UPDATE on the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Contraction From 16 Teams to 12

ALL FOUR TEAMS REQUESTING A SABBATICAL CLAIM ECONOMIC REASONS

The Assembly of the Presidents of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol declared at their winter meeting s of November 7-8 that four teams, 2 from the Zona Norte and 2 from the Zona Sur have requested a sabbatical for the 2019 season due to economic reasons.

It is reported that the owners of the Pericos de Puebla have tried to sell the franchise but have found no takers.

The Bravos de Leon, owned by the Arellano brothers, who also own the Leones de Yucatan have stated they will concentrate on the Leones as the Bravos have lost too much money.

Although there was no indication from the league on reasons for the Rieleros de Aguascalientes and the Algodones de Union Laguna it is safe to assume that because of the small population centers for these two teams that economics played a big part in the teams decision.

The league is formulating a schedule for the 2019 season with the remaining 12 teams.

The league also announced that the season will start the 1st week of April and concluding with the LMB Championship approximately the last week of September

LMP Roster Moves for 11/8

Three teams in the LMP made roster moves on the 8th of November

Naranjeros de Hermosillo       Deactivate   P  Adrian Rodriguez
                                                   Activate   P  Hector Galvan

Charros de Jalisco       Deactivate   P  Luis De La O
                                       Activate   P  Erick Casillas

Yaquis de Obregon     Deactivate  OF  Daniel Robertson
                                      Activate     INF  Christian Villanueva             

Caneros Come From Behind to Hand Mayos a 9-6 Loss in 10 Innings

JOSUAN HERNANDEZ WITH A 3 RUN WALK OFF HOME RUN

Josuan Hernandez Walk Off HR

The Mayos led the Caneros 6-4 after scoring a run in the top of the 9th. But the Caneros scored twice in the 9th to tie the game and got a walk off 3 run home run by Josuan Hernandez in the 10th to stun the Navojoa 9-6.

Leandro castro doubled to lead off the 9th for Los Mochis. Josuan Hernandez was hit by a pitch and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt. A double by Jay Gonzalez scored Castro and Hernandez to tie the game at 6.

With one out in the bottom of the 10th, Isaac Rodriguez doubled and Leandro Castro was intentionally walked. Following a mound visit, Hernandez took a 1-0 pitch to deep left for the walk off 3 run home run and the Caneros win.

The 1 through 3 hitters for Los Mochis were 8 for 16 with 6 RBIs and 8 runs scored. Isaac Rodriguez was 3 for 6, Castro 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 4 runs scored  and Hernandez 2 for 5 with the walk off home run and 2 runs scored.

Victor Mendoza went 4 for 5 for the Mayos with an RBI and 2 runs scored, Elmer Reyes 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs and Paul Leon 2 for 4 with an RBI.

The Caneros used 10 pitchers in the game with Andres Avila getting the win. The Mayos had 8 pitchers take the mound with closer Jesus Pirela charged with a blown save and Demetrio Gutierrez (0-2) taking the loss.

Culiacan Bests Hermosillo 3-1 in 11 Innings

TOMATEROS SCORE TWICE IN THE 11th TO TAKE THE WIN

Ronnier Mustelier singled to begin the 2nd for the Tomateros and promptly stole second. Two outs later Ali Solis singled to center to drive in Mustelier for the 1-0 lead.

There were two outs in the bottom of the 7th when Francisco Peguero singled to center. Danny Espinosa waited out a walk. Newly reactivated Jose Amador singled to left to plate Peguero as the Naranjeros tied the game at 1.

Luis Cruz

Rico Noel singled with 1 out in the top of the 11th for Culiacan and stole second. Luis Cruz singled to score Noel as the Tomateros took a 2-1 lead. Blake Gailen was intentionally walked. After a strikeout, Mustelier singled to drive in Cruz and increase the Culiacan lead to 3-1.

Hermosillo managed a single in their half of the 11th but Peguero ground out 4-3 and Espinosa stuck out swinging and Culiacan had the extra inning win.

Amilcar Gaxiola (0-1) got the win in relief and Casey Coleman earned his 8th save of the season. Kyle Finnegan (0-2) was responsible for the 2 runs in the 11th and took the loss.

The Tomateros are now tied with the Venados and the Charros atop the LMP standings with identical 12-10 records.

Yaquis Drop Aguilas 9-6 in 10 Innings

CHESLOR CUTHBERT WITH THE WALK OFF 3 RUN HOME

Cheslor Cuthbert

This was a game of explosive innings. Unfortunately for the Aguilas, the Yaquis had more of them. Obregon scored 3 runs in an inning 3 times while Mexicali managed a 4 run 4th.

The Aguilas took the early 1-0 lead in the 1st on a 5-3 ground out that scored Jason Bourgeois. The Yaquis came back in their half of the inning to take the lead. Jesus Valdez doubled to drive in Eury Perez and Isaac Paredes. When Cheslor Cuthbert singled to score Valdez, Obregon had the 3-1 lead.

Mexicali took a 5-3 lead in the 4th, scoring 4 times with the big blow of the inning a 3 run home run off of the bat of Carlos Rodriguez to left center that scored David Harris and CJ Retherford.

Yuniesky Betancourt singled in the top of the 7th to drive in Colin Walsh and give Mexicali a 6-3 lead.

Following two walks and no outs in the bottom half the 7th, Cuthbert singled to score John Nogowski and Juan Carlos Gamboa singled to score Leo Heras and cut the Aguilas lead to 6-5. A walk and a hit batter that scored Cuthbert evened the score at 6 and led to Cuthbert's heroics in the 10th.

Cacao Valdez singled with one out in the bottom of the 10th and went to second on a wild pitch. Leo Heras was walked intentionally. After a pitching change, Cuthbert took the 1st pitch he saw from Jose Lopez to deep left center for a 3 run walk off home run and the win for the Yaquis.

Cuthbert was 3 for 5 with the home run, 5 RBIs and 2 runs scored for the 11-11 Yaquis. Carlos Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 RBIs and a run scored as the Aguilas fell to 9-12 with the loss 

Mazatlan With Crushing Extra Inning Win Over Jalisco 9-6

VENADOS SCORE 5 RUNS IN THE TOP OF THE 12th TO STUN CHARROS

The Venados de Mazatlan and Charros were tied at 4 through 9 innings before Mazatlan exploded for 5 runs in the top of the 12th to top Jalisco 9-6.

Mazatlan scored first with 2 runs in the top of the 2nd inning on a single by Samar Leyva that scored Anthony Giansanti and Kenny Wilson.

Jalisco responded with a run in the bottom of the 4th on a 4-3 ground out that scored Stephen to cut the lead to 2-1.

Edson Garcia

Edson Garcia tripled with two outs in the top of the 4th and scored on a throwing error by the Jalisco second baseman. Mazatlan led 3-1.

Japhet Amador doubled with two outs in the Charros half of the 5th to score Agustin Murillo. Cardullo drew a base on balls to load the bases. Yadir Drake walked to force in Manny Rodriguez to tie the game at 3. Amador scored on a wild pitch and Jalisco had their first lead of the game at 4-3.

Mazatlan scored a run in the 7th on a double by Garcia that drove in Sebastian Valle to tie the game at 4. Neither team was able to score in the 8th or 9th to bring on the extra innings.

The wheels fell off the wagon so to speak for Jalisco in the 12th. The Venados Sherman Johnson drew a lead off walk. After a sacrifice bunt, Brian Hernandez was intentionally walked. Alex Liddi then waited out a walk to load the bases with one out. Jesus Fabela was hit by a pitch to force in Johnson. Kenny Wilson singled to plate Hernandez and Liddi. Edgar Munoz singled to to drive in Fabela and Wilson. When the dust had settled, Mazatlan led 9-4.

Yadit Drake walked to begin the bottom of the 12th for Jalisco and scored in front of a home run off of the bat of Kevin Medrano that cut the lead to 9-6 but Jalisco would score no more and the Venados had the win by that score.

Kevin Medrano

Of the 16 pitchers used in the game, 8 by each side, Francisco Moreno (1-0)picked up the win for Mazatlan while Manuel Flores (0-1) took the loss for Jalisco.

These two teams are tied atop the LMP standings with identical 12-10 records with the rubber match of the series to be played on Thursday the 8th of November.

Liga Mexicana de Beisbol News

4 TEAMS ASK FOR A SABBATICAL

Four teams in the Mexicana de Beisbol have asked the LMB management team have asked for a sabbatical, to be excused from the 2019 season but leaving a return open at a later date.

The Pericos de Puebla, Bravos de Leon in the Zona Sur and the Algodones de Union Laguna, Rieleros de Aguascalientes from the Zona Norte were the teams asking to be excused from the 2019 season.

If approved, the remaining teams in the Zona Norte would be the Tecolotes de dos Laredos, Toros de Tijuana, Generales de Durango, Seraperos de Saltillo, Sultanes de Monterrey and the Acereros de Monclova.

The Zona Sur would consist of the Leones de Yucatan, Tigres de Quintana Roo, Guerreros de Oaxaca, Piratas de Campeche, Olmecas de Tabasco and the  Diablos Rojos de Ciudad de Mexico.

Roster Moves in the LMP for 11-7-2018

The following teams have made roster moves for week 4 of the season.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo     Deactivate   C  Julian Leon
                                                 Activate     INF/DH  Jose Amador

Yaquis de Obregon     Deactivate   C  Arturo Rodriguez
                                      Activate   OF  Tomo Otosaka

                                      Deactivate   P  Dustin Antolin
                                      Activate   P  Maikel Cleto

Mayos de Navojoa     Deactivate   P  Misael Siverio
                                     Activate   P  Ruddy Acosta

Tomateros de Culiacan     Deactivate   INF  Dylan Moore
                                            Activate   INF Quincy Latimore

                                              Deactivate   P  Dallas Beeler
                                              Activate   P  Manny Barreda

Aguilas de Mexicali     Deactivate   OF  Daniel Castro
                                       Activate   C Francisco Cordoba

Los Mochis in a Barn Burner Over Navojoa 9-7

TEAMS COMBINE FOR 6 HOME RUNS

In a game that would never be confused with a pitchers duel, the Caneros outlasted the Mayos 9-7. The two teams used a total of 15 pitchers, 7 by the Mayos and 8 by the Caneros. 25 hits, 15 walks, a wild pitch and a balk later the game was over with the Los Mochis win.

Leandro Castro

Isaac Salazar singled to lead off the bottom of the 1st and scored on a home run to left center by Leandro Castro for the quick 2-0 Caneros lead. Los Mochis would score twice more in the inning to increase their lead to 4-0 after one.

Los Mochis added a run in the bottom of the second and one more in the 5th to take a 6-0 lead into the 6th inning.

Victor Mendoza hit a solo home run in the top of the 6th to cut the lead to 6-1.

Josuan Mendoza ripped a 2 run home run to left center for the Caneros in the bottom of the 6th to up the Los Mochis lead to 8-1.

Victor Mendoza

Not to be outdone, Jovan Rosa hit his 4th home run of the season, a 3 run shot that cut the lead to 8-4. Two batters later, Marc Flores homered to drive in Luis Fonseca and the Caneros lead had dwindled to 8-6.

Genaro Andrade added an insurance run for the Caneros in the bottom of the 7th with a solo home run to up the lead to 9-6.

With one out in the top of the 9th, Paul Leon singled and stopped at second on a single by Omar Renteria. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base. Alejandro Gonzalez hit a ground ball out to score Leon to make it a 9-7 game but the Mayos would not score again ant Los Mochis had the 9-7 win.

Luis Perez (1-3) got the win with Andres Avila earning his 7th save of the year. Raul Carrillo took the loss.

Culiacan Doubles Up Hermpsillo 6-3

CASEY COLEMAN PICKS UP HIS 7th SAVE OF THE SEASON

Rico Noel

The Tomateros de Culiacan scored 3 runs in the third inning and added 3 more in the 4th to double up the Naranjeros de Hermosillo 6-3. Rico Noel was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and Luis Cruz 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored for Culiacan.

Francisco Peguero went 2 for 5 with 2 walks, a home run, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored for Hermosillo.

Culiacan began the top of the 3rd with 4 consecutive singles. Cruz drove in Jose Chavez with single number three and Blake Gailen plated Noel for run number 2. Two outs later, Issmael Salas drove in Cruz for the 3-0 Tomateros lead.

Ali Solis singled to lead off the top of the 4th. Chavez and Noel singled to load the bases with no outs. Cruz hit a sac fly to plate Solis. Gailen hit another sac fly to score Chavez and Ryan McBroom singled to score Noel for the 6-0 lead.

The Naranjeros cut the lead to 6-2 in their half of the 4th on a walk to Fernando Perez. Peguero followed with his 3rd home run of the season to score Perez.

Francisco Peguero

Hermosillo loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 9th on a single, a hit batter and a walk but only managed 1 run on a sac fly by Cedric Hunter. Final score 6-3 Tomateros.

Mauricio Lara (2-1) picked up the win in relief for the 11-10 Tomateros and Casey Coleman earned his league leading 7th save of the season. Luis Mendoza (2-1) gave up 6 runs on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings on the mound to take the loss for the 10-11 Naranjeros.

Obregon Outlasts Mexicali 3-2 in 15 Innings

EURY PEREZ WINS IT WITH A WALK OFF DOUBLE

Jason Bourgeois singled to lead off the game for the Aguilas. Daniel Castro singled to get him to third and Bourgeois scored on a sac fly by David Harris to take a 1-0 lead. Mexicali would not score again until the top of the 9th when Harris homered on a line drive to left to tie the game at 2 and send it to extra innings.

David Harris

The Yaquis scored in the bottom of the 4th on a double by Cacao Valdez and added a run in the 7th on a Texas league single to center by Juan Carlos Gamboa that scored Leo Heras for the 2-1 lead. Obregon would not score again until the bottom of the 15th...12:16 AM local tome in Obregon.

Gamboa reached base safely on an error by the Aguilas second baseman with one out in the bottom of the 15th. With 2 outs, Perez stroked a double to the right field corner that scored Gamboa with the winning run.

Eury Perez' Walk Off

Javier Solano, starter for the Aguilas, worked 7 innings, allowing two Yaquis runs on 7 hits while striking out 8. The Oregon starter, Samuel Zazueta, gave a run on 5 hits in 4 1/3 innings on the mound. Tomas Solis (2-0) was the beneficiary of the walk off double to get the win. Rodolfo Aguilar (0-1) took the loss.

Obregon improved to 10-11 while the Aguilas fell to 9-11.

League Leaders Square Off Jalisco Beats Mazatlan 9-5

AMADOR, RODRIGUEZ AND VASQUEZ HOMER FOR THE CHARROS

Japhet Amador

The Charros de Jalisco took game 1 of their 3 game series with LMP co-leader Venados de Mazatlan on Tuesday and came out on top with the 9-5 win. Japhet Amador and Manny Rodriguez hit their league leading 6th home runs and Niko Vasquez added his 4th of the year.

Jalisco began the scoring in the 3rd inning with a 5 run explosion highlighted by the Niko Vasquez 2 run blast to deep center field. The Charros had the early 5-0 lead.

Niko Vasquez (left)

Mazatlan cut the lead to 5-2 in the top of the 4th. Alex Liddi and Anthony Giansanti singled and Liddi scored on a double by Kenny Wilson. Giansanti scored on a sac fly by Samar Leyva.

The Venados added two in the top of the 5th. A lead off walk to Edson Garcia, a single by Brian Hernandez and a single by Liddi produced the first run and Wilson drove in Hernandez with a single to cut the lead to 5-4.

Amadeo Zazueta singled to lead off the bottom half of the 5th and scored in front of Japhet Amador's 6th home run of the season as Jalisco increased their lead to 7-4.

Manny Rodriguez

With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Agustin Murillo scored when Manny Rodriguez launched a 2 run home run to left, his 6th of the year, to lengthen the Charros lead to 9-4.

Edgar Munoz tripled to lead off the top of the night for the visiting Venados and scored on a sac fly off of the bat of Jesus Fabela that cut the lead to 9-5 but that was all the scoring for Mazatlan and Jalisco came away with the 9-5 win and for, at least one night, sole position of 1st place in the LMP.

Felipe Gonzalez (2-1) picked up the win in relief of starter Elian Leya while Alejandro Soto (1-2) took the loss for the Venados.

Standings and Statistics for the LMP Week 3

Joe Alvarez steps down as Manager of the Venados de Mazatlan to attend to personal business back home in Florida. JJ Pancho has been appointed as the new manager for Mazatlan.

STANDINGS

Venados de Mazatlan and the Charros de Jalisco are tied for first with 11-9 records.
Naranjeros de Hermosillo , Tomateros de Culiacan and Caneros de Los Mochis are in 3nd place at 10-10.
Mayos de Navojoa and Aguilas de Mexicali are in 6th at 9-10
The Yaquis de Obregon at 9-10 are in last place.

STATISTICS

Batting

Batting Average: Alonzo Harris (NAV) .408
                            Issmael Salas  (CUL)  .356
                            Victor Mendoza (NAV) .355
                            David Harris (MXC) .351
                            Brian Hernandez (MAZ)  .338

Home Runs:        Japhet Amador (JAL)   5
                            Manny Rodriguez (JAL)  5
                            Danny Espinosa (HER)   4
                            David Harris (MXC)   4
                            Issmael Salas ((CUL)  4

RBIs                    Japhet Amador (JAL)  19
                            Manny Rodriguez (JAL)  19
                            Issmael Salas (CUL)  17
                            David Harris (MXC)  15
                            Victor Mendoza (NAV)  15

Runs Scored        Alonzo Harris (NAV) 24
                            Eric Young Jr. (HER)  17
                            Rico Noel (CUL)  16
                            Manny Rodriguez (JAL)  15
                            Danny Espinosa (HER)  13

Stolen Bases        Alonzo Harris (NAV)   9
                             4 tied with 5

Pitching

ERA                     Konner Wade (MAZ)   1.31
                             Jaime Lugo (NAV)   1.57
                             Elian Leyva (JAL)   1.93
                             David Reyes (MXC)  2.61

Wins                     Jesus Anguamea (OBR)  3
                             Dalton Rodriguez (MXC)  3
                             Konner Wade (MAZ)  3
                             Several pitchers tied with 2

Strikeouts             Frankie De La Cruz  (MXC)  22
                             Jose Hernandez (MAZ)  22
                             James Russell (CUL)  22 
                             Vinny Nittoli (MXC) 20
                             Javier Solano (MXC)  20

Saves                    Andres Avila (MOC)  6
                             Casey Coleman (CUL)  6
                             Grant Sides (JAL)   6
                             Evan Marshall (MAZ)  5
                             Jesus Pirela (NAV)  5

Culiacan 9-8 Winners Over Jalisco in 11 Innings

WALK OFF SAC FLY BY MAXWELL LEON THE DIFFERENCE

Issmael Salas

The Tomateros de Culiacan chased the Charros starter, Vince Molesky, after 2/3 of an inning with 6 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks as they took a 6-0 lead after 1 inning. Issmael Salas had a 3 run home run in the inning and Ali Solis added a 2 run shot for the Tomateros.

Jalisco scored twice in the 2nd on a 2 run double by Kevin Medrano and added 2 runs in the 3rd on a 2 run home run by Manny Rodriguez, his 5th of the season, to cut the lead to 6-4.

Manny Rodriguez

Blake Gailen hit a sac fly to drive Salas for the 7-4 Tomateros lead and in the bottom of the 7th, Ronnier Mustelier stole home to give Culiacan an 8-4 lead.

The Charros scored two more runs in the 8th on a single by Medrano and a double by Erick Rodriguez to cut the lead to 8-6.

With one on and two outs in the top of the 9th, newly activated Stephen Cardullo ripped a two run home run to tie the score at 8 and send the game to extra innings.

Maxwell Leon

Jose Chavez drew a 1 out walk in the bottom of the 11th for Culiacan and went to third on a single by Rico Noel. Following an intentional walk to load the bases, Maxwell Leon lofted a deep fly ball to score Chavez for the win.

David Goforth (2-2) worked the final two innings to get the win while Aaron Kurcz (0-2) took the loss for the Charros

Yaquis Outlast Mayos 4-3

MAYO'S 3 RUN 9th NOT ENOUGH TO OVERCOME OBREGON

Although the Mayos de Navojoa scored 3 times in the bottom of the 9th, it was a case of "too little, too late" to stop the Yaquis de Obregon from taking the 4-3 win.

Dallas Martinez

Dallas Martinez (1-1), the Yaquis starter, held the Mayos scoreless on 4 hits through 5 innings to get the win. Obregon reliever, Brandon Brennan, pitched 1 2/3 innings over the 8th and 9th, allowing all of the Mayos runs, although only 1 was earned, on 4 hits to make the game interesting. Misael Siverio (0-2) allowed 2 runs on 5 hits over 4 innings to take the loss for Navojoa.

Obregon scored in the first on a double, a sacrifice bunt, a walk and an RBI single off of the bat of Jesus Valdez to take a 1-0 lead. They increased their lead to 2-0 in the 4th when Iker Franco singled to plate Leo Heras.

A run in the 5th and an RBI double by Moises Gutierrez in the 6th increased the lead to 4-0.

Consecutive singles by Victor Mendoza and Jovan Rosa and a walk to Marc Flores loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 9th for the Mayos. A 4-6-3 double play scored Mendoza to cut the lead to 4-1. Carlos Mendivil walked and Christian Zazueta reached safely on an error by the third baseman that scored Rosa. Alejandro Gonzalez singled to plate pinch runner Diego Madero but Alonzo Harris flew out to right to end the game.

Hermosillo 6-2 Winners Over Los Mochis

CANEROS GET 13 HITS BUT 0 FOR 10 WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION

Francisco Peguero

Francisco Peguero was 3 for 5 with a double and a home run with Luis Jimenez and Cedric Hunter both 2 for 4  in the Naranjeros win over the Caneros. Los Mochis outhit Hermosillo 13-12 but couldn't get timely hitting as they went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

The Naranjeros scored in 5 of the first 6 innings to take a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the 6th.

A single and a double put runners on second and third for Los Mochis in their half of the 6th. Saul Soto singled to drive in Leandro Castro. After a pitching change, Jesus Arredondo drew a base on balls. Everth Cabrera singled to plate Jay Gonzalez and cut the lead to 6-2 but the Caneros were unable to score again and Hermosillo had the 6-2 win.

Saul Soto

Estadio Emilio Ibarra Almada had a crowd of 5,942 fans who had come to witness the game. They went home disappointed with the outcome.

Mexicali Upends Mazatlan 6-3

3 RUN HOME RUN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9th FOR THE WIN

Watch the Aguilas celebration HERE

Yuniesky Betancourt

The Aguias de Mexicali scored twice in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game at 3 and then a 3 run home run by Yuniesky Betancourt in the bottom of the 9th won it. The last 5 runs scored by Mexicali all came via the home run ball.

Mazatlan had scratched out single runs in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings to take a 3-0 lead. Two of those 3 runs came on solo home runs by Alex Liddi and Samar Leyva. The Aguilas got a run back in their half of the 6th to cut the lead to 3-1.

Mexicali, with two outs in the 8th, got a single from Juan Perez and a 2 run home run on a line drive to left off the bat of pinch hitter Ricky Alvarez to tie the game at 3.

Ricky Alvarez

In the bottom of the 9th, David Harris led off with a single. With one out, Xorge Carrillo singled to left as Harris went to third. After two mound visits to discuss strategy, Betancourt took an 0-2 pitch deep to left center for the 3 run, walk off home run and the win for the Aguilas.

Jake Sanchez (1-1), the Aguilas closer, picked up the win thanks to Betancourt's heroics. Sanchez had an exciting top of the 9th, giving up a walk, a stolen base and an intentional walk before getting a pop up to end the threat. Brandon Cuniff (0-2) was charged with a blown save and the loss for Mazatlan

LMP Roster Moves for 11/4

CHARROS DEACTIVATE DARIEL ALVAREZ AFTER HE INJURED HIS FOOT

Charros de Jalisco     Deactivate  OF  Dariel Alvarez
                                   Activate   OF  Stephen Cardullo

Naranjeros de Hermosillo     Deactivate   P  Joshua Smith
                                               Activate   OF  Norberto Gonzalez

Yaquis de Obregon     Deactivate   P  Nate Reed
                                    Activate   OF  Eury Perez

Tomateros de Culiacan     Deactivate   P  Francisco Rios
                                          Activate   P  Edgar Gonzalez

Managerial Carousel Continues in the LMP

THIRD MANAGER FIRED IN 3 DAYS

Chris Woodward New Manager of the Venados

The first 2 managers fired in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico were not too shocking. Luis Sojo was fired by the Aguilas de Mexicali and replaced by Juan Gabriel Castro. Then the Tomateros de Culiacan fired Lorenzo Bundy and replaced him with Robinson Cancel. Both the Aguilas and the Tomateros had losing records to begin the season.

This latest firing though has me thinking that the ownership of the Venados de Mazatlan have lost their collective mind. Mazatlan today fired manager Jose Alvarez. He has been replaced by Chris Woodward. What strikes me as strange in this transaction is that Alvarez had the Venados in 1st place in the LMP. 3 of the top 5 hitters in the league play for Mazatlan. Konner Wade is tied for the league lead in wins and is tops in ERA.

The only thing I can figure is that Woodward comes with a pedigree. For the last two seasons he was he 3rd base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers so popular in Mexico I guess the name recognition will put "butts in the seats" as the saying goes.

The Venados average about 10,000 fans per game so that can't be it.

Maybe this is a favor for the Dodgers who might want Woodward to get some managerial experience so they can let him manage one of their AAA teams in the States.

But for now, Jose Alvarez is out of a job/ Only time will tell if this was a wise choice for the Venados.

Navojoa Holds Off Obregon 4-3

RALLY BY YAQUIS IN 9TH INNING FALLS SHORT

Victor Mendoza got things rolling for the Mayos with a 2 out solo home run to center in the bottom of the 1st that gave Navojoa a quick 1-0 lead.

Victor Mendoza

The Yaquis took the lead in the top of the 4th. Leo Heras drew a 1 out base on balls and went to third on a double by Isaac Paredes. The Navojoa starter, Marco Carrillo, uncorked a wild pitch to score Heras and move Paredes to third. Jesus Valdez hit a sac fly to drive in Paredes as Obregon took a 2-1 lead.

Alonzo Harris hit a line drive shot to left foe a solo home run to tie the game at 2.

Navojoa took the lead for good in the 7th. Fernando Flores stroked a one out single. Omar Renteria came into the game as a pinch runner for Flores. Alejandro Gonzalez drew a base on balls. A single by Harris scored Renteria and a double by Elmer Reyes drove in Harris for the 4-2 Mayos lead.

Daniel Robertson doubled to left with 1 out in the top of the 9th and scored on a throwing error by the left fielder on the throw to second. Part of the problem here was that no one backed up the throw which allowed Robertson to score when he should have been stopped at third.

Rogelio Martinez (2-0) picked up the win in relief for the 9-9 Mayos and Jesus Pirela notched his 6th save of the season. Nathanael Santiago (0-1) for the 8-11 Yaquis, giving up the 2 runs in the 7th on 3 hits..