Culiacan Weathers a 2 Run 9th Tops Mexicali 3-2

TOMATEROS PITCHERS HAD 2 HIT SHUTOUT THROUGH 8 INNINGS

Culiacan scratched out 2 runs in the top of the 6th inning to take a 3-0 lead that would prove to be enough to defeat the Aguilas 3-2.

Ryan McBroom

Roemon Fields led off the inning by drawing a walk. Rico Noel was hit by a pitch. A sacrifice bunt by Henry Ramos moved the runners to second and third. Ryan McBroom walked to load the bases with 1 out. A Dylan Moore single to left scored Fields and Noel for the 3-0 lead.

The Aguilas made a game of it in the bottom of the 9th. Juan Perez drew a lead off walk and promptly stole second. A ground out moved Perez to third. David Harris doubled to score Perez and CJ Retherford followed with a single to plate Harris for the second run of the inning. Retherford was thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double. This proved critical because Ricky Alvarez then singled and Xorge Carrillo walked to put runners at first and second with 2 outs instead of bases loaded with 1 out. Pinch hitter, Chuck Taylor struck out to end the game with the Tomateros the 3-2 winners.

James Russell (1-1) picked up the win and Sasagi Sanchez earned the save despite the drama that was the bottom of the 9th. Sergio Mitre (1-1) took the loss for the Aguilas.

Mayos Down Defending LMP Champion Tomateros 8-2

WIN FEATURED HOME RUNS AND GOOD PITCHING

The Mayos de Navajoa struck first, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 2nd inning, on their way to the 8-2 win over the reigning Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) Champion Tomateros de Culiacan.

Fernando Flores

With 1 out, Jovan Rosa singled to left and scored on a line drive home run to left by Fernando Flores. Diego Madero then doubled to left and scored on a Christian Zazueta single to give Navajoa a 3-0 lead.

The Mayos added a run in the top of the 3rd on a solo home run by Alonzo Harris.

Culiacan got a run back in the bottom of the 4th when Dylan Moore led off the inning being hit by a pitch. Joey Meneses drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Luis Cruz singled to score Moore that put the Tomateros on the board and cut the lead to 4-1.

Navajoa would score 3 more runs in the 5th and the pitching staff did the rest, holding the Tomateros to 1 run over the final 5 innings.

Marco Castillo (1-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Jose Oyervides while James Russell (0-1) gave up 6 runs on 7 hits, including the 2 home runs, in taking the loss.

The Mayos pounded out 13 hits with every starter except Max Ramirez getting at least 1 hit.

18,699 fans packed Estadio de los Tomateros in Culiacan hoping to see the home town team start their march back to an LMP Championship only to leave disappointed. These two teams will meet again on Sunday the 14th in Navajoa.