DIABLOS, BRONCOS PULL AHEAD IN MEXICAN NORTH

Meanwhile, in the Mexican League’s northern Zona Madero (named after Francisco I. Madero, an early 20th century revolutionary leader and president after whom Saltillo’s ballpark is named), the Mexico City Diablos Rojos and Reynosa Broncos share the lead with identical 12-5 records. The Diablos carried a four-game win streak into Monday’s off-day, while the Broncos have a five-game skein going.

The Diablos have ten players batting .310 or better, led by first baseman Mario Valdez, whose .458 mark over just seven games includes a productive three homers. Newcomer Japhet Amador, last year’s LMB co-Rookie of the Year, is hitting .400 with 16 RBIs in 11 contests. The Red Devils pounded Laguna, 25-9, last Saturday as Valdez went 5-for-5 with six runs and six RBIs.

Reynosa completed a three-game sweep of Monclova with an 8-7 win Sunday as Yurendell de Caster’s seventh-inning RBI double ended up being the game-winner for the Broncos. Reynosa is batting .318 as a team (first baseman Jesse Gutierrez leads the club with a .394 average), while their collective 3.47 ERA is second in the Liga. Pitcher Brian Adams has been merely phenomenal, going 29 innings in four starts without giving up an earned run for a 2-0 record.