Tijuana Toros Recap: Border City Bulls Construct Comeback To Take Series Against Durango
Credit: Diego Perez
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Toros played the final game of a three-game set against Generales de Durango this Sunday at the Estadio Gasmart.
The border city team had just broken a four-game losing streak with a 9-1 win against Durango on Saturday night. Pedro Mere’s men were motivated to keep the good run of form going after struggling earlier in the week.
The home team started the game horribly as Durango had a 3-0 lead by the top of the sixth inning.
Former Padre’ and starting pitcher Hector Ambriz had a decent start as he allowed just a run in four and a third innings of work. The California native also had six strikeouts but was outdone by his counterpart Jose Marrujo, who allowed just an unearned run in five and a third innings.
The bullpen issues came back to Tijuana as Manny Barreda allowed two runs and three walks in just a third of an inning. Barreda still has a contract with the Atlanta Braves but failed to make the Gwinnett Stripers starting rotation and is in Tijuana to keep up his form as reported by Sintesis TV reporter Jorge Camacho.
Barreda was the only pitcher that struggled out of the pen as the four other pitchers that came in relief for Tijuana did not allow a run. Sergio Alvarado, Gerardo Sanchez, Juan Sandoval and Jason Urquidez only allowed a hit out of the bullpen in four and a third innings of work. Urquidez earned his first save of the season as he will try to best his 28 saves from a year ago.
Toros take the final game of the series against @GeneralesdDgo. Get a 4-3 win to end the home stand. #LMB #Toros #Tijuana pic.twitter.com/XfQOTAmuhZ
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) April 2, 2018
The Toros’ offense exploded in the bottom of the sixth inning and produced the four runs that led to the series win against Generales. Corey Brown started off the display with a solo-shot then Gabriel Gutierrez kept it going with an RBI single. Gutierrez is renowned for his defensive skillset but is known to struggle offensively, so the contribution on the night was surprising to see. Justin Greene put the finishing blow to Durango with a two-RBI double that drove in Gabriel Gutierrez and Carlos Rivero.
Greene was named the MVP of the encounter as the Border City Bulls took a 4-3 comeback victory to win the series against Generales de Durango and improve to a 4-5 record. Pedro Mere’s team will now embark on a six-game road stand in Leon and Mexico City before returning home to host Olmecas de Tabasco on April 10.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.