GUASAVE CLINGS TO ONE-GAME LEAD OVER MOCHIS IN LMP

The surprising Guasave Algodoneros have a 15-8 record to lead the Mexican Pacific League by one game over the equally-surprising 14-9 Los Mochis Caneros. Guasave, which was not one of the more potent teams in the Mex Pac last winter, are bashing the ball at a .315 clip this season. The Cottoneers’ Eduardo Arredondo is tied with Mochis’ Justin Christian at the top of the LMP batting races with .411 averages while Guasave third baseman Marshall McDougall is right behind at .409. Defending MVP Luis Alfonso Garcia leads the Mex Pac with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 23 games.

While Guasave’s batting has put them on top, pitching has been Los Mochis’ strength. Ex-big leaguer Dan Serafini (pictured) is 2-0 and has the best ERA in the circuit at 1.72 after five strong starts, while 5-0 Alberto Castillo leads the LMP in wins and is third in ERA at 2.25, right behind another former MLBer, Hermosillo’s Travis Blackley (4-1, 2.16). Yet another pitcher with major league experience, Andy Sisco of Mexicali, has done well despite his 2-3 record. Sisco has a league-best 39 strikeouts in 29 innings and his 2.76 ERA is fifth.