Toros on Verge of Copa Zaachila with 4-0 Shutout of Pericos

PUEBLA OFFENSE NONEXISTENT IN LOSS

The Toros de Tijuana are in charge of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol's championship after a 4-0 shutout of the Pericos de Puebla gave them a 3 games to none advantage.  Watch to final out here  After the 4th inning the crowd of 11,906 fans in Estadio Hermanos Serdan sensed impending doom and had little to cheer about.

Horacio Ramirez

Starting pitcher Horacio Ramirez pitched 7 2/3 innings of the shutout allowing just 5 hits. Although he didn't strike out a batter, in fact no Pericos fell victim to the strikeout all game, he walked only 2 and was around the plate all game, working the ball low and away to all batters. Juan Sandoval pitched the final 1 1/3 innings in the Toros win.

The Perico's starter, Josh Outman, went 5 1/3 innings, giving up all 4 Toros runs, striking 5 but walking 4 in taking the loss. His control problems kept him in trouble for all but the 1st inning. Three Puebla relievers held Tijuana to just 1 hit over 3 2/3 innings of work.

Cyle Hankerd led off the top of the 4th fir Tijuana getting hit by a pitch. Dustin Martin drew a walk one out later. Juan Apodaca reached safely on an error by the Pericos first baseman. The ruling was challenged by Puebla but the play was not overturned to load the bases. Alex Liddi followed with a 4-6 ground out that scored Hankerd for the 1-0 lead.

Tijuana scored twice more in the 5th inning on a solo home run by Roberto Lopez, a single and stolen base by Corey Brown and a single by Dustin Martin. 3-0 Toros.

Roberto Lopez Home Run 

Alex Liddi drew a lead off walk in the top of the 6th, advanced to second on a ground out, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Jose Guadalupe Chavez, Final score Toros 4, Puebla 0.

Game 4 is being played today with the Toros in the proverbial drivers seat, needing just 1 win to become the champions of the league, If Puebla wins, game 5 will be played on Sunday.

Puebla Falls Behind 2 Games to None in Serie del Rey

BULLPEN AGAIN FAILS TO HOLD LEAD IN 5-3 LOSS

If the Pericos de Puebla expect to halt the juggernaut that is the Toros de Tijuana they must get more support from the bullpen. In both losses the relievers failed to hold a tie game or a lead turned over to them by the starters. Although the starters have not been perfect they have the free swinging Toros to a manageable offensive output.

Tijuana took an early lead when Cyle Hankerd homered, on a line drive to left, bringing home Corey Brown for the 2-0 lead after 3 innings.

VIEW Garanzuay's home run here.   Puebla struck back in the top of the 4th. With one out, Jesus Arredondo doubled and came home on a double by Ricky Rodriguez. One out later, Hector Garanzuay hit a drive to deep right that cleared the wall with room to spare driving in Rodriguez and giving the Pericos a 3-2 lead.

Juan Apodaca tied the contest in the bottom of the 6th inning with a home run to left off Perico's starter Jaime Lugo.  WATCH APODACA'S Home run here!

Roberto Lopez led off the bottom of the 7th for the Toros with a double to left. After a Corey Brown ground out, moving Lopez to third, The Pericos brought in reliever Adrian Ramirez. Ramirez walked Cyle Hankerd. Jorge Cantu lifted a sac fly to center that scored Lopez. Following a walk to Dustin Martin, Juan Apodaca singled to center to plate Hankerd and seal the 5-3 victory.

Mark Serrano got the win in relief with help from a hold by Juan Sandoval and a save from Jason Urquidez. Henry Garcia was saddled with the loss for Puebla.

Roberto Lopez was 4 for 5 with 2 doubles for Tijuana with Juan Apodaca going 3 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBIs and Cyle Hankerd 1 for 2 with the home run and 2 RBIs for the Toros/

Hector Garanzuay went 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Julio Borbon 2 for 4 and Ricky Rodriguez 2 foe 3 with a double and an RBI for Puebla.

The series now moves to Puebla for 3 games beginning on Friday the 8th of September.

For the Pericos to have a shot at the championship, they must win 2 of the 3 games in Puebla. The Toros on the other hand can take home the Copa Zaachila with 2 wins on the road at Estadio Hermanos Serdan.

Puebla se lleva a casa la Copa Zaachila en 6 juegos por encima de Tijuana

TRAVIS Blackley NOMBRADO MVP

De la serie Juego 6 de la serie de la Liga Mexicana de Béisbol Campeonato fue uno para el aficionado al béisbol . La única cosa que podría haber hecho que sea más emocionante que habría tenido un juego 7. Como se suele decir , ninguno de los equipos merecía perder ; pero , siempre hay un ganador y un perdedor . En este caso, el Pericos llegó a la cima y llevar a la "Copa Zaachila " de vuelta a casa a Puebla. El Toros de Tijuana debe mantener la cabeza alta colectiva ya que lucharon duro en una serie de duelos de la lanzadora de partidos cerrados . Ver la celebracion Pericos aqui.

Ambos lanzadores fueron excelentes . del Perico Travis Blackley se llevó la victoria , mientras que del Toro Barry Enright cargó con la derrota . Chad Gaudin recogió la excepción de los Pericos .

Enright , aunque permitiendo que los corredores de base en todo menos en la cuarta entrada, dispersa 7 hits y ponchó a 5. único error de Enright llegó en un terreno de juego 2-2 a Daric Barton en la parte superior de la 6ª . Barton conectó un cuadrangular se eleva al punto muerto para dar Puebla una ventaja de 1-0 . Enright dejó el juego con 2 outs en el séptimo inning después de tirar 103 lanzamientos. Ver el vídeo de Daris Barton cuadrangular aqui.

Blackley igualada terreno de juego Enright para el lanzamiento. Blackley era perfecta, a 3 2/3 entradas antes de dar una base por bolas a Olmo Rosario y un sencillo a Dustin Martin . Antes de salir después de la octava entrada, Blackley se rendiría 2 impactos al caminar 2 y ponchando a 6 toros. Chad Gaudin lanzó la novena para Puebla para guardar el juego.

Puebla agregó un seguro de correr en la parte superior de la novena . Sergio Pérez , DH de Puebla que fue de 3 por 4 en la noche , se duplicó para abrir la entrada. corredor emergente Oscar Sanay avanzó a tercera con un roletazo de Alberto Carreón y marcó 1 más tarde con un sencillo de Nyjer Morgan para una ventaja de 2-0 Pericos .

Tijuana tuvo la oportunidad de anotar en la parte inferior de la novena . Roberto López abrió la entrada con un sencillo y avanzó a segunda con toque de sacrificio de Alex Romero . bola de tierra de Emmanuel Valdez logró el segundo Lopez a tercera , pero José Chávez voló a la izquierda para terminar la entrada y el juego .

Videos cortesía de la LMB .

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

Sígueme en Facebook en : www.facebook.com/wdbarr

Sígueme en Twitter en : www.twitter.com/wdbarr1

Puebla Takes Home Copa Zaachila in 6 Games Over Tijuana

TRAVIS BLACKLEY NAMED SERIES MVP

Game 6 of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Championship series was one for the baseball fan. The only thing that could have made it more exciting would have had it a game 7. As the saying goes, neither team deserved to lose; but, there is always a winner and a loser. In this case, the Pericos came out on top and carry the "Copa Zaachila" back home to Puebla. The Toros de Tijuana should hold their collective head high as they fought hard in a series of pitcher's duels and close games. Watch the Pericos celebration.

Both pitchers were excellent. The Perico's Travis Blackley got the win while the Toro's Barry Enright took the loss. Chad Gaudin picked up the save for the Pericos.

Enright, though allowing base runners in all but the 4th inning, scattered 7 hits and struck out 5. Enright's only mistake came on a 2-2 pitch to Daric Barton in the top of the 6th. Barton hit a towering home run to dead center to give Puebla a 1-0 lead. Enright left the game with 2 outs in the 7th inning after throwing 103 pitches. Watch the video of Daric Barton's home run here.

Blackley matched Enright pitch for pitch. Blackley was perfect through 3 2/3 innings before giving up a walk to Olmo Rosario and a single to Dustin Martin. Before leaving after the 8th inning, Blackley would surrender 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6 Toros. Chad Gaudin pitched the 9th for Puebla to save the game for Blackley.

Puebla added an insurance run in the top of the 9th. Sergio Perez, Puebla's DH who was 3 for 4 on the night, doubled to lead off the inning. Pinch runner Oscar Sanay moved to third on a ground out by Alberto Carreon and scored 1 out later on a single by Nyjer Morgan for a 2-0 Pericos lead.

Tijuana had an opportunity to score in the bottom of the 9th. Roberto Lopez led off the inning with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alex Romero. Emmanuel Valdez's ground ball to second got Lopez to third but Jose Chavez flew out to left to end the inning and the game.

Videos courtesy of the LMB.

Follow my blog at: www.wdbarrsports.blogspot.com
Follow me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/wdbarr
Follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/wdbarr1

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 

Puebla Eliminated by Campeche in 3-2 Loss

PIRATAS TO FACE LEONES de YUCATAN ON TUESDAY

Watch the LMB highlights of the game here, courtesy of ITV and the LMB.

CJ Retherford scored from third on a single by Fernando Flores in the bottom of the 5th inning to break a 2-2 tie and the Piratas de Campeche went on to win the Zona Sur elimination game and keep their hopes of an LMB Championship alive.

The Piratas opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st when Adan Velazquez singled to left and scored on a double by Alfredo Silverio for the quick 1-0 Campeche lead.

Roberto Lopez, the Campeche 1st baseman, launched a lead off home run to left off of the Pericos starter, Hector Galvan, in the bottom of the 2nd inning to increase the Piratas lead to 2-0.

Puebla got a run back in the top of the 3rd inning on a solo home run by Miguel Tejada off of Evan Maclane, the Piratas starting pitcher.

Rolando Acosta drew a two out walk in the top of the 4th for Puebla and went to second on a sharply hit single to left by Mario Santana. Acosta scored when Roman Pena singled and when the Piratas failed to score in their half of the inning the score was tied at 2 all.

The Piratas took the lead in the 5th and 5 Campeche relief pitchers shut down the Pericos hitters on 1 hit over the final 3 1/3 innings, walking 1 and striking out 5. Evan Maclane got the win and Fernando Nieve recorded the save.

Edwin Salas took the loss for the Pericos, giving up 1 run on 1 hit while walking 2 and striking out 1 in his 1 1/3 innings on the mound.

Roberto Lopez was 1 for 1 with a home run and 2 walks for the Piratas while Fernando Flores added an RBI.

Miguel Tejada was 1 for 3 with a home run and an RBI while Mario Santana went 2 for 3 and Brent Clevlen was 2 for 4. Roman Pena drove in the other Pericos run.

The Piratas must get ready quickly as they travel to Merida on Tuesday to take on the Zona Sur champion Leones de Yucatan in a best of seven series to continue the LMB playoffs. The Guerreros de Oaxaca will be in Cancun to face the Tigres de Quintana Roo in the other Zona Sur series.

The Toros de Tijuana will face the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, in Mexico City and the Saraperos de Saltillo play the Acereros de Monclova, in Monclova for the Zona Norte playoffs.