Tijuana Toros Series Recap: Tijuana Score 21 Runs Past Union Laguna, Take Series
The Tijuana Toros are 7-2 in their last nine games and have now improved to a 14-10 record on the season after a slow start.
The Border City Bulls are currently on a road trip and just finished up their first series in this road trip as they defeated Algodoneros de Union Laguna two games to one in a three-game set. Pedro Mere’s team was dominant in this series as it managed to score 21 runs throughout it, and counted with a couple of solid pitching performances as well.
Here is a rundown of everything that happened in this three-game set at the Estadio Revolucion in Torreon, Coahuila:
Game 1: Tijuana Toros 9-0 Algodoneros de Union Laguna
The border city side started off the three-game set with a dominant 9-0 win against the team from Torreon that really set the tone for the series. Pitching was a big talking point from the clash as Carlos Hernandez and the bullpen behind him threw a shutout and only allowed five hits on the day. The relievers that received an opportunity in this encounter for the Toros were Paul Paez, Aaron Kurcz, Sergio Alvarado, and Fernando Gallegos. The offense was also vibrant in this matchup and was led by just two players in Jorge Cantu and Cyle Hankerd, who picked up four RBI each. Cantu hit his second grand slam of the year while Hankerd hit a three-run shot of his own. This was the Toros’ third shutout of the season, the other two both coming against Acereros del Norte in the opening series of 2018.
Game 2: Tijuana Toros 2-7 Algodoneros de Union Laguna
The bats died down in the second game of the series for Tijuana as the Border City Bulls picked up nine hits in the encounter, but were only able to produce two runs. Even more dumbfounding was the fact that the Toros managed to get seven stolen bases in the game and still could not produce more runs. Dustin Martin swiped three bags on the day while Justin Greene, Corey Brown, Josh Rodriguez, and Isaac Rodriguez all added a stolen base to their counts. Maxwell Leon picked up the only RBI of the day when he drove in Carlos Rivero with a single in the fourth inning of the clash. The only other run of the game for Tijuana came via a wild pitch by Robinson Lopez that allowed Corey Brown to score in the sixth inning. Union Laguna’s offense was fueled by Barbaro Canizares and Ricardo Serrano, who hit a home run each in the game, while Rogelio Del Campo and ex-Padre’ Everth Cabrera also produced a run each. Kyle Lobstein had a magnificent start for the Toros as he tossed six shutout innings, but the downfall for Tijuana was the bullpen, which allowed seven runs. Gerardo Sanchez allowed four runs out of the ‘pen while Hector Galvan allowed another three to kill off the game. Robinson Lopez had a very solid start as he only allowed two runs through five and two-thirds innings, while ex-outfielder-turned-pitcher and Tijuana native, Roman Pena, picked up his first-ever win against his hometown team. Former Cardinals and White Sox’ pitcher Maikel Cleto closed out the game to seal the 7-2 scoreline and cement the Toros’ loss.
Game 3: Tijuana Toros 10-5 Algodoneros de Union Laguna
The offense bounced back in the final game of the series as the Toros produced 10 runs to get a convincing 10-5 win and take the series. Dustin Martin and Corey Brown had two RBI each while Cyle Hankerd was the standout at the plate with three RBI. Isaac Rodriguez went 2-for-3 in the game and is now on an 18-game hitting streak. Another standout on the day was Jio Mier, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and is now hitting .545 in limited playing time. The base running was also on point in this clash as Tijuana swiped four bases. The pitching was solid as Manny Barreda only allowed two runs in five innings of work for his first win of the season. The bullpen behind him was not ideal with three runs allowed, and it is worrying considering the implosion it had in the second game of the series. However, the win was a solid one heading into a tough series away from home against Generales de Durango this weekend.
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.