MONTERREY-CHIHUAHUA WINS ACADEMY ROOKIE LEAGUE CROWN

A combined team of prospects for the Monterrey Sultanes and Chihuahua Dorados have won the 2010 Academy Rookie League pennant with a 44-17 record, beating out Mexico City-Oaxaca by one game. Mexico City-Oaxaca finished their schedule at 43-18 as both teams finished above the .700 mark while the LAR’s other three teams had winning percentages of .400 or less.

Monterrey-Chihuahua topped Mexico City-Oaxaca, 5-3, last Saturday behind Jose Colorado’s three-run homer in the eighth inning to clinch the title at the Monterrey-area academy, where ten Mexican League teams house their young players for training. Five combined teams comprise the on-site league.

Jose Figueroa of Mexico City-Oaxaca led the LAR in four offensive categories: Batting (.363), hits (86), runs scored (60) and triples (8). Monterrey-Chihuahua’s Jaciel Ramos topped the circuit with 5 homers while teammate Jean Rubalcava, who was second with a .359 batting average, led with 48 RBIs.

Among pitchers, Ruben Farias of Monterrey-Chihuahua’s nine wins were best in the LAR, while moundmate Jose Garcia had a league-leading 0.87 ERA. Mexico City-Oaxaca’s Aldo Flores and David Reyes each had 89 strikeouts, while MXC-OAX closer Ivan Cota was tops with 8 saves.