Viva Los Toros: Tijuana Toros Weekly Recap #12
Tijuana Toros weekly recap
In this week the Tijuana Toros looked to continue their excellent performance under manager Pedro Mere. There were a couple of games early on though that prevented thoughts of this Toros team going deep into the playoffs.
At Monclova
Game 1: Falling behind in the standings
The Tijuana Toros went to Monclova to face the Acereros just two games behind them in the North Zone standings. Looking to sweep and steal the second seed, but things didn’t turn out as they wanted. Former “Steeler” Olmo Rosario batted in a pair of runs and Dustin Martin, Roberto Lopez and Jose Guadalupe Chavez had two hits each but the bullpen couldn’t keep the lead and Tijuana dropped the first game of the series 6-4. Alex Sanabia had a no decision after five and two third innings of work but the losing pitcher was Jose Manuel Lopez. The winning pitcher was Hector Velasquez on a six inning effort in which he allowed four runs on eight hits.
Game 2: Things not looking good
The Toros were playing great baseball under three-week manager Pedro Mere, but in Monclova things seemed different. They lost the first game of the series and couldn’t get a win in the second either. Carlos Valencia and Dustin Martin both had a run batted in to help take the lead 1-0 and 2-1, but again pitching was the issue and lack of timely hitting as Tijuana lost 4-2 falling four games out of second place. Jose Oyervides improved his record to 10-2 on the year after six innings of pitching allowing a pair of runs on four hits. Rafael Diaz got the loss after only three and two third innings of eight hit ball and four earned runs.
Game 3: Avoiding the sweep
Jose Guadalupe Chavez had four hits, scored three times and Dustin Martin batted in three runs. The Toros were also helped by an outstanding pitching performance by Horacio Ramirez as the Toros avoided the sweep by winning 6-3. Ramirez threw four scoreless innings to end his afternoon allowing three runs on eight hits and Jason Urquidez earned his 24th save of the season. The “Bulls” roughed up Edgmer Escalona as the pitcher allowed fourteen hits in five innings and also allowed six runs to score.
At Laguna
Game 1: Winning route
The first game of the series in Torreon against Vaqueros Laguna was schedule for Friday but a storm prevented that from happening and a double-header was in place for Saturday. Barry Enright had an outstanding performance to help Tijuana get the victory 5-1. He pitched five innings, allowing just one run on four hits, walking one and striking out three. The “Bulls’” offense helped create a 4-0 lead after three innings and never looked back after that.
Game 2: Sweep the double-header
We have to remember that in Mexican League when a double-header is scheduled both games are played to the seventh inning. Keeping that in mind, the Toros connected 16 hits in the second game of the day and handed out a beating on the diamond after winning 10-1. For the second consecutive game, Tijuana had a 2-0 lead after their first at bat and extended that lead to a 4-1 advantage. A five run rally in the fifth plus another one in the sixth helped cap off a blowout. Miguel Peña had a complete game to credit himself the win after allowing just a run in four hits with four strikeouts and no walks.
Game 3: Couldn’t sweep the Cowboys
Dustin Martin had two runs batted in and Alex Romero had a pair of hits, but the Tijuana Toros couldn’t sweep the Vaqueros Laguna as they dropped the last game of the series by a score of 6-5. Alex Sanabia was in the mound for five and two third innings allowing five runs and ten hits. Not a good outing, as he only struck out three. At the end of the week the Toros have a 58-43 record and are in third place in the North Zone, two and half games up on Laguna with three more series to go in the regular season.
A reporter for EVT in the region, also for Síntesis TV in Baja California and a correspondent for ESPN México. A sports freak, crazy about the teams in San Diego and Tijuana. My goal is to provide information for the people by always being a fan. Understanding the point of view of the players and organizations and with that to tell the truth with an objective approach.