MONCLOVA TOPS SALTILLO IN 2010 LIGA SEASON OPENER

Jasiel Acosta (pictured) turned in a solid start and first baseman Pedro Diaz contributed a pair of hits and two RBIs to lead the Monclova Acereros to a 5-2 win over the defending Mexican League champion Saltillo Saraperos on March 16 at Saltillo in the 2010 LMB season opener.

Acosta gave up one unearned run on three hits and one walk over his five frames for Monclova to take the win, while Saltillo starter Mario Mendoza, Jr. took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings in front of 11,500 fans in Estadio Francisco I. Madero. Five relievers followed Acosta and combined to hold Saltillo to one more run over the final four innings as Tim Lavigne worked his way through a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save for the Steelers.

Diaz went 2-for-4 for Monclova, including a two-out single up the middle in the top of the fifth inning to drive in Ismael Salas and Saul Soto. Diaz was one of three Acereros with two hits in the contest along with Salas and Gonzalo Meza. DH Sandy Madera doubled and hit a solo homer for Saltillo, while Saraperos outfielder Jesus Cota turned in a 2-for-4 night at the plate.