Jalisco Falls to Culiacan 4-3

4 RUNS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 8TH WINS IT FOR THE TOMATEROS

Will Oliver

The Charros de Jalisco had the game well in hand, with a 3-0 lead, until the bottom of the 8th. Will Oliver, who had pitched 6 masterful innings of shutout baseball, could only watch from the dugout as reliever Aaron Kurcz gave up 3 runs on 3 hits to let the Tomateros tie the game and Felipe Gonzalez (0-1) allow a run on 2 hits, all in 2/3 of an inning, as the Charros fell to 11-8 on the season.

Newly activated Juan Ramon Noriega (1-0) was the beneficiary of the 4 run outburst to pick up the win for the 9-10 Tomateros and Casey Coleman notched his 6th save of the season.

Luis Cruz

Luis Cruz doubled to begin the come back in the bottom of the 8th for Culiacan. Blake Gailen singled to drive in Cruz. Ryan McBroom tripled over the head of the center fielder to plate Gailen. Jorge Vasquez hit a sac fly to plate McBroom and just like that the game was tied at 3. Issmael Salas singled and Ronnier Mustelier doubled. With men on second and third, Ali Solis hit a sac fly to bring in Salas to give Culiacan the 4-3 lead.

The Charros went down in order in the 9th to hand the Tomateros the come back win. With the loss, the Charros fall back into a 1st place tie in the LMP with the Venados de Mazatlan.

16,062 fans were on hand at Estadio de los Tomateros in Culiacan to watch the exciting come back win by the home team.

Ryan Mcbroom

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.