Yucatan Takes Divisional Playoff Series From Campche 6-1

5 RUNS IN 3 INNINGS LIFT LEONES

The Leones de Yucatan dispatched the #4 seed Piratas de Campeche 6-1 to take the Zona Sur divisional series 4 games to 3 and advance to the Championship round. Jonathan Castellanos pitched 7 innings of 5 hit ball, allowing 1 run while striking out 7 Piratas to get the win. RolandoValdez lasted just 2 innings and gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in the loss.

Valdez' 2 run home run in the 1st
Leones Facebook

Jesus Valdez gave the Leones an early 2-0 lead when Ricardo Serrano singled with 2 outs and Valdez sent a pitch by Ricardo Valdez over the left field fence for a 2 run home run.

Carlos Colmenares drew a 2 out walk from Leones starter, Jonathan Castellanos, in the top of the 3rd and scored on a triple by Adan Velazquez to cut the lead to 2-1 Leones.

Israel Nunez led off the bottom of the 3rd with a single. Corey Wimberly was hit by a pitch and Jose Aguilar singled to load the bases with no outs. Ricardo Serrano hit into a 1-2-3 double play that caught Nunez at home. The Piratas decided to intentionally walk Jesus Valdez to reload the bases for Hector Gimenez. Gimenez made them pay for that decision by hitting a single that, with the help of a throwing error by the right fielder, cleared the bases and left Gimenez on second base. Yucatan took a 5-1 lead.

After a walk to Jaime Pedroza was erased on a double play grounder by Kevin Flores in the 6th inning, Israel Nunez doubled and scored on a single by Corey Wimberly. Wimberly was thrown out at second trying to advance on the throw but the Leones had a 6-1 lead and the pitching staff made the lead stand up over the remaining 3 innings

Jesus Valdez was 1 for 2 with a home run, 2 walks, 2 RBIs and a run scored, Israel Nunez 2 for 3 with a run scored, Ricardo Serrano 2 for 5, Kevin Flores 2 for 4 and Corey Wimberly 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored for Yucatan.

Adan Velazquez was 2 for 4 with the lone RBI for the Piratas.

Jonathan Castellanos/Leones Facebook

The Divisional Championship will begin on Friday the 28th of August with the Leones taking on the #2 seed Tigres de Quintana Roo, who beat the Guerreros de Oaxaca 6-3 in the other Zona Sur contest.

If the Leones should win that series, the LMB Championship series would be played in Merida.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Tijuana 7, Mexico 6

Watch video highlights HERE.

The upstart Toros de Tijuana (54-53 on the season and 16 1/2 games behind the 73-39 Diablos) won their biggest game of the year on Wednesday, eliminating the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in game 7 of the Zona Norte divisional playoffs.

The Toros scored 5 runs in the 3rd, for a 7-2 lead inning and held on to beat the Diablos 7-6.

Barry Enright (3-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits while striking out 5 and allowing 4 home runs in getting the win for the Toros. The Tijuana used 4 relief pitchers for 2 innings before turning the game over to Mario Mendoza for the final 1 2/3 innings. Mendoza shut down the Diablos bats on no hits and no runs to get the save.

David Reyes lasted 2 1/3 innings, gave up 6 runs on 4 hits and walked 3 in the loss.

Dustin Martin HR in the 1st
Toros Facebook

Dustin Martin was 1 for 4 with a 2 run home run in the 1st for the Toros and Luis Suarez went 2 for 4 with a grand slam home run in the 3rd. Lew Ford was 3 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored while Oscar Robles was 3 for 5 for Tijuana.

Jesus Fabela and Japhet Amador had home runs for the Diablos and Ivan Terrazas belted 2 more for Mexico on a 2 for 4 night at the plate with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Japhet Amador was 3 for 4 with an RBI for the Diablos. Terraza and Cyle Hankerd combined for 24 RBIs in the series but that wasn't enough to overcome the Toros.

The Toros will take on the Acereros de Monclova, who won 11-3 over the Saraperos in their Zona Norte divisional playoff in a series that begins on Friday the 28th of August.

Monclova 11, Saltillo 3

Watch video high lights HERE.

The Acereros jumped in front of the Saraperos d Saltillo 9-0 after 4 innings and added 2 more runs in the 6th inning to top the Saraperos 11-3 in the Zona Norte divisional playoffs in front of 6,180 hometown fans. Monclova took the best of seven series 4 games to 3.

Juan Pena picked up the win, pitching 5 innings, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 1 while Michael Nix worked 3 1/3 innings and gave up 6 runs on 4 hits in the loss.

Monclova scored the 3 runs in the 2nd inning on 2 walks, a hit batter, a single and a sac fly by Carlos Penuelas for the 3-0 lead and the pitching staff did the rest.

Jose Ruiz was 2 for 3 with a 3 run home run, Hector Garanzuay 2 for 4 with an RBI, Brett Harper 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Eder Salcedo 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs for Monclova.

Jon Del Campo was 2 for 4 wit a 2 run home run in the 9th inning while Ramon Ortiz went 3 for 4 with a run scored for the Saraperos.

Monclova will take on the Toros de Tijuana in the Zona Norte Championship round of the playoffs beginning Friday the 28th of August in Monclova.

Quintana Roo 6, Oaxaca 3

Watch video high lights HERE.

The Tigres put away the Guerreros de Oaxaca 6-3 in game 7 of their Zona Sur divisional playoffs to earn the right to play the Leones de Yucatan, in Merida, for the Zona Sur Championship beginning Friday the 28th of August.

Arturo Barradas picked up the win in relief of Tigre starter Carlos Bustamante, pitching 2 1/3 shutout innings and Ramon Ramirez notched his 3rd save of the playoffs. Rodolfo Aguilar took the loss, giving up 2 runs on 1 hit in 1/3 of an inning.

Carlos Gastelum was 3 for 4 with an RBI, Francisco Peguero 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Jorge Cantu 3 for 4 with an RBI and Greg Golson 3 for 5 with an RBI for the Tigres.

Mike Jacobs went 2 for4 with an RBI and a run scored, Ronny Cedeno 1 for 4 with an RBI and Jaime Brena 1 for 3 with an RBI in the loss for Oaxaca.

Yucatan Smothers Campeche 9-2

Opening ceremonies in Campeche
Leones Facebook

The Leones pounded out 14 hits, including 5 home runs in their 9-2 win over the Piratas de Campeche in game 3 of their Zona Sur divisional playoffs. Ricardo Serrano had 2 home runs on the night.

Jesus Valdez hit a solo home run to left to lead off the top of the 2nd for the Leones. Luis Garcia drew a one out walk but was erased on a 4-6 fielders choice. Kevin Flores followed with a 2 run home run to left center that scored Ricardo Serrano and put the Leones up 3-0. Israel Nunez hit a 3-2 fastball over the wall in left for the third home run of the inning and a 4-0 Yucatan lead.

Corey Wimberly led off the top of the 5th with a single and moved to second on a two strike sacrifice bunt by Jaime Pedroza that caught the Piratas defense napping. Wimberly scored on a single by Jose Aguilar to increase the Leones lead to 5-0.

Ricardo Serrano hit the first of his two home runs leading off the 6th inning to give Yucatan a 6-0 lead.

The Piratas scored in their half of the 6th. Fernando Flores led off the inning with a walk and went to third, one out later, on a ground rule double to right center by Carlos Colmenares. Oscar Verdugo replaced starter Jonathan Castellanos for the Leones. Adan Velazquez reached safely on a throwing error by the Yucatan shortstop as Flores scored the first Piratas run of the game. One out later, Verdugo threw a wild pitch that allowed Colmenares to score. Ronny Paulino hit a grounder to third for the final out of the inning but Campeche had scored twice and the score was 6-2 Leones.

Yucatan scored a run without benefit of a hit in the top of the 8th. Israel Nunez drew a lead off walk, went to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on consecutive wild pitches by the Piratas reliever Ivan Salas. Leones 7, Piratas 2.

Jesus Valdez singled to lead off the 9th for Yucatan and came around to score on Ricardo Serrano's  second home run of the game for a 9-2 Leones lead.

With one out in the Piratas half of the 9th and a man on first, closer Adam Reifer made three attempts to pick off the runner at first. Why, with a 9-2 lead, would Leones manager Wilfredo Romero order three pick off attempts? The third throw went wide and the runner advanced to third. No harm was done as the next to Pirata hitters made outs but the logic of the situation eludes me.

Jonathan Castellanos
Leones Facebook

Jonathan Castellanos allowed 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 6 in 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win for Yucatan. Rolabdo Valdez gave up 3 home runs and 5 earned runs in 4 innings to take the loss for the Piratas.

Jesus Valdez went 3 for 4 with a home run, Ricardo Serrano 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs, Kevin Flores 1 for 5 with a home run and Israel Nunez 1 for 3 with a home run for the Leones.

Yucatan holds a 2-1 lead in the divisional series which continues on Saturday in Campeche.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Saltillo 3, Monclova 1
The Saraperos de Saltillo scored all of their runs in the bottom of the 3rd and held on to top the Acereros de Monclova 3-1 and take game 3 of their Zona Norte divisional series.

Michael Nix allowed 2 hits and 1 run while walking 3 and striking out 4 Acereros in 5 complete innings on the hill. Robert Suarez recorded the save, striking out 3 in 1 1/3 innings of work. Juan Pena gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in the loss.

Christian Zazueta was 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs while Jonathan Aceves and Jose Lopez were 2 for 3 for Saltillo. Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 4 for Saltillo.

Antonio Lamas, Jose Amador and Eder Salcedo each had a hit for Monclova and Olmo Rosario scored their only run.

Game 4 will be played in Saltillo on Saturday with the Acereros holding a 2-1 lead in the best of seven series.

Quintana Roo 5, Oaxaca 3
The Tigres got 6 solid innings of work from starter Daniel Cabrera, who got the win, and Quintana Roo won game 3 of their Zona Sur series with the Guerreros by a 5-3 score.

Daniel Cabrera / Tigres Facebook

Ramon Ramirez picked up the save. Ruddy Acosta gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 4 1/3 for the loss. The defense behind Acosta was deplorable as the Guerreros committed 4 errors in the game.

After singling to lead off the 4th for the Tigres, Esteban Quiroz would score on a single by Sergio Contreras. Following a sacrifice bunt by Francisco Peguero and an intentional walk to Alfredo Amezaga, Jose Felix singled to drive in Jorge Cantu, Contreras and Amezaga. A throwing error by the Guerrereos center fielder allowed the third run to score and Felix wound up on third. The 4-1 lead would be enough for the Tigres.

Sergio Contreras was 2 for 4, Esteban Quiroz 2 for 5 and Jose Felix 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Quintana Roo.

Yancarlo Angulo was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, an RBI and a run scored for Oaxaca.

The series continues on Saturday, in Oaxaca, with the Guerreros holding a 2-1 lead in the series

Tijuana 11, Mexico 4
the Toros scored 5 runs in the 1st inning and added 6 more runs in the 8th to gore the Diablos 11-4. The Toros victory brought them from down 2 games to none to 2-1 in the Zona Norte divisional series with the best team in the LMB.

Barry Enright improved to 2-0 in the playoffs, holding the Diablos to 3 runs on 5 hits over 6 1/3 innings and the Toros used four relievers to shut done the Diablos over the remaining 2 2/3 frames. The Diablos starter, David Reyes lasted just 2/3 of an inning and gave up 5 runs on 4 hits in taking the loss.

Eduardo Arredondo went 3 for 5 with a home run to lead off the game for Tijuana while teammate Luis Suarez was 3 for 4 with a double and a triple, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Lew Ford and Enrique were both 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for the Toros.

Ivan Terrazas continued his hot hitting for the Diablos, going 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs to raise his  playoff batting average to .727. 

Yucatan Continues Hitting; Defeat Pericos 11-5

The Leones took 2 of 3 game from the Pericos de Puebla this weekend to improve to 14-12 on the season. Along the way they scored 31 runs on 46 hits to officially break out of their hitting doldrums. On Sunday afternoon Yucatan beat the Pericos 11-5.

Puebla started quickly, scoring a run in the bottom of the 1st on a lead off single by Brent Clevlen, a hot batter, a 4-6-3 double play that got Clevlen to third and a run scoring single by Sandy Madera that put the Pericos on top 1-0.

Yucatan answered in the top of the 3rd inning. Kevin Flores led off with a single and Israel Nunez was hit by a pitch. A Jose Aguilar single loaded the bases with no outs. Edson Garcia hit a sac fly to left to score Flores and the game was tied. One out later, Jesus Valdez singled to score Nunez. Luis Garcia followed with a single to drive in Aguilar and Willy Aybar singled to plate Valdez for the 4-1 Leones lead.

Kevin Flores tripled to lead off the 4th for Yucatan and scored on a single by Israel Nunez. Following a single by Edson Garcia, Jesus Valdez singled to score Nunez and the lead was 6-1.

Israel Nunez drove in Kevin Flores with a single in the top of the 5th inning to increase the Leones lead to 7-1.

The Pericos got a run back in their half of the 5th on a solo home run by Brent Clevlen, his 7th of the year. The lead was cut to 7-2.

Sandy Madera drew a lead off walk for Puebla in the bottom of the 6th inning and came around to score on Luke Scott's 7th home run of the year. Jon Del Campo drew a base on balls and went to third when Rolando Acosta singled. Del Campo scored on a 6-4 fielder's choice. The Pericos were back in the game, down by a 7-5 score.

The Leones stormed ahead with four runs in he top of the 7th. Luis Garcia doubled to center and went to third on a single by Willy Aybar. Ricardo Serrano singled to score Garcia and Kevin Flores doubled to score Aybar. Heberto Gonzalez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Edson Garcia waited out a seven pitch walk to force in Serrano. Hector Gimenez then hit a sac fly to drive in Flores with the fourth run of the inning and the final score of the game, Yucatan 11, Puebla 5.

The 6th through 9th batters for Yucatan went 10 for 19 with a double, a triple, 5 RBIs and 8 runs scored. Israel Nunez was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Kevin Flores 3 for 5 with an RBI and 4 runs scored, Ricardo Serrano 3 for 5 with an RBI and Willy Aybar 2 for 5 with an RBI. Jesus Valdez was 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs.

Brent Clevlen was 2 for 5 with a home run for the Pericos and Luke Scott went 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs.

Eder Llamas (2-1) picked up the win in relief for the Leones while Mauricio Lara (1-4) suffered the defeat.

IN OTHER LMB ACTION:

Saltillo 5, Monterrey 2
Saltillo scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th on a 2 run double by Christian Zazueta and a run scoring single by Genaro Andrade to beat the Sultanes 5-2. Zazueta was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Luis Terrero 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored and Andrade 2 for 3 with an RBI for the Saraperos. Felix Perez went 2 for 3 with a double, a home run and 2 RBIs for Monterrey. Robert Suarez (1-0) got the win in relief while Thomas Melgarejo (0-3) took the loss.

Oaxaca 6, Quintana Roo 4
Carlos Valencia hit a 2 run home run for the Tigres in the 1st but it wasn't enough as the Guerreros climbed back to take a 6-4 win in Cancun. Sergio Lizarraga (1-0) won in relief and Orangel Arenaz picked up save #2 on the season. Carlos Bustamante (1-1) took the loss. Alejandro Gonzalez was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and Yuniesky Betancourt 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Oaxaca. Valencia went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and Carlos Gastelum was 1 for 3 with an RBI for Quintana Roo.

Aguascalientes 7, Tamaulipas 6 (13 innings)
Saul Soto drove in his 40th run on a walk off single in the 11th inning to give the Rieleros their 9th straight win, and improve to 20-6 overall, with the 7-6 victory over the Broncos. Roy Corcoran (2-1) pitched the final 2 innings for the win and Francisco Rivera (0-2) was charged with the loss. Cole Garner was 3 for 5 for the Broncos while Eliezer Ortiz went 2 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored for the Rieleros.

Mexico 4, Laguna 0
Japhet "El Gigante" Amador hit 2 home runs for Mexico to help the Diablos Rojos to a 4-0 win over the Vaqueros. Amador was 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs. JC Linares went 3 for 4 for Laguna. David Reyes (3-1) got the win as he and 3 relievers scattered 10 Vaquero hits on the way to the shutout. Juan Sandoval was credited with his 3rd save. Ivan Zavala (3-2) took the loss.

Campeche 7, Tabasco 4
Daryl Thompson (2-3) pitched 6 2/3 innings of 2 run ball to get the win for the Piratas with Ricardo Gomez recording his 6th save of the year. Jasiel Acosta (0-1) took the loss for Tabasco. Dave Sappelt was 2 for 4 with a home run and DH Ruben Mateo went 1 for 2 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs for Campeche. Jose Castillo went 2 for 5 with an RBI for the Olmecas.

Ciudad del Carmen 7, Veracruz 5 (10 innings)
Francisco Lugo hit a 3 run walkoff home run to cap a 4 run rally in the 10th inning to give the Delfines a 7-5 come from behind win over the Aguilas. Henry Rodriguez was 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs and Luga went 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs for del Carmen. Jeremias Pineda was 2 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored for Veracruz. Josh Lueke (4-0) picked up the win. Jose Pina (2-4) was charged with a blown save and the loss for the Aguilas.

Monclova 7, Tijuana 6
The Toros scored 3 times in the top of the 9th but it was a case of "too little, too late" as the Acereros took home the 7-6 win. Francisco Cordoba homered and went 3 for 4 and Jose Amador was 1 for 4 with 3 RBIs for Monclova. Hector Hernandez was 3 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs for the Toros. Josh Lowey (5-1) got the win and Waldis Joaquin notched his 6th save. Monclova used 7 pitchers in the game. Walter Silva (1-2) was saddled with the loss. Jose Luis Garcia of the Toros made history, appearing in his 900th game, pitching in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol since 1993. Congratulations Jose.

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 de Jalisco Drop Final Game With Obregon 6-3

The Yaquis de Obregon won their final meeting of the regular season with the Charros on Christmas Day, winning 6-3 behind the pitching of Jose Pina, who gave up 3 runs on 3 hits over 7 innings. Kenneth Sims took the loss for Jalisco to fall to 1-2 on the year.

Sergio Contreras got things going for Obregon in the bottom of the 2nd, drawing a one out walk. After stealing second, Contreras scored on a single to right by Robert Saucedo. 

The Charros duplicated the Yaquis scoring plan in the top of the 3rd. With two outs, Israel Nunez was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on an Eduardo Arredondo single to center to tie the score at 1.

Obregon went ahead 2-1 in the 3rd. After loading the bases on a single, a walk and a hit batsman, Esteban Quiroz hit into a 4-6-3 double play that scored Daniel Castro.

Armando Araiza doubled to lead off the 5th for the Yaquis, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Castro and scored on a single by Carlos Figueroa to increase the Obregon lead to 3-1.

Donell Linares hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the 6th for Obregon and Sergio Contreras scored from third on a double play grounder by Robert Saucedo to make the game 5-1 Yaquis. 

Jalisco scored twice in the top of the 7th. With one out, Gabriel Gutierrez waited out a walk, Amadeo Zazueta singled and Gutierrez scored on a single by Fernando Valenzuela, Ivan Araujo ground into a force out that scored Zazueta and the Charros had cut the lead to 5-3.

The Yaquis scored a run in the bottom of the 8th to reach the final score of 6-3 Obregon.

Despite the loss, the Charros still lead the league with a 40-25 record and 4 games to go in the regular season. Jalisco is 3 games ahead of the Tomateros de Culiacan and 4 1/2 games ahead of the Aguilas de Mexicali. The Charros are 1 game in front of the Tomateros in the second half with a 19-11 record.

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

Charros Drop Opener to Aguilas 7-5

The Aguilas de Mexicali used the home run ball and timely hitting to outscore the Charros 7-5 on Friday night in Zapopan. Six Mexicali pitchers scattered 13 Jalisco hits over 9 innings. The Charros had opportunities to score but left too many men in scoring position.

Mexicali scored in the top of the 1st. Walter Ibarra singled to center and went to second on a single by Luis Juarez. Ibarra then stole third and scored on a sac fly by Josh Whitesell. The Aguilas had a 1-0 lead.

Manny Rodriguez singled with one out in the bottom of the 1st for the Charros. Leo Heras singled with Rodriguez stopping at second. With two outs, Marquez Smith singled to score Rodriguez and move Heras to third. CJ Retherford singled to score Heras and give the 2-1 lead to the Charros.

Israel Nunez hit a solo home run for Jalisco, his frst of the year, with one out in the bottom of the 2nd for a 3-1 Charros lead.

Ricardo Serrano singled for Mexicali with one out in the top of the 5th and went to second on a single by Gil Velazquez. Dave Sappelt followed with a triple off the wall in left center to score Serrano and Velazquez to tie the game at 3 apiece. The Charros starter, Juan Delgadillo, threw a wild pitch to score Sappelt with the go ahead run and a 4-3 Aguilas lead.

The Charros came back to tie the game in the bottom of the 5th. Manny Rodriguez led off with a single and scored on a double by Leo Heras. Jalisco had tied the score at 4-4.

After bringing in Mario Mendoza to pitch the 7th, Dave Sappelt hit a solo home run to give Mexicali a 5-4 lead.

Adrian Ramirez replaced Mendoza for the Charros in the top of the 8th and walked the lead off batter, Josh Whitsell. Mike Bianucci then hit a 2 run home run to right for the 7-4 lead.

Jalisco pulled to within one, at 7-5, in the bottom of the 9th. Leo Heras drew a one out walk and stole second. After Japhet Amador struck out, Marquez Smith singled to score Heras but it wasn't enough as the Aguilas beat the Charros 7-5 in the first game of a three game weekend series.

Charros Outlast the Venados de Mazatlan 3-2 in 12 innings

The Charros played an extra inning game on Wednesday in Mazatlan, winning 3-2 in 12 innings, when Leo Heras' double to center scored Manny Rodriguez from first with the game winner.

Marquez Smith drew a walk to lead off the top of the 2nd for the Charros. With two outs, Jesus Lopez doubled to left to push Smith to third. Israel Nunez followed with a single for the 2-0 Charros lead as both Smith and Lopez scored.

With two outs in the bottom of the 3rd for the Venados, Jesus Fabela drew a base on balls and scored on a double by Doug Clark to get Mazatlan on the board and cut the Charros lead to 2-1.  Jose Figueroa then singled to right to score Clark and went to third on a throwing error by Charros first baseman Marquez Smith. With the scored tied at 2-2, the contest became a pitchers duel for the next 9 innings.

Graham Godfrey started for the Charros and went 6 2/3 innings. Although he gave up both Venados runs, he was pitching well, scattering 7 hits over his time on the mound. Ivan Salas and Adrian Ramirez held Mazatlan scoreless over 3 innings and Brian Broderick, in an unusual move for a closer, worked the final 2 1/3 innings allowing just 1 hit, walking one and striking out two to pick up the win. Broderick improved to 3-1 on the year to go along with his 13 saves.

Steven Hensley took the loss for the Venados to fall to 0-1 for the season. He gave up 2 hits and a run in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Hensley got the first two outs in the bottom of the 12th before Manny Rodriguez singled. Leo Heras then put the game away with his run scoring double that gave the Charros the 3-2 lead.

Brian Broderick gave up a one out single to Doug Clark in the bottom of the 12th before getting Jose Figueroa to ground into a 4-6 fielder's choice and Olmo Rosario to ground out to third to end the game.

Israel Nunez was 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Jesus Lopez had 2 doubles on a 3 for 5 night while Leo Heras went 2 for 5 with the game winning RBI.

Jalisco is now 28-18, ten games above .500 over all, and tied for the 2nd half league lead with the Naranjeros de Hermosillo at 7-4.  The Venados fall to 20-25 overall and 4-7 in the 2nd half standings.