Naranjeros avoid sweep by Cañeros
A five-run attack in the sixth inning proved definitive on Sunday in the Naranjeros de Hermosillo’s 6-1 victory over the Cañeros de Los Mochis, securing first place and with it the highest possible score at the end of the first round of the Mexican Pacific League regular season.
Roberto Ramos hit a solo home run, Jasson Atondo batted 2-2 with an RBI and José Cardona went 5-1 with two RBIs to lead the Naranjeros’ attack.
Elián Leyva had a quality outing and was rewarded with the victory after pitching six chapters with five hits and only one run, gave away three bases on balls, and was rewarded with nine strikeouts. The setback went to Tomás Solís, after tolerating a couple of runs without being able to get outs in his relief.
In Guasave, Jesse Castillo tied the game with a home run in the eighth inning and Cuban star Erisbel Arruebarrena left the Mayos de Navojoa lying on the field with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Algodoneros de Guasave a valuable 2-1 win that assured them of second place in the first round.
Brandon Kochl earned the win with a scoreless episode. Max Kuhns lost after allowing the winning run in his two-thirds inning relief.
In Ciudad Obregón, Allen Córdoba responded with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the tenth inning to leave the Tomateros de Culiacán in the field, and the Yaquis defeated them 5-4 to record their seventh victory in a row and secure third place in the first round of the championship.
Josuán Hernández batted 4-1 with a double and three runs produced and Yadir Drake went 3-1 with a double, two runs scored and one run batted in for the Yaquis.
Samuel Zazueta was credited with the win after pitching two episodes and allowing one run. Marshall Kasowski lost after giving up two hits and the difference run in two innings and one third.
In Mazatlan, a solid start by Alemao Hernandez led the Charros de Jalisco to a 5-0 victory over the Venados, who fell from the lead a week and a half ago to fifth place.
Hernández completed five innings with just four hits to earn the victory, while the setback went to Héctor Villalobos, after allowing six hits and two runs in two and two-thirds innings.
Julián Ornelas batted 4-2 with a double and an RBI, Agustín Murillo went 4-2 with a double and a run batted in and Fernando Villegas went 4-2 with a run batted in and two runs scored to lead the Charros’ attack.
In Monterrey, Roberto Valenzuela hit a two-run homer, Alberto Carreon went 4-2 with two hits and two runs scored and Alex Liddi batted 4-4 with a double and two runs batted in to lead the Sultanes to an 8-3 win over the Aguilas de Mexicali.
Norman Elenes retired one inning in order to get the win. Isaac Jiménez, punished with four runs with no outs in his relief, took the loss.
