Leones Beat Tigres 8-1 in Season Opener

YOANNER NEGRIN PITCHES 6 STRONG INNINGS IN WIN

Yoanner Negrin

The Leones de Yucatan began to 2017 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol season in good form with the 8-1 win over the Tigres de Quintana Roo in Merida on Friday. Negrin gave up 4 hits, walked 2 and struckout 1 while holding the Tigres scoreless with 6 excellent innings of work on the mound. Jose Aguilar went 4 for 5 at the plate as the Leones pounded out 14 hits (13 singles).

Aguilar got the ball rolling with a 1 out single in the bottom of the 1st. Esteban Quiroz singled and both runners advanced on a slow roller to third by Jesus Valdez. Jordany Valdespin walked to load the bases. Humberto Sosa came through with a single left that drove in Aguilar and Quiroz. Ricardo Serrano followed with a single to plate Valdespin and the Leones were on top 3-0 after 1 inning.

Yucatan added a run in the bottom of the 2nd, 2 more in the 5th and scored their final 2 runs in the 6th to take an 8-0 lead.

The Tigres got on the board in the top of the 7th inning. Jesus Barraza, on in relief of Negrin struck out Iker Franco but walked Alfredo Amezaga. Mario Vega struck out swinging and things looked good for the Leones. Greg Golson singled next as Amezaga took third on a fielding error by Cacao Valdez in left. Carlos Gastelum drove in Amezaga with a single to center for the lone Tigres run and the final 8-1 margin of victory for the Leones.

Negrin (1-0) picked up the win while Kameron Loe (0-1) gave up 6 runs on 9 hits in 4 1/3 innings of work to take the loss.

The 2, 3 and 4 hitters in the lineup for the Leones, Aguilar, Quiroz and Valdez, went 8 for 15 with an RBI and 4 runs scored. Every batter, except Leo Heras, had a hit for Yucatan.

The Tigres managed 7 hits with Brian Hernandez going 2 for 3 on the night. Carlos Gastelum was 1 for 4 with an RBI.

12,000 vociferous hometown fans at Parque Kukulcan Alamo witnessed an all round good game from the Leones, good pitching and timely hitting. Yucatan had 13 singles among their 14 hits (Cacao Valdez had a double for the only extra base hit). 5 Leones pitchers scattered 7 Tigres hits, walked 2 and struck out 6 in the game.

These 2 teams continue the series in Merida on Saturday with the get away game on Sunday the 2nd of April. If you live in Merida, come out and watch some really great baseball. Todos Somos Leones!

IN OTHER LMB GAMES

Monclova 12, Mexico 7

Manny Rodriguez was 1 for 2 with a grand slam and 3 walks as the Acereros de Monclova topped the Diablos Rojos del Mexico 12-7, spoiling the season opener for Mexico. Alejandro Ortiz went 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored in the loss for the Diablos. Josh Lowey (1-0) allowed 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings on the hill to get the win while Efren Delgado (0-1) gave up 6 runs on 4 hits, including the grand slam, in the loss.

Veracruz 11, Oaxaca 4

Jose Pina (1-0) threw 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 8 hits to get the win for Veracruz. Irwin Delgado ((0-1) pitched well for 5 innings but allowed 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 8 in the loss. Juan Martinez was 3 for 4 with a home run and a triple with 4 RBIs for Veracruz. Jaime Brenna went 3 for 3 and Victor Santos 2 for 2 with 2 doubles for the Guerreros.

Puebla 10, Leon 4

The defending LMB Champion Pericos out gunned the Bravos de Leon with a 10-4 win. The game was played in Puebla, with Leon designated the "home team" because the home field for the Bravos is not ready for competition. Ricky Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a grand slam for the Pericos. JP Ramirez had a 4 for 4 night at the plate and Cesar Tapia went 2 for 5 with a home run for Puebla. Eduardo "ElMosco" Aredondo had a home run and scored 2 runs on a 2 for 4 night while Donald Lutz went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored for Leon. Manuel Baez (1-0) picked up the win in relief while Jose Sanchez (0-1) took the loss.

Durango 2, Aguascalientes 1

Durango Pitching was Excellent

The Generales de Durango beat the Rieleros de Aguascalientes 2-1 on Friday in the season opener for both clubs. Antonio Garzon (1-0) got the win in relief of Mario Gonzalez and Tiago Da Silva picked up the save. Yohan Flande pitched well for 5 innings but allowed both Durango runs while giving up just 2 hits. Henry Alejandro Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with a run scored and Yadir Drake 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Generales. Julian Castro went 3 for 4 for the Rieleros.

Campeche 5, Tabasco 4

Frankie Diaz went 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs and Engel Beltre 3 for 5 with a run scored for the Piratas. Sergio Burruel was 2 for 3 with a home run and Abel Martinez 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs for the Olmecas. Jose Marquez Jr. (1-0) got the win in relief and Jose De La Torre picked up his 1st save of the year. Heriberto Ruelas (0-1) was saddled with the loss.

Saltillo 7, Monterrey 3

Frankie De La Cruz (1-0) scattered 6 hits over 6 1/3 innings, struck out 3 and walked 2 while allowing 2 runs to get the win. Javiar Solana (0-1) gave up 4 runs on 4 hits while striking out 6 in taking the loss.Jose Ruiz, Christian Zazueta and Jonathan Aceves were all 2 for 4 on the night for the Saraperos. Chris Roberson went 3 for 4 for the Sultanes.

Tijuana 16, Laguna 5

The Toros exploded for 16 runs on 14 hits to thrill 18,000 hometown fans in the season opening win over the Vaqueros. Dustin Martin was 2 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs, Alex Liddi 1 for 2 with a home run, 4 RBIs and 2 walks and Jorge Cantu went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs for Tijuana. Jaime Pedroza went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs for Laguna, Dustin Crenshaw (0-1) took the loss while Alex Sanabia (1-0) worked 5 innings for the win.

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.

Tigres de Quintana Roo Sold To Investors Headed By Fernando Valenzuela

LINDA MARGARITA BURGOS RUMORED TO BE NAMED AS HEAD OF THE CONSORTIUM

Carlos Peralta, the former owner of the Tigres de Quintana Roo, has announced the sale of the team to a consortium of investors, including former LA Dodger and Mexican baseball superstar, Fernando Valenzuela.

Fernando Valenzuela with the LA Dodgers

Peralta earlier this year had petitioned the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) to be allowed to leave the league based on the league's decision to allow an unlimited number of dual nationality players on the leagues teams. These dual nationality players, who some team owners have said would ruin Mexican baseball, were in the minority when the President of the US Minor League's (MiLB) Pat O'Connor ruled there would be no limits on these Mexican-Americans.

The MiLB sanctions the LMB as a US equivalent Triple A league.

This move lead Peralta to place the team for sale. He initially said that the Tigres name, images and colors would not be sold. Peralta is quoted as saying "(t)he position taken by the league will bring negative consequences, both for the players born and trained in Mexico and for the league itself". He further stated that he sold the team to "a regional group of investors with proven moral quality".

The fiery owner, whose father founded the Tigres 62 years ago, has said he will "disappear" and have nothing to say about the running of the Tigres under the new administration. As a concession to the new owners, Peralta has allowed the use of all things Tigres.

Tigres News Conference

In a news conference held in Cancun on the 19th of February, Valenzuela, standing alongside Peralta and the Governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquin, said " (b)aseball is still in Cancun." he added that "I would never have imagined being in charge of an organization, more than anything a team such as the Tigres." It is rumored that Valenzuela's wife, Linda Margarita Burgos will be named as the legal head of the purchasing consortium on Monday the 20th of February.

The LMB guidelines require that team owners need to be investigated and approved by the league and the other 15 teams in the league. A league meeting that had been scheduled for the 17th of February was put off until the 24th so that any ownership change in Cancun could be approved and the Tigres able to begin the 2017 LMB season as scheduled on the 31st of March.

The selling price of the Tigres is rumored to be in the range of 50 million Pesos (roughly $2.5 million dollars US at today's exchange rate). The government of Quintana Roo subsidized the Tigres in 2016 in an amount near 19.1 million Pesos, a number that has dropped steadily over the past 6 years. There was no indication from Governor Jaoquin on whether or not, and in what amount, any future subsidy might be.

The press conference also made no mention of any potential roster changes that might happen nor if the 2016 manager and coaches would be retained.

Campeche Encima Yucatan 11-7

PIRATAS GOLPEAR 5 JON RONS EN LA VICTORIA

Los playoffs de la Liga Mexicana de Béisbol están en plena marcha . El Pericos de Puebla , Sultanes de Monterrey y los Toros de Tijuana avanzaron a las finales de sus respectivas divisiones con barridos 4 juego más de sus oponentes.

La única desempate en juego es la que existe entre los Leones de Yucatán y los Piratas de Campeche . Gracias a una victoria de juego 4 en Campeche, los Piratas han igualado la serie en 2 juegos cada uno . Juego 5 se jugará el domingo 21 de agosto y luego cambiar de nuevo a Mérida para los juegos 6 y 7 un juego si es necesario.

CJ Retherford puso las cosas que van para los Piratas con un cuadrangular solitario en la parte inferior de la 1ª para una ventaja de 1-0. Campeche anotó 4 veces más para tomar una ventaja de 5-0. Retherford fue 2 a 5 con 3 impulsadas para los Piratas en la victoria 11-7.

Los Leones anotaron 6 carreras en la parte superior del cuarto para tomar una ventaja de 6-5 con el gran golpe una casa de 2 corren a cargo de Humberto Sosa . Yucatán agregó un seguro de correr en la parte superior de la quinta para una ventaja de 7-5 . Campeche tiene una carrera de vuelta en su mitad de la quinta en un passed ball . Henry Alejandro Rodríguez empató el partido con un cuadrangular solitario en la parte inferior de la 7ª entrada.

Jesús Arredondo abrió la parte baja de la octava de Campeche con un solo y dio la vuelta para anotar en un cuadrangular por Engel Beltré. Yosmany Guerra siguió con un sencillo y anotó con el segundo cuadrangular de Retherford del juego como los Piratas construyó un 11-7 plomo y la victoria.

Los dos equipos se combinaron para utilizar 14 lanzadores en el juego , siete por cada lado . 45 lanzadores fueron utilizados por los equipos de playoffs 8 ayer por la noche , un promedio de 11,2 por partido lanzadores . Johan Yan se llevó el triunfo en el alivio de Campeche mientras que Mario Meza fue acusado de un salvamento desperdiciado por Yucatán y Juan Gutiérrez cargó con la derrota.

En otra acción PLAY OFF LMB

Toros 2 , 1 Acereros  

Alex Sanabla permitió 4 hits en 6 entradas en el montículo mientras camina 2 y ponchando a 2 para obtener la victoria para los Toros . La Acereros , corredores LMB del año pasado hasta , logró una corrida en un hogar solitario de Uriak Márquez en la derrota. El Toro de 2 carreras llegaron en la parte baja de la sexta entrada en un home run run 2 por Alex Romero . Alex Caldera tomó la pérdida por Monclova . El toros barrió la Acereros y se enfrentará al Sultanes de Monterrey en los finales de la División.

Sultanes 9 , Vaqueros 4

En el barrido 4 juego de los Vaqueros de Laguna , los Sultanes superaron a Laguna 38-13 . Monterrey anotó 7 carreras en la cuarta entrada y poniendo el juego. Arturo Rodríguez tenía el gran éxito de la entrada, un cuadrangular 3 corren hacia la izquierda . Ramón Ríos fue de 3 por 5 en la noche con 2 impulsadas para Monterrey . Jerome Peña tuvo un cuadrangular solitario para el Vaqueros y Ruben Sosa se ​​fue 3 por 5. Mario González se llevó la victoria a pesar de permitir 4 carreras y 10 hits en 5 turnos . Walter Silva duró 3 entradas renunciar a 7 carreras y 10 hits en la derrota. Con el barrido , los Sultanes se enfrentarán a los Toros de Tijuana en los finales de la División Norte de la LMB.

Pericos 7 , Tigres 5

El Pericos de Puebla anotó 4 veces en la parte superior de la octava entrada, para tomar una ventaja de 7-6 . Chad Gaudin permitió una ventaja fuera sola en el fondo del noveno , pero ponchó a un lado para preservar la victoria para Carlos Bustamante . Josh Judy sufrió la pérdida de los Tigres . Quintana Roo , en 2015 los campeones LMB , anotó 4 veces en la quinta entrada para tomar una ventaja de 5-2 , pero no pudo aguantar y , con la pérdida , fueron barridos por los Pericos . Peubla avanza a la ronda final de las eliminatorias de la División Sur de la LMB contra cualquiera de Campeche o Yucatán . Issmael Salas y Cesar Tapia eran 2 por 4 para los Pericos y Daric Barton fue de 1 a 4 con un home run 2 plazo. Carlos Gastelum y Alfredo Amézaga ambos fueron 3 de 4 para los Tigres .

Campeche Tops Yucatan 11-7

PIRATAS HIT 5 HOME RUNS IN WIN

The Liga Mexicana de Beisbol playoffs are in full swing. The Pericos de Puebla, Sultanes de Monterrey and the Toros de Tijuana all advanced to the finals of their respective divisions with 4 game sweeps over their opponents.

The only playoff up for grabs is the one between the Leones de Yucatan and the Piratas de Campeche. Thanks to a game 4 win in Campeche, the Piratas have evened the series at 2 games apiece. Game 5 will be played on Sunday the 21st of August and then shift back to Merida for games 6 and a game 7 if necessary.

CJ Retherford got things going for the Piratas with a solo home run in the bottom of the 1st for a 1-0 lead. Campeche scored 4 more times to take a 5-0 lead. Retherford went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs for the Piratas in the 11-7 win.

The Leones scored 6 runs in the top of the 4th to take a 6-5 lead with the big blow a 2 run home run by Humberto Sosa. Yucatan added an insurance run in the top of the 5th for a 7-5 lead. Campeche got a run back in their half of the 5th on a passed ball. Henry Alejandro Rodriguez tied the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th inning.

Jesus Arredondo led off the bottom of the 8th for Campeche with a single and came around to score on a home run by Engel Beltre. Yosmany Guerra followed with a single and scored on Retherford's second home run of the game as the Piratas built an 11-7 lead and the victory.

The two teams combined to use 14 pitchers in the game, seven by each side. 45 pitchers were used by the 8 playoff teams last night, an average of 11.2 pitchers per game. Johan Yan got the win in relief for Campeche while Mario Meza was charged with a blown save for Yucatan and Juan Gutierrez took the loss.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Toros 2, Acereros 1

Alex Sanabla allowed 4 hits in 6 innings on the mound while walking 2 and striking out 2 to get the win for the Toros. The Acereros, last year's LMB runners up, managed a run on a solo home run by Uriak Marquez in the loss. The Toro's 2 runs came in the bottom of the 6th inning on a 2 run home run by Alex Romero. Alex Caldera took the loss for Monclova. The Toros swept the Acereros and will face the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Norte Division finals.

Sultanes 9, Vaqueros 4

In the 4 game sweep of the Vaqueros de Laguna, the Sultanes outscored Laguna 38-13. Monterrey scored 7 runs in the 4th inning to put away the game. Arturo Rodriguez had the big hit of the inning, a 3 run home run to left. Ramon Rios was 3 for 5 on the night with 2 RBIs for Monterrey. Jerome Pena had a solo home run for for the Vaqueros and Ruben Sosa went 3 for 5. Mario Gonzalez picked up the win despite allowing 4 runs on 10 hits over 5 innings. Walter Silva lasted 3 innings giving up 7 runs on 10 hits in the loss. With the sweep, the Sultanes will face the Toros de Tijuana in the Norte Division finals of the LMB.

Pericos 7, Tigres 5

The Pericos de Puebla scored 4 times in the top of the 8th inning to take a 7-6 lead. Chad Gaudin allowed a lead off single in the bottom of the 9th but then struck out the side to preserve the win for Carlos Bustamante. Josh Judy suffered the loss for the Tigres. Quintana Roo, the 2015 LMB Champions, scored 4 times in the 5th inning to take a 5-2 lead but couldn't hold on and, with the loss, were swept by the Pericos. Peubla advances to the final round of the Sur Division playoffs of the LMB against either Campeche or Yucatan. Issmael Salas and Cesar Tapia were 2 for 4 for the Pericos and Daric Barton was 1 for 4 with a 2 run home run. Carlos Gastelum and Alfredo Amezaga both went 3 for 4 for the Tigres.

Tigres Take Game 2 Of The Serie del Rey 8-7

7 RUN 6TH DOES THE TRICK

Watch the highlights courtesy of the LMB HERE.

The Tigres sent 12 men to the plate in the bottom of the 6th inning and scored 7 runs to take the lead and held off the Acereros 8-7 to win the second game of the Serie del Rey in Cancun.

Jesus Barraza was the beneficiary of the 7 run outburst as he picked up the win in relief for the Tigres. Starter Wilmer Rios gave up 4 runs on 5 hits before being replaced on the mound Quintana Roo. Raul Barron took the loss for the Acereros.

Carlos Gastelum started the scoring for the Tigres in the bottom half of the 1st with a solo home run to right for the early 1-0 Tigres lead.

Carlos Penuelas led off the top of the 3rd for Monclova with a line drive home run to right that tied the game at 1 all.

Hector Garanzuay drew a 1 out walk to begin the 5th for the Acereros. One out later, Flavio Romero waited out a base on balls. Olmo Rosario singled to left to score Garanzuay. Jose Ruiz followed with a 3 run home run to right that scored Romero and Rosario. The Acereros had taken a 5-1 lead over the Tigres.

Estaban Quiroz

The 6th inning explosion for Quintana Roo started with a lead off walk to Esteban Quiroz. Greg Golson singled and Carlos Gastelum walked to load the bases with no outs. Sergio Contreras singled to score Quiroz and Golson. The Acereros relief pitcher uncorked a wild pitch that moved the runners to second and third. Jorge Cantu followed with a single to right that scored Gastelum and Contreras. Eugenio Velez reached base safely on a throwing error by the Monclova pitcher. Iker Franco walked to load the bases again, still with no outs. Alfredo Amezaga singled to drive in Cantu and Velez. Esteban Quiroz, the ninth batter of the inning, singled to right to score Franco and the Tigres had scored 7 runs to take an 8-5 lead.

"El Bronco"  Jorge Cantu

Monclova got a run back in the top of the 7th on a 2 out single by Flavio Romero, a walk to Olmo Rosario and a single by Jose Ruiz, 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs on the night, that scored Romero. The Acereros had narrowed the lead to 8-6.

The Acereros pushed across another run in the 8th on a double to left by Jose Amador, a single by Francisco Cordoba and a sac fly to right by Hector Garanzuay. Monclova had cut the lead to 8-7 but Ramon Ramirez, closer for the Tigres, got the Acereros to hit into 3 ground ball outs in the 9th to preserve the win for the Tigres in front of 9,476 hometown fans.

The Serie del Rey now shifts to Monclova for games 3, 4 and 5 with the Tigres holding a 2 games to none lead. Game 3 will be held on Friday the 11th of September.

Championship Run Over...Leones Drop Game 7 By A 5-4 Score

TIGRES TO FACE ACEREROS DE MONCLOVA IN LMB FINALS

Watch video highlights HERE.

Leones Acknowledge Their Fans

The Tigres scored 4 runs in the top of the 6th inning, all with 2 outs, and hung on to beat the Leones in game 7 of the Zona Sur Championship series. Yucatan relievers Miguel Aguilar and Oscar Verdugo gave up 2 walks, a hit and allowed 2 runs to score without recording the final out of the inning. Verdugo took the loss for the Leones and Daniel Cabrera picked up the win for the Tigres.

The Leones started fast, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. Jose Aguilar singled with one out and scored when Ricardo Serrano's line drive was misplayed by the Tigres left fielder and went to the wall. Serrano wound up on third. Jesus Valdez singled to left to score Serrano and Yucatan was up 2-0. Hector Gimenez walked. Luis Garcia singled to drive in Valdez but Gimenez was thrown out at third for the second out. Jaime Pedroza struck out to end the inning but the Leones were up 3-0 after 1 inning.

Serrano Scores

The Tigres answered with a run in the top of the 5th off of Yucatan starter Jonathan Castellanos. Greg Golson led off with a single to center and scored on a double to right by Esteban Quiroz.

With two outs in the top of the 6th for the Tigres, Jorge Cantu and Jorge Vazquez singled. That was all for Castellanos who was replaced by Aguilar. Sergio Contreras singled to drive in Cantu. Greg Golson then reached on an error by the Leones shortstop that scored Vazquez to tie the game at 3. Alfredo Amezaga walked to load the bases and Iker Franco walked on 5 pitches to force in Contreras with the go ahead run. Demetrio Gutierrez came in to pitch for the Leones and walked Esteban Quiroz to force in Golson and the Tigres had a 5-3 lead.

Israel Nunez and Corey Wimberly singled in the bottom of he 7th for Yucatan and Nunez scored on a sac fly by Jose Aguilar to narrow the Tigres lead to 5-4.

There would be no more scoring in the game and the Leones, after winning 3 consecutive games, dropped the all important game 7 to the Tigres by that final 5-4 score.

The Yucatan pitching staff, which led the league in ERA for the 2015 season, came up short in the final game of the year for the Leones and the hitters, who hit .291 on the year, came up 1 run short.

There is blame enough to go around, starting with the 2 losses at home to begin the series, but the Leones as a team never quit and brought exciting baseball back to Merida, something that had been missing for some time.

The Tigres will now face the Acereros de Monclova in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Championship round set to begin in Cancun on Tuesday the 8th of September.

IN OTHER LMB PLAYOFF ACTION

Monclova 2, Tijuana 1

Watch video highlights HERE.

The Acereros scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning on singles by Jose Amador and Hernando Arredondo, a ground rule double by Francisco Cordoba and a ground ball out by Hector Garanzuay and the pitching staff did the rest as Monclova beat the Toros 2-1 to win the Zona Norte Championship.

Anthony Capra pitched 5 innings and gave up the lone run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. Josh Lowey, normally a starter for Monclova, pitched the final 3 1/3 innings to pick up the save. Lowey didn't allow a hit and struck out 3 in his time on the mound. Walter Silva pitched well over his 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, but the Toros bats were held in check and Silva was saddled with the loss.

Francisco Cordoba and Hector Garanzuay drove in the runs fo Monclova while Oscar Robles drove in the only run for the Toros.

Monclova moves on to face the Tigres de Quintana Roo in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Championship set to begin on Tuesday the 8th of September.

Jerry Royster - Tigres de Quintana Roo Manager 2015

As part of a series of posts about the 2015 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, I will take a look at the managers of the 16 teams. The first manager article is about Jerry Royster of the Tigres de Quintana Roo.

Jerry was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1970 and started his first major league game in August of 1973. He had a career that spanned 15 years in which he played for 5 different big league teams. Jerry compiled a .249 batting average while hitting 40 home, driving in 352 and stealing 189 bases. He ended his playing career with the Atlanta Braves in 1988.

Jerry as a player

 

His coaching career began in 1993 as a third base coach for the Colorado Rockies but lasted 1 year. Jerry was out of baseball until 2000 when, as a bench coach for Davey Lopes of the Milwaukee Brewers, he was named interim manager after Lopes got off to a disastrous start. Although the interim tag was removed 2 weeks later, Royster was fired at the end of the year following a 53-94 record.

Before being named manager of the Dodgers Triple A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51's, in 2005, Royster had been the Dodgers infield coordinator for the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

In 2007, Royster was signed as manager of the Lotte Giants of the South Korean Baseball League. He became the first non-Korean to manage in the league. He managed the Giants until 2010. 


Royster as Lotte Giants Manager

Royster was the third base coach for the Boston Red Sox in 2012.

The Tigres de Quintana Roo hired Royster as their manager in 2014 where he led the team to a 65-48 record and 1st place in the Sur Division of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol. The Tigres lost to the Pericos de Puebla in the semi-final round of the divisional playoffs.

Royster Named Tigres Manager