The LMB Assembly of Presidents in Final Meeting Prior to the 2017 Season

TIES UP LOOSE ENDS BEFORE THE START OF THE 2017 LMB SEASON

LMB Assembly of Presidents

The Assembly of Presidents of the 16 team Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) met on the 24th of February to take care of the final items on the agenda for the 2017 season.

Approval of the sale of the Tigres de Quintana Roo was the first and most anticipated item on the agenda. The league approved the sale of the Tigres to Mexican baseball icon Fernando Valenzuela. Valenzuela will be the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Executive President, the Deputy Executive Chairman and the General Manager of the team. There was no mention of the sale price in the announcement but the cost has been estimated at 50 Million Pesos.

Fernando Approved as Owner of Tigres

The assembly also approved the sale of the Broncos de Reynosa to Arturo Blanco who will be the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bravos de Leon. Mr. Mauricio Martinez was named as the Executive President of the Bravos.

Also approved was the sale of 50% of the Sultanes de Monterrey to the Grupo Multimedia. As there was not a list of owners of the other 50% of the Sultanes, one can only assume that at least 1 % of the remaining partners would vote with Grupo Multimedia to avoid conflicts in management decisions. Additionally, the assembly approved the sale of the Acereros de Monclova to LIC. Gerardo Benavides Pape.

Pilino Escalante

In accordance with the wishes of Minor League Baseball (MiLB), the organization that sanctions the LMB, the league presidents unanimously approved the return of Pilino Escalante to the position as President of the LMB. Escalante had been ousted by a majority of the team owners in December.

The assembly also concurred with the decision of Pat O;Connor, President of the MiLB, that there would be no limits on the number of dual nationality players on any team. Those dual nationality players are Mexican players born abroad.

The use of replay was approved for the 2017 season if the teams comply with the league rules on television transmission for league games.

The last items on the agenda to ratify had to do with scheduling. The league will begin, with a full slate of games, on the 31st of March. Three games will be played in that first series with an off day on Monday the3rd on April.

The All Star game, originally scheduled for the 16th of June was moved to the 18th. The league abandoned the rule that had the winner of the All Star game determining home field advantage in the Championship round. Home field will now be based on won/loss record alone. Major League Baseball (MLB) should take note of this and do the same in the Liga Grande.

On Opening Day, the Acereros de Monclova will play the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in Mexico City. The Saraperos de Saltillo will begin the season on the road against the Toros de Tijuana. The Generales de Durango (formerly the Delfines de Ciudad del Carmen) will visit the Rieleros de Aguascalientes. The Sultanes de Monterrey will be at home against the Vaqueros de Laguna as will the Guerreros de Oaxaca when they welcome the Aguilas Rojas de Veracruz to town. The 2016 LMB Champion Pericos de Puebla face the Bravos de Leon (formerly the Broncos de Reynosa) in Puebla. The Olmecas de Tabasco visit Campeche to take on the Piratas and the Tigres de Quintana Roo travel to Merida to battle the Leones de Yucatan.

The league has determined that the Bravos de Leon and the Generales de Durango must play the first two series of the year as the away team to allow more time for improvements to be completed on their home fields.

Olmo Rosario Signs with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League for the 2107 Season

ATLANTIC LEAGUE TEAM SIGNS PLAYER WHO FAILED DRUG TEST

The Somerset Patriots announced on their website that they had signed utility player Olmo Rosario to play for them in 2017.

Patriots manager Brett Jodie says "It is great to have Olmo on our team this year. We have seen him in the league before and he was always a tough out for us." Jodie added that "(h)e will also be a huge addition to our offense."

This will be Rosario's third season in the Atlantic League. In 2013 he hit .287 with 13 HRs and 74 RBIs for the Lancaster Barnstormers and was selected to the Atlantic League All Star squad.

In 2016, for the Toros de Tijuana of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) Rosario hit .313 with 6 HRs and 73 RBIs in 109 games.

The fact that Rosario is a good hitter is indisputable. He has proven over his 12 year professional baseball career that he can hit a baseball. He can also field. Under normal circumstances he would be an asset to any baseball team anywhere in the world. His talent is undeniable.

I write this article because Olmo Rosario has been suspended by the LMB for the first 50 games of the 2017 season after amphetamines were discovered in a urine test conducted following the 2016 LMB season.

The Somerset Patriots must have been aware of Rosario's suspension. The same Minor League Baseball (MiLB) that sanctions the Patriots, and the Atlantic League, sanctions operations in the LMB. If the Patriots didn't know about the suspension because they didn't do their "due diligence" then shame on them. If the MiLB establishment didn't pass on the information of a player who failed a drug test and was suspended, shame on them. But, if Rosario or his agent failed to inform the Patriots of his suspension, Rosario should be banned for life from professional baseball.

In the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball's mission statement the league bills itself as "...winning baseball games and showcasing the talent of top-caliber players...".

If hiring drug users banned for 50 games in a Triple A sanctioned MiLB league is "showcasing top-caliber players" then the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball should rethink it's mission statement.

5 LMB Jugadores Suspendido Para Partes de la Temporada 2017

Dos mas jugadores revision medica de prueba positiva

La Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) ha dado a conocer los nombres de 5 jugadores que dieron positivo. Después de la temporada 2016, para sustancias prohibidas y será suspendido para partes de la temporada 2017. Además, para estos jugadores, no se les permitirá participar en la postemporada si su equipo llega a los playoffs.

Carlos Valencia, Olmo Rosario y Miguel Ángel González de los Toros de Tijuana tuvieron anfetaminas descubiertas en sus pruebas de drogas.

El gerente de Toros, Pedro Mere, ha sido citado diciendo que se mantiene al lado de sus jugadores "... dando pleno apoyo en su 'supuesto dopaje' 'Aunque no está de acuerdo con los resultados, dice que" espera los resultados de la prueba " B"

.
Cada uno de los jugadores de Toros fueron suspendidos por 50 juegos.

Olmo Rosario, quien bateó .313 con 6 HRs y 73 impulsadas para los Toros en 2016, ha firmado para jugar en la Liga Atlántica para los Patriotas de Somerset en 2017.

Carlos Valencia bateó .244 con 7 HR y 46 RBIs, mientras que el lanzador derecho Miguel González tuvo una efectividad de 5.89 en 18 entradas de,, dando 28 hits, ponchando 15 y caminando 10.

Hassan Pena, descubierto con marihuana en su prueba fue suspendido por 50 juegos. Jugó para los Sultanes de Monterrey en 2016. Primero un relevista, Pena tuvo un récord de 5-1 con 5 salvamentos. Lanzó 30 entradas de,, eliminando a 22 y caminando sólo 2.

Albino Contreras, de los Leones de Yucatán, ha sido suspendido por 100 juegos para el análisis positivo de anfetaminas. Esta fue la segunda prueba positiva de Contreras. En 2016, Contresas bateó .208 sin jonrones y 8 remolcadas en tiempo de juego limitado para los Leones.
Además de estos 5 jugadores.

Cyle Hankerd y Travis Blackley tendrán sus resultados positivos, para un producto no especificado, revisado por una comisión basada en una exención medicinal solicitada. La comisión tiene el poder de permitir los resultados o rechazar la solicitud de medicamentos y suspender a los jugadores.

La firma de pruebas de drogas usada por el LMB previamente, CONADE, ya no realiza pruebas de drogas para la liga y por lo tanto la liga se ve obligada a encontrar una instalación de prueba alternativa. Con el fin de mantener un acuerdo de trabajo con la Liga Mayor, que le da a la LMB una calificación Triple A League, una fuente de prueba adecuada debe encontrarse al principio de la temporada.
Actualmente la liga está explorando opciones como la Universidad de California y laboratorios tanto en Cuba como en México.

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

5 LMB Players Suspended For Parts Of The 2017 Season

2 MORE TO HAVE MEDICAL REVIEWS

The Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) has released the names of 5 players who tested positive. following the 2016 season, for banned substances and will be suspended for parts of the 2017 season. Additionally, for these players, they will not be allowed to participate in the postseason should their team reach the playoffs.

Carlos Valencia, Olmo Rosario and Miguel (Michael) Angel Gonzalez of the Toros de Tijuana had amphetamines discovered in their drug tests.

The Toros manager, Pedro Mere, has been quoted as saying that he stands by his players “...giving full support in their ‘supposed doping’’ While not agreeing with the results he says he “looks forward to the results of test “B”.

Each of the Toros players were suspended for 50 games.

Olmo Rosario, who hit .313 with 6 HRs and 73 RBIs for the Toros in 2016, has signed to play in the Atlantic League for the Somerset Patriots in 2017.

Carlos Valencia hit .244 with 7 HRs and 46 RBIs while right handed pitcher Miguel Gonzalez had a 5.89 ERA in 18 ⅓ innings, giving up 28 hits, striking out 15 and walking 10.

Hassan Pena, discovered with marijuana in his test was suspended for 50 games. He played for the Sultanes de Monterrey in 2016. Primarily a reliever, Pena had a 5-1 record with 5 saves. He pitched 30 ⅔ innings, striking out 22 and walking just 2.

Albino Contreras of the Leones de Yucatan has been suspended for 100 games for testing positive for amphetamines. This was Contreras’ second positive test. In 2016, Contresas hit .208 with no home runs and 8 RBIs in limited playing time for the Leones.

In addition to these 5 players, Cyle Hankerd and Travis Blackley will have their positive results, for an unspecified product, reviewed by a commission based on a requested medicinal exemption. The commission has the power to allow the results or reject the medicinal request and suspend the players.

The drug testing firm used by the LMB previously, CONADE, no longer performs drug testing for the league and thus the league is forced to find an alternate testing facility. In order to maintain a working agreement with Major League, which gives the LMB a Triple A League rating, a suitable testing source must be found by the beginning of the season.

Currently the league is exploring options such as the University of California and laboratories in both Cuba and Mexico.

LMB Arguments Over Roster Limits For Foreign Born Mexicans Mediated By Minor League Baseball

PAT O'CONNER, PRESIDENT OF MiLB, MEDIATES DISAGREEMENTS

Until 5 PM on Tuesday the 7th of February, the status of the 2017 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB)
season was very much in jeopardy.

The league, comprised of two Divisions with eight teams each, could not come to agreement on how many foreign born Mexicans would be allowed on each team. The number of "extranjeros", or foreign born players, would remain at 6.

At the end of the 2016 season, the Toros de Tijuana beat the Sultanes de Monterrey in the semifinals of the divisional playoffs. Jose Maiz Garcia, the President of the Sultanes, claimed that the Toros had an unfair advantage because of the number of dual nationality players on the team. Specifically, Mr. Maiz was referring to the number of Mexican-American players the Toros had hired.

This argument split the owners of the sixteen teams between the traditionalists and the "new money" owners. The team owners that wanted to limit the number of dual nationality players to 3 per team were from Monterrey, Oaxaca, Ciudad de Mexico, Cancun (Tigres de Quintana Roo), Saltillo, Campeche, and Tabasco.

The owners of teams in Tijuana, Veracruz, Laguna, Merida (Leones de Yucatan), Puebla (2016 League Champions), Monclova and Aguascalientes argued for 9 dual nationality players.

Mr Maiz argued that the LMB, and their Academies, existed to develop Mexican ballplayers and not give an advantage to one team over another.

When, after 3 months, the impasse among team ownership was not resolved, the owners asked Pat O'Conner, President of Minor League Baseball, to mediate between the 2 groups. Minor League Baseball sanctions the LMB and issues the certification of the league as a Triple A level Organization. The owners agreed to abide by the decision of Mr. O'Conner.

Mr. O'Conner, in his letter released to the league on Tuesday, made 2 minor decision. He returned Plinio Escalante to his position as league president and accepted that the Broncos de Tamaulipas would be sold to a consortium from Leon.

The final part of his letter to the league addressed the question of roster limitations on dual nationality players.

Mr. O'Conner wrote that "Although I understand and share the goal of developing the most talented baseball players in Mexico, the roster limits of dual nationality players violates the Mexican Constitution and the Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination because the limits would act as (a) a restriction on access to work, (b) a restriction on participation in an association and (c) a restriction on participation in sporting activities." He further stated that "The roster limits could subject the Mexican League and/or it's clubs to a complaint before a court or another body such aa the National Sports Commission or Conapred." Conner also wrote "I cannot look away or encourage a member league (of baseball organizations) to engage in illegal discrimination. Consequently, there will be no roster limits for dual nationality players. The suspension of player signings imposed at the Houston assembly on February 1st is removed."

On a final note, Mr. O'Conner told the President of the LMB to review closely the claims of dual nationality players as it had been said that some were falsified.

Also on Tuesday, the owner of the Tigres de Quintana Roo, Carlos Peralta, announced his petition to withdraw from the LMB, based on this disagreement, and was placing the team for sale.

It may also be that Mr. Peralta was not pleased with the decision of the new Governor of Quintana Roo to lower the subsidy for the Tigres from 24 million pesos a year to 20 million pesos.

But for now the season is safe. The league owners will meet in the next few days to determine league schedules and the date the season will begin. If all goes well, the league should begin play around the 31st of March.

There remains the question of the Tigres, the new ownership of the Bravos de Leon (former Broncos de Reynosa) and the success of the Generales de Durango after the teams move from Ciudad del Carmen?

For those of us who love baseball and enjoy the product the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol provides, let us hope that all parties agree to abide by Mr. O'Conners' decision and the league returns for the summer.

Charros Infielder Alex Liddi Signs With Baltimore Orioles

THE MINOR LEAGUE DEAL WILL SEE HIM IN ORIOLES SPRING TRAINING CAMP

Liddi at bat for the Charros

Alex Liddi, infielder for the Charros de Jalisco, has been offered a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Liddi is reported to be headed to Sarasota, Florida and a spring training tryout with the Orioles.

The 1st Italian born and raised player to play in the big leagues, got his start with the Seattle Mariners who took him in the 2005 MLB International Draft. He played at various levels in the minor leagues for the Mariners and made his Major League debut in the Spring of 2011. Although he hit grand slam home runs in back to back games that spring he started the year in Triple A.

Called up to the big league club in the September roster expansion, Liddi got his 1st big league hit against the Kansas City Royals on September 9th and hit his 1st major league home run on the 20th against the Cleveland Indians.

Liddi's Official Mariners Photo

Since signing with the Mariners, he has been part of 5 different teams. The Orioles (twice), the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kansas City Royals. The 27 year old Liddi signed with the Orioles on January 12th of this year.

In parts of 3 seasons with the Mariners, Liddi has a .208 batting average with 6 home runs and 16 RBIs in 173 at bats.

Liddi played for the Charros de Jalisco in the 2015-2016 Liga Mexicana del Pacifico season, splitting his playing time between third base and first base. Liddi hit .312 with 7 home runs and 36 RBIs in 58 games for the Charros. He was picked by the Yaquis de Obregon to join their team in the quest for an LMP Championship.

Liddi Homers for the Charros

The Olmecas de Tabasco, of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, had expressed an interest in Liddi for the Mexican summer league before the signing.

Los Campeones!!

TIGRES CRUSH ACEREROS 9-0 IN GAME 5
Alfredo Amezaga named "Jugador Mas Valioso", or MVP of the Serie del Rey for 2015

Alfredo Amezaga
Jugador Mas Valioso

Watch video highlights of the Championship game HERE.

The Tigres de Quintana Roo left no doubt as to the outcome of game 5 of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Championship series. They jumped on top 2-0 after 2 innings, dealt the crushing blow with 5 runs in the 5th and added insult to injury with 2 more runs in the 7th without benefit of a hit.

Pablo "El Maestro" Ortega

Pablo Ortega was masterful, holding the Acereros scoreless on 3 hits during his 6 1/3 innings on the mound. The Tigres manager pulled Ortega after he gave up a walk and got the next batter to ground into a force out at second. Had the umpire gotten the call right, that play would have been ruled a double play and Ortega might have stayed in the game. As it was, reliever Arturo Barradas got the next hitter to ground into a double play and the inning was over. Barradas pitched 2 1/3 innings of no hit ball and gave way to closer Ramon Ramirez for the last out of the game.

Jose Oyervidez was tagged for 7 runs on 9 hits through 4 2/3 innings of work in the loss while striking out 5 Tigres. Oyervidez and 5 relief pitchers struck out 13 on the night but the Tigres collected 12 hits and were aided by 3 errors committed by the Monclova shortstop, Olmo Rosario.

And now to the game.

Jorge Cantu led off the top of the 2nd inning with a single and was forced at second on a ground ball by Greg Golson. Golson went to second on a throwing error by the Acereros shortstop and scored on a single by Alfredo Amezaga. Amezaga stole second and scored on a double by Iker Franco as the Tigres took an early 2-0 lead.

Eugenio Velez singled to start the 5th for the Tigres and went to second on a wild pitch, the Aceeros threw 3 wild pitches in the game. Carlos Gastelum sacrificed Velez to third and Velez scored on a double to right by Sergio Contreras. With two outs, Alfredo Amezaga singled to score Contreras. Iker Franco followed with a double to right center that score Golson and Amezaga. Esteban Quiroz singled to center to drive in Franco and the Tigres had built a 7-0 lead.

Alfredo Amezaga, Iker Franco and Esteban Quiroz began the 7th inning for the Tigres with walks to load the bases with no outs. Brandon Villarreal hit a slow roller to short that forced Franco at second but Amezaga scored. Eugenio Velez then struck out but the ball got past the catcher, Velez was safe at first and Franco scored just ahead of the tag at home to give the Tigres the 9-0 lead and the win.

There was an air of impending doom at Estadio Monclova from the beginning. 14,000 fans packed Acereros fell to the Tigres 7-4 in 10 innings. On Monday, the crowd was announced at 5,853 with plenty of empty seats. After the top of the 2nd inning the crowd was subdued and after the 5th, the crowd was silent. Even the stadium organ player was unable to get the fans excited.

Tigres - Los Campeones

the stadium on Sunday as the

The Tigres won their 12th LMB Championship, second only to the 16 Championships won by the Diablos Rojos del Mexico. Quintana Roo has now won 3 titles in 5 years, 2011, 2013 and this year.

     

Tigres Capture Game 4 Over Acereros With 7-4 Win

USE 3 RUN 10TH TO SECURE WIN

Watch video highlights HERE.

The Tigres de Quintana Roo pushed across 3 runs in the top of the 10th inning to win game 4 of the Serie del Rey over the Acereros de Monclova by a 7-4 score.

Carlos Bustamante

Carlos Bustamante held the Acereos scoreless through 6 2/3 innings, giving up just 4 hits, walking none and striking out 6. Reliever Ramon Rameriz worked the final 3 innings and was charged with a blown save but picked up the win following the Tigres outburst in the 10th inning.

Josh Lowey

Josh Lowey, the rained out game 3 starter, came back to start game 4 and gave up 4 runs on 8 hits, walked 2 and struck out 3. Matt Nevarez took the loss for Monclova allowing 2 runs to score in the 10th without recording an out.

Quintana Roo started the scoring in the 2nd inning on singles by Alfredo Amezaga and Esteban Quiroz. Amezaga scored on a force out by Brandon Villarreal that put the Tigres up 1-0.

The Tigres added a run in the 3rd on singles by Carlos Gastelum, Jorge Cantu and Alfredo Amezaga that scored Gastelum for the 2-0 lead.

Esteban Quiroz singled to lead off the 4th for the Tigres and scored in front of a home run by Eugenio Velez that made the score 4-0 Tigres.

Monclova mounted a comeback in the bottom of the 8th inning. They scored 3 times to pull within a run at 4-3. Jose Amador was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to second on a wild pitch. Amador scored on a double by Hernando Arredondo for the first Acerero run. With one out, Antonio Lamas singled to score Arredondo. Walks to Carlos Penuelas and Hector Garanzuay loaded the bases and pinch runner, Miguel Guzman scored on a sac fly to right by Olmo Rosario for the third run of the inning.

Jose Amador hit a one out solo home run to left in the bottom of the 9th to tie the score and send the game into extra innings.

Jose Amador holds the runner

Alfredo Amezaga drew a walk with one out in the top of the 10th for the Tigres. Iker Fanco hit a ball deep in the hole at short for an infield single. After a pitching change for Monclova, reliever Juan Noriega uncorked a wild pitch to put the Tigres runners at second and third. Esteban Quiroz was intentionally walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Raul Sanchez hit into a force play that scored Amezaga. Eugenio Velez then reached safely on an error by the Acereros shortstop that scored Franco. Carslo Gastelum singled to score pinch runner Hiram Martinez and the Tigres had the 7-4 win.

The Serie del Rey continues on Monday in Monclova. Should the Tigres win they would be crowned Champions of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol. If Monclova wins game 5, the series would return to Cancun for game 6 and game 7, if necessary.

Quintana Roo Takes Game 1 Of The LMB Championship Series 9-8

WALK OFF DOUBLE DECIDES GAME

Watch video highlights HERE.

The Acereros and Tigres combined for 23 hits, including 6 home runs and 5 doubles, and 17 runs in a game 1 slugfest to determine the 2015 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Champion. There were 4 lead changes in the contest. The teams used 16 pitchers with Roman Ramirez being charged with a blown save and then picking up the win for the Tigres while Juan Noriega took the loss for Monclova.

Olmo Rosario was 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs for the Acereros as Jorge Cantu went 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs for the Tigres.

Monclova started the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning. With 2 outs, Jose Amador walked and Hernando Arredondo doubled to left. Both runners scored on a single by Francisco Cordoba and the Acereros were up 2-0.

Jorge Cantu Home Run

Jorge answered for the Tigres in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to left center. Iker Franco followed with a double and scored on a single by Alfredo Amezaga, who had 3 RBIs in the game for the Tigres, as Quintana Roo tied the score at 2.

With one out in the top of the 3rd, Flavio Romero singled and came around to score on a home run to left by Olmo Rosario. One out later, Brett Harper unloaded a deep drive to left for a solo home run and the Acereros had retaken the lead 5-2.

The Tigres got back to back doubles from Greg Golson and Carlos Gastelum in the 5th inning to score a run and narrow the Acereros lead to 5-3. Sergio Contreras followed with a single to put runners on first and third with no outs. Gastelum would score on a sac fly by Jorge Canto. Eugenio Velez singled and Iker Franco walked to load the bases.  Alfredo Amezaga doubled to right to score Contreras and Velez and the Tigres stormed back to take a 6-5 lead.

Jorge Cantu hit his second home run of the night in the 6th inning as the Tigres stretched their lead to 7-5.

Francisco Cordoba led off the top of the 7th for Monclova with a walk. Following a pitching change for the Tigres, pinch hitter Abraham Ramos drew a base on balls. Cordoba scored on single by Carlos Penuelas to cut the Tigres lead to 7-6. Flavio Romero sacrificed to move both runners up and Olmo Rosario singled to left to score Ramos with the tying run.

Esteban Quiroz hit a solo home run to right with one out in the Tigres half of the 7th as Quintana Roo took the lead again 8-7.

Esteban Quiroz Home Run

Carlos Penulas, who drove in 2 runs for Monclova, drove an 0-1 pitch over the wall in right leading off the top of the 9th for the Acereros to tie the score again at 8-8.

Brandon Villareal singled with one out in the bottom of the 9th for the Tigres and came around to score on the walk off double by Esteban Quiroz and Quintana Roo took the first game of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Championship playoff by a 9-8 score.

Game 2 of the series will be played in Cancun on Wednesday the 9th of September.

Leones Best Tigres 2-1

EVEN ZONA SUR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AT 3 GAMES APIECE

Large Leones Crowd

Marco Quevedo tossed 5 innings of 3 hit ball, allowing 1 run as the Leones de Yucatan topped the Tigres de Quintana Roo 2-1 in game 6 of the Zona Sur Championship Series. Adam Reifer pitched the 9th to preserve the win for Quevedo and record the save. 4 relievers kept the Tigres in check in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings on 2 hits and no runs.

Corey Wimberly led off he bottom of the 1st for Yucatan with a double to right and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jose Aguilar. Ricardo Serrano drew a base on balls and ball four was a wild pitch thrown by Tigres starter Carlos Bustamante that allowed Wimberly to score from third and gave the Leones an early 1-0 lead.

Yucatan continued to play small ball in the 2nd inning. Jaime Pedroza singled to lead off the inning and Kevin Flores sacrificed him to second. With two outs, Corey Wimberly singled to left to score Pedroza as the Leones stretched their lead to 2-0. The Tigres reliever, Wilmer Rios, ended the inning when he kicked a ball hit back to him towards a charging second baseman for a 1-4-3 ground out.

Jorge Vazquez led off the top of the 5th for the Tigres with a long solo home run to left to narrow the Leones lead to 2-1. That was the only "bad" pitch thrown by Quevedo in an otherwise masterful outing.

Jaime Pedroza was 2 for 3 with a run scored, Corey Wimberly 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored and Jose Aguilar 2 for 3 for the Leones.

Leones Score 2nd Run

Carlos Gastelum went 2 for 3 and Jorge Vazquez 2 for 3 with the home run for the Tigres.

The Leones have won 3 consecutive games to tie the series at 3 games apiece after falling behind when the Tigres took the first 3 games. Game 7 will be played on Sunday in Merida with the winner taking on the winner of the Zona Norte Championship series between the Acereros de Monclova and the Toros de Tijuana.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Tijuana 8, Monclova 4

Watch video highlights HERE.

The Toros de Tijuana exploded for 6 runs in the top of the 9th inning off of Acereros relieve Juan Noriega, who gave up 6 runs on 5 hits in 2/3 of an inning, to even the Zona Norte Championship series at 3 games apiece and forcing a game seven in Monclova on Sunday the 6th of September. The Toros scored all 6 runs with 2 outs in the inning.

Jose Oyervides, the Acereros starter, had held the Toros to 2 runs on 6 hits before being replaced on the mound in the 6th. Dennys Reyez was the beneficiary of the Toros outburst, picking up the win with 1 inning of relief.

Olivos 3 Run Single In The 9th

The big blow of the game was a bases loaded single to left that cleared the bases. The hard hit ball got by the left fielder and went to the wall and Olivo, who never slowed, raced home with the sixth run of the inning.

Mario Mendoza gave up a hit in the bottom of the 9th but struck out 2 batters including Francisco Cordoba to end the game preserve the win for Reyes.

Miguel Olivo was 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored, Lew Ford 2 for 5 wit an RBI and Luis Suarez 2 for 2 with an RBI for the Toros.

Olmo Rosario was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Jose Ruiz 2 for 4 with an RBI, Carlos Penuelos 2 for 3 with an RBI and Hernando Arredondo 2 for 5 for Monclova in the loss.

Yucatan Advances To Championship Round In The Zona Sur

When hired by the Leones de Yucatan in September of 2014 the new manager, Wilfredo Romero, was quoted as saying “(w)e know what it takes to win and we will implement the changes necessary”.

2015 arrived and the Leones de Yucatan started off slowly but finished 1st in the Zona Sur division of the LMB, 1 ½  games ahead of the Tigres de Quintana Roo.

Romero led the Leones to a 66-46 record, a 20 game improvement over the 2014 season. If I had a vote, Romero would be the Manager of the Year in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol. As it is, Miguel Ojeda led the Diablos Rojos del Mexico to a 73-39 record this year, the most ever in LMB play. Ojeda will probably be the MOY for 2015.

The Piratas de Campeche took a different path to their meeting with Yucatan. Finishing the season with a 53-56 record, the Piratas had to defeat the Pericos de Puebla in a 1 game play-in for the chance to face the #1 seed Leones.

Once they got to Merida the Piratas gave the Leones all they could handle.

The Leones took game 1 of the divisional playoffs with Campeche by an 8-0 score leading some to believe the series was as good as over. Yoanner Negrin pitched well and the Leones hitters flexed their muscles in the win.

Game 2 saw the Leones limited to 5 hits in a 3-1 loss. This time the Piratas pitching was superb.

The bats came alive in game 3, in Campeche, as the Leones had 14 hits, including 5 home runs to top the Piratas 9-2. Jonathan Castellanos picked up the win. Jesus Valdez, Kevin Flores, Israel Nunez and Ricardo Serrano (2) all hit home runs for Yucatan.

Campeche started strong and got great pitching from Evan Maclane as the Piratas shut out the Leones 5-0 in game 4. There wasn’t much to cheer about for the Leones as the Piratas evened the series at 2 game each.

Game 5 was all Piratas as they topped the Leones 4-2. The Piratas took a 3 games to 2 lead in the best of 7 game series.

Back again in Merida, Luis Garcia was the hero of game 6 with a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 8th giving the win to the Leones. The series was tied at 3 games apiece.

The Leones left no doubt as to the outcome in game 7, building a 5-1 lead after 3 innings and coasting to the win. Jonathan Castellanos worked 7 very good innings for the win.

Yucatan now faces the Tigres de Quintana Roo in the Zona Sur Championship round. The series begins in Merida on Friday the 28th of August with the winner of that series paying the winner of the Zona Norte series between the Toros de Tijuana and the Acereros de Monclova.  

Yucatan Takes Divisional Playoff Series From Campche 6-1

5 RUNS IN 3 INNINGS LIFT LEONES

The Leones de Yucatan dispatched the #4 seed Piratas de Campeche 6-1 to take the Zona Sur divisional series 4 games to 3 and advance to the Championship round. Jonathan Castellanos pitched 7 innings of 5 hit ball, allowing 1 run while striking out 7 Piratas to get the win. RolandoValdez lasted just 2 innings and gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in the loss.

Valdez' 2 run home run in the 1st
Leones Facebook

Jesus Valdez gave the Leones an early 2-0 lead when Ricardo Serrano singled with 2 outs and Valdez sent a pitch by Ricardo Valdez over the left field fence for a 2 run home run.

Carlos Colmenares drew a 2 out walk from Leones starter, Jonathan Castellanos, in the top of the 3rd and scored on a triple by Adan Velazquez to cut the lead to 2-1 Leones.

Israel Nunez led off the bottom of the 3rd with a single. Corey Wimberly was hit by a pitch and Jose Aguilar singled to load the bases with no outs. Ricardo Serrano hit into a 1-2-3 double play that caught Nunez at home. The Piratas decided to intentionally walk Jesus Valdez to reload the bases for Hector Gimenez. Gimenez made them pay for that decision by hitting a single that, with the help of a throwing error by the right fielder, cleared the bases and left Gimenez on second base. Yucatan took a 5-1 lead.

After a walk to Jaime Pedroza was erased on a double play grounder by Kevin Flores in the 6th inning, Israel Nunez doubled and scored on a single by Corey Wimberly. Wimberly was thrown out at second trying to advance on the throw but the Leones had a 6-1 lead and the pitching staff made the lead stand up over the remaining 3 innings

Jesus Valdez was 1 for 2 with a home run, 2 walks, 2 RBIs and a run scored, Israel Nunez 2 for 3 with a run scored, Ricardo Serrano 2 for 5, Kevin Flores 2 for 4 and Corey Wimberly 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored for Yucatan.

Adan Velazquez was 2 for 4 with the lone RBI for the Piratas.

Jonathan Castellanos/Leones Facebook

The Divisional Championship will begin on Friday the 28th of August with the Leones taking on the #2 seed Tigres de Quintana Roo, who beat the Guerreros de Oaxaca 6-3 in the other Zona Sur contest.

If the Leones should win that series, the LMB Championship series would be played in Merida.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Tijuana 7, Mexico 6

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The upstart Toros de Tijuana (54-53 on the season and 16 1/2 games behind the 73-39 Diablos) won their biggest game of the year on Wednesday, eliminating the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in game 7 of the Zona Norte divisional playoffs.

The Toros scored 5 runs in the 3rd, for a 7-2 lead inning and held on to beat the Diablos 7-6.

Barry Enright (3-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits while striking out 5 and allowing 4 home runs in getting the win for the Toros. The Tijuana used 4 relief pitchers for 2 innings before turning the game over to Mario Mendoza for the final 1 2/3 innings. Mendoza shut down the Diablos bats on no hits and no runs to get the save.

David Reyes lasted 2 1/3 innings, gave up 6 runs on 4 hits and walked 3 in the loss.

Dustin Martin HR in the 1st
Toros Facebook

Dustin Martin was 1 for 4 with a 2 run home run in the 1st for the Toros and Luis Suarez went 2 for 4 with a grand slam home run in the 3rd. Lew Ford was 3 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored while Oscar Robles was 3 for 5 for Tijuana.

Jesus Fabela and Japhet Amador had home runs for the Diablos and Ivan Terrazas belted 2 more for Mexico on a 2 for 4 night at the plate with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Japhet Amador was 3 for 4 with an RBI for the Diablos. Terraza and Cyle Hankerd combined for 24 RBIs in the series but that wasn't enough to overcome the Toros.

The Toros will take on the Acereros de Monclova, who won 11-3 over the Saraperos in their Zona Norte divisional playoff in a series that begins on Friday the 28th of August.

Monclova 11, Saltillo 3

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The Acereros jumped in front of the Saraperos d Saltillo 9-0 after 4 innings and added 2 more runs in the 6th inning to top the Saraperos 11-3 in the Zona Norte divisional playoffs in front of 6,180 hometown fans. Monclova took the best of seven series 4 games to 3.

Juan Pena picked up the win, pitching 5 innings, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 1 while Michael Nix worked 3 1/3 innings and gave up 6 runs on 4 hits in the loss.

Monclova scored the 3 runs in the 2nd inning on 2 walks, a hit batter, a single and a sac fly by Carlos Penuelas for the 3-0 lead and the pitching staff did the rest.

Jose Ruiz was 2 for 3 with a 3 run home run, Hector Garanzuay 2 for 4 with an RBI, Brett Harper 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Eder Salcedo 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs for Monclova.

Jon Del Campo was 2 for 4 wit a 2 run home run in the 9th inning while Ramon Ortiz went 3 for 4 with a run scored for the Saraperos.

Monclova will take on the Toros de Tijuana in the Zona Norte Championship round of the playoffs beginning Friday the 28th of August in Monclova.

Quintana Roo 6, Oaxaca 3

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The Tigres put away the Guerreros de Oaxaca 6-3 in game 7 of their Zona Sur divisional playoffs to earn the right to play the Leones de Yucatan, in Merida, for the Zona Sur Championship beginning Friday the 28th of August.

Arturo Barradas picked up the win in relief of Tigre starter Carlos Bustamante, pitching 2 1/3 shutout innings and Ramon Ramirez notched his 3rd save of the playoffs. Rodolfo Aguilar took the loss, giving up 2 runs on 1 hit in 1/3 of an inning.

Carlos Gastelum was 3 for 4 with an RBI, Francisco Peguero 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Jorge Cantu 3 for 4 with an RBI and Greg Golson 3 for 5 with an RBI for the Tigres.

Mike Jacobs went 2 for4 with an RBI and a run scored, Ronny Cedeno 1 for 4 with an RBI and Jaime Brena 1 for 3 with an RBI in the loss for Oaxaca.

Luis Garcia Powers Leones To 4-0 Win Over Piratas

3 RUN HOME RUN IN THE 8TH SEALS THE DEAL

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Luis Garcia was the hero of the game against the Piratas, hitting a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 8th for the Leones as Yucatan evened the best of seven Zona Sur divisional playoffs at 3 games apiece and forcing a deciding seventh game, in Merida, on Wednesday the 26th of August.

Marco Quevedo / Leones Facebook

Marco Quevedo got the win, pitching 7 innings, scattering 8 hits and striking out 5 for the Leones. Jorge Castillo pitched well, giving up just 1 run on 5 hits in 5 1/3 innings on the mound to take the loss for the Piratas.

Kevin Flores got things going for the Leones in the bottom of the 5th inning with a lead off triple. Israel Nunez hit a long sac fly to center to score Flores and the Leones grabbed a 1-0 lead.

Flores scores the 1st run
Leones Faebook

Jose Aguilar led off the bottom of the 8th for the Leones with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ricardo Serrano. Jesus Valdez, the regular season leader in batting average at .363, was intentionally walked by the Piratas reliever Ivan Salas. Hector Gimenez flew out to right but the DH for Yucatan, Luis Garcia, hit a frozen rope over the wall in left for a 3 run home run and the 4-0 Leones lead.

The Piratas had chances to score in the 6th, with men on 1st and 2nd, aided by a throwing error by Quevedo, and 7th inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs but could not score as Quevedo (8 hits, 0 runs and 5 strikeouts in 7 innings) pitched out of the jams both times to keep the shut out in place.

Garcia was 1 for 3 with the home run and 3 RBIs for the Leones while Carlos Colmenares went 3 for 4 for the Piratas.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Mexico 14, Tijuana 1

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The Diablos scored 3 times in the bottom of the 1st and added 7 runs in the 4th on their way to  14-1 thrashing of the Toros de Tijuana. Mexico evened the Zona Norte divisional playoffs at 3 games apiece with the win.

Hankerd & Terrazas
LMB Website

Mexico pounded out 17 hits, including a double and a home run by Cyle Hankerd (his third home run and 11th RBI of the series). Ivan Terrazas has driven in 10 runs for the Diablos this post season.

Juan Pablo Oramas worked 7 full innings, scattering 4 Toros hits and giving up 1 run while striking out 6. Oramas' only mistake of the game was a lead off home run to Miguel Olivo in the 7th inning.

Logan Duran lasted 2 1/3 innings and was touched for 4 runs on 5 hits while striking out 2 in the loss for Tijuana.

Second baseman, Carlos Valencia, was 2 for 4 for the Toros and Miguel Olivo 1 for 3 with the home run for Tijuana.

Hankerd and Terrazas were a combined 5 for 9 with 8 RBIs and 3 runs scored for the Diablos. Ramon Urias was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Luis Flores went 2 for 4 with an RBI for Mexico.

The 7th game will be played tonight, in Mexico City, with the winner to face either Monclova or Saltillo in the Zona Norte divisional finals set to begin on Friday the 28th of August.

Saltillo 7, Monclova 3

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The Saraperos used 2 walks and 5 singles to chase the Acereros starter, Jose Oyervides, with 6 runs in the 1st inning. Oyervides lasted just 1/3 of an inning, his shortest stint of the year, with the lone out coming on a sacrifice bunt by Luis Borges.

With the win, the Saraperos even the Zona Norte divisional series at 3 all and force a game 7 tonight in Monclova. The winner of that game will face either the Diablos Rojos del Mexico or the Toros de Tijuana in the championship round of the Zona Norte playoffs.

Santiago Gutierrez allowed 3 hits and a run in his 5 innings on the mound to get the win for Saltillo.

Justin Greene was 3 for 5 with a run scored, Jon del Campo 1 for 3 with 2 walks and an RBI, Christian Zazueta 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and Manny Rodriguez 1 for 5 with an RBI for Saltillo.

Olmo Rosario went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs for the Acereros in the loss.

Quintana Roo 9, Oaxaca 3

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Jorge Cantu and Jose Felix homered in the 4 run 4th for the Tigres and Quintana Roo scored 4 more times in the 5th to put the game away in the 9-3 pasting of the Guerreros.

The Zona Sur divisional playoff series is tied at 3 games apiece forcing a 7th game to be played, in Cancun, on Wednesday the 26th of August. The winner of that game will take on either the Leones de Yucatan or the Piratas de Campeche in the championship round beginning on Friday the 28th of August.

Daniel Cabrera worked 6 innings, scattering 8 hits and giving up 3 runs while striking out 11 Guerreros to get the win while Irwin Delgado went 4 1/3, allowing 5 hits, including the 2 home runs to take the loss.

In addition to the home runs by Cantu and Felix, Alfredo Amezaga was 2 for 4 with2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and Eugenio Velez 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Tigres.

Luis Rodriguez was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss for Oaxaca.

Campeche Shuts Out The Leones 5-0

TAKE GAME 4 AND EVEN SERIES AT 2-2

Evan Maclane / Leones Facebook

The #3, 4 and 5 hitters for the Piratas went a combined 8 for 12 at the plate with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored as Campeche topped the Leones 5-0. The Piratas exploded for 5 runs in the fifth and their pitchers did the rest.

The bottom of the 5th started with a base on balls to Paul Leon who went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Adan Velazquez reached base on an error by the Leones second baseman that got Leon to third. A single by Alfredo Silverio scored Leon. Ronny Paulino singled to drive in Velazquez and CJ Retherford followed with a double to plate Silverio. Paulino and Retherford scored on a single by Roberto Lopez to give Campeche the 5-0 lead and would prove to be all the scoring in the game.

Evan Maclane, the winning pitcher, and 2 relievers held the Leones scoreless on 3 hits while striking out 5.

Alejandro Astorga/ Leones Facebook

Alejandro Astorga worked 4 1/3 innings for the Leones giving up 1 run on 5 hits but walked 4 and struck out just 1.

With the series now tied at 2 games each, the 5th game of the Zona Sur series will be played in Campeche on Sunday he 23rd of August with the winner taking a 3-2 lead back to Merida for game 6 on Tuesday, the 25th.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Quintana Roo 6, Oaxaca 4

The Tigres de Quintana Roo evened their Zona Sur playoff series with the Guerreros de Oaxaca at two games apiece with the help of a 4 run 8th inning, good pitching and 3 Oaxaca errors in the 6-4 win.

Quintana Roo starter, Carlos Bustamante and 4 relief pitchers held the Guerreros to 4 runs on 7 hits while striking out 8.

Mike Jacobs led off the bottom of the 2nd inning with a solo home run to give Oaxaca an early 1-0 lead.

Jose Felix answered the Oaxaca home run with one of his own in the top of the 3rd to knot the score at one all.

After loading the bases in the bottom of the 7th, the Guerreros scored a run to retake the lead on a single by Erick Rodriguez but the Tigres pitchers were able to pitch out of the jam without further damage.

Alfredo Amezaga led off the 8th with a solo shot to right center for the Tigres and Quintana Roo broke the game open with 3 more runs in the inning with the help of 2 walks and 3 Guerreros errors for a 5-2 lead.

Both teams would score in the 8th and 9th innings but the Tigres prevailed in the game 6-4.

Jose Felix and Amezaga homered for the Tigres.

Alejandro Gonzalez was 2 for 4  with a home run and Mike Jacobs added a home run on a 1 for 2 night at the plate for Oaxaca.

Jesus Castillo got the win in relief with Ramon Ramirez notching his second save of the playoffs. Jose Ascanio was charged with a blown save and the loss for the Guerreros.

Jose Ascanio / Guerreros Facebook

The win ensures that the divisional playoffs will return to Cancun for game 6 and game 7 (if necessary) beginning on Tuesday the 25th of August.

Monclova 5, Saltillo 2

The Acereros de Monclova rode the bat of Francisco Cordoba, who went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, to a 3 games to 1 lead over the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Zona Norte divisional playoffs on Saturday.

Monclova scored 5 runs in the first 3 innings and let their pitching staff do the rest. The Acereros staff scattered 11 Saltillo hits and struck out 6.

Raul Barron picked up the win in relief, because starter Anthony Capra failed to complete 5 innings, and Juan Noriega notched his second save. Jorge Ibarra gave up 5 runs on 3 hits in 2 1/3 innings for the loss. Ibarra was charged with 1 earned run as the Saraperos defense committed 2 errors behind him.

Cordoba had a 2 run home run in the 2nd for Monclova.

Ramon Ortiz was 2 for 5 with an RBI for Saltillo.

Monclova has an opportunity to take the Zona Norte playoffs in game 6. in Saltillo, on Sunday the 23rd f August.

Tijuana 5, Mexico 1

Jason Urquidez
LMB.com

Jason Urquidez, the Toros starter, held the Diablos to just 1 hit and 1 run over 6 innings to get the win, 5-1, and even the Zona Norte divisional playoff series at 2 games each.

The Toros pitching staff held the 2014 LMB Champions, and winners of 73 regular season games in 2015, to just 3 hits while walking 5 and striking out 6.

The Diablos drew 2 walks in the second inning and scored their only run on a single by Jesus Lopez that drove in Cyle Hankerd. Mexico would not threaten again.

Lew Ford doubled and scored on a single by Jose Chavez in the 5th, Miguel Olivo doubled and scored on a sac fly by Carlos Valencia to take the lead in the 6th and the Toros scored 3 times in the 7th to seal the win.

Arturo Lopez pitched 6 innings for the Diablos and gave up 2 runs on 7 hits to take the loss.

Eduardo Arredondo was 3 for 3 with a run scored and Lew Ford 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored for the Toros.

Jesus Lopez went 2 for 4 with the lone RBI for the Diablos and pinch hitter Samar Leyva had the other hit for Mexico.

The win on Saturday ensures the playoffs ill return to Mexico City on Tuesday the 25th of August with the winner of game 5 on Sunday will hold a 3-2 edge in games. 

Leones Open Zona Sur Series With 7-1 Win Over Piratas

Watch the highlight video here.

Yucatan jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after 2 innings and Yoanner Negrin, with the help of 4 relief pitchers, did the rest as the Leones beat the Piratas 7-1 in the first game of a best of seven series.


Yoanner Negrin on the mound
Leones facebook

Corey Wimberly lead off the bottom of the 1st with a single and went to third on a single by Jaime Pedroza, who took second on the throw to third. Wimberly scored on a ground out and Pedroza scored on a single by Jesus Valdez. Hector Gimenez followed with a single to drive in Valdez, who had stolen second. Ricardo Serrano got Gimenez home with a single and the Leones led 4-0 after one inning.

Wimberly scores / Leones facebook

Israel Nunez started the 2nd for Yucatan with a bunt single down the third base line. Corey Wimberly and Jose Aguilar were both hit by pitches. The Leones had the bases loaded with one out. Jesus Valdez tripled to clear the bases and the Leones were up 7-0.

The Piratas remained scoreless until Paul Leon tripled with one out in the top of the 9th and scored on a ground ball out by Jason Alondo for the only Campeche run of the game.

Negrin worked 5 2/3 innings, scattering 6 hits and walking 2 while striking out 5 to get the win for Yucatan. Francisco Campos was roughed up for 7 runs on 7 hits in just 1 1/3 innings for the Piratas, to take the loss.

Jesus Valdez was 2 for 4 for the Leones with 4 RBIs while Jose Aguilar went 1 for 4 with an RBI and Hector Gimenez was 1 for 3 with and RBI.

The Piratas' Adan Velazquez was the bright spot in the Campeche lineup going 2 for 4 while Jasson Alondo drove in the teams only run.

These two teams meet again today, Wednesday the 19th of August, to continue the best of seven series. Thursday is a travel day and the series will pick up again on Friday the 21st of August in Campeche.
IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Mexico 5, Tijuana 2

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Diablos Celebrate

Ivan Terrazas was 2 for 3 on the night and hit a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 5th for the Diablos as they took game 1 of the Zona Norte series with Tijuana by a 5-2 score. Sergio Gastelum scored a run on a 2 for 4 night at the late.

The Toros used 2 walks and a single by Luis Suarez to score Dustin Martin with their 1st run and a solo home run by Carlos Valencia in the 7th for their 2 runs. Suarez was 2 for 4 and Valencia 1 for 4 for the game.

Marcos Duarte got the win and Juan Sandoval earned the save for the Diablos. Fabio Castro started for the Toros and gave up 3 runs on 3 hits while walking 4 in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss.


Monclova 10, Saltillo 3

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The Saraperos pitching staff finished 14th in ERA in the league this year, giving up just over 5 runs a game. The Acereros made Saltillo pay for another poor showing, topping the Saraperos 10-3. Monclova leads the Zona Norte series 1-0

Josh Lowey wasn't as sharp as he has been but he scattered 7 hits over 6 innings to get the win. Lowey's only bad pitch of the night resulted in a 2 run home run by Refugio Cervantes in the top of the 1st inning to give the Saraperos their only lead of the game.

Francisco Cordoba blasted a 3 run home run for Monclova in the bottom of the 2nd as theAcereros took the lead and didn't look back, scoring in the 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th for the 10-3 win.

Josh Lowey / LMB Website

Lowey got the win and Edgmer Escalona worked 5 1/3 innings giving up 7 runs to be saddled with the loss.

Francisco Cordoba, Jose Ruiz and Antonio Lamas homered for Monclova with Cordoba going 2 for 3 with 3 RBIS and 2 runs scored. Ruiz was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and Lamas 1 for 5 with 2 RBIs.

Refugio Cervantes was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs while Justin Greene was 3 for 4 with a run scored for Saltillo.

Oaxaca 8, Quintana Roo 0

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The Guerreros used 11 hits to score 8 runs as Oaxaca took the 1st game of their Zona Sur playoff series with the Tigres 8-0.

Sergio Valenzuela / Guerreros Facebook

Sergio Valenzuela gave up just 4 hits to the Tigres in his 6 2/3 innings on the mound to pick up the win. 3 relievers worked the final 2 1/3 innings holding the Tigres hitless. Ramon Ortiz lasted just 4 innings in the loss, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits.

Erick Rodriguez, the Guerreros catcher, was 3 for 4 on the night with an RBI and 2 runs scored while Alan Sanchez was 1 for 5 with 2 RBIs and Ronny Cedeno went 2 for 4 with an RBI



Video highlights courtesy of the LMB and ITV