Jalisco Charros defeat Aguilas de Mexicali 4-2

The Charros de Jalisco evened their league record at 1-1 with a 4-2 victory over the Aguilars de Mexicali on Saturday night in Zapopan.

Mexicali continued their hot hitting by scoring in the bottom of the 1st when Brock Peterson hit a long home run to right off of Charros starter Ben Kozlowski. Kozlowski played for the Sugarland Skeeters of the Atlantic league in 2014 and both the Texas Rangers and Hiroshima Toyo Carp at the big league level.

The Aguilas would score another run in the 4th. Mike Jacobs singled and moved to second when Luke Montz walked. A wild pitch by Kozlowski advanced the runners to 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Jacobs scored when Xorge Carrillo grounded to second. Kozlowski was able to get out of the jam without further damage and the Aguilas led 2-0.

Jalisco tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the sixth. Jesus Lopez singled and came around to score on Leo Heras' first home run of the season.

The Charros scored again in the 7th. Wilson Batista drew a one out walk. Gabriel Gutierrez singled and Batista stopped at second. Jesus Lopez followed with a single to center that scored Batista and gave Jalisco the 3-2 lead.

In the top of the 9th, Marquez Smith was hit by a pitch and Wilson Batista walked. After Cory Vaughn and Gabriel Gutierrez struck out, Jesus Lopez walked to load the bases. Eduardo Arrendondo singled to drive in Smith and give the Charros the final 4-2 margin of victory.

Jesus Lopez, hitting .429 for the year, was 2 for 3 on the day with an RBI and 1 run scored. Leo Heras hit his home run for his only hit in four at bats  but that was good for a run scored and 2 RBIs. Marquez Smith and Wilson Batista, hitting .333 on the young season, both scored a run in the victory.

Ben Kozlowski worked five complete innings on the hill for the Charros giving up 4 hits and 2 earned runs while walking 2 and striking out 6. Alan Guerrero picked up the win in relief of Kozlowski and David Koop recorded his first save of the year.