PERICOS COP FIRST GAME OF LMB SOUTH FINAL AGAINST OAXACA

Cesar Tapia broke open a pitcher’s duel with a three-run homer in the fifth inning Sunday night to pace the Puebla Pericos to a 6-2 win over the Oaxaca Guerreros in Game one of their LMB South final series before 8,112 fanaticos at Puebla’s Estadio Hermanos Serdan. Puebla starter Lorenzo Barcelo and his Oaxaca counterpart, Sergio Valenzuela, were locked up in a 2-1 ballgame when Valenzuela served his gopher ball to Tapia. The Pericos took their 4-2 lead and never looked back.

Puebla eliminated Yucatan in six games in their Zona Hidalgo semifinal, capping off the series with a 4-3 win last Thursday night at home. Oaxaca had to go all seven games to get past Quintana Roo in an emotional first round matchup. Victor Mercedes (pictured) struck the death blow for the Guerreros with a ninth-inning, bases-loaded walk-off (enough hyphens there?) single in last Friday’s 5-4 deciding win.

Game Two of the LMB South final is set for Monday night in Puebla.