Culiacan Beats Los Mochis 6-4

TOMATEROS, BEHIND 4-1, SCORE 5 RUNS IN THE 9TH FOR THE WIN

Watch Pens 2nd home run HERE

Ramiro Pena

Culiacan never had a lead and were behind 4-1 heading into the top of the 9th. They scored 5 runs, topped off by a 3 run home run by Ramiro Pena, to beat the Caneros 6-4. The Tomateros scored their 6 runs on 5 hits.

Los Mochis got on the board first with a run in the bottom of the 2nd. Ramon Urias walked and after a flyout to left, Saul Soto drew a base on balls to put runners on first and second. Viosergy Rosa doubled to drive in Urias for the 1-0 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the 4th, Soto singled and scored in front of a line drive home run off the bat of by Rosa to increase the lead to 3-0.

The Caneros got a run back in the top of the 5th on a solo home run by Ramiro Pena, his first of two home on the night, to cut the Los Mochis lead to 3-1.

Jay Gonzalez led off the bottom of the 6th for the Caneros with a single and Soto drew another walk. Following a strike out, Gonzalez scored on a single by Arturo Rodriguez to up the Los Mochis lead to 4-1.

Rico Noel got things going for Culiacan in the top of the 9th. Noel struck out but a wild pitch on strike three put Noel on first. Roemon Fields drew a walk and Luis Cruz was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ryan McBroom singled to score Noel and Fields. One out later, Pena lofted a 3 run home run to left for the 6-4 Culican and the win.

Jose Medina (1-0) got the win in the relief with Derrick Loop earning his 1st save of the year. Andres Avila (1-1) took the loss and Fabian Cota was charged with a blown save.

Sultanes de Monterrey are the 2018 Champions of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol

RAMIRO PENA'S WALK OFF SINGLE BRINGS MONTERREY THE COPA ZAACHILA

Anthony Vasquez

Anthony Vasquez pitched 8 strong innings for the Sultanes allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits. Although Vasquez did not figure in the decision, his effort kept the game close waiting for the offense to come alive.

After the Sultane's closer Wirfin Obispo,the eventual winner, shut the door on the Guerreros in the top of the 9th inning, it was up to the Sultanes hitters to finish the job.

Oaxaca scored first. With 2 outs in the top of the 2nd, Alejandro Gonzalez singled to drive in Samar Leyva for the early 1-0 Guerreros lead.

Monterrey tied the game in the bottom of the 4th inning on a double to left by Agustin Murillo, who went to third on a ground out, and a sac fly to center by Jose Amador that evened the score at 2 apiece.

Alejandro Gonzalez singled to lead off the 8th inning for Oaxaca, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch by the Sultane's starter, Anthony Vasquez. The Guerreros led by a 2-1 score.

The Sultanes responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Ali Solis led off with a walk. After a sacrifice bunt resulted in a pop up for the 1st out, Solis went to third on a single by Ramiro Pena. Solis scored on a sac fly by Agustin Murillo.

Ramiro Pena

Wirfin Obispo gave up a hit to Oaxaca in the top of the 9th but kept the Guerreros from scoring setting up the bottom of the 9th scenario.

Chris Roberson led off the bottom of the 9th for Monterrey with a double. Ramon Rios sacrificed Roberson to third. Oaxaca then intentionally walked the next two batters to load the bases with 1 out. Julio Borbon struck out for the second out of the inning. Ramiro Pena then stroked the first pitch he saw from Samuel Zazueta to center to score Roberson from third for the win and the 2018 Championship of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.

COPA ZAACHILA

Oaxaca Rallies for 6-5 Win in 10 Innings Over Monterey

SAMAR LEYVA'S WALK OFF SINGLE DOES IN OBISPO AND SULTANES

Samar Leyva

The Sultanes de Monterrey appeared to be cruising toward victory in game 5 of the Serie del Rey in Oaxaca. Monterrey jumped out to a 5-1 led through the top of the 5th inning. The Sultanes had 10 hits, including 3 doubles, a triple and a home run by Ramiro Pena in those 5 innings. Meanwhile the Guerreros scratched out a run in the 1st before their offense went dark.

That all changes in the bottom of the 5th inning though. With one out, Alejandro Gonzalez reached base on a throwing error by the Sultane's shortstop, advancing to second. Erick Rodriguez singled to center to drive in Gonzalez. Jay Austin followed with a single, Rodriguez stopping at second. A double by Julian Ornelas scored Rodriguez. After a pitching change, Yuniesky Betancourt singled to bring home Austin. A ground ball to first, which the first baseman misplayed, scored Ornelas and the Guerreros had tied the game at 5.

Neither team scored the rest of the way and regulation ended with the score knotted at 5.

Monterrey would not score in the top of the 10th inning opening the door for Leyva's heroics. Wirfin Obispo, the Sultane's closer, opened the bottom of the 10th by catching Ornelas looking at strike three. Betancourt singled to left. Henry Urrutia struck out swinging for the second out. The 7,230 fans in Parque Eduardo Vasconcelos (and thousands watching at home) grew nervous with a runner on second and one out away from being eliminated from the quest for the Copa Zaachila.

Wirfin Obispo

With the Guerrero's pinch hitter Dustin Geiger at the plate, Betancourt stole second. Geiger drew a four pitch base on balls to put runners at first and second. Alan Sanchez, the next batter, also waited out a walk to load the bases. Samar Leyva then stroked his walk off single to left to plate Betancourt with the winning run.

Obispo took the loss for Monterrey, issuing 2 walks and giving up 2 singles in the 10th while Samuel Zazueta was the beneficiary of Leyva's heroics, allowing 3 hits over 2 innings of relief work for the Guerreros.

Monterrey still leads the Serie del Rey 3 games to 2 as both teams head to Monterrey for game 6 on Tuesday the 9th of October. Game 7 (if necessary) will be played in Monterrey on Wednesday the 10th.

Serie del Rey Begins with Oaxaca Victory Over Monterrey

GUERREROS SCORE EARLY ON THE WAY TO A 4-1 WIN

Alex Delgado

Seven hits in the first 2 innings, including 2 doubles by Yuniesky Betancourt, led to 4 runs for Oaxaca. They would prove to be more than enough for starter Alex Delgado. Delgado scattered 2 hits over 6 2/3 innings. The Sultanes could muster just 3 hits in the entire game as the Oaxaca pitchers struck out 9 and walked 3.

The Guerreros take the opener and a 1 game to none lead in the Serie del Rey of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.

The Sultanes starter, Edgar Gonzalez, gave up all 4 runs on 7 hits in 1 1/3 innings on the mound in taking the loss. Alex Delgado on the other hand was outstanding in his start. Delgado allowed just 2 hits and struck out 9 in his 6 2/3 innings of work. He pitched out of a jam in the 3rd inning. After issuing 2 walks ad a single to load the bases, he got Ramiro Pena to pop up to short and struck out Agustin Murillo to end the inning.

Oaxaca scored 2 runs in the top of the 1st on consecutive doubles by Jay Austin and Yuniesky Betancourt followed by consecutive singles by Henry Urrutia and Dustin Geiger for the early 2-0 lead.

Erick Rodriguez hit a one out single for the Guerreros in the 2nd and went to second on a single by Austin. Betancourt hit his second double of the game to center to plate Rodriguez and Austin. Oaxaca led 4-0.

Yuniesky Betancourt

Ramon Rios walked to lead off the bottom of the 8th for Monterrey and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Julio Borbon. Ramiro Pena doubled to left center to drive in Rios but Agustin Murillo lined out to short to end the inning. The Sultanes went down in order in the last of the 9th inning and the Guerreros had the win.

21,909 fans packed Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey only to see the home team lose the game. These two teams meet for game 2 on Wednesday the 3rd of October.

Tijuana Bests Monterrey 6-1 To Even Series at 3 All

GAME 7 TO DECIDE ZONA NORTE OPPONENT FOR ACEREROS de MONCLOVA

Leuris Gomez

Toros starter, Leuris Gomez (1-0), came up with an outstanding game when Tijuana needed it most. Gomez held the powerful Sultanes offense to 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 6 to help the Toros to a 6-1 win over the Sultanes de Monterrey in game 6 of their Zona Norte 1st round series. 5 relievers allowed just 2 hits over 3 2/3 innings, with no walks and 7 strikeouts.

Edgar Gonzalez (0-1) gave up 4 runs on 5 hits, with 2 home runs, over 5 1/3 innings on the mound to take the loss.

Junior Lake singled with 2 outs in the bottom of the 1st inning and scored when Frederich Cepeda tripled to center field. The Sultanes center fielder, Chris Roberson, misplayed the ball as it bounced over his head. The Toros led 1-0.

Fernando Perez

Fernando Perez hit a rocket of a home run to center, scoring Dustin Martin who had walked to increase the Toros lead to 3-0 after 4 innings.

Ramiro Pena got back a run for the Sultanes in the top of the 6th inning with a home run to right. Toros 3-1.

Frederich Cepeda hit a solo home run to left center in the Toro's half of the 6th to get the run back as Tijuana had their 3 run lead back at 4-1.

Isaac Rodriguez led off the bottom of the 8th inning with a single to center and went to third on a wild pitch. Rodriguez scored on a single by Junior Lake. Lake stole second and went to third on a wild pitch ball four to Miguel Torreno. Arimendy Alcantara walked to load the bases. After Lake was forced out at home, Torreno scored on a ground out force play.

This would end the scoring. Thr Toros went on to the 6-1 win and even the series at 3 games apiece. Game 7, to decide who faces Monclova in the Zona Norte Championship round will be played on Tuesday night.

Ramiro Pena

Tomateros Win, Up 2 Games to 1 in Championship Series

CHARROS COMMIT 3 ERRORS IN 4-2 LOSS

The Tomateros de Culiacan took the third game of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Championship Series on Saturday, 4-2, with good pitching and good hitting. Arnold Leon pitched 8 complete innings for the win and Oscar Villarreal pitched the 9th for the save. Culiacan recorded 10 hits in the game while holding the Charros to 4 hits.

Culiacan opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a double by lead off man Rico Noel, who went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Maxwell Leon and scored on a grounder to first by Eric Farris. The Tomateros had taken a 1-0 lead.

Issmael Salas led off the bottom of the 2nd with a home run to left that increased the Culiacan lead to 2-0.

The Charros scored their two runs in the 3rd inning. With one out, Jesus Lopez waited out a base on balls and scored on a double to right by Eduardo Arredondo. Manny Rodriguez followed with a double that scored Arredondo to tie the game at 2 apiece.

Rico Noel doubled with two outs in the 5th for Culiacan and scored on a single to center by Maxwell Leon as the Tomateros retook the lead 3-2.

Ivan Zavala started the 6th in relief of starter Ben Koslowski for the Charros and gave up a lead off double to Issmael Salas who advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sergio Gastelum. After Carlos Vasquez came in to replace Zavala, Ramiro Pena drove in Salas with a sac fly to left. That would be all the scoring in the game and the Tomateros had the 4-2 victory.

Charros Fall To Tomateros 11-8

CULIACAN TAKES SERIES OPENER TO GO UP 1 GAME TO NONE

The Tomateros de Culiacan got the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Championship Series off to a wild start with an exciting 11-8 victory over the Charros de Jalisco.  

Charros Starter Marco Tovar / Bonnie Garrison Photo

Ali Solis got things going for the Tomateros in the 3rd with a one out base on balls. Solis went to second on a single to center by Rico Noel. Solis moved to third on a ground out and following a walk to Eric Farris that loaded the bases, Joey Meneses singled to score Solis and Maxwell Leon for the 2-0 Culiacan lead.  

The Charros got those runs back in their half of the 3rd on a singles by Marquez Smith and Sebastian Valle. With one out, Eduardo Arredondo singled to right to score Smith and get Valle to third. Manny Rodriguez hit a sac fly to left to drive in Valle and the score was tied at 2 each.

Dave Sappelt led off the Tomateros' 4th with a single and went to second on a single by Sergio Gastelum. Ramiro Pena singled to left and when the Charros left fielder, Jon Weber, overran the ball, Sappelt and Gastelum scored. Pena wound up on third and scored on a sac fly to left by Ali Solis as Culiacan retook the lead 5-2.  

Jalisco used three pitchers in the 5th as the Tomateros exploded for 6 runs in the inning. Joey Meneses drove in a run, Dave Sappelt belted a two run home run to right, Ramiro Pena hit a sac fly for a run and Rico Noel tripled to drive in two for the 11-2 Culiacan lead.  

In the 6th for the Charros, Leo Heras singled and CJ Retherford waited out a walk. Both runners scored on a three run home run by Japhet Amador, a long home run to left that narrowed the lead to 11-5 Culiacan.

Jalisco chipped away at the lead in the 7th. Jesus Lopez doubled to begin the inning and went to third on a fly ball to right by Eduardo Arredondo. Manny Rodriguez doubled to center to score Lopez. The lead was 11-6 Culiacan.     

With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Eduardo Arredondo singled to deep short and scored in front of a home run to left by Manny Rodriguez to bring the Charros to within three runs at 11-8. The next batter, Leo Heras, struck out to end this very exciting game.  

Manny Rodrigues Home Run / Straffon Images

The series continues today, Thursday, in Guadalajara with a travel day on Friday and games 3, 4, and 5 in Culiacan beginning on Saturday the 24th of January.

Culiacan Rebounds, Takes Game 2 of the Series 11-3

The Tomateros de Culiacan got their bats working last night and overpowered the Charros 11-3 behind the pitching of Francisco Campos, who worked 5 innings and gave up 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 4 Charros.

Culiacan jumped out to the lead 2-0 in the top of the 3rd. Max Leon and Eric Farris singled and after Russell Branyan struck out, Issmael Salas drew a walk to load the bases. Arturo Rodriguez then hit a fly ball to right that Leo Heras dropped and Leon and Farris scored.

Ramiro Pena doubled for the Tomateros in the 4th and scored on a single by Rico Noel for a 3-0 lead.

Jalisco would get a run back in their half of the 4th when Jesus Cota doubled and, after a wild pitch, scored on a sac fly by Amadeo Zazueta to cut the lead to 3-1.

Joey Meneses reached on a fielding error by the Charros to lead off the top of the 6th. Sergio Gastelum sacrificed Meneses to second and Meneses scored on a single by Ramiro Pena. Rico Noel hit a 2 run home run to left for a 6-1 Culiacan lead. One out later, Eric Farris hit a solo home run to cap a four run inning and the 7-1 Tomateros lead.

Japhet Amador hit his 12th home run of the year, a solo shot, in the bottom of the 6th and the Charros had narrowed the lead to 7-2.

Manny Rodriguez was hit by a pitch withone out in the bottom of the 7th and came around to score on a Marquez Smith double to left to make the score 7-3 Culiacan.

The Tomateros scored a run in the 8th and added 3 more in the 9th on 2 walks, a ground rule double by Joey Meneses and a run scoring double play ball off the bat of Ramiro Pena for the final score of 11-3.

The Charros did not help themselves in the field, committing 4 errors. They also left 9 men on base for the game and went 1 for 7 with men in scoring position.