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.

Dos Laredos and Toros de Tijuana Win 1st Round Playoff Games

ONLY 2 GAMES PLAYED ON THURSDAY AS RAIN POSTPONES LEONES V. GUERREROS

Dos Laredos 7     Monclova 2

Josh Rodriguez

Josh Rodriguez, the Tecolotes shortstop, launched a long 3 run home run ti right center in the bottom of the 1st inning to put Dos Laredos on top and Jose Oyervides pitched 4 hit ball over 6 innings as the Tecolotes took the win over the Acereros 7-2. Every starter in the Dos Laredos lineup had at least 1 hit in the 13 hit attack. Jose Felix went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Monclova. Oyervides (1-0) walked 3 and struck out 1 in the win while Wilmer Rios (0-1) gave up 4 earned runs on 7 hits in 2 2/3 innings on the mound in taking the loss, 4,876 fans crowded Estadio Nuevo Laredo to see the home team win and pull within 1 game of the Acereros in this Zona Norte 1st round playoff series.

Jose Oyervides

Tijuana 6     Monterrey 3

Frederich Cepeda and Jorge Cantu each hit 2 run home runs for Tijuana as the visiting Toros doubled up the Sultanes and take a 2 games to 1 lead in the best-of-7 Zona Norte playoff series. Junior Lake and Xorge Carrillo added RBIs for Tijuana in the win. Jose Amador homered with Ali Solis and Felix Perez driving in the 3 runs for Monterrey. Cesilio Pimental (1-0) picked up the win in relief of Toro's starter Horacio Ramirez. Jose De Paula (0-1) allowed 4 runs on 5 hits in his 4 2/3 innings on the mound in the loss. 10,327 fans came to Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey only to see their home town heros lose.

Tijuana's Frederich Cepeda

Yucatan at Oaxaca (postponed due to weather)

The 1st round playoff battle between the Leones de Yucatan and the Guerreros de Oaxaca has been postponed due to weather. There has been no notification as to when the game will be made up.

Leones Beat Tigres 8-1 in Season Opener

YOANNER NEGRIN PITCHES 6 STRONG INNINGS IN WIN

Yoanner Negrin

The Leones de Yucatan began to 2017 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol season in good form with the 8-1 win over the Tigres de Quintana Roo in Merida on Friday. Negrin gave up 4 hits, walked 2 and struckout 1 while holding the Tigres scoreless with 6 excellent innings of work on the mound. Jose Aguilar went 4 for 5 at the plate as the Leones pounded out 14 hits (13 singles).

Aguilar got the ball rolling with a 1 out single in the bottom of the 1st. Esteban Quiroz singled and both runners advanced on a slow roller to third by Jesus Valdez. Jordany Valdespin walked to load the bases. Humberto Sosa came through with a single left that drove in Aguilar and Quiroz. Ricardo Serrano followed with a single to plate Valdespin and the Leones were on top 3-0 after 1 inning.

Yucatan added a run in the bottom of the 2nd, 2 more in the 5th and scored their final 2 runs in the 6th to take an 8-0 lead.

The Tigres got on the board in the top of the 7th inning. Jesus Barraza, on in relief of Negrin struck out Iker Franco but walked Alfredo Amezaga. Mario Vega struck out swinging and things looked good for the Leones. Greg Golson singled next as Amezaga took third on a fielding error by Cacao Valdez in left. Carlos Gastelum drove in Amezaga with a single to center for the lone Tigres run and the final 8-1 margin of victory for the Leones.

Negrin (1-0) picked up the win while Kameron Loe (0-1) gave up 6 runs on 9 hits in 4 1/3 innings of work to take the loss.

The 2, 3 and 4 hitters in the lineup for the Leones, Aguilar, Quiroz and Valdez, went 8 for 15 with an RBI and 4 runs scored. Every batter, except Leo Heras, had a hit for Yucatan.

The Tigres managed 7 hits with Brian Hernandez going 2 for 3 on the night. Carlos Gastelum was 1 for 4 with an RBI.

12,000 vociferous hometown fans at Parque Kukulcan Alamo witnessed an all round good game from the Leones, good pitching and timely hitting. Yucatan had 13 singles among their 14 hits (Cacao Valdez had a double for the only extra base hit). 5 Leones pitchers scattered 7 Tigres hits, walked 2 and struck out 6 in the game.

These 2 teams continue the series in Merida on Saturday with the get away game on Sunday the 2nd of April. If you live in Merida, come out and watch some really great baseball. Todos Somos Leones!

IN OTHER LMB GAMES

Monclova 12, Mexico 7

Manny Rodriguez was 1 for 2 with a grand slam and 3 walks as the Acereros de Monclova topped the Diablos Rojos del Mexico 12-7, spoiling the season opener for Mexico. Alejandro Ortiz went 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored in the loss for the Diablos. Josh Lowey (1-0) allowed 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings on the hill to get the win while Efren Delgado (0-1) gave up 6 runs on 4 hits, including the grand slam, in the loss.

Veracruz 11, Oaxaca 4

Jose Pina (1-0) threw 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 8 hits to get the win for Veracruz. Irwin Delgado ((0-1) pitched well for 5 innings but allowed 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 8 in the loss. Juan Martinez was 3 for 4 with a home run and a triple with 4 RBIs for Veracruz. Jaime Brenna went 3 for 3 and Victor Santos 2 for 2 with 2 doubles for the Guerreros.

Puebla 10, Leon 4

The defending LMB Champion Pericos out gunned the Bravos de Leon with a 10-4 win. The game was played in Puebla, with Leon designated the "home team" because the home field for the Bravos is not ready for competition. Ricky Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a grand slam for the Pericos. JP Ramirez had a 4 for 4 night at the plate and Cesar Tapia went 2 for 5 with a home run for Puebla. Eduardo "ElMosco" Aredondo had a home run and scored 2 runs on a 2 for 4 night while Donald Lutz went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored for Leon. Manuel Baez (1-0) picked up the win in relief while Jose Sanchez (0-1) took the loss.

Durango 2, Aguascalientes 1

Durango Pitching was Excellent

The Generales de Durango beat the Rieleros de Aguascalientes 2-1 on Friday in the season opener for both clubs. Antonio Garzon (1-0) got the win in relief of Mario Gonzalez and Tiago Da Silva picked up the save. Yohan Flande pitched well for 5 innings but allowed both Durango runs while giving up just 2 hits. Henry Alejandro Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with a run scored and Yadir Drake 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Generales. Julian Castro went 3 for 4 for the Rieleros.

Campeche 5, Tabasco 4

Frankie Diaz went 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs and Engel Beltre 3 for 5 with a run scored for the Piratas. Sergio Burruel was 2 for 3 with a home run and Abel Martinez 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs for the Olmecas. Jose Marquez Jr. (1-0) got the win in relief and Jose De La Torre picked up his 1st save of the year. Heriberto Ruelas (0-1) was saddled with the loss.

Saltillo 7, Monterrey 3

Frankie De La Cruz (1-0) scattered 6 hits over 6 1/3 innings, struck out 3 and walked 2 while allowing 2 runs to get the win. Javiar Solana (0-1) gave up 4 runs on 4 hits while striking out 6 in taking the loss.Jose Ruiz, Christian Zazueta and Jonathan Aceves were all 2 for 4 on the night for the Saraperos. Chris Roberson went 3 for 4 for the Sultanes.

Tijuana 16, Laguna 5

The Toros exploded for 16 runs on 14 hits to thrill 18,000 hometown fans in the season opening win over the Vaqueros. Dustin Martin was 2 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs, Alex Liddi 1 for 2 with a home run, 4 RBIs and 2 walks and Jorge Cantu went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs for Tijuana. Jaime Pedroza went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Laguna, Dustin Crenshaw (0-1) took the loss while Alex Sanabia (1-0) worked 5 innings for the win.

Jalisco Takes Series Opener in Mexicali 8-1

AMADOR HOMERS IN WIN

Charros Win

With 2 outs in the top of the 1st inning, Jesus "Cacao" Valdez singled and scored in front of a line drive rocket off of the bat of Japhet Amador that left no doubt as it cleared the wall in left center for a home run and a 2-0 Charros lead.

The pitching of the Charros took it from there. Starter Will Oliver (2-1) held the Aguilas to a run on 4 hits over 7 innings. Relievers Jose Felix and Mario Mendoza gave up 1 hit and no runs over the final 2 innings to preserve the win.

Jalisco added a run in the 3rd. Manny Rodriguez led off the inning getting hit by a pitch. He stole second and went to third on the throwing error by the Aguilas catcher. Rodriguez scored on a sac fly to left by Cacao Valdez.

Wellington Dotel doubled to begin the bottom of the 4th inning for Mexicali and held up at third on a single by Walter Ibarra. Yuniesky Betancourt hit a sharp grounder to third for a 5-4-3 double play that kept Dotel at third base. Chris Roberson singled to score Dotel with the only Aguilas run of the game.

Cacao Valdez Triple

Cacao Valdez tripled to lead off the 6th inning for the Charros and scored on a ground ball out by Japhet Amador. With 2 outs, Marquis Smith was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a single by Christian Presichi to give Jalisco a 5-1 lead.

The Charros added a run in the 8th  inning and scored twice in the 9th on a double by Alejandro Ortiz that scored Amadeo Zazueta and Angel Chavarin for the final 8-1 score.

Japhet Amador went 1 for 4 with the home run and 3 RBIs. Valdez was 2 for 2 with a walk, an RBI and 2 runs scored while Alejandro Ortiz was 1 for 1 with a double and 2 RBIs for Jalisco.

Amador Home Run

Wellington Dotel was 2 for 4 with a run scored and Chris Roberson 1 for 2 with 2 walks and the only RBI for the Aguilas.

Mexicali starter Edgar Osuna (1-1) gave up 5 runs on 6 hits over 5 2/3 innings on the mound to take the loss.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION:

Los Mochis 5, Ciudad de Obregon 1

Lamas HR / Andrey Fuentes

The Caneros got a 2 run home run from DH Antonio Lamas in the 7th inning to break a 1-1 tie and Los Mochis went on to defeat the Yaquis 5-1. Isaac Jimenez (1-0) picked up the win in relief while Yaquis reliever Giovanny Gallegos (0-1) gave up the homer to Lamas and was charged with the loss. Lamas was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and Jesus Arredondo went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored for the Caneros. The Yaquis were held to 4 hits on the night with Iker Franco going 1 for 2 with a walk and the lone RBI for Obregon.

Culiacan 11, Mazatlán 8

The Tomateros scored 7 runs in the 4th inning and outlasted the Venados in the 11-8 slugfest. Jorge Cantu was 4 for 5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored, Ryan Lollis 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Sergio Gastelum 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs for Culiacan. Harold Rameriz went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored while Olmo Rosario was 1 for 4 with 3 RBIs and Jeremias Pineda 2 for 3

Gastelum Scores

with 2 runs scored for Mazatlán.. The Venados manager, Miguel Ojda was ejected in the 7th inning for arguing a play at first base. Francisco Rios (1-1) picked up the win in relief and Ryan Buchter got his 1st save of the season. Venados starter Walter Silva (0-2) was charged with the loss.

The Mayos de Navojoa and the Naranjeros de Hermosillo had the night off.

Charros Continue Winning; Shutout Hermosillo 3-0

ORLANDO LARA TOSSES 5 STRONG INNINGS

The Charros got a strong outing from Orlando Lara and the bullpen worked 3 scoreless innings giving up just 1 hit, walking none and striking out 2 in beating the Naranjeros de Hermosillo 3-0

Orlando Lara

Lara (1-0) got the win and Brian Broderick, LMP Reliever of the Year in 2014,  picked up his second save of the young season as the Charros improved to 3-1 on the year.

Nate Reed (0-1) pitched 5 innings for Hermosillo in the loss, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2 Charros.

Baseball Brings Out The Best

The Charros have played errorless ball through the first four games, a total of 35 innings. The combination of good pitching, good hitting and excellent defense should win many games for Jalisco this year.

Leo Heras got things going for the Charros in the top of the 2nd inning with a one out double to right. Heras stopped at third on a single by Jesus Lopez and scored on a perfectly executed squeeze bunt by Eduardo Arredondo to give the Charros a 1-0 lead.

Japhet Amador singled with one out in the 3rd and went to third on an infield error by the Naranjeros first baseman on a ball hit by Max Muncy. Amador scored on a double to left center by Alex Liddi with Muncy stopping at third. Muncy scored on a grounder to second by Leo Heras and the Charros led 3-0. The last 6 innings were scoreless and the Charros won the game by that score.

Pitching Change For The Charros

Japhet Amador raised his batting average to ,500 by going 3 for 4 on the night with a run scored. Alex Liddi, Leo Heras and Eduardo Arredondo had the 3 RBIs for the Charros.

Sebastion Elizalde went 1 for 4 for the Naranjeros and is hitting .500 for Hermosillo.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION

Los Mochis 8, Culiacan 5 (10 innings)

Yoan Pedroso Home Run

The Caneros scored 3 runs in the 9th inning to tie the game and 3 more times in the 10th to top the Tomateros 8-5. Yoan Pedroso went 2 for 5 with a 3 run home run in the 10th for Los Mochis. Ali Solis and Jorge Cantu homered for the Tomateros. Juan Noriega (1-0) got the win and Andres Avila his second save for the Caneros while Jesus Castillo took the loss for Culiacan. Oscar Villarreal was charged with a blown save.

Navojoa 6, Mazatlán 5 (10 innings)

Navojoa scored 4 runs in the 5th inning to tie the game and needed a run in the bottom of the 9th to send the game into extra innings. Glynn Davis' squeeze bunt went for a singled with one out in the bottom of the 10th to score Alan Sanchez for the walk off win. Ozzie Mendez (1-0) got the win while Manny Delcarmen (0-1) took the loss. Steven Hensley was charged with a blown save. Fernando Flores went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Lance Zawadski hit a home run for the Mayos. Carlos Munoz was 2 for 4 with a double and a home run for the Venados.

Mexicali 8, Ciudad de Oregon 7

Yunesky Betancort Home run

The Aguilas erupted for 5 runs in the 7th inning and held on to beat the Yaquis 8-7. Jose Lopez (1-0) was credited with the win and Adam Refer got his second save of the year for Mexicali. The teams combined to use 16 pitchers in the game.The Aguilas used 9 pitchers while the Yaquis used 7. Mark Hamburger (1-1) was charged with a blown save and took the loss. Yunesky Betancourt went 2 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs while Wellington Dtel was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for the Aguilas. Asael Sanchez was 3 for 5 with a triple and 2 RBIs for the Yaquis and Roman Pena was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Jose Lopez Gets The Win

Quintana Roo Takes Game 1 Of The LMB Championship Series 9-8

WALK OFF DOUBLE DECIDES GAME

Watch video highlights HERE.

The Acereros and Tigres combined for 23 hits, including 6 home runs and 5 doubles, and 17 runs in a game 1 slugfest to determine the 2015 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Champion. There were 4 lead changes in the contest. The teams used 16 pitchers with Roman Ramirez being charged with a blown save and then picking up the win for the Tigres while Juan Noriega took the loss for Monclova.

Olmo Rosario was 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs for the Acereros as Jorge Cantu went 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs for the Tigres.

Monclova started the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning. With 2 outs, Jose Amador walked and Hernando Arredondo doubled to left. Both runners scored on a single by Francisco Cordoba and the Acereros were up 2-0.

Jorge Cantu Home Run

Jorge answered for the Tigres in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to left center. Iker Franco followed with a double and scored on a single by Alfredo Amezaga, who had 3 RBIs in the game for the Tigres, as Quintana Roo tied the score at 2.

With one out in the top of the 3rd, Flavio Romero singled and came around to score on a home run to left by Olmo Rosario. One out later, Brett Harper unloaded a deep drive to left for a solo home run and the Acereros had retaken the lead 5-2.

The Tigres got back to back doubles from Greg Golson and Carlos Gastelum in the 5th inning to score a run and narrow the Acereros lead to 5-3. Sergio Contreras followed with a single to put runners on first and third with no outs. Gastelum would score on a sac fly by Jorge Canto. Eugenio Velez singled and Iker Franco walked to load the bases.  Alfredo Amezaga doubled to right to score Contreras and Velez and the Tigres stormed back to take a 6-5 lead.

Jorge Cantu hit his second home run of the night in the 6th inning as the Tigres stretched their lead to 7-5.

Francisco Cordoba led off the top of the 7th for Monclova with a walk. Following a pitching change for the Tigres, pinch hitter Abraham Ramos drew a base on balls. Cordoba scored on single by Carlos Penuelas to cut the Tigres lead to 7-6. Flavio Romero sacrificed to move both runners up and Olmo Rosario singled to left to score Ramos with the tying run.

Esteban Quiroz hit a solo home run to right with one out in the Tigres half of the 7th as Quintana Roo took the lead again 8-7.

Esteban Quiroz Home Run

Carlos Penulas, who drove in 2 runs for Monclova, drove an 0-1 pitch over the wall in right leading off the top of the 9th for the Acereros to tie the score again at 8-8.

Brandon Villareal singled with one out in the bottom of the 9th for the Tigres and came around to score on the walk off double by Esteban Quiroz and Quintana Roo took the first game of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Championship playoff by a 9-8 score.

Game 2 of the series will be played in Cancun on Wednesday the 9th of September.