Tijuana Toros Recap: Toros Fall Short On Comeback Against Durango, Continue Losing Streak
Credit: Diego Perez
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Toros were in dire need of a win heading into their series against Generales de Durango.
The Border city side had been swept by Sultanes de Monterrey in a three-game series earlier in the week and now had a 2-4 record to start the new LMB season. It seemed like the Toros were doomed for a fourth consecutive loss as the visiting team had a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. Carlos Hernandez had a gruesome day on the mound with four earned runs on seven hits in just an inning of work.
The Raging Bulls did manage to get a run in the bottom of the fourth via a solo home run by catcher Juan Apodaca. The Toros cut the lead even more with an RBI single by Corey Brown in the bottom of the fifth that drove in Dustin Martin and made it a 6-2 scoreline. The scoring play at the plate was initially called out but Pedro Mere challenged the close play at home and was successful as it was overturned.
Tijuana kept constructing their massive comeback with three more unanswered runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The runs kept on coming in the bottom of the eighth as Isaac Rodriguez and Corey Brown hit solo shots to make it a 7-6 game. Now it seemed like the Toros would end their losing streak and get back on track after a rough week. However, Daniel Nunez tied it up with an RBI double in the top of the ninth off closer Jason Urquidez.
The border city team failed to construct anything in the ninth inning and the already thrilling 7-7 encounter was headed to extra innings. Durango piled on two runs in the 11th inning that lost all hope for Pedro Mere’s men. The runs were not the product of anything spectacular with a single and a forceout being the decisive plays that would seal the 9-7 final score and the Toros’ fate. After huge shifts throughout the encounter and eight pitchers, the Toros would have just another L to show for it.
Corey Brown was the obvious standout player offensively for the Raging Bulls with three RBI produced on the night. For Durango, Yadir Drake went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two walks and Dustin Geiger also had a very solid performance as he went 3-for-7 with two RBI of his own. Former Yankees’ backstop Jesus Montero was another relevant player for Generales as he went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Durango finished the game with 21 hits and former Rays and Mariners’ reliever Josh Lueke closed out the game in the bottom of the 11th.
The Toros now have four consecutive losses and have allowed six or more runs in this losing streak. The pitching, specifically the bullpen has been a crucial issue with 18 runs allowed in this run of bad form. Tijuana now has a 2-5 record and desperately need to dig out a win in this series as the teams face off again at the Estadio Gasmart this Saturday.
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.