarez.

Jalisco retook the lead in the 4th inning on a double to left by Alex Liddi and an RBI single by Amadeo Zazueta. The Charros led 2-1.

The Mexicali reliever, Jose Lopez, hit Marquis Smith with one out in the top of the 6th. Alejandro Ortiz doubled to center with Smith stopping at third. Zazueta was intentionally walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Christian Presichi hit a ground ball to third that scored Smith to give the Charros a 3-1 lead.

Marco Tovar

Marco Tovar, the Charros starter, got the first batter in the bottom of the 6th, CJ Retherford, to fly out to left and then gave up a single to Chris Roberson. Manuel Flores was brought in to face Luis Juarez who hit the first pitch he saw from Flores for a 2 run home run that tied the game at 3 all.

Manny Rodriguez hit a one out single to center in the top of the 9th and after Cacao Valdez walked, Rodriguez scored on a double by Leo Heras. Pinch runner Edson Garcia was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on the hit. Jalisco was once again back on top 4-3.

Brian Broderick, in to pitch the 9th, gave up a single to Wellington Dotel, got the next two batters out but gave up a run scoring single to CJ Retherford. Pinch runner Jon Del Campo was picked off second for the third out but the score was tied and the game was headed for extra innings.

The Aguilas Xorge Carrillo singled with one out in the bottom of the 10th and scored when Missael German tripled to left center to give Mexicali the walk off 5-4 win.

Francisco Gil (1-0) picked up the win in relief. Brian Broderick (0-1) was charged with his 1st blown save of the year and took the loss.

The Charros fell to 8-5 on the year while the Aguilas improved to 10-3 and sit atop  the LMP standings.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION:

Los Mochis 6, Ciudad de Obregon 5

Avila HR / Andrey Fuentes

The Caneros scored 5 times in the first 4 innings and withstood a 3 run rally by the Yaquis in the 9th inning to beat Obregon 6-5. Emmanuel Avila was 2 for 5 with a 3 run home run and Gilberto Galaviz went 3 for 3 with a run scored for Los Mochis. Reynaldo Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with a walk and a home run, Christian Villanueva 2 for 5 and Iker Franco 2 for 4 for Obregon in the loss. Roy Merritt (1-0) got the win for the Caneros as Andres Avila picked up his 5th save of the year. Irwin Delgado gave up 5 runs on 7 hits in 3 1/3 innings to take the loss for the Yaquis.

Mazatlán 5, Culiacan 2

The Venados scored 3 runs in the 3rd inning on their way to a 5-2 win over the Tomateos. Culiacan, last years LMP Champions, fell to 3-10 on the year while the Venados moved to 5-8. Esteban Quiroz was 3 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored and Heber Gomez 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Mazatlán. Jorge Cantu went 1 for 5 with 2 RBIs for the Tomateros. Alejandro Soto (1-0) worked 5 2/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits for the win with Steven Hensley notching his 4th save. Marco Camarena (1-1) gave up all 5 Venado runs on 8 hits in 4 2/3 innings and was charged with the loss.

Hermosillo 6, Navojoa 2

The Naranjeros scored 5 runs in the first 2 innings and went on to a 6-2 victory over the Mayos in Navojoa. Jerry Owens and Jose Amador homered for Hermosillo and Carlos Gastelum was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Diego Madero was 2 for 4 with his 3rd triple of the year for the Mayos. Alejandro Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and Jesus Castillo  2 for 4 with a run scored for Navojoa. Nate Reed (1-1) scattered 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings giving up both Mayos runs to get the win. Danny Gutierrez (0-2) lasted just 1 1/3 innings allowing 5 runs on6 hits to take the loss for the Mayos.