ALGODONEROS WIN 2-1 SQUEAKER TO INCH CLOSER TO FINALS

Francisco Cordoba (pictured) and two relievers gave Guasave six superb innings of pitching Sunday as the Algodoneros slipped past the Culiacan Tomateros, 2-1, in Game Five of their Mexican Pacific League semifinal series in Guasave. Guasave leads Culiacan 3-games-to-2 in the set.

Cordoba went six-plus solid frames on the hill for the Cottoneers, giving up six hits (including a Jesus Cota solo homer) while striking out four. Guasave scored both their runs in the bottom of the third off Tomateros starter Matt Buschmann when Eduardo Arredondo and Leo Heras hit back-to-back singles, a Jose Rodriguez single to left scored Arredondo and advanced Heras to third, then a Marshall McDougall grounder to short was mishandled by Ramiro Pena, allowing Heras to plate what turned out to be the game-winning run. Cordoba got the win, Buschmann absorbed the loss and Alan Guerrero copped the save.

The series shifts to Culiacan for Game Six Tuesday night. Daniel Guerrero will be Guasave’s starting pitcher while Andres Meza gets the nod for the Tomateros. The winner of the series will move on to the MexPac finals against Obregon, who bested Los Mochis in the other semifinal.