Tijuana Toros: Toros Take Game 2 From Rieleros With Only Three Hits & Solid Outing From Kyle Lobstein
Credit: Diego Perez
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Toros played the second game of their playoff series against Rieleros de Aguascalientes at the Estadio Gasmart this Thursday, May 31.
The Border City Bulls had taken Game 1 of the series with a 3-2 walk-off win and managed to extend their lead in the series in Game 2 with a solid 5-3 win.
The first game of the playoff-set was a fantastic pitching duel and the encounter on Thursday night brought more of the same between Francisco Del Rosario and Kyle Lobstein. Lobstein allowed just two runs through five and two-thirds innings while Del Rosario only allowed a run in five innings.
The bullpen also played a key role in the Toros’ victory as Jesus Pirela, Daniel Moskos and Juan Sandoval all held their own and did not allow any runs in two and a third innings. Jason Urquidez came on to net the save, but did give up a solo home run to Marc Flores.
The offense only managed to get three hits in the clash, but was effective as they were patient at the plate. Corey Brown did get one of those three hits with a solo home run in the fourth inning off Francisco Del Rosario.
In the sixth inning, the Toros scored two runs that helped lead to their eventual win against Aguascalientes. Linder Castro walked two Tijuana batters then Gabe Aguilar went on to walk the bases loaded before being replaced by Carlos Fisher.
Fisher walked in two runs as the control issues stayed consistent for the Rieleros’ bullpen and the border city side came away with a 3-2 lead by the end of the sixth inning.
Juan Apodaca drove in Dustin Martin and Jorge Cantu with a single in the eighth inning to make it a 5-2 game heading into the ninth inning. The game ended 5-3 and the Border City Bulls took the second game of the series to get a 2-0 lead in the series before heading out to Aguascalientes for Game 3, 4 and 5 if needed.
The win was not pretty, but it was a solid one that proved that the Toros can get victories without sheer power driving the team.
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.