Oaxaca Rallies for 6-5 Win in 10 Innings Over Monterey

SAMAR LEYVA'S WALK OFF SINGLE DOES IN OBISPO AND SULTANES

Samar Leyva

The Sultanes de Monterrey appeared to be cruising toward victory in game 5 of the Serie del Rey in Oaxaca. Monterrey jumped out to a 5-1 led through the top of the 5th inning. The Sultanes had 10 hits, including 3 doubles, a triple and a home run by Ramiro Pena in those 5 innings. Meanwhile the Guerreros scratched out a run in the 1st before their offense went dark.

That all changes in the bottom of the 5th inning though. With one out, Alejandro Gonzalez reached base on a throwing error by the Sultane's shortstop, advancing to second. Erick Rodriguez singled to center to drive in Gonzalez. Jay Austin followed with a single, Rodriguez stopping at second. A double by Julian Ornelas scored Rodriguez. After a pitching change, Yuniesky Betancourt singled to bring home Austin. A ground ball to first, which the first baseman misplayed, scored Ornelas and the Guerreros had tied the game at 5.

Neither team scored the rest of the way and regulation ended with the score knotted at 5.

Monterrey would not score in the top of the 10th inning opening the door for Leyva's heroics. Wirfin Obispo, the Sultane's closer, opened the bottom of the 10th by catching Ornelas looking at strike three. Betancourt singled to left. Henry Urrutia struck out swinging for the second out. The 7,230 fans in Parque Eduardo Vasconcelos (and thousands watching at home) grew nervous with a runner on second and one out away from being eliminated from the quest for the Copa Zaachila.

Wirfin Obispo

With the Guerrero's pinch hitter Dustin Geiger at the plate, Betancourt stole second. Geiger drew a four pitch base on balls to put runners at first and second. Alan Sanchez, the next batter, also waited out a walk to load the bases. Samar Leyva then stroked his walk off single to left to plate Betancourt with the winning run.

Obispo took the loss for Monterrey, issuing 2 walks and giving up 2 singles in the 10th while Samuel Zazueta was the beneficiary of Leyva's heroics, allowing 3 hits over 2 innings of relief work for the Guerreros.

Monterrey still leads the Serie del Rey 3 games to 2 as both teams head to Monterrey for game 6 on Tuesday the 9th of October. Game 7 (if necessary) will be played in Monterrey on Wednesday the 10th.