Mexicali Over Culiacan 4-1

CJ RETHERFORD'S 2 RUN DOUBLE IN 6th THE DIFFERENCE MAKER

The Aguilas de Mexicali starter, Vinny Nittoli (1-0), scattered 5 hits over 6 scoreless innings while striking out 7. The 5 relievers who followed Nittoli allowed a run on 2 hits over the final 3 innings. Scott McGough set down the Tomateros in order in the 9th to earn the save. Newly acquired Andres Meza (0-1) gave up a run on 4 hits in 3 innings in taking the loss.

Mexicali scored a run in the 1st on a single, a stolen base, a walk and a single by David Harris that scored Juan Perez.

CJ Retherford

The Aguilas added 2 runs in the bottom half of the 6th. With 2 outs, Chuck taylor reached base safely on a fielding error, taking second on the play. David Harris drew a walk and both runners scored on a double by CJ Retherford over the head of the center fielder for the 3-0 Mexicali lead.

Mexicali added an insurance run in the 7th on a walk and 3 consecutive singles for a 4-0 lead.

Culiacan loaded the bases with 1 out in the top of the 8th on 2 singles and a walk. Antonio Lamas scored on a sac fly but Ryan McBroom struck out looking to end the threat and after going quietly in the 9th, Mexicali had the win.

16,357 fans packed Estadio B-Air on a hot sunny Sunday afternoon to see the Aguilas improve to 4-3 and the Tomateros fall to 5-3.

Roster Moves Within the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

TRANSACTIONS IN THE LAST 2 DAYS


The following teams have made roster moves during the last 2 days:

Aguilas de Mexicali     Deactivated P Jake Sanchez   Possible return 10/27
                                      Activated P Jose Alvarado #28


Tomateros de Culiacan   Deactivated P Gonzalo Sanudo   Possible return 10/22
                                        Activated P Andres Meza #22

Yaquis de Obregon     Deactivate P Alberto Leyva
                                    Activate P Ernesto Frieri #55

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Announces Team Personnel Actions

The Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) has announced moves made by three teams in the past 3 days.

The Naranjeros de Hermosillo have announced the deactivation of the following players with their replacements:

P Kyle Jensen, eligible to return 10/25
   Activate Jose Mayola #55

P Scott Copeland, eligible to return 10/25
   Activate Jorge Castillo #29

P Adrian Rodriguez, eligible to return 10/27
   Activate Edgar Lopez #40

P Tyler Higgins, eligible to return 10/27
   Activate Juan Macias #74

The Venados de Mazatlan announced the deactivation of:

INF Jesus Fabela, retroactive to 10/18
   Activate C Marco Chicuate

The Tomateros de Culiacan announced the deactivation of:

INF Joey Meneses. retroactive to 10/18
   Activate P Aldo Montes

Tomateros Edge Aguilas 3-2

JOSE OROZCO'S GO AHEAD RBI IN THE TOP OF THE 9TH WINS IT

Jose Orozco

Although neither starting pitcher was around for the finish, both pitched well. Culiacan's Aldo Montes allowed 1 run on 3 hits through 5 2/3 innings and the Aguilas' starter, Javier Solano gave up 2 runs on 5 hits in his 5 2/3 innings on the mound. Derrick Loop (1-0) was charged with a blown save but got the win in relief with Casey Coleman earning the save. Jake Sanchez, (0-1), the Aguilas closer, gave up the winning run and was charged with the loss.

Culiacan scored first, in the top of the 4th, on a double by Ryan McBroom and a run scoring single by Issmael Salas for the 1-0 lead.

A one out solo home run by Ricky Alvarez in the bottom of the 5th for Mexicali tied the game.

Ricky Alvarez

Rico Noel reached on a hot shot single to third in the top of the 6th, went to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Salas as Culiacan retook the lead 2-1.

Juan Perez singled with 2 outs in the Mexicali half of the 8th inning, stole second and scored on a single by Misael German and the game was tied yet again setting up the 9th inning.

Salas got things going for Culiacan with a lead off single in the top of the 9th. Salas advanced on a sacrifice bunt and went to third on a single by Antonio Lamas. Pinch hitter Jose Orozco singled to left on a 1-1 pitch to score Salas for the 3-2 Tomatero lead.

Casey Coleman set the Aguilas in order in the bottom of the 9th to preserve the win for Culiacan.

The Tomateros improved to 4-2 on the season while the Aguilas fell to 3-2 after the loss.

Charros Come From Behind To Beat Tomateros 9-7

PITCHING STILL SUSPECT BUT OFFENSE BREAKS OUT

Lead Off Hitter Carlos Fifueroa

The Charros improved to 5-6 on the season as their offense erupted for 9 runs against the Tomateros de Culiacan. Their starting pitching still lacks the ability to get opposing batters out early but the batters came alive in the 9-7 win.

Jalisco fell behind 4-1 and then 5-1 in the 5th inning before scoring 4 runs in the 5th inning and 4 more in the 6th to take the lead and held on for the victory. The Charros were aided in their win by 4 Culiacan errors.

Tyler Alexander, the Charros starting pitcher, lasted just 1 1/3 innings giving up 4 runs on 3 hits with 3 walks. Ivan Rodriguez (1-0) picked up the win in relief and Aaron Kurcz worked the last out of the 8th and all of the 9th inning to earn his third save of the year.

Hector Navarro relieved Culiacan starter Edgar Gonzalez after 4 2/3 innings and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits to take the loss.

Rico Noel led off the game with a walk and stole second. He went to third on the errant pickoff throw. Ronnier Mustelier grounded out to first base to score Noel and the Tomateros were up 1-0 after just 2 batters.

Antonio Lamas walked to lead off the 2nd inning for Culiacan and went to third on a double by Jose Orozco. Oscar Robles walked to load the bases. Irving Wilson singled to score Lamas. Noel singled to deep short to drive in Orozco and Mustelier hit a sac fly to right to score Robles. The Tomateros led 4-0.

Art Charles Hustles Around 3rd

The Charros got on the board in their half of the 3rd. Art Charles walked to lead off the inning and scored on a double by Agustin Murillo to cut the lead to 4-1.

Jalisco again walked the leadoff batter, Sebastian Elizalde, in the top of the 5th who went to third on a single by Joey Meneses. Jose Orozco grounded into a force out that scored Elizalde and Culiacan led 5-1.

Carlos Figueroa singled to lead off the bottom of the 5th and went to second on a wild pitch. Two outs later, Art Charles reached safely on a throwing error by the Tomateros shortstop as Figueroa scored. Murillo singled to score Charles, who had advanced to second on the error. Michael Choice followed with a 2 run home run to left to tie the game at 5 all.
Check out the Michael Choice home run here.

Culiacan retook the lead in the top of the 6th inning. Irving Wilson doubled and scored, one out later, on a single by Ronnier Mustelier. The Tomateros led 6-5.

Fernando Valenzuela Jr. doubled to lead off the Charros half of the 6th. Israel Nunez singled to plate Valenzuela and tie the game at 6. Carlos Figueroa sacrificed pinch runner Alberto Carreon to second. After the second out of the inning, Manny Rodriguez reached base safely on yet another error by the shortstop as Carreon scored. An intentional walk to Art Charles brought Agustin Murillo to the plate and he delivered a double to score Rodriguez and Charles for the 9-6 lead.

With 2 outs in the 8th inning the Charros reliever, Edwin Salas issued two walks. Aaron Kurcz was called on to relieve Salas and promptly gave up a single to Sebastian Elizalde that scored Rico Noel to cut the lead to 9-7 but that was all Culiacan could muster and the Charros had the 9-7 win.

Charros Closer Aaron Kurcz

Agustin Murillo was 4 for 4 with 4 RBIs, Michael Choice 1 for 4 with the home run and 2 RBIs and Israel Nunez 1 for 3 with an RBI for the Charros.

Ronnier Mustelier was 1 for 3 with 3 RBIs and Irving Wilson 2 for 4 with an RBI for Culiacan.

An off day on Monday for the Charros before opening a 3 game series against the Aguilas in Mexicali on Tuesday the 25th of October.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION

Los Mochis 9, Mazatlán 1

Alexis Lara (1-0) tossed 5 innings of shutout ball against the Venados giving up just 3 hits while striking out 6 in the 9-1 pasting of Mazatlán. Walter Ibarra (1-2) was rocked for 8 runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings in the loss. Jesus Arredondo was 2 for 4 with a home run for Los Mochis while Juan Carlos Gamboa went 2 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Hector Paez was 2 for 4 for the Venados.

Obregon 5, Hermosillo 4

The Yaquis got an RBI single from Christian Villanueva in the top of the 9th to pull ahead of the Naranjeros 5-4 and closer Ryan Kelly set the Hermosillo batters down in order in the bottom of the 9th. Kelly picked up his 3rd save and Carlos Fisher (1-0) picked up the win. Paul Sewald (0-1) gave up the run in the 9th to take the loss. Christian Villanueva was 4 for 5 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs for Obregon. Efren Navarro was 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs for Hermosillo.

Mexicali 3, Navojoa 2

Wellington Dotel singled to right with 2 outs in the top of the 9th to score Xorge Castillo with the go ahead run in the Aguilas 3-2 win over the Mayos. Francisco Rodriguez (1-0) picked up the win in relief and Jake Sanchez earned his third save of the season. Kyle Grana (1-1) took the loss. Adan Munoz went 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs for Mexicali. Christian Zazueta had a home run and 2 RBIs in 3 trips to the plate for Navojoa.

Charros Open Season With 18-9 Win Over Tomateros

Opening Day Cebration

If the Charros de Jalisco were looking to make a statement in the opening game of the 2016-17 Liga Mexicana del Pacifico winter league, they did. They pounded out 20 hits, including a home run by Mario Valenzuela and 6 doubles in the 18-9 trouncing of the Tomateros de Culiacan. You can't expect this type of explosive output every day but it was fun to watch.

Jalisco sent 13 men to the plate in the bottom of the 1st inning and scored 9 runs. The first 8 batters reached base safely. They had 5 singles, a double and 2 reached on errors by the Culiacan infield. With 5 runs already across and the bases loaded, Amadeo Zazueta cleared the bases with a double to right center to make it 8-0 and Manny Rodriguez followed with his second double of the inning to drive in Zazueta for the 9-0 Charros lead.

After the Charros starter, Kyle Simon gave up 3 singles to load the bases in the top of the 3rd inning, Joey Meneses, the Tomateros first baseman, made him pay by hitting a long grand slam to right. Culiacan cut the Charros lead to 9-4 with one swing of the bat.

The Charros answered in their half of the inning. Zazueta was hit by a pitch, Manny Rodriguez singled and both runners scored on a double by Art Charles.

With 3 more runs in the 4th, the Charros upped their lead to 14-4. Mario Valenzuela hit a 2 run home run in the inning and Manny Rodriguez drove in a run with his third double of the game.

Valenzuela Home Run

Jalisco added a run in the 5th when Cacao Valdez reached on an error, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Valenzuela.

Things were quiet until the bottom of the 8th inning. 4 consecutive singles, a walk and a run producing ground ball double play by Art Charles increased the Charros lead to 18-5.

The relief pitching in the 9th for the Charros got off badly when Aaron Kurcz gave up 2 singles, walked a batter and, after getting an out, gave up a ground rule double to Ronnier Mustelier for 3 runs. A single by Sebastian Elisalde scored Mustelier to cut the lead to 18-9 but that was all and the Charros de Jalisco had the opening day victory.

Kyle Simon picked up the win with a shaky 5 innings in which he gave up 5 runs on 8 hits with 1 walk and 1 strikeout. He gave up the grand slam to Meneses.

Charros Celebrate the Win

Edgar Gonzalez did not record an out in the losing effort. He gave up 8 runs on 6 hits before being replaced by Jose Medina.

Manny Rodriguez was 5 for 5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Amadeo Zazueta went 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs and 3 runs scored for the Charros.

Ronnier Mustelier went 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs for the Tomateros. Sebastian Elizalde was 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and Joey Meneses 1 for 3 with the grand slam.

The Charros travel to Culiacan to take on these same Tomateros on Thursday and then Obregon to face the Yaquis for games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Charros return home on Tuesday the 18th to host the Caneros de Los Mochis.

IN OTHER LMP ACTION:

Hermosillo 3, Obregon 2

Erik Young Jr. homered in the 1st inning and the Naranjeros held on to defeat the Yaquis 3-2. Clell Hobson hit a home run for Obregon in the 7th inning to cut the lead to 3-2 but that was the end of the scoring. Joseph Colman picked up the win, giving up a run on 4 hits over 5 innings. Paul Sewald notched his 1st save of the year for Hermosillo. Rolando took the loss for Obregon. He gave up all 3 runs on 3 hits in his 5 innings on the mound.

Navojoa 4, Los Mochis 3

Hector Velazquez worked 5 innings for the Mayos, striking out 8 Caneros to get the win for Navojoa. Kyle Grana made it close in the 9th, giving up a run but held on to pick up the save. Luis Niebla took the loss, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings. Yosmany Guerra was 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 runs scored for Navojoa. Alejandro Gonzalez was also 2 for 3 for the Mayos. Leandro Castro was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored for the Caneros

Charros de Jalisco 2016-17 Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Schedule

The Charros de Jalisco begin play in their 3^rd season with the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) 2016-17 season with a home game against the Tomateros de Culiacan on the 12^th of October. Jalisco plays it’s home game in the Estadio de Beisbol in Zapopan by the TelMex Auditorio. According to the Charros’ home page, single game tickets will become open to the public on the 3^rd of October. Tickets will be available either on TicketMaster or at the stadium between the hours of 10AM and 3PM Monday through Friday

There will be 34 home games for the Charros and 34 games on the road.

In October, in addition to the home opener on the 12^th, the Charros play 3 games against the Caneros de Los Mochis, the 18^th-20^th and 3 games against the Tomateros the 21^st-23^rd.

November 1^st through the 3^rd, the Charros face the Naranjeros de Hermosillo. The 8^th-10 have the Aguilas de Mexicali in town. The Yaquis de Obregon arrive in Guadalajara for 3 games from the 11^th-13^th. The Aguilas return for 3 games November 21st-23^rd with the Venados de Mazatlan rounding out the November schedule with 3 games on the 24^th through the 26^th.

The Liga Mexicana del Pacifico will be reviving its All Star game this year. There has not been an all star game in the league for 20 years. The format for selecting the players has not been determined yet but the game will be held on the 27^th of November in Ciudad Obregon.

December finds the Charros at home the 2^nd-4^th against the Mayos de Navojoa. The 13^th-15^th brings the Yaquis back to town. The Naranjeros return from the 16^th-18^th and the season winds up with the Charros at home against the Tomateros de Culiacan on the 28^th, 29^th and 30^th of December.

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Charros de Jalisco Prepare For 2nd Season In Guadalajara

The Charros de Jalisco will embark on their 2nd season of play in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, and their quest to capture the Championship, on the 9th of October with the opening game of the League's season against the Tomateros de Culiacan.

Read a link of my article for the Guadalajara Reporter, Mexico's largest English newspaper, HERE.

I'll be following the Charros' games on my blog with artiles of interest in the Reporter.

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Corey Wimberly - Leones Center Fielder

Corey Wimberly has traveled a long and winding path from his boyhood days in Florida to roaming the outfield for the Leones de Yucatan.

Leones 2015/peninsuladeportiva.com

Born in Jacksonville in 1983, the now 5'8" 170 pound Wimberly attended Ribault High School from 1999 through 2002 and became one of three players from that school to have been drafted by the Major Leagues. Upon completion of his playing days at Ribault, Wimberly was signed to play the infield and outfield for the Alcorn State Braves.

College Career
Corey played for two seasons, 2004-05, at Alcorn. Always known for his speed on the base paths, his statistics while there are most impressive. In 2004 he hit .420 with 8 doubles, 4 triples and 40 stolen bases. 2005 was an even better year for Corey. He raised his batting average to .462, stroked 10 doubles with 3 triples and stole 42 bases. The Colorado Rockies took note and drafted Wimberly in the 6th round of the draft in 2005.

Minor League Career
The Rockies immediately sent Wimberly to the Casper Rockies of the Pioneer League, a Rookie League. In Casper, Corey hit .381 with 10 doubles and 36 stolen bases in 67 games.
Wimberly played in the Rockies organization from 2005-09 before being let go and signed by the Oakland Athletics. In 2010 with the AAA Sacramento River Cats of the pacific Coast League he hit .284 with 14 doubles, 7 triples and 3 home runs while driving in 57 in 135 games. Wimberly had several more stints at the AAA level, Indianapolis of the International League (Pirates), the Buffalo Bisons of the International League (Mets) and the Gwinnett Braves of the International League (Braves). In all, Corey has played for 7 Major League organizations in his career.

Mexican and Venezuelan Leagues
Wimberly began his international playing career for the Yaquis de Obregon of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico in 2009. His debut was pretty inauspicious as he appeared in just 7 games for the Yaquis and hit just .240 2ith 2 stolen bases. 2010 found him playing for the Tomateros de Culiacan where he hit .266 with 5 doubles, a home run and 4 stolen bases in 24 games.
In 2011, Wimberly played for the Leones del Caracas of the Venezuelan Winter League where he hit .231 with 6 doubles and 8 stolen bases. Corey did not play international ball again until he signed with the Yaquis for the 2014 winter season. Obregon.

Yaquis/Noticiascajeme.com

He hit .289 with 8 doubles and 17 stolen bases for
2015 will be his first experience in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol having signed to play for the Leones.

In 11 years in the minor leagues, including the 2015 season with the Leones, Corey has played in 840 games and compiled a .290 battin average with 902 hits, 111 doubles, 30 triples, 12 home runs and 258 RBIs. Wimberly has stolen 318 bases while being caught stealing 100 times.

Mets / puckettspond.com

Interesting factoid about Corey Wimberly
While a member of the AAA Indianapolis Indians of the International League in 2011, Corey was called on to pitch one time. He gave up 3 hits and an earned run in one inning on the mound and was not involved in the decision.

Brian Broderick Appears In 2nd Game For Kansas City Royals

Brian Broderick, late of the Charros de Jalisco, and reigning Reliever of the Year in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, made his second appearance for the Kansas City Royals this spring.

Broderick pitched a scoreless 8th inning for the Royals, giving up 2 hits with no walks and no strikeouts as the undefeated Royals beat the winless Milwaukee Brewers 6-4.

Meanwhile, Eric Farris, from the LMP Champion Tomateros de Culiacan, was 0-1 as the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates played to a 1-1 tie.

Rico Noel, a teammate of Farris on the Tomateros, went 0 for 1 for the San Diego Padres in a 6-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Gold Glove Recipients Announced

The Liga Mexicana del Pacifico has announced the winners of the Gold Glove, by position, for the 2014-2015 season.

Fueron los mejores a la hora de estar a la defensiva, posición por posición y en base a las estadísticas oficiales. La Liga Mexicana del Pacífico da a conocer a los ganadores de los Guantes de Oro de su temporada BANORTE 2014-2015.

The Caneros de Los Mochis had 3 fielders win Gold Gloves followed by the Naranjeros de Hermosillo with 2 and the Charros de Jalisco, Yaquis de Cd Obregon, Tomateros de Culiacan and the Venados de mazatlan with 1 each.

The winners by position are: 1B - Jesus Castillo, Mazatlan .990   2B - Carlos Gastelum, Hermosillo .988   3B - Rodolfo Amador, Los Mochis .978   SS - Issmael Salas, Culiacan .986   OF - Jerry Owens, Hermosillo .994   OF - Justin Christian, Los Mochis .993   OF - Eduardo Arredondo, Jalisco .992   C - Said Gutierrez, Obregon .988   P - Jonathan Castellanos 1.000

Serie de Caribe To Begin February 2nd

5 CHARROS CHOSEN TO JOIN TOMATEROS

The World Series of Caribbean Baseball is set to begin in San Juan, Puerto Rico on the 2nd of February. The Tomateros de Culiacan, by virtue of their championship season in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, will represent Mexico.

The other countries participating in the series are Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and The Dominican Republic. The rosters are expanded for the 5 teams and the Tomateros have chosen 5 Charros to help fill out their team. Manny Rodriguez, Marquez Smith, Terance Marin, Juan Delgadillo and Carlos Vasquez were selected to join the team in Puerto Rico.

The games begin on the 2nd of February and the finals are held on the 8th.

Mexico opens play against Cuba at 10:05 AM on the 2nd. They play again on the 3rd at 4:30 PM versus Puerto Rico. The team is off on the 4th but resumes play against the Dominican Republic at 4:30 PM on the 5th. The team's final game is with Venezuela at 10:05 AM on the 6th.

The 1st Semifinal game will be held at 10:05 AM on the 7th with the 2nd Semifinal game beginning at 4:30 PM.

The winners of those two games will meet in the Finals to be played at 2:30 PM on the 8th with the winner of that game crowned the Champions of the Caribbean.

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Tomateros Win LMP Championship 4 Games To 1

TOP CHARROS 4-3 IN GAME 5

With the exception of the first game, where the Tomateros de Culiacan used an offensive explosion, they used very good pitching to shut down the Charros' potent offense. Culiacan outscored the Charros in the series 28-17. It is often said that good pitching wins over good hitting in a seven game series. That adage holds true for this series.

Culiacan started the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd. Sergio Gastelum led off with a single to right, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ramiro Pena and scored when Rico Noel singled to center. Maxwell Leon followed with a single that moved Noel to third. Leon stole second and both runners scored when Eric Farris singled to right. The Tomateros led 3-0 after three innings.

Issmael Salas homered to left for the Tomateros in the bottom of the 4th to stretch the Culiacan lead to 4-0.

The Charros got on the board in the top of the 5th when Marquez Smith hit a solo home run to left to lead off the inning. The Culiacan lead was 4-1.

Jalisco scored again in the 6th. With one out, Eduardo Arredondo drew a base on balls and went to third on a single by Manny Rodriguez. Leo Heras grounded into a 4-6 fielder's choice to drive in Arredondo and narrow the Tomateros lead to 4-2.

CJ Retherford pinch hit for Amadeo Zazueta to lead off the 8th inning for the Charros and hit a long home run to deep center field to bring the Charros to within a run at 4-3.

Oscar Villarreal pitch a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the Tomateros to pick up the save and preserve the win for the Culiacan starter, Anthony Vasquez. Marco Tovar took the loss for the Charros.

The season was an exciting one for the fans of the Charros. They finished with the best record in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico and Manny Rodriguez stands a very good chance to be named the MVP of the league. Japhet Amador tied for the league lead in home runs and led the league in RBIs. Congratulations on a fine season! Todos Somos Charros!

The Tomateros de Culiacan move on now to the Caribbean Baseball World Series to be played in Puerto Rico.  Congratulations to the Tomateros and the fans of the Charros wish you well in the World Series.

Tomateros de Culiacan Defeat Charros 3-1

TAKE COMMANDING 3 GAMES TO 1 LEAD

The Tomateros de Culiacan hold a 3 games to 1 lead in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Championship Series with their 3-1 victory over the Charros on Sunday.

The Charros had multiple opportunities to score as they loaded the bases 3 separate times during the game but were unable to capitalize. As a team, the Charros were 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

The Charros loaded the bases, with one out, in the top of the 1st on singles by Manny Rodriguez, Leo Heras and Marquez Smith. Japhet Amador then lofted a fly ball to left for the second out and Rodriguez was thrown out at home trying to score.

Culiacan took advantage of the Charros failure to score in their half of the 1st. Rico Noel bunted for a hit and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Maxwell Leon. Noel stole third and scored when Eric
Farris launched a home run to left. Culiacan went up 2-0 after one inning.

The Tomateros added to their lead in the bottom of the 4th. Dave Sappelt drew a lead off walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Issmael Salas. Arturo Rodriguez grounded out to the pitcher as Sappelt took third. Sergio Gastelum walked and went to second on a wild pitch by Charros starter Orlando Lara. Ramiro Pena reached base safely on a fielding error by CJ Retherford as Sappelt scored. The lead was 3-0 Culiacan.

Jalisco mounted a threat in the top of the 9th. CJ Retherford walked with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Sebastien Valle grounded out to second to advance Retherford to third. Pinch hitter Jesus Cota singled to drive in Retherford. The Charros loaded the bases with two outs but Leo Heras lined out to second to end the game and the Tomateros took the 3-1 win.

One game remains to be played in Culiacan. Should the Tomateros win, they become the League Champions. If the Charros win, the series returns to Guadalajara for game 6 and, if necessary, game 7.

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 Even Championship Series At 1 Game Apiece

SHUTOUT TOMATEROS 5-0 BEHIND JUAN DELGADILLO

The Charros used strong pitching from starter Juan Delgadillo and relievers Terance Marin and Manny Acosta to shutout the Tomateros de Culiacan in the 2nd game of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico last night and even the Championship series at 1 game apiece.

Delgadillo got the win by tossing six complete innings of 5 hit shutout ball, striking out 2 and keeping the Tomateros off balance all night. Terance Marin pitched 2 innings giving up 2 hits while holding Culiacan scoreless and Manny Acosta, who pitched the 9th inning for Jalisco, put a little scare into the fans, allowing 2 hits before getting the last out to preserve the win for Delgadillo.

The Charros scored in the bottom of the 1st on a single to left by Eduardo Arredondo, a walk to Leo Heras and a single to left by Japhet Amador that scored Arredondo for the early 1-0 Jalisco lead.

With two outs in the Charros half of the 4th, Jesus Lopez drew a walk and went to second as Eduardo Arredondo also drew the base on balls. Manny Rodriguez singled up the middle to load the bases on a ball that the Culiacan second baseman got to but couldn't turn into a force play at second. Leo Heras followed with a single to right that scored Lopez and Arredondo to open the lead to 3-0 Charros.

Jalisco scored twice in the 7th as Jon Weber singled with one out and scored in front of a home run to left by Marquez Smith as the Charros increased their lead to 5-0. When Manny Acosta got the third out in the top of the 9th, the Charros had the victory.

After a travel day on Friday, the series shifts to Culiacan for game 3 on Saturday, game 4 on Sunday and game 5 on Monday. If necessary, games 6 and 7 will be played in Guadalajara beginning Wednesday the 28th of January

Tomateros Reach Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Finals Against Charros

TOP AGUILAS de MEXICALI 9-8 IN ELEVEN INNINGS

The Tomateros de Culican are in the finals of the Liga de Mexicana del Pacifico against the Charros de Jalisco by virtue of their 9-8 win over the Aguilas de Mexicali in 11 innings last night. The Tomateros squandered an 8-3 lead but held on to win on a throwing error by the Aguilas pitcher in the bottom of the 11th.

The Aguilas scored two in the 1st on a walk to Gil Velazquez and a home run to left by Humberto Cota that got Mexicli off to a 2-0 lead.

John Lindsey led off the 2nd for Mexicali with a solo home run to left to up the Aguilas' lead to 3-0.

Joey Meneses singled to lead off the Tomateros half of the 2nd. Russell Branyan then singled to left with Meneses going to third. Meneses and Branyan both scored in front of Oscar Robles' home run to right that tied the score at 3.

In the bottom of the 3rd for Culiacan, Eric Farris led off with a single and went to second on a single by Russell Branyan. Issmael Salas sent a shot to left for a home run that scored Farris and Branyan and increased the Tomateros lead to 6-3.

Culiacan scored twice in the bottom of the 4th. A single by Eric Farris, with two outs, started things off. Joey Meneses followed with a single that moved Farris to third. Russell Branyan then singled to score Farris with Meneses going to third. A passed ball scored Meneses and the Tomateros were ahead 8-3.

Dave Sappelt hit a three run home run for the Aguilas in the top of the 5th that scored Chris Roberson and Gil Velazquez to narrow the Tomateros lead to 8-6.

Mexicali scored a run in the 8th on singles by Humberto Cota and Luis Juarez and a sac fly to center by Ricardo Serrano that scored Cota. The Aguilas were now 1 run back at 8-7.

The Aguilas tied the score at 8-8 in the top of the 9th on Dave Sappelt's second home run of the night, a solo blast to left that tied the game and forced extra innings.

The Tomateros won the game in the bottom of the 11th when, following a double by Joey Meneses, the Mexicali pitcher threw wildly to first on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Sergio Gastelum that scored Meneses with the winning run.

The Tomateros now face the Charros de Jalisco in a best of seven championship series that begins in Guadalajara on Wednesday night

Tomateros Defeat Charros 5-2

The Tomateros de Culiacan took the rubber match of the 3 game series with the Charros, 5-2, on a night that Jalisco's offense was ineffective, the fielding was erratic and the their starting pitching was poor.

Rico Noel drew a walk and stole second to lead off the game for Culiacan. Noel then stole third and scored on a throwing error by the Charros catcher. The Tomateros had a 1-0 lead with out benefit of a hit.

The Charros answered in their half of the first when Leo Heras singled and Japhet Amador was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Marquez Smith singled to right and Heras scored. Jalisco had tied the score at 1, after 1 inning.

Culiacan loaded the bases with 2 outs in the top of the 3rd and Joey Meneses singled to score Ramiro Pena and Issmael Salas to give the Tomateros a 3-1 lead.

CJ Retherford hit his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot to left, to pull the Charros to within a run at 3-2 in the bottom of the 3rd.

Ali Solis was hit by a pitch to start the 4th. Rico Noel walked. Ramiro Pena moved both runners up on a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher. Eric Farris then hit a sac fly to right to score Solis and Russell Branyan doubled to left to score Noel. Culican took the lead with the eventual final score of 5-2.

The Charros were unable to score two separate times with the bases loaded after the 4th inning. Jalisco was 3 for 11 with runners in scoring position while stranding 13.

Juan Delgadillo took the loss for the Charros to fall to 1-6 on the season, giving up all 5 Tomateros runs on just 4 hits but he hit 2 batters and walked 4 more in just 3 2/3 innings on the mound. The Jalisco relief pitchers pitched 5 1/3 innings of scoreless 2 hit ball, to keep the game as close as it was for the Charros.

Juan Castillo got the win in relief for Culiacan. The Tomateros pitchers scattered 11 hits by the Charros. Oscar Villarreal pitched the 9th to notch his 5th save of the year
 

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.

Charros Ride an 8 Run 2nd Inning To Victory Over Culiacan

The Charros scored 8 runs in the bottom of the 2nd and coasted to a 13-6 win over the Tomateros de Culiacan. Jalisco had 15 hits with Amadeo Zazueta going 3 for 5 with 5 RBIs while Jesus Cota was 2 for 3 with 3 runs scored.

Russell Branyan led off the top of the 2nd for the Tomateros with a walk but was erased on a double play grounder by Issmael Salas. Arturo Rodriguez singled and went to third on a single to right by Oscar Robles, who went 4 for 4 for Culiacan. Ramiro Pena singled to score Rodriguez and Ali Solis singled to center to score Robles for the 2-0 Tomateros lead. Solis was caught trying to steal second for the third out and the Charos were out of the inning.

Jalisco struck back in their half of the 2nd. With one out, CJ Retherford singled to center. Jesus Cota drew a base on balls and Gabriel Gutierrez loaded the bases with a Texas League single to center. Amadeo Zazueta, the hero of Sunday's game with Mexicali, hit a 3 run double off the wall in center scoring Retherford, Cota and Gutierrez. Eduardo Arredondo hit his third double of the year to score Zazueta for a 4-2 Charros lead. After a wild pitch by the Culiacan starter Marco Camarena put Arredondo on third, Manny Rodriguez doubled to left to score Arredondo. Leo Heras drew a base on balls. With one out, Japhet Amador flied out to center moving Rodriguez to third and Heras to second. Marquez Smith followed with a single to score Rodriguez and Heras. CJ Retherford hit his second single of the inning to put runners on first and second with 2 outs. Jesus Cota singled to right to score Smith with the eighth run of the inning. After two innings the Charros led 8-2.

The Tomateros used consecutive singles by Arturo Rodriguez, Oscar Robles and Ramiro Pena to score a run in the top of the 4th. Ali Solis grounded out 6-3 to score Robles. Rico Noel then laid down a perfect squeeze but to score Pena. Maxwell Leon followed with a single. With the score now 8-5 Charros, Manuel Flores relieved Graham Godfrey. Flores gave up a single to Eric Farris. Russell Branyan singled to score Leon. Flores got Issmael Salas to ground out to third but the lead had narrowed to 8-6 Jalisco.

Jalisco scored a run in the bottom of the 5th. Jesus Cota led off with a walk and went to second on a ground out to short by Gabriel Gutierrez. Cota scored on a single by Amadeo Zazueta to give the Charros a 9-6 lead.

Jesus Cota singled to center to lead off the 7th for the Charros. After a walk to Gabriel Gutierrez, Amadeo Zazueta singled to score Cota, Zazueta's 5th RBI of the game. Eduardo Arredondo laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third with 1 out. Gutierrez scored on a passed ball as Zazueta moved to third. Manny Rodriguez and Leo Heras walked to load the bases. Japhet Amador singled to right to score Zazueta and Rodriguez for the 13-6 lead.

Hugo Castellanos worked the 9th, giving up a walk to Russell Branyan with two outs before striking out Joey Meneses to end the game.

Carlos Vazquez picked up the win in relief to improve to 3-1 on the year and Marco Camarena took the loss for Culiacan to fall to 3-2 on the season.