STREAKING PERICOS RIDE PITCHERS’ ARMS TO LMB SOUTH LEAD

The Puebla Pericos ended the weekend with a 4-2 win in Campeche on Sunday to bring their current winning streak to eight games, best thus far among Mexican League teams. While the Parrots are third in the Liga in batting with a .324 team average (Willis Otanez is hitting .478 with a league-leading 24 RBIs), it’s pitching that has carried Puebla through the streak.

In six road games last week in Tabasco and Campeche, Pericos pitchers combined to allow just eight runs (including one shutout), with no opponent notching more than two runs in a single game. Omar Espinoza (4-0/2.82) leads the LMB in wins, while fellow starter Guadalupe Perez is 3-0 with a 2.95 ERA. Closer Luis Ramirez (1-1/2.25) tops the circuit with eight saves as Puebla has turned in a team ERA of 3.55.

The 14-3 Pericos have the best record in the Mexican League along with a three-game lead over 11-6 Oaxaca in the LMB South, which is being called the Zona Hidalgo this year by the Liga in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s initial fight for independence. It was Father Miguel Hidalgo’s famous cry for freedom in 1810 (called “El Grito” in Mexico) that helped spur the native revolt against their Spanish colonial rulers.