Diablos Over Guerreros 9-4 in Game 4 of their Series

MEXICO EVEMS ZONA SUR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AT 2 GAMES APIECE

The Diablos Rojos del Mexico got to Guerreros starter Ruddy Acosta for 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning and went on to defeat Oaxaca 9-4 to even the Zona Sur Championship series at 2 games apiece.

Jesus Fabela

Mexico's Juan Fabela set the tone for the game, leading off the game with a double and taking third on a fielding error by the Guerrero's left fielder. Fabela scored on a fielders choice by Juan Carlos Gamboa that saw Gamboa safe at first on a late throw by the pitcher. Gamboa stole second and Luis Jimenez drew a walk. The Diablos loaded the bases on a single off the bat of Ivan Terrazas. Michael Choice hit a sac fly deep to center that scored Gamboa and Emmanuel Avila singled to drive in Jimenez. Mexico had a 3-0 lead before the Guerreros came to bat.

Oaxaca got a run back in the bottom of the 2nd on a single by Henry Urrutia, a one out walk to Julian Ornelas and a single by Alan Sanchez that scored Urritia.

Mexico scored twice in the top of the 5th as David Vidal scored on a ground out by Terrazas and a sac fly by Choice that scored Jimenez for a 5-1 lead.

Alan Sanchez singled to start the Guerreros half of the 5th and came around to score on a single by Alejandro Gonzalez. Erick Rodriguez scored on a ball four wild pitch for the second run of the inning as Oaxaca cut the Diablos lead to 5-3.

With the bases loaded in the top of the 6th, David Vidal hit a sinking line drive that got past the right fielder and caromed off the wall. 3 runs scored but Vidal was out at the plate trying for an inside the park home run. Vidal was out by so much that he never even attempted a slide. The Diablos led 8-3.

David Vidal

Michael Choice hit a ball out of the stadium to left in the top of the 7th. It was a towering fly ball, the type of home run ball where the fielder merely turns and watches the flight of the ball. Mexico led 9-3.

Alejandro Gonzalez lofted a fly ball to left center that was just out of the reach of a leaping Jesus Fabela and cleared the fence for a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th for the Guerreros cutting the lead to 9-4. Oaxaca couldn't get anything else going in the inning and went quickly in the 8th and 9th innings for the final score of 9-4.

6,050 fans filled Parque Eduardo Vasconcelos in Oaxaca de Juaruz hoping to see their home town heros take a 3 games to 1 lead in the series but the Diablos came out swinging and never let up, putting a damper on the crowd's enthusiasm. Game 5 will be played at the stadium on Thursday with game 6 to be played in Mexico City on Saturday the 29th of September.

Patrick Johnson (1-0) picked up the win in relief for Mexico while Ruddy Acosta (0-1) allowed 7 runs on 7 hits, walked 4 and struck out 3 in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.

The 1 through 4 hitters for the Diablos were 7 for 16 with 3 RBIs and 7 runs scored. Luis Jimenez was 3 for 4 with a double and 2 runs scored.

Henry Urrutia was 2 for 3 with a walk for Oaxaca. Alejandro Gonzalez and Alan Sanchez were both 2 for 4.