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 Jugadores Suspendido Para Partes de la Temporada 2017

Dos mas jugadores revision medica de prueba positiva

La Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) ha dado a conocer los nombres de 5 jugadores que dieron positivo. Después de la temporada 2016, para sustancias prohibidas y será suspendido para partes de la temporada 2017. Además, para estos jugadores, no se les permitirá participar en la postemporada si su equipo llega a los playoffs.

Carlos Valencia, Olmo Rosario y Miguel Ángel González de los Toros de Tijuana tuvieron anfetaminas descubiertas en sus pruebas de drogas.

El gerente de Toros, Pedro Mere, ha sido citado diciendo que se mantiene al lado de sus jugadores "... dando pleno apoyo en su 'supuesto dopaje' 'Aunque no está de acuerdo con los resultados, dice que" espera los resultados de la prueba " B"

.
Cada uno de los jugadores de Toros fueron suspendidos por 50 juegos.

Olmo Rosario, quien bateó .313 con 6 HRs y 73 impulsadas para los Toros en 2016, ha firmado para jugar en la Liga Atlántica para los Patriotas de Somerset en 2017.

Carlos Valencia bateó .244 con 7 HR y 46 RBIs, mientras que el lanzador derecho Miguel González tuvo una efectividad de 5.89 en 18 entradas de,, dando 28 hits, ponchando 15 y caminando 10.

Hassan Pena, descubierto con marihuana en su prueba fue suspendido por 50 juegos. Jugó para los Sultanes de Monterrey en 2016. Primero un relevista, Pena tuvo un récord de 5-1 con 5 salvamentos. Lanzó 30 entradas de,, eliminando a 22 y caminando sólo 2.

Albino Contreras, de los Leones de Yucatán, ha sido suspendido por 100 juegos para el análisis positivo de anfetaminas. Esta fue la segunda prueba positiva de Contreras. En 2016, Contresas bateó .208 sin jonrones y 8 remolcadas en tiempo de juego limitado para los Leones.
Además de estos 5 jugadores.

Cyle Hankerd y Travis Blackley tendrán sus resultados positivos, para un producto no especificado, revisado por una comisión basada en una exención medicinal solicitada. La comisión tiene el poder de permitir los resultados o rechazar la solicitud de medicamentos y suspender a los jugadores.

La firma de pruebas de drogas usada por el LMB previamente, CONADE, ya no realiza pruebas de drogas para la liga y por lo tanto la liga se ve obligada a encontrar una instalación de prueba alternativa. Con el fin de mantener un acuerdo de trabajo con la Liga Mayor, que le da a la LMB una calificación Triple A League, una fuente de prueba adecuada debe encontrarse al principio de la temporada.
Actualmente la liga está explorando opciones como la Universidad de California y laboratorios tanto en Cuba como en México.

Seguir mi blog en: www.wdbarrsports.blogspot.com

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.

Venados Defeat Yaquis 2-1 in Game 7

REACHES CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES OF LMP PLAYOFF

The Venados de Mazatlán out hit the Yaquis 12 to 4 and Walter Silva held Obregon to 2 hits over 6 2/3 innings on the mound while striking out 5 as the Venados beat the Yaquis de Obregon 2-1 to advance to the Championship Series of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.

Silva, the winning pitcher, and 3 relievers allowed just 4 hits and 1 run over 9 innings. Steve Hensley picked up the save although he gave up the only Yaquis run on a 2 out solo home run to Alex Liddi in the bottom of the 9th. David Reyes took the loss for Obregon.

Olmo Rosario got things going for the Venados with a lead off single in the top of the 2nd inning. Erick Rodriguez followed with a single to put runners on first and second with no outs. Paul Leon bunted into a force out but a wild pitch by the Yaquis starter, David Reyes, moved both runners up a base. Jesus Fabela then singled to score Rodriguez. Jeremias Pineda hit a sac fly to center that scored Leon for the 2-0 lead.

There would be no more scoring until Liddi's home run in the bottom of the 9th that cut the Venados lead to 2-1.

14,517 hometown fans watched in disbelief as the Yaquis saw their hopes of an LMP Championship slip away.

The Venados will face the Aguilas de Mexicali, winners of a 16 inning game 7 over the Mayos de Navojoa, in the Championship series set to begin on Wednesday the 20th of January.

Venados Tie Series at 3 With 6-3 Win In Obregon

YAQUIS 0 FOR 7 WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION

Andres Meza gave up 3 Yaquis runs on 6 hits to get the win for the Venados on Sunday as Mazatlán battled back to tie the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico semifinal playoff round at 3 games apiece. Sergio Valenzuela pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to pick up the save. Rolando Valdez went 4 1/3 innings allowing 5 runs on 8 hits to take the loss for the Yaquis.

Agustin Murillo singled to lead off the 4th inning for Mazatlán, stole second an scored on a single by Cyle Hankerd for a 1-0 Venados lead. Carlos Munoz singled to left to put runners on first and second. Olmo Rosario singled to score Hankerd and a 2-0 Mazatlán lead.

Paul Leon began the 5th inning for Mazatlán with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jeremias Pineda. Murillo followed with a single to deep short. Leon and Murillo both scored on a double to left center by Esteban Quiroz. With 2 outs, Carlos Munoz drew a walk. Ball 4 was a wild pitch that got Quiroz to third. Rosario singled to score Quiroz and the Venados led 5-0.

Carlos Valencia Home Run

The Yaquis closed the gap to 5-1 on a solo home run to left by Carlos Valencia in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Justin Greene singled to lead off Yaquis half of the 6th inning and scored on a triple by Leo Heras. Alex Liddi followed with an RBI ground out to second that scored Heras and the Yaquis were down 2 at 5-3.

With 1 out in the top of the 7th inning, Cyle Hankerd doubled to left center and scored when the next batter, Munoz, singled to center for the final run of the game and the 6-3 win for Mazatlán.

Game 7 will be played on Monday with the winner advancing to the Championship round of the LMP Playoffs to face either the Mayos de Navojoa or the Agulas de Mexicali. That series is set to begin on Wednesday the 20th of January.

Rosario was 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Munoz 2 for 4 with an RBI, Quiroz 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored and Cyle Hankerd 2 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored for the Venados.

Valencia went 1 for 3 with the home run, Heras 1 for 4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored and Greene 2 for 4 for the Yaquis.

Leo Heras Triple

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.

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.

Playoff Baseball Returns to Guadalajara

CHARROS TOP VENADOS 4-1 TO TAKE GAME 1

The 2014 Liga de Mexicana del Pacifico regular season has come to an end and the Charros de Jalisco have finished as the top seed in their first year in the league. Jalisco started off the post season with a 4-1 win over the Venados de Mazatlan to go up 1 game to none in the best of seven series.

Marquez Smith got things going for the Charros in the bottom of the 3rd by drawing a lead off walk. Gabriel Gutierrez followed with a double to move Smith to third. Jesus Lopez then hit a sac fly to center that scored Smith and moved Gutierrez to third. Gutierrez scored when the Venados third baseman threw wild to first on a ground ball off the bat of Manny Rodriguez. The Charros led 2-0 and never looked back.

The Venados got a run back in the top of the 4th on a double by Ronnier Mustelier and a single by Olmo Rosario to cut the lead to 2-1 Charros.

Jalisco scored in the bottom of the 6th on singles by Leo Heras and Japhet Amador and a single by Charros newcomer, Jon Weber, formerly of the Mayos de Navojoa, that scored Heras for the 3-1 Jalisco lead.

The Charros scored their final run on a lead off, solo home run by Marquez Smith in the bottom of the 7th for the final score of 4-1.

Starting pitcher for the Charros, Marco Tovar, picked up the win, going 6 innings while scattering 7 hits, walking 1 and striking out 3. Mario Mendoza notched the save by pitching a perfect 9th inning.

Gabriel Gutierrez was 3 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Marquez went 1 for 3 with the home run, an RBI and 2 runs scored while Jon Weber was 1 for 4 with an RBI

Charros Smother Venados de Mazatlan 9-4

The Venados de Mazatlan came to Guadalajara for the final 3 games of the regular season and lost the first game to the Charros by a 9-4 score.

The Charros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th on a single by CJ Retherford, a sacrifice bunt by Edson Garcia and a double by Gabriel Gutierrez that scored Retherford for the 1-0 Jalisco lead.

Jalisco scored again in the bottom of the 5th on a throwing error, a fielder's choice that the Venados pitcher threw away and a single by Manny Rodriguez that scored Jesus Lopez for a 2-0 lead.

With one out in the Charros 6th, Edson Garcia doubled to right and scored on a Gabriel Gurierrez single. The Charros were up 3-0 after 6 innings.

The Venados would score two runs in their half of the 7th. Jesus Castillo doubled, Heber Gomez walked, and a single by Erick Rodriguez scored Castillo. A sac fly to center by Hector Paez scored pinch runner Paul Leon and the Vendados had cut the Charros lead to 3-2.

Eduardo Arredondo singled to lead off the home half of the 7th, stole second and scored on a double to left by Leo Heras. Japhet Amador was walked intentionally and CJ Retherford flew out to right to get Heras to third. Mazatlan reliever, Francisco Felix, then threw a wild pitch that scored Heras and moved Amador to second. After Edson Garcia and Gabriel Gutierrez walked, Fernando Valenzuela doubled to right to score Amador and Garcia for the 7-2 Charros lead.

Manny Rodriguez connected for his 7th home run of the year in the Jalisco 8th, a two run shot to left that scored Eduardo Arredondo to increase the Charros lead to 9-2.

Mazatlan refused to give up. In the top of the 9th, after Ivan Salas replaced Adrian Ramirez for the Charros, Jesus Fabela and Hector Paez singled. With one out, Oswaldo Morejon singled to score Fabela with Paez stopping at second. Ronnier Mustelier singled to plate Paez but Sean Gleason got Olmo Rosario to ground into a 6-4 fielder's choice that ended the game with the Charros 9-4 victory.

Manuel Flores picked up the win for Jalisco to improve to 2-1 on the year. Flores went 6 innings, scattering 6 hits while striking out 3 and holding the Venados scoreless. Fredy Quintero dropped to 3-4 with the loss.

Manny Rodriguez was 3 for 5 with the home run, 3 RBIs, giving him 40 on the year, and a run scored as he raised his batting average to .335. Gabriel Gutierrez went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Leo Heras had a double and a single in his 5 trips to the plate with an RBI.

The Charros are now 41-25 overall and 20-11 in the second half. The Venados de Mazatlan fall to 30-35 overall and 14-17 for the second half.

Charros Swamp Mazatlan Venados 11-6

The Charros de Jalisco traveled to Mazatlan to take on the Venados on Tuesday for a three game series. Jalisco won the game 11-6 but the game was tied at 6 after the second inning and it seemed the runs would not stop coming.

With one out in the top of the 1st, Manny Rodriguez singled to center and scored on a double by Leo Heras who went to third on the throw. Japhet Amador singled to score Heras. After Marquez Smith popped up for the second out, CJ Retherford hit a 2 run home run to deep left for the 4-0 Charros lead.

Doug Clark singled for the Venados with one out in the bottom of the 1st. Olmo Rosario drew a base on balls. After a ground out moved both runners up a base, Ricardo Alvarez singled to score Clark and Rosario. Heber Gomez drew a two out base on balls. Charros starter, Ben Kozlowski then uncorked his second wild pitch of the evening to put runners at second and third. Jesus Castillo singled to plate Alvarez and Gomez and the score was tied at 4.

The Charros got right back into scoring mode in the top of the 2nd. With one out Israel Nunez singled and went to second on a single to center by Eduardo Arredondo. Manny Rodriguez doubled to score Nunez and Arredondo. The Charros had regained the lead 6-4.

Not to be outdone, the Venados came storming back in their half of the 2nd. Gilberto Mejia led off with a single and scored one out later on a home run by Olmo Rosario to knot the game at 6 all.

Jalisco took the lead for good in the top of the 6th. CJ Retherford led off with a single to right. Brendan Harris singled. With one out the Mazatlan pitcher, Enrique Lechuga, threw a wild pitch that advanced the Charros runners. Isreal Nunez reached on an error by the third baseman and the bases were loaded. Eduardo Arredondo singled to score Retherford and Manny Rodriguez singled to drive in Harris. With one out and the bases loaded, Leo Heras drew a 6 pitch walk to force in Nunez. The Charros scored three and took a 9-6 lead into the bottom of the 6th.

CJ Retherford led off the top of the 7th for the Charros with a solo home run, his second of the game and third of the year. Brendan Harris followed the home run by Retherford with a triple. Edson Garcia came in as a pinch runner for Harris and scored on a wild pitch by the Venados reliever, Jesus Barraza. The Charros had two more runs on the board and the final 11-6 score.

CJ Retherford had 2 home runs and a single in his 5 trips to the plate, scoring 3 times and driving in 3.  Manny Rodriguez went 3 for 5 with a double, 2 RBIs and a run scored. Leo Heras was 1 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Brendan Harris went 2 for 4 with a triple and a run scored. Eduardo Arredondo was 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored and catcher Israel Nunez was also 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

The Charros improve to 27-18 overall and 6-4 in the second half of the Liga de Mexicana del Pacifico. The Venados fall to 20-24 with the loss. Two more games with Mazatlan then it's home to face the Aguilas de Mexicali for three games this weekend.

Charros Top League Leading Mazatlan 6-4

The Venados de Mazatlan, leading the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, lost to the Charros de Jalisco on Tuesday, 6-4, to drop the first game of a crucial three game series in Zapopan.

Mazatlan broke out on top early, scoring two runs in the top of the 1st. With two outs, Heber Gomez walked and back-to-back doubles by Ryan Schimpf and Olmo Rosario had the Venados up 2-0.

The Charros got those runs back quickly in their half of the 1st on a double by Manny Rodriguez and a 2 run home run by Japhet Amador. The Charros had tied the game at 2 all.

Jalisco scored a run in the bottom of the 4th. Japhet Amador reached safely on an error by the Venados third baseman and took second on the throw. Jesus Cota singled to move Amador to third. Fernando Valenzuela singled to score Amador and the Charros had a 3-2 lead.

Mazatlan retook the lead in the top of the 5th. Charros starter, Ben Kozlowski walked the lead off man, Derrick Robinson who moved to second on a wild pitch. Albert Carreon walked. Kozlowski threw wildly on a sacrifice bunt by Heber Gomez and Robinson scored. Olmo Rosario grounded out to second to score Carreon and the Venados were on top 4-3.

Manny Rodriguez hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 5th to tie the game again, this time at 4 apiece.

Japhet Amador hit his second home run of the night, and 6th of the year, to giive the Charros the 5-4 lead in the bottom of the 7th.

Gabriel Gutierrez led off the bottom of the 8th with his first home run of the year and the Charros  went on to defeat Mazatlan 6-4.

Manuel Flores picked up the win in relief of Kozlowski and lowered his ERA to 1.17. Brian Broderick got the save, his 7th of the year, by shutting out the Venados in the top of the 9th. Felipe Gonzalez took the loss for Mazatlan and his record dropped to 1-2 on the year.

Japhet Amador was 2 for 3 with 2 home runs, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Manny Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a double, a home run, an RBI and 2 runs scored to raise his league leading batting average to .363. Rodriguez also leads the league in doubles with 11. Jesus Lopez was 2 for 4 to get his average back above .300. Gabriel Gutierrez went 1 for 4 with the solo home run.

Jalisco is now 12-9 on the year, 1/2 game behind the 12-8 Venados. The Yaquis de Obregon were rained out last night and lead the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico with a 12-7 record that leads the Charros by a full game.