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.

New Managerial Faces in the LMB for 2017

AT LEAST 6 NEW MANAGERS in the LMB for 2017

Cory Snyder

Cory Snyder, who coached the Pericos de Puebla to the 2016 LMB Championship has left Puebla to coach the ChinaTrust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan for the 2017. He will be replaced by Von Hayes who coached the Pericos in 2015.

Snyder led the Pericos to their first LMB Championship in 30 years in 2016. Hayes was fired as manager of the Pericos after just 25 games in 2015, a direct result of a losing record and a drop in attendance.

Von Hayes

Both Snyder (Cleveland Indians) and Hayes (Philadelphia Phillies) had good careers in the Liga Grande (Major Leagues) and both coached in Triple A affiliates for major league clubs.

Wally Backman

Following the 2016 season, the Acereros fired their manager, Homar Rojas, as the Acereros were swept 4 games to none in the first round of the Zona Norte Playoffs. Rojas will be replaced as manager by Wally Backman, formerly the manager of the NY Mets Triple A affiliate Las Vegas 51s. Backman will be remembered as the second baseman on the 1986 NY Mets World Championship team. Rojas has taken over the Rieleros de Aguascalientes for 2017.

The Vaqueros de Laguna will be piloted by Ramon Orantes who spent 20 years playing in the LMB and the Mexican winter league, the LMP. Orantes finished his career as the 5th best batsman in the LMB, posting a .315 batting average in 4,578 at bats.

Ramon Orantes

Francisco “Paquin” Estrada takes over the helm of the Bravos de Leon. The Bravos are the reincarnation of the Broncos de Reynosa. Estrada coached the Seraperos de Saltillo in 2016 and hopes to have the Bravos playing at a high level quickly to develop the dedicated fan base required to sustain a baseball franchise in Mexico.

Francisco Estrada

Taking over the reins in Saltillo will be Orlando Sanchez. A former Major League catcher, Sanchez played for the Cardinals, Royals and Orioles in his career. Born in Puerto Rico, Sanchez was the manager for the Vaqueros de Laguna in 2016.

Orlando Sanchez

As of the time of this article, the Generales de Durango, formerly the Delfines de Ciudad del Carmen have not named a manager. As part of the agreement of the move to Durango, the team owners agreed to make improvements to Estadio Francisco Villa to the tune of 35 Million Pesos. These improvements are to be accomplished by the 15th of March 2017.

Follow me for weekly updates on the Leones de Yucatan at: www.yucatanliving.com

Olmo Rosario Signs with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League for the 2107 Season

ATLANTIC LEAGUE TEAM SIGNS PLAYER WHO FAILED DRUG TEST

The Somerset Patriots announced on their website that they had signed utility player Olmo Rosario to play for them in 2017.

Patriots manager Brett Jodie says "It is great to have Olmo on our team this year. We have seen him in the league before and he was always a tough out for us." Jodie added that "(h)e will also be a huge addition to our offense."

This will be Rosario's third season in the Atlantic League. In 2013 he hit .287 with 13 HRs and 74 RBIs for the Lancaster Barnstormers and was selected to the Atlantic League All Star squad.

In 2016, for the Toros de Tijuana of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) Rosario hit .313 with 6 HRs and 73 RBIs in 109 games.

The fact that Rosario is a good hitter is indisputable. He has proven over his 12 year professional baseball career that he can hit a baseball. He can also field. Under normal circumstances he would be an asset to any baseball team anywhere in the world. His talent is undeniable.

I write this article because Olmo Rosario has been suspended by the LMB for the first 50 games of the 2017 season after amphetamines were discovered in a urine test conducted following the 2016 LMB season.

The Somerset Patriots must have been aware of Rosario's suspension. The same Minor League Baseball (MiLB) that sanctions the Patriots, and the Atlantic League, sanctions operations in the LMB. If the Patriots didn't know about the suspension because they didn't do their "due diligence" then shame on them. If the MiLB establishment didn't pass on the information of a player who failed a drug test and was suspended, shame on them. But, if Rosario or his agent failed to inform the Patriots of his suspension, Rosario should be banned for life from professional baseball.

In the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball's mission statement the league bills itself as "...winning baseball games and showcasing the talent of top-caliber players...".

If hiring drug users banned for 50 games in a Triple A sanctioned MiLB league is "showcasing top-caliber players" then the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball should rethink it's mission statement.

5 LMB Players Suspended For Parts Of The 2017 Season

2 MORE TO HAVE MEDICAL REVIEWS

The Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) has released the names of 5 players who tested positive. following the 2016 season, for banned substances and will be suspended for parts of the 2017 season. Additionally, for these players, they will not be allowed to participate in the postseason should their team reach the playoffs.

Carlos Valencia, Olmo Rosario and Miguel (Michael) Angel Gonzalez of the Toros de Tijuana had amphetamines discovered in their drug tests.

The Toros manager, Pedro Mere, has been quoted as saying that he stands by his players “...giving full support in their ‘supposed doping’’ While not agreeing with the results he says he “looks forward to the results of test “B”.

Each of the Toros players were suspended for 50 games.

Olmo Rosario, who hit .313 with 6 HRs and 73 RBIs for the Toros in 2016, has signed to play in the Atlantic League for the Somerset Patriots in 2017.

Carlos Valencia hit .244 with 7 HRs and 46 RBIs while right handed pitcher Miguel Gonzalez had a 5.89 ERA in 18 ⅓ innings, giving up 28 hits, striking out 15 and walking 10.

Hassan Pena, discovered with marijuana in his test was suspended for 50 games. He played for the Sultanes de Monterrey in 2016. Primarily a reliever, Pena had a 5-1 record with 5 saves. He pitched 30 ⅔ innings, striking out 22 and walking just 2.

Albino Contreras of the Leones de Yucatan has been suspended for 100 games for testing positive for amphetamines. This was Contreras’ second positive test. In 2016, Contresas hit .208 with no home runs and 8 RBIs in limited playing time for the Leones.

In addition to these 5 players, Cyle Hankerd and Travis Blackley will have their positive results, for an unspecified product, reviewed by a commission based on a requested medicinal exemption. The commission has the power to allow the results or reject the medicinal request and suspend the players.

The drug testing firm used by the LMB previously, CONADE, no longer performs drug testing for the league and thus the league is forced to find an alternate testing facility. In order to maintain a working agreement with Major League, which gives the LMB a Triple A League rating, a suitable testing source must be found by the beginning of the season.

Currently the league is exploring options such as the University of California and laboratories in both Cuba and Mexico.

LMB Arguments Over Roster Limits For Foreign Born Mexicans Mediated By Minor League Baseball

PAT O'CONNER, PRESIDENT OF MiLB, MEDIATES DISAGREEMENTS

Until 5 PM on Tuesday the 7th of February, the status of the 2017 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB)
season was very much in jeopardy.

The league, comprised of two Divisions with eight teams each, could not come to agreement on how many foreign born Mexicans would be allowed on each team. The number of "extranjeros", or foreign born players, would remain at 6.

At the end of the 2016 season, the Toros de Tijuana beat the Sultanes de Monterrey in the semifinals of the divisional playoffs. Jose Maiz Garcia, the President of the Sultanes, claimed that the Toros had an unfair advantage because of the number of dual nationality players on the team. Specifically, Mr. Maiz was referring to the number of Mexican-American players the Toros had hired.

This argument split the owners of the sixteen teams between the traditionalists and the "new money" owners. The team owners that wanted to limit the number of dual nationality players to 3 per team were from Monterrey, Oaxaca, Ciudad de Mexico, Cancun (Tigres de Quintana Roo), Saltillo, Campeche, and Tabasco.

The owners of teams in Tijuana, Veracruz, Laguna, Merida (Leones de Yucatan), Puebla (2016 League Champions), Monclova and Aguascalientes argued for 9 dual nationality players.

Mr Maiz argued that the LMB, and their Academies, existed to develop Mexican ballplayers and not give an advantage to one team over another.

When, after 3 months, the impasse among team ownership was not resolved, the owners asked Pat O'Conner, President of Minor League Baseball, to mediate between the 2 groups. Minor League Baseball sanctions the LMB and issues the certification of the league as a Triple A level Organization. The owners agreed to abide by the decision of Mr. O'Conner.

Mr. O'Conner, in his letter released to the league on Tuesday, made 2 minor decision. He returned Plinio Escalante to his position as league president and accepted that the Broncos de Tamaulipas would be sold to a consortium from Leon.

The final part of his letter to the league addressed the question of roster limitations on dual nationality players.

Mr. O'Conner wrote that "Although I understand and share the goal of developing the most talented baseball players in Mexico, the roster limits of dual nationality players violates the Mexican Constitution and the Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination because the limits would act as (a) a restriction on access to work, (b) a restriction on participation in an association and (c) a restriction on participation in sporting activities." He further stated that "The roster limits could subject the Mexican League and/or it's clubs to a complaint before a court or another body such aa the National Sports Commission or Conapred." Conner also wrote "I cannot look away or encourage a member league (of baseball organizations) to engage in illegal discrimination. Consequently, there will be no roster limits for dual nationality players. The suspension of player signings imposed at the Houston assembly on February 1st is removed."

On a final note, Mr. O'Conner told the President of the LMB to review closely the claims of dual nationality players as it had been said that some were falsified.

Also on Tuesday, the owner of the Tigres de Quintana Roo, Carlos Peralta, announced his petition to withdraw from the LMB, based on this disagreement, and was placing the team for sale.

It may also be that Mr. Peralta was not pleased with the decision of the new Governor of Quintana Roo to lower the subsidy for the Tigres from 24 million pesos a year to 20 million pesos.

But for now the season is safe. The league owners will meet in the next few days to determine league schedules and the date the season will begin. If all goes well, the league should begin play around the 31st of March.

There remains the question of the Tigres, the new ownership of the Bravos de Leon (former Broncos de Reynosa) and the success of the Generales de Durango after the teams move from Ciudad del Carmen?

For those of us who love baseball and enjoy the product the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol provides, let us hope that all parties agree to abide by Mr. O'Conners' decision and the league returns for the summer.

Puebla Hits 4 cuadrangulares en 8-5 triunfo sobre Tijuana

Pericos LEAD SERIE DEL REY 2 juegos a 1

Los Pericos de Puebla se llevó jonrones solitarios de Cesar Tapia , Manny Rodríguez , Rubén Rivera y Daric Barton al principio de los Toros de Tijuana en el juego 3 de la Liga Mexicana de Béisbol " Serie del Rey ".

Mauricio Lara lanzó 7 entradas con efectividad , permitiendo 1 vuelta con 8 hits. Lara se acercó 2 y ponchó a 4 en conseguir la victoria . Chad Gaudin ponchó a 2 en una novena entrada perfecta para apuntarse el salvamento . Alex Sanabia tenía que cargar con la pérdida después de permitir 5 carreras con 5 hits, incluyendo carreras de casa, 2 en 4 1/3 entradas de trabajo .

Aficianados en Puebla

Tijuana anotó la primera carrera del juego en la parte superior de la 3ª en dobles espalda con espalda de Isaac Rodríguez y José Chávez .

Puebla volvió a tomar la delantera en la parte inferior de la entrada en cuadrangulares por Barton y Rivera .

Fly de sacrificio de nyjer Morgan para centrar y un doble de Manny Rodríguez agregó 2 carreras para los Pericos en el 4to turno .

Rodriguez con el doble play

Dos carreras más marcados por los Pericos en la parte inferior de la quinta se fue arriba 6-1 al Puebla .

Un cuadrangular solitario por Manny Rodríguez , en un terreno de juego 2-2 en la apertura del fondo de la 6ª , hizo el marcador 7-1 Puebla .

El Toros explotó para 4 carreras en la parte superior de la octava entrada. tercer cuadrangular de Dustin Martin de la serie, una ráfaga de ejecución 3 izquierdo y central redujo la diferencia a 7-4 . Carlos Valencia siguió, un out después , con un cuadrangular solitario al jardín izquierdo . Pericos 7, Toros 5

Puebla tiene una carrera más en su mitad de la octava en un cuadrangular solitario por Cesar Tapia.

Cesar Tapia jon ron

Juego 4 se jugará el domingo con el Juego 5 el lunes .

Leones Outlast Piratas 6-5

4 RUN 1ST INNING SPARKS WIN

The Leones de Yucatan used a walk, 4 singles and a ground rule double in the top of the 1st inning to score 4 runs and jump out in front of a Piratas de Campeche team that refused to give up. Campeche clawed their way back to within a run but the rally short and the Leones take a 3 games to 2 lead back to Merida for game 6 on Tuesday the 23rd of August.

Campeche scored 2 of their own runs in the bottom half of the inning on a solo home run by Engel Beltre, a double by CJ Retherford and a single by Jose Amador to make the score 4-2.

Each team scored a run in the 2nd. Yucatan scored on a sac fly by Luis Garcia and the Piratas got a solo shot from Yosmany Guerra.

The only mistakes made by Campeche came in the top of the 4th. Diego Madero reached on an error by the Piratas shortstop and went to second on a botched pickoff attempt. Madero would score on a single by Jose Aguilar. That run proved crucial in the win.

CJ Retherford had a chance  to give the Piratas a lead in the bottom of the 6th. Campeche had scored a run on 3 singles and after Guerra's single loaded the bases, Retherford sent a long opposite field fly ball to right that was caught at the fence  by the right fielder. Two feet made the difference between a grand slam and a sac fly. The score was 6-5 Leones.

The Yucatan relief pitchers did the rest, shutting down the Campeche offense on 1 hit over the final 3 2/3 innings.

The Leones take a 3 games to 2 in the South Division of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.

Jose Aguilar and Kevin Flores were both 2 for 5 for the Leones. Yosmany Guerra went 3 for 5 with a home run, Retherford 2 for 4 and Jose Amador 2 for 3 for the Piratas.

Yoanner Negrin picked up his 2nd win of the playoffs and Pedro Rodriguez got the save for Yucatan. Jorge Castillo suffered the loss for Campeche.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Monterrey 2, Laguna 0

Cesar Carrillo and 4 relievers shutout the Vaqueros on 5 hits. Wirfin Obispo notched his 1st save of the playoffs. Salvador Valdez pitched well but was charged with 2 earned runs in taking the loss. The Sultanes got RBI singles from Ramon Rios and Alex Valdez to score their runs

Campeche Encima Yucatan 11-7

PIRATAS GOLPEAR 5 JON RONS EN LA VICTORIA

Los playoffs de la Liga Mexicana de Béisbol están en plena marcha . El Pericos de Puebla , Sultanes de Monterrey y los Toros de Tijuana avanzaron a las finales de sus respectivas divisiones con barridos 4 juego más de sus oponentes.

La única desempate en juego es la que existe entre los Leones de Yucatán y los Piratas de Campeche . Gracias a una victoria de juego 4 en Campeche, los Piratas han igualado la serie en 2 juegos cada uno . Juego 5 se jugará el domingo 21 de agosto y luego cambiar de nuevo a Mérida para los juegos 6 y 7 un juego si es necesario.

CJ Retherford puso las cosas que van para los Piratas con un cuadrangular solitario en la parte inferior de la 1ª para una ventaja de 1-0. Campeche anotó 4 veces más para tomar una ventaja de 5-0. Retherford fue 2 a 5 con 3 impulsadas para los Piratas en la victoria 11-7.

Los Leones anotaron 6 carreras en la parte superior del cuarto para tomar una ventaja de 6-5 con el gran golpe una casa de 2 corren a cargo de Humberto Sosa . Yucatán agregó un seguro de correr en la parte superior de la quinta para una ventaja de 7-5 . Campeche tiene una carrera de vuelta en su mitad de la quinta en un passed ball . Henry Alejandro Rodríguez empató el partido con un cuadrangular solitario en la parte inferior de la 7ª entrada.

Jesús Arredondo abrió la parte baja de la octava de Campeche con un solo y dio la vuelta para anotar en un cuadrangular por Engel Beltré. Yosmany Guerra siguió con un sencillo y anotó con el segundo cuadrangular de Retherford del juego como los Piratas construyó un 11-7 plomo y la victoria.

Los dos equipos se combinaron para utilizar 14 lanzadores en el juego , siete por cada lado . 45 lanzadores fueron utilizados por los equipos de playoffs 8 ayer por la noche , un promedio de 11,2 por partido lanzadores . Johan Yan se llevó el triunfo en el alivio de Campeche mientras que Mario Meza fue acusado de un salvamento desperdiciado por Yucatán y Juan Gutiérrez cargó con la derrota.

En otra acción PLAY OFF LMB

Toros 2 , 1 Acereros  

Alex Sanabla permitió 4 hits en 6 entradas en el montículo mientras camina 2 y ponchando a 2 para obtener la victoria para los Toros . La Acereros , corredores LMB del año pasado hasta , logró una corrida en un hogar solitario de Uriak Márquez en la derrota. El Toro de 2 carreras llegaron en la parte baja de la sexta entrada en un home run run 2 por Alex Romero . Alex Caldera tomó la pérdida por Monclova . El toros barrió la Acereros y se enfrentará al Sultanes de Monterrey en los finales de la División.

Sultanes 9 , Vaqueros 4

En el barrido 4 juego de los Vaqueros de Laguna , los Sultanes superaron a Laguna 38-13 . Monterrey anotó 7 carreras en la cuarta entrada y poniendo el juego. Arturo Rodríguez tenía el gran éxito de la entrada, un cuadrangular 3 corren hacia la izquierda . Ramón Ríos fue de 3 por 5 en la noche con 2 impulsadas para Monterrey . Jerome Peña tuvo un cuadrangular solitario para el Vaqueros y Ruben Sosa se ​​fue 3 por 5. Mario González se llevó la victoria a pesar de permitir 4 carreras y 10 hits en 5 turnos . Walter Silva duró 3 entradas renunciar a 7 carreras y 10 hits en la derrota. Con el barrido , los Sultanes se enfrentarán a los Toros de Tijuana en los finales de la División Norte de la LMB.

Pericos 7 , Tigres 5

El Pericos de Puebla anotó 4 veces en la parte superior de la octava entrada, para tomar una ventaja de 7-6 . Chad Gaudin permitió una ventaja fuera sola en el fondo del noveno , pero ponchó a un lado para preservar la victoria para Carlos Bustamante . Josh Judy sufrió la pérdida de los Tigres . Quintana Roo , en 2015 los campeones LMB , anotó 4 veces en la quinta entrada para tomar una ventaja de 5-2 , pero no pudo aguantar y , con la pérdida , fueron barridos por los Pericos . Peubla avanza a la ronda final de las eliminatorias de la División Sur de la LMB contra cualquiera de Campeche o Yucatán . Issmael Salas y Cesar Tapia eran 2 por 4 para los Pericos y Daric Barton fue de 1 a 4 con un home run 2 plazo. Carlos Gastelum y Alfredo Amézaga ambos fueron 3 de 4 para los Tigres .

Campeche Tops Yucatan 11-7

PIRATAS HIT 5 HOME RUNS IN WIN

The Liga Mexicana de Beisbol playoffs are in full swing. The Pericos de Puebla, Sultanes de Monterrey and the Toros de Tijuana all advanced to the finals of their respective divisions with 4 game sweeps over their opponents.

The only playoff up for grabs is the one between the Leones de Yucatan and the Piratas de Campeche. Thanks to a game 4 win in Campeche, the Piratas have evened the series at 2 games apiece. Game 5 will be played on Sunday the 21st of August and then shift back to Merida for games 6 and a game 7 if necessary.

CJ Retherford got things going for the Piratas with a solo home run in the bottom of the 1st for a 1-0 lead. Campeche scored 4 more times to take a 5-0 lead. Retherford went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs for the Piratas in the 11-7 win.

The Leones scored 6 runs in the top of the 4th to take a 6-5 lead with the big blow a 2 run home run by Humberto Sosa. Yucatan added an insurance run in the top of the 5th for a 7-5 lead. Campeche got a run back in their half of the 5th on a passed ball. Henry Alejandro Rodriguez tied the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th inning.

Jesus Arredondo led off the bottom of the 8th for Campeche with a single and came around to score on a home run by Engel Beltre. Yosmany Guerra followed with a single and scored on Retherford's second home run of the game as the Piratas built an 11-7 lead and the victory.

The two teams combined to use 14 pitchers in the game, seven by each side. 45 pitchers were used by the 8 playoff teams last night, an average of 11.2 pitchers per game. Johan Yan got the win in relief for Campeche while Mario Meza was charged with a blown save for Yucatan and Juan Gutierrez took the loss.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Toros 2, Acereros 1

Alex Sanabla allowed 4 hits in 6 innings on the mound while walking 2 and striking out 2 to get the win for the Toros. The Acereros, last year's LMB runners up, managed a run on a solo home run by Uriak Marquez in the loss. The Toro's 2 runs came in the bottom of the 6th inning on a 2 run home run by Alex Romero. Alex Caldera took the loss for Monclova. The Toros swept the Acereros and will face the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Norte Division finals.

Sultanes 9, Vaqueros 4

In the 4 game sweep of the Vaqueros de Laguna, the Sultanes outscored Laguna 38-13. Monterrey scored 7 runs in the 4th inning to put away the game. Arturo Rodriguez had the big hit of the inning, a 3 run home run to left. Ramon Rios was 3 for 5 on the night with 2 RBIs for Monterrey. Jerome Pena had a solo home run for for the Vaqueros and Ruben Sosa went 3 for 5. Mario Gonzalez picked up the win despite allowing 4 runs on 10 hits over 5 innings. Walter Silva lasted 3 innings giving up 7 runs on 10 hits in the loss. With the sweep, the Sultanes will face the Toros de Tijuana in the Norte Division finals of the LMB.

Pericos 7, Tigres 5

The Pericos de Puebla scored 4 times in the top of the 8th inning to take a 7-6 lead. Chad Gaudin allowed a lead off single in the bottom of the 9th but then struck out the side to preserve the win for Carlos Bustamante. Josh Judy suffered the loss for the Tigres. Quintana Roo, the 2015 LMB Champions, scored 4 times in the 5th inning to take a 5-2 lead but couldn't hold on and, with the loss, were swept by the Pericos. Peubla advances to the final round of the Sur Division playoffs of the LMB against either Campeche or Yucatan. Issmael Salas and Cesar Tapia were 2 for 4 for the Pericos and Daric Barton was 1 for 4 with a 2 run home run. Carlos Gastelum and Alfredo Amezaga both went 3 for 4 for the Tigres.

Monclova Overpowers Tigres In 5-3 Win

ARREDONDO AND CORDOBA HOMER IN WIN

Watch video highlights HERE.

Game 3 Rainout on Friday

In the completion of the rain delayed 3rd game of the Serie del Rey on Saturday, the Acereros de Monclova scored early and withstood a Tigres rally in the 8th to take game 3 of the series.

The Acereros had taken a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning on a 2 run home run to left by Hernando Arredondo when the rains started falling. The game was suspended following the Tigres at bat in the top of the 3rd.

Josh Lowey had held the Tigres to no runs on 1 hit through 3 innings but was replaced on the mound by Anthony Capra. Capra got the win, limiting the Tigres to 2 hits while walking 4. Juan Noriega picked up his 4th save of the LMB playoffs.

Daniel Cabrera lasted just 2 innings and took the loss giving up the home run to Arredondo and 4 Acereros hits.

Francisco Cordoba hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 4th inning, after play had resumed, to give the Acereros 3-0 lead.

Brett Harper singled with one out in the bottom of the 5th and moved to second, one out later, on a single by Hernando Arredondo. Harper scored on a single by Francisco Cordoba to stretch the Monclova lead to 4-0.

Harper scores run #4

Iker Franco drew a lead off walk for the Tigres in the top of the 8th inning and went to third on a single by Alfredo Amezaga. Ricardo Vazquez walked to load the bases. Raul Sanchez singled to score Franco. Greg Golson followed with a single to right to drive in Amezaga and Vazquez as the Tigres cut the Acereros lead to 4-3.

Carlos Penuelas walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Flavio Romero in the bottom of the 8th for Monclova. Penuelas scored on a single to left by Olmo Rosario for the final score of 5-3 and the Acereros win.

Game 4 will be played in Monclova on Sunday the 13th with game 5 on Monday the 14th.

Tigres Take Game 2 Of The Serie del Rey 8-7

7 RUN 6TH DOES THE TRICK

Watch the highlights courtesy of the LMB HERE.

The Tigres sent 12 men to the plate in the bottom of the 6th inning and scored 7 runs to take the lead and held off the Acereros 8-7 to win the second game of the Serie del Rey in Cancun.

Jesus Barraza was the beneficiary of the 7 run outburst as he picked up the win in relief for the Tigres. Starter Wilmer Rios gave up 4 runs on 5 hits before being replaced on the mound Quintana Roo. Raul Barron took the loss for the Acereros.

Carlos Gastelum started the scoring for the Tigres in the bottom half of the 1st with a solo home run to right for the early 1-0 Tigres lead.

Carlos Penuelas led off the top of the 3rd for Monclova with a line drive home run to right that tied the game at 1 all.

Hector Garanzuay drew a 1 out walk to begin the 5th for the Acereros. One out later, Flavio Romero waited out a base on balls. Olmo Rosario singled to left to score Garanzuay. Jose Ruiz followed with a 3 run home run to right that scored Romero and Rosario. The Acereros had taken a 5-1 lead over the Tigres.

Estaban Quiroz

The 6th inning explosion for Quintana Roo started with a lead off walk to Esteban Quiroz. Greg Golson singled and Carlos Gastelum walked to load the bases with no outs. Sergio Contreras singled to score Quiroz and Golson. The Acereros relief pitcher uncorked a wild pitch that moved the runners to second and third. Jorge Cantu followed with a single to right that scored Gastelum and Contreras. Eugenio Velez reached base safely on a throwing error by the Monclova pitcher. Iker Franco walked to load the bases again, still with no outs. Alfredo Amezaga singled to drive in Cantu and Velez. Esteban Quiroz, the ninth batter of the inning, singled to right to score Franco and the Tigres had scored 7 runs to take an 8-5 lead.

"El Bronco"  Jorge Cantu

Monclova got a run back in the top of the 7th on a 2 out single by Flavio Romero, a walk to Olmo Rosario and a single by Jose Ruiz, 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs on the night, that scored Romero. The Acereros had narrowed the lead to 8-6.

The Acereros pushed across another run in the 8th on a double to left by Jose Amador, a single by Francisco Cordoba and a sac fly to right by Hector Garanzuay. Monclova had cut the lead to 8-7 but Ramon Ramirez, closer for the Tigres, got the Acereros to hit into 3 ground ball outs in the 9th to preserve the win for the Tigres in front of 9,476 hometown fans.

The Serie del Rey now shifts to Monclova for games 3, 4 and 5 with the Tigres holding a 2 games to none lead. Game 3 will be held on Friday the 11th of September.

Leones Best Tigres 2-1

EVEN ZONA SUR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AT 3 GAMES APIECE

Large Leones Crowd

Marco Quevedo tossed 5 innings of 3 hit ball, allowing 1 run as the Leones de Yucatan topped the Tigres de Quintana Roo 2-1 in game 6 of the Zona Sur Championship Series. Adam Reifer pitched the 9th to preserve the win for Quevedo and record the save. 4 relievers kept the Tigres in check in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings on 2 hits and no runs.

Corey Wimberly led off he bottom of the 1st for Yucatan with a double to right and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jose Aguilar. Ricardo Serrano drew a base on balls and ball four was a wild pitch thrown by Tigres starter Carlos Bustamante that allowed Wimberly to score from third and gave the Leones an early 1-0 lead.

Yucatan continued to play small ball in the 2nd inning. Jaime Pedroza singled to lead off the inning and Kevin Flores sacrificed him to second. With two outs, Corey Wimberly singled to left to score Pedroza as the Leones stretched their lead to 2-0. The Tigres reliever, Wilmer Rios, ended the inning when he kicked a ball hit back to him towards a charging second baseman for a 1-4-3 ground out.

Jorge Vazquez led off the top of the 5th for the Tigres with a long solo home run to left to narrow the Leones lead to 2-1. That was the only "bad" pitch thrown by Quevedo in an otherwise masterful outing.

Jaime Pedroza was 2 for 3 with a run scored, Corey Wimberly 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored and Jose Aguilar 2 for 3 for the Leones.

Leones Score 2nd Run

Carlos Gastelum went 2 for 3 and Jorge Vazquez 2 for 3 with the home run for the Tigres.

The Leones have won 3 consecutive games to tie the series at 3 games apiece after falling behind when the Tigres took the first 3 games. Game 7 will be played on Sunday in Merida with the winner taking on the winner of the Zona Norte Championship series between the Acereros de Monclova and the Toros de Tijuana.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Tijuana 8, Monclova 4

Watch video highlights HERE.

The Toros de Tijuana exploded for 6 runs in the top of the 9th inning off of Acereros relieve Juan Noriega, who gave up 6 runs on 5 hits in 2/3 of an inning, to even the Zona Norte Championship series at 3 games apiece and forcing a game seven in Monclova on Sunday the 6th of September. The Toros scored all 6 runs with 2 outs in the inning.

Jose Oyervides, the Acereros starter, had held the Toros to 2 runs on 6 hits before being replaced on the mound in the 6th. Dennys Reyez was the beneficiary of the Toros outburst, picking up the win with 1 inning of relief.

Olivos 3 Run Single In The 9th

The big blow of the game was a bases loaded single to left that cleared the bases. The hard hit ball got by the left fielder and went to the wall and Olivo, who never slowed, raced home with the sixth run of the inning.

Mario Mendoza gave up a hit in the bottom of the 9th but struck out 2 batters including Francisco Cordoba to end the game preserve the win for Reyes.

Miguel Olivo was 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored, Lew Ford 2 for 5 wit an RBI and Luis Suarez 2 for 2 with an RBI for the Toros.

Olmo Rosario was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Jose Ruiz 2 for 4 with an RBI, Carlos Penuelos 2 for 3 with an RBI and Hernando Arredondo 2 for 5 for Monclova in the loss.

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.

Luis Garcia Powers Leones To 4-0 Win Over Piratas

3 RUN HOME RUN IN THE 8TH SEALS THE DEAL

Watch video highlights here.

Luis Garcia was the hero of the game against the Piratas, hitting a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 8th for the Leones as Yucatan evened the best of seven Zona Sur divisional playoffs at 3 games apiece and forcing a deciding seventh game, in Merida, on Wednesday the 26th of August.

Marco Quevedo / Leones Facebook

Marco Quevedo got the win, pitching 7 innings, scattering 8 hits and striking out 5 for the Leones. Jorge Castillo pitched well, giving up just 1 run on 5 hits in 5 1/3 innings on the mound to take the loss for the Piratas.

Kevin Flores got things going for the Leones in the bottom of the 5th inning with a lead off triple. Israel Nunez hit a long sac fly to center to score Flores and the Leones grabbed a 1-0 lead.

Flores scores the 1st run
Leones Faebook

Jose Aguilar led off the bottom of the 8th for the Leones with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ricardo Serrano. Jesus Valdez, the regular season leader in batting average at .363, was intentionally walked by the Piratas reliever Ivan Salas. Hector Gimenez flew out to right but the DH for Yucatan, Luis Garcia, hit a frozen rope over the wall in left for a 3 run home run and the 4-0 Leones lead.

The Piratas had chances to score in the 6th, with men on 1st and 2nd, aided by a throwing error by Quevedo, and 7th inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs but could not score as Quevedo (8 hits, 0 runs and 5 strikeouts in 7 innings) pitched out of the jams both times to keep the shut out in place.

Garcia was 1 for 3 with the home run and 3 RBIs for the Leones while Carlos Colmenares went 3 for 4 for the Piratas.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Mexico 14, Tijuana 1

Watch video highlights here.

The Diablos scored 3 times in the bottom of the 1st and added 7 runs in the 4th on their way to  14-1 thrashing of the Toros de Tijuana. Mexico evened the Zona Norte divisional playoffs at 3 games apiece with the win.

Hankerd & Terrazas
LMB Website

Mexico pounded out 17 hits, including a double and a home run by Cyle Hankerd (his third home run and 11th RBI of the series). Ivan Terrazas has driven in 10 runs for the Diablos this post season.

Juan Pablo Oramas worked 7 full innings, scattering 4 Toros hits and giving up 1 run while striking out 6. Oramas' only mistake of the game was a lead off home run to Miguel Olivo in the 7th inning.

Logan Duran lasted 2 1/3 innings and was touched for 4 runs on 5 hits while striking out 2 in the loss for Tijuana.

Second baseman, Carlos Valencia, was 2 for 4 for the Toros and Miguel Olivo 1 for 3 with the home run for Tijuana.

Hankerd and Terrazas were a combined 5 for 9 with 8 RBIs and 3 runs scored for the Diablos. Ramon Urias was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Luis Flores went 2 for 4 with an RBI for Mexico.

The 7th game will be played tonight, in Mexico City, with the winner to face either Monclova or Saltillo in the Zona Norte divisional finals set to begin on Friday the 28th of August.

Saltillo 7, Monclova 3

Watch video highlights here.

The Saraperos used 2 walks and 5 singles to chase the Acereros starter, Jose Oyervides, with 6 runs in the 1st inning. Oyervides lasted just 1/3 of an inning, his shortest stint of the year, with the lone out coming on a sacrifice bunt by Luis Borges.

With the win, the Saraperos even the Zona Norte divisional series at 3 all and force a game 7 tonight in Monclova. The winner of that game will face either the Diablos Rojos del Mexico or the Toros de Tijuana in the championship round of the Zona Norte playoffs.

Santiago Gutierrez allowed 3 hits and a run in his 5 innings on the mound to get the win for Saltillo.

Justin Greene was 3 for 5 with a run scored, Jon del Campo 1 for 3 with 2 walks and an RBI, Christian Zazueta 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and Manny Rodriguez 1 for 5 with an RBI for Saltillo.

Olmo Rosario went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for the Acereros in the loss.

Quintana Roo 9, Oaxaca 3

Watch video highlights here.

Jorge Cantu and Jose Felix homered in the 4 run 4th for the Tigres and Quintana Roo scored 4 more times in the 5th to put the game away in the 9-3 pasting of the Guerreros.

The Zona Sur divisional playoff series is tied at 3 games apiece forcing a 7th game to be played, in Cancun, on Wednesday the 26th of August. The winner of that game will take on either the Leones de Yucatan or the Piratas de Campeche in the championship round beginning on Friday the 28th of August.

Daniel Cabrera worked 6 innings, scattering 8 hits and giving up 3 runs while striking out 11 Guerreros to get the win while Irwin Delgado went 4 1/3, allowing 5 hits, including the 2 home runs to take the loss.

In addition to the home runs by Cantu and Felix, Alfredo Amezaga was 2 for 4 with2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Eugenio Velez 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Tigres.

Luis Rodriguez was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss for Oaxaca.

Piratas Down Leones 4-2

TAKE A 3 GAMES TO 2 LEAD BACK TO MERIDA

Campeche starter Hector Velazquez and 4 relief pitchers held the Leones to 2 runs on 6 hits to win Sunday's game 4-2. Ozzie Mendez picked up the win in relief with Fernando Nieve recording his 3rd save of the playoffs. Francisco Rodriguez gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in 1/3 of an inning to take the loss for Yucatan.

Garcia scores for the Leones
Leones Facebook

Both starting pitchers kept the game scoreless until the 7th inning. The Leones scored first. Hector Gimenez singled to lead off the top of the 7th. Luis Garcia drew a base on balls. After Ricardo Serrano grounded into a fielder's choice and Kevin Flores popped out, pinch hitter Albino Contreras singled to right to score Garcia. Corey Wimberly was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. Jaime Pedroza singled to score Serrano but Contreras was thrown out at home on a perfect throw by the Piratas right fielder. The Leones had a 2-0 lead.

Campeche got those runs back and more in their half of the inning. Eliseo Aldazaba was hit by a pitch to lead off but was erased on a good 1-6 put out by the Leones starter, Yoanner Negrin. Lopez went to second on a single by Fernando Flores. Negrin was replaced on the mound by Francisco Rodriguez who walked pinch hitter Jesus Valenzuela on four pitches to load the bases with one out. After the second out, Roberto Valencia singled to right with Lopez and Flores scoring. Alfredo Silverio singled to drive in pinch runner Jasson Atondo and Ronny Paulino plated Valencia with a single for the Piratas final 4-2 win.

Jose Aguilar went 2 for 3 and Albino Contreras 1 for 1 with an RBI while Jaime Pedroza was 1 for 4 with an RBI for Yucatan.

Roberto Valencia was 1 for 1 as a pinch hitter, driving in 2, Alfredo Silverio 2 for 4 with an RBI, Roberto Lopez 2 for 3 with a run scored and Ronny Paulino 1 for 4 with an RBI for Campeche.

The Zona Sur divisional playoff between these two teams returns to Merida for game 6 on Tuesday the 25th of August and game 7, if necessary, Wednesday the 26th.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Saltillo 4, Monclova 2

The Saraperos broke a 2-2 tie with the Acereros in the bottom of the 7th on solo home runs by Justin Greene and Manny Rodriguez on their way to a 4-2 win. They cut the Zona Norte divisional playoff lead by Monclova to 3 games to 2.

Monclova had opened the scoring with a solo home run by Brett Harper in the top of the 4th as the Acereros took a 1-0 lead.

Saltillo scored twice in the bottom of the 5th to take a 2-1 lead. Christian Zazueta singled and went to second on a hit batter. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Justin Greene.

Antonio Lamas doubled for Monclova in the top of the 6th and scored on a single by Olmo Rosario to tie the game at 2 all before the Saraperos put the game away in the 7th.

Josh Lowey gave up all 4 runs to Saltillo in 6 2/3 innings on the mound. He allowed 8  and struck out 6 in the loss. Edgmer Escalona picked up the win for the Saraperos, going 7 innings, scattering 7 hits and allowing both Acereros runs. Robert Suarez picked up his 2nd save for Saltillo.

Justin Greene was 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Christian Zazueta 3 for 4, Refugio Cervantes 3 for 4 and Manny Rodriguez 1 for 4 with the home run for Saltillo.

Antonio Lamas went 2 for 4 and Brett Harper 1 for 4 with the home run for Monclova.

The series moves to Monclova for game 6 and game 7, if necessary, beginning on Tuesday the 25th of August.

Oaxaca 3, Quintana Roo 1

The Guerreros took a 3 games to 2 lead in the best of seven Zona Sur divisional playoffs against the Tigres by virtue of their 3-1 win over the Tigres on Sunday in Oaxaca.

Gonzalez' sacrifice bunt
Oaxaca Facebook

Alan Sanchez singled, as did Alejandro Ortiz to lead off  the bottom of the 3rd for Oaxaca. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a double by Ronny Cedeno. One out later, Yancarlo Angulo singled to score Cedeno and the Guerreros had all the runs they needed. They led 3-0.

Iker Franco led off the top of the 8th for the Tigres with a single, moved to second on a ground out and Angel Erro, a pinch runner for Franco, scored on a single by Carlos Gastelum for the final score of 3-1 Guerreros.

Sergio Valenzuela / Guerreros Facebook

Sergio Valenzuela went 7 1/3 innings to pick up the win for Oaxaca. He gave up 5 hits, 1 run and struck out 7. Manny Corpas pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to record the save. Ramon Ortiz gave up all 3 Guerreros runs on 9 hits to take the loss.

The series shifts to Cancun for game 6 and game 7, if necessary, beginning on Tuesday the 25th of August.

Tijuana 3, Mexico 1

Miguel Olivo hit a home run, with Oscar Robles on base to give the Toros a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st that would hold up as the Tijuana pitching staff held the Diablos to 3 hits to beat Mexico 3-1 and take game 5 of the Zona Norte divisional playoffs.

The series now heads back to Mexico City for game 6 on Tuesday the 25th of August with the wild card Toros, after sweeping the 3 games in Tijuana, holding a 3 games to 2 lead in the series.

Fabio Castro went 5 2/3 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and striking out 6. He also walked 5 Diablos but Mexico was unable to take advantage of the free passes. 4 Toros pitchers were credited with holds and Mario Mendoza earned the save, pitching a 1-2-3 top of the 9th.

Marco Duarte pitched well for Mexico, throwing 8 complete innings, giving up 3 runs while scattering 5 hits and striking out 4. One bad pitch, the home run to Olivo in the bottom of the 1st, was Durante's downfall in the loss.

Miguel Olivo was 2 for 2 with a walk, 2 RBIs and a run scored, Lew Ford 2 for 3 with a run scored and Eduardo Arredondo went 0 for 3 with a sac fly RBI in the 8th for Tijuana.

Ramon Urias, Ivan Terraas and Jesus Lopez had the 3 hits for Mexico 

Campeche Shuts Out The Leones 5-0

TAKE GAME 4 AND EVEN SERIES AT 2-2

Evan Maclane / Leones Facebook

The #3, 4 and 5 hitters for the Piratas went a combined 8 for 12 at the plate with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored as Campeche topped the Leones 5-0. The Piratas exploded for 5 runs in the fifth and their pitchers did the rest.

The bottom of the 5th started with a base on balls to Paul Leon who went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Adan Velazquez reached base on an error by the Leones second baseman that got Leon to third. A single by Alfredo Silverio scored Leon. Ronny Paulino singled to drive in Velazquez and CJ Retherford followed with a double to plate Silverio. Paulino and Retherford scored on a single by Roberto Lopez to give Campeche the 5-0 lead and would prove to be all the scoring in the game.

Evan Maclane, the winning pitcher, and 2 relievers held the Leones scoreless on 3 hits while striking out 5.

Alejandro Astorga/ Leones Facebook

Alejandro Astorga worked 4 1/3 innings for the Leones giving up 1 run on 5 hits but walked 4 and struck out just 1.

With the series now tied at 2 games each, the 5th game of the Zona Sur series will be played in Campeche on Sunday he 23rd of August with the winner taking a 3-2 lead back to Merida for game 6 on Tuesday, the 25th.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Quintana Roo 6, Oaxaca 4

The Tigres de Quintana Roo evened their Zona Sur playoff series with the Guerreros de Oaxaca at two games apiece with the help of a 4 run 8th inning, good pitching and 3 Oaxaca errors in the 6-4 win.

Quintana Roo starter, Carlos Bustamante and 4 relief pitchers held the Guerreros to 4 runs on 7 hits while striking out 8.

Mike Jacobs led off the bottom of the 2nd inning with a solo home run to give Oaxaca an early 1-0 lead.

Jose Felix answered the Oaxaca home run with one of his own in the top of the 3rd to knot the score at one all.

After loading the bases in the bottom of the 7th, the Guerreros scored a run to retake the lead on a single by Erick Rodriguez but the Tigres pitchers were able to pitch out of the jam without further damage.

Alfredo Amezaga led off the 8th with a solo shot to right center for the Tigres and Quintana Roo broke the game open with 3 more runs in the inning with the help of 2 walks and 3 Guerreros errors for a 5-2 lead.

Both teams would score in the 8th and 9th innings but the Tigres prevailed in the game 6-4.

Jose Felix and Amezaga homered for the Tigres.

Alejandro Gonzalez was 2 for 4  with a home run and Mike Jacobs added a home run on a 1 for 2 night at the plate for Oaxaca.

Jesus Castillo got the win in relief with Ramon Ramirez notching his second save of the playoffs. Jose Ascanio was charged with a blown save and the loss for the Guerreros.

Jose Ascanio / Guerreros Facebook

The win ensures that the divisional playoffs will return to Cancun for game 6 and game 7 (if necessary) beginning on Tuesday the 25th of August.

Monclova 5, Saltillo 2

The Acereros de Monclova rode the bat of Francisco Cordoba, who went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, to a 3 games to 1 lead over the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Zona Norte divisional playoffs on Saturday.

Monclova scored 5 runs in the first 3 innings and let their pitching staff do the rest. The Acereros staff scattered 11 Saltillo hits and struck out 6.

Raul Barron picked up the win in relief, because starter Anthony Capra failed to complete 5 innings, and Juan Noriega notched his second save. Jorge Ibarra gave up 5 runs on 3 hits in 2 1/3 innings for the loss. Ibarra was charged with 1 earned run as the Saraperos defense committed 2 errors behind him.

Cordoba had a 2 run home run in the 2nd for Monclova.

Ramon Ortiz was 2 for 5 with an RBI for Saltillo.

Monclova has an opportunity to take the Zona Norte playoffs in game 6. in Saltillo, on Sunday the 23rd f August.

Tijuana 5, Mexico 1

Jason Urquidez
LMB.com

Jason Urquidez, the Toros starter, held the Diablos to just 1 hit and 1 run over 6 innings to get the win, 5-1, and even the Zona Norte divisional playoff series at 2 games each.

The Toros pitching staff held the 2014 LMB Champions, and winners of 73 regular season games in 2015, to just 3 hits while walking 5 and striking out 6.

The Diablos drew 2 walks in the second inning and scored their only run on a single by Jesus Lopez that drove in Cyle Hankerd. Mexico would not threaten again.

Lew Ford doubled and scored on a single by Jose Chavez in the 5th, Miguel Olivo doubled and scored on a sac fly by Carlos Valencia to take the lead in the 6th and the Toros scored 3 times in the 7th to seal the win.

Arturo Lopez pitched 6 innings for the Diablos and gave up 2 runs on 7 hits to take the loss.

Eduardo Arredondo was 3 for 3 with a run scored and Lew Ford 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored for the Toros.

Jesus Lopez went 2 for 4 with the lone RBI for the Diablos and pinch hitter Samar Leyva had the other hit for Mexico.

The win on Saturday ensures the playoffs ill return to Mexico City on Tuesday the 25th of August with the winner of game 5 on Sunday will hold a 3-2 edge in games.