DOMINICANS COP CS CROWN, MEXICO REACHES SEMIS

Mexicans celebrate win over Venezuela

    The Dominican Republic scored twice in the bottom of the sixth inning against Puerto Rico and went on to post a 4-1 win in last Saturday's championship game of the 2021 Caribbean Series at Mazatlan. The Dominicans (represented by LiDom champion Cibaenas Aguilas) won all seven games they played to win their second consecutive Serie del Caribe and 21st title in 63 tournaments since it debuted in 1949.

    Hector Hernandez of Puerto Rico and Dominican opener Cesar Valdez, the 2019 Mexican League Pitcher of the Year, carried a scoreless tie through four innings until the Puerto Ricans plated the first run in the top of the fifth when Juan Centeno scored from second on Jarren Duran's single. The Dominicans tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on Johan Tamargo's home run to left off Hernandez, then took the lead for good one inning later when Juan Lagares drove in Ramon Torres from first with a double before scoring himself on Ronald Guzman's single to right. Guzman added an insurance homer in the eighth off reliever Fernando Cruz and it was left to 315-pound closer Jumbo Diaz to close out the tournament and winterball season with a 1-2-3 ninth.

    Mexico, represented by Mexican Pacific League champion Culiacan and a large contingent of reinforcement players, rebounded from a 1-2 first round start to win their final two games in the opening stage to reach the semifinals. Jesus Fabela led batters in the first stage with a .364 average over four games, followed by both Jose Cardona and Julian Leon at .333 in four games. Leon swatted a grand slam against Panama to match Jesse Castillo (whose three-run bomb capped a 10-2 opening night win over Colombia) in homers. Leon and Castillo each had a team-high five RBIs over the first five games.

    Pitchers Anthony Vasquez and Manny Barreda, who pitched for Culiacan during the regular season and playoffs, turned in the best starts over Mexico's three win. Vasquez allowed one earned run over seven innings in Wednesday's important 6-3 win against Panama and Barreda likewise let in one earned tally in six frames, striking out five during Mexico's win over Colombia on January 31. Hector Velazquez pitched credibly one night later (one earned run in 4.2 entradas) against the Dominican Republic but took the 4-2 loss as all three hurlers turned in sub-2.00 ERA for manager Benji Gil's squad.

    During the tournament, the host Mexicans offered help to Panama's handpicked all-star team of domestic and foreign talent when the latter found themselves down two pitchers who were sidelined by positive tests for the Wuhan virus. Veteran hurlers Jose Samayoa and Walter Silva were loaned to the Panamanians with one caveat: Neither could pitch against Mexico in Wednesday's game between the two nations.

    That condition was eventually relaxed and the 44-year-old Silva came out from the bullpen against his countrymen, giving up Leon's fourth-inning grand slam that put Mexico ahead in Panama's 6-3 loss Wednesday. He then tossed three innings of relief in Friday's semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, doing well until he allowed Carlos Paulino's two-run walkoff single with two out in the ninth to give the Dominicans a 3-2 victory, sending them to Saturday's title game. Samayoa did not pitch for his adoptive team.

    Slugger Jesse Castillo was the only member of the Mexican team to be named to the Caribbean Series All-Star Team for 2021. The 37-year-old Castillo, who hit .293 with a homer and five RBIs to tie Julian Leon for the team leadership in the latter two categories, was selected by media as the designated hitter. 

    The All-Star Team was dominated by the Dominican Republic, who took up six of the eleven player slots while Felix Fermin was chosen as manager. Two Dominicans, second baseman Robinson Cano and outfielder Melky Cabrera, are past Major League all-stars with 31 years of MLB experience between them while Puerto Rican catcher Yadier Molina has been a nine-time all-star during his 17 big league seasons with St. Louis. Another Dominican, outfielder Juan Lagares, was named the CS Most Valuable Player after batting .316 with two homers and eight RBIs.

    Organizers held their collective breaths regarding attendance, with the pandemic still gripping all participating countries and the host Mazatlan Venados only allowed to fill 45 percent of Estadio Teodoro Mariscal's 16,000 seats for social distancing purposes, reducing capacity to 7,000 per game. Given the conditions, turnout was probably better than some observers expected, as 54,854 fans attended 17 games over the seven-day event, an average of 3,227 per game. A total of 40,465 fans attended 14 first round games between Sunday and Thursday (attendance at Wednesday's tripleheader opener between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic was not available) for an average of 2,840 per opening. Another 10,385 clicked the turnstiles for Friday's semifinal twinbill and Saturday's final between the Dominicans and Puerto Rico brought in another 4,003 aficionados.

Mexico's 2021 Caribbean Series team

    As expected, host Mexico's games (all nightcaps) drew the biggest crowds, as 32,714 attended five first round games plus one Final Four contest involving Mexico for an average of 5,452. The semi contest against Puerto Rico drew 6,509 fans, the most for a single game while attendance at two of the available morning tripleheader openers was 400 and 403. Crowds grew as the days went on during the opening round: Four recorded morning games averaged 555 spectators, followed by 2,407 at five afternoon games and 5,241 for a quintet of evening games.

    Finally, the Dominican Republic has been awarded the 2022 Caribbean Series. The last time the Dominicans hosted the Serie del Caribe was in 2016, when Mexico's Mazatlan Venados won the seven-day tournament held at Santo Domingo's Estadio Quisiqueya. Dominican League president Vitelio Mejia Ortiz said, “It will be a pleasure to host all of you and we assure you of our best effort so that the Caribbean Series event maintains all its splendor in our hands. We hope that with God's grace we will have a less complicated scenario in relation to the limitations of Covid-19.”

    Venezuela is scheduled to host the 2023 Serie del Caribe, Puerto Rico will be the site of the 2024 event and the Caribbean Series will return to Mexico in 2025.

CARIBBEAN SERIES GAME RESULTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 1: Sunday, 31 January 2021 (First Round)
Panama 6, Venezuela 3 (Mayckol Guaipe allowed 3 runs in 6th to take loss in relief)
Dominican Republic 5, Puerto Rico 1 (Juan Lageres' 3-run HR, 2-run single led Dominicans)
MEXICO 10, Colombia 2 (Jesse Castillo 3-run homer capped dominant Mexico win)
DAY 2: Monday, 1 February 2021 (First Round)
Panama 9, Colombia 5 (Jordan Diaz went 3-4 with 2B and 2 RBIs in loss for Colombia)
Puerto Rico 3, Venezuela 0 (Hector Hernandez and four relievers combined on 2-hitter)
Dominican Republic 4, MEXICO 2 (DR's Juan Lagares hit second HR in two games)
DAY 3: Tuesday, 2 February 2021 (First Round)
Venezuela 1, Colombia 0 (Herlis Rodriguez' game-winning RBI 2B was Venezuelans' lone hit)
Dominican Republic 11, Panama 6 (Melky Cabrera hit 1B and 2B for 3 RBIs for Dominicans)
Puerto Rico 6, MEXICO 4 (Puerto Rico's Edwin Diaz socked 2-run HR, scored 3 runs)
DAY 4: Wednesday, 3 February 2021 (First Round)
Dominican Republic 2, Venezuela 0 (Robel Garcia's 2-run 1B in B7 broke scoreless tie)
Puerto Rico 2, Colombia 1 (Bases-loaded walk in B9 scored Johneswhy Fargas with winner)
MEXICO 6, Panama 3 (Julian Leon's grand slam in T4 put Mexicans ahead for good)
DAY 5: Thursday, 4 February 2021 (First Round)
Puerto Rico 9, Panama 8 (Jarren Duran hit solo HR, 2B, scored 3 runs for Puerto Ricans)
Dominican Republic 3, Colombia 2 (Rangel Ravelo's walkoff 1B plated Ramon Torres)
MEXICO 4, Venezuela 3 [10] (Juan Carlos Gamboa's bases-loaded 1B gave Mexico victory)

FIRST ROUND STANDINGS
Dominican Republic 5-0, Puerto Rico 4-1, MEXICO 3-2, Panama 2-3, Colombia 0-6

DAY 6: Friday, 5 February 2021 (Semifinals)
Dominican Republic 3, Panama 2 (Carlos Paulino hit 2-out, walkoff 2-run single in B10)
Puerto Rico 2, MEXICO 1 (Rey Fuentes' 2-run HR in B4 held up to give PR finals berth)

DAY 7: Saturday, 6 February 2021 (Championship Game)
Dominican Republic 4, Puerto Rico 1 (Juan Legares 2B drove in game-winner in B6)

2021 CARIBBEAN SERIES ALL-STAR TEAM
C-Yadier Molina (PR), 1B-Ronald Guzman (DR), 2B-Robinson Cano (DR), 3B-Jordan Diaz (COL), SS-Jonathan Arauz (PAN), OF-Juan Lagares (DR), Melky Cabrera (DR) and Jarren Duran (PR), DH-Jesse Castillo (MX), SP-Carlos Martinez (DR), RP-Jumbo Diaz (DR), MGR-Felix Fermin (DR).

OJEDA BACK FOR THIRD STINT AS DIABLOS MANAGER

Miguel Ojeda: Back in the saddle again

    The Mexico City Diablos Rojos have officially announced the return of Miguel Ojeda as their manager for the 2021 season. This will be the former MLB catcher's third stint as the Red Devils' helmsman. Ojeda will replace Sergio Gastelum, who was dismissed last month after never managing a Mexican League game for the 16-time champions.

    In a virtual press conference held at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu, team executive president Dr. Othón Díaz expressed confidence in the new appointment: “He has the instinctive values and principles of the Red Devils organization,” said Diaz. He also has the experience and knowledge to show the face of the 2014 champion team. For all that, we see him as a natural option.”

    Ojeda carries a 258-184 record from his two previous terms as Mexico City's manager, including their most recent LMB title in 2014, into his third time around. “Being on the field and sharing with the players the joys that Diablos Rojos del México offers is a facet that I missed a lot,” he said during he press conference. “I'm anxious for the season to start at once.” His last time managing the team was in 2017, a year before becoming a part-owner and front office executive in Durango before rejoining the Diablos as a vice president.

Adrian Gonzalez and Ojeda at past WBC

    As a player, Ojeda played for the Diablos Rojos during the 1990's, belting four homers in one game at the old Parque Social Seguro as well as playing all nine positions in another game at Foro Sol. He became the first player from his native Guaymas to reach the Major Leagues with the San Diego Padres, also catching for Seattle, Colorado and Texas in addition to suiting up for the Mexican National Team. He hit .224 in 212 MLB games over four seasons, contributing 15 homers and 72 RBIs in 553 plate appearances, and played for Mexico in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.

    In addition to Ojeda's appointment of the new helmsman, Jorge del Valle was named Sports Manager of the Diablos, replacing the departed Francisco Minjarez (who has joined the new Guadalajara Mariachis in a similar capacity). Del Valle has held the position of Director of Harp's baseball academy in Oaxaca since 2017. Del Valle was also in charge of two champions in the disbanded Mexican Winter League (LIM) and two more titles in the Class A Northern Mexico League with the Ensenada Marineros. He was also in charge of the entire Diablos Rojos scouting team, many of whom were let go during a front office purge earlier this winter.

    “I know that I'm at home and I will take care of it as such,” said Del Valle. “I'm very grateful for the opportunity that the Harp family gives me and we are going to work hand in hand with Miguel Ojeda to bring the championship home.”

SULTANES SEND FELIX PEREZ TO JALISCO IN SIX-PLAYER DEAL

Felix Perez as an NPB player

    There's an adage in sports, at least among some of the more proactive teams, that “next season begins the day after this season ends." That certainly seems to apply to a pair of Mexican Pacific League teams who didn't wait until the conclusion of the Caribbean Series in Mazatlan to swing a blockbuster six-player trade in which two outfielders (one a former NPB performer out of Cuba) and a veteran pitcher were swapped for a trio of similar players.

    Monterrey Sultanes sports manager Jesus Valdez Jr. sent recalcitrant outfielder/first baseman Felix Perez, speedy outfielder Jose Juan Aguilar and longtime reliever Fredy Quintero to Jalisco for outfielders Carlos Figueroa and Henry Urrutia plus reliever Linder Castro in a deal announced by Charros GM Rey Padilla and managing partner Armando Navarro, who is embroiled in a battle with former team president Salvador Quirarte that will likely end up in the courts (more on that next week).

    A 36-year-old Cuban, Perez played three winters for his hometown Isla de Juventud Toronjeros between 2005 and 2008 before defecting and eventually signing with Cincinnati. He spent five years in the Reds system, including three at AAA Louisville, and later played with Monterrey and Aguascalientes in the Mexican League and in NPB with the Rakuten Eagles. Perez has also played winterball in Venezuela and Mexico and was Monterrey's top hitter (.270) during the Sultanes' first season in the Mexican Pacific League. 

    However, the 6'2” lefty swinger failed to come to terms with Monterrey this winter and threatened to go home to play for Isla de Juventud. Instead, the Sultanes loaned him to Obregon and later Mexicali, for whom he hit a combined .219 with 12 homers over 41 games. He'll likely play first base next winter for Jalisco.

    Also moving to Guadalajara is Aguilar, who hit .322 and scored 26 runs in 35 games for the Sultanes this winter, his eighth in the LMP. Career-wise, the 30-year-old has hit .297 over 368 games in the Mex Pac. A member of Mexico's Premier12 team last winter, Aguilar has spent ten years with Reynosa and Yucatan in the Mexican League, where he's hit .307 in 803 games. Aguilar is a leadoff type batter who can get on base, steal a base, is more likely to hit a double than a homer and can also play all three outfield positions.

    Quintero will likely fill a middleman role for Jalisco manager Roberto Vizcarra. He made 29 appearances from the bullpen for the Sultanes and went 3-1 with a 5.61 ERA. After spending two years in the Dodgers organization, the 33-year-old Los Mochis product made his Mexican League debut with Aguascalientes in 2012 and has pitched south of the border ever since. Quintero has worked mostly out of the bullpen in both the LMB and LMP with negligible results: He's a career 26-37 with a 5.95 ERA in the Liga while going 7-10 and 5.21 in the MexPac. He has a 93 MPH fastball, but throwing it for strikes is a sometime thing.

Carlos Figueroa traded to Jalisco

    In return, the Sultanes picked up Figueroa, a 5'8” centerfielder who's one of the fastest players in Mexico. A 28-year-old from Hermosillo, Figueroa offers no power (he has yet to homer in seven LMP seasons) but, like Aguilar, he's a top-of-the-order hitter who can get on base, drive pitchers batty and score runs for his team. He hit .316 with Monterrey this winter and led the Mex Pac with 72 hits and 43 runs scored over 57 games. Figueroa has done even better in the summer, batting .320 over all or parts of eight seasons in Mexico City and topping 20 steals five times. Figueroa started as a middle infield but strictly plays centerfield now.

    Urrutia will give Monterrey manager Gerardo Alvarez a steady bat with extra-base power and the ability to play first base as well as both corner outfield positions. A Cuban who spent time in MLB with Baltimore in 2013 and 2015, Urrutia starred with Las Tunas in the Cuban National Series for five winters before (like Perez) defecting after the 2009-10 season. He played five years in the Orioles system, was traded to the Red Sox during the 2017 season and made his Mexican debut with the Diablos Rojos one year later. He played for four LMB teams in two years, ending up with Saltillo in 2019, but has hit well above .300 both years. Likewise, he's hit .323 and .303 with a combined 14 homers in 118 games for Jalisco the last two seasons.

    Rounding out the trade for Monterrey is Castro, a middleman from Merida who has struggled during the summer but done well in winterball. Castro, 29, is 32-42 with a 5.47 ERA after nine seasons in the Mexican League, where he was a back-of-the rotation starter until Aguascalientes manager Homar Rojas made him a reliever in 2017. The 5'10 righty has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen over five winters and 114 appearances in the LMP, going 4-7 with five saves and a 3.38 ERA. Castro pitched sparingly for the Charros last season (9 games, no decisions, 3.68 ERA), but should get more work with the Sultanes in 2021-22.

YUCATAN WINS FIRST 2 ON ROAD IN LMB SOUTH FINALS

Yucatan outfielder Jonathan Jones

Over the years, the Yucatan Leones have traditionally been winners in Mexican League baseball because of timely hitting, consistent defense and top-notch pitching.  Power has rarely been a facet for the Merida team but 2019 has been a different year with the new Franklin ball and the Leones unleashed a barrage of homers over the weekend as the defending division champions socked eight homers while winning the first two games of the LMB South finals in Mexico City. 

Yucatan batters belted three homers Saturday against the Diablos Rojos before knocking out five roundtrippers in Sunday's Game Two 14-6 laugher, a game that was actually tied 3-3 until the Leones posted nine runs in the top of the third inning to break the contest wide open.  Three of those five Yucatan homers came in the third as two-run bombs from Sebastian Valle and Xavier Scruggs bookended a solo shot from Leo Heras.  Earlier, Alex Liddi and Luis Juarez went long for the Leones as each ended with three hits and two RBIs apiece.  Cesar Valdez was far from his best on the mound for the winners, giving up three runs on seven hits over five innings of work, but still got the win thanks to that nine-run gift in the third.  Diablos starter David Reyes was chased after allowing six runs (including three homers) in two-plus innings.

In Saturday's series opener, Leones starter Yoanner Negrin tossed seven strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits, while centerfielder Jonathan Jones cracked two solo homers and designated hitter Luis Juarez added a two-run shot in the seventh as Yucatan prevailed, 6-3.  That it was Jones who went deep twice was surprising, as the former Jays farmhand had homered just twice since late June, with his last four-bagger coming on August 6 en route to a career-high 10 homers.  Jones finished the night 4-for-4 at the plate and plated four runs.  Just to show the Leones haven't forgotten their roots, catcher Sebastian Valle (he of the 13 career stolen bases over as many seasons) swiped second base in the seventh off reliever Juan Robles.

The Leones reached the division title set by knocking out Oaxaca in five games in the first round, eliminating the Guerreros with a 3-1 win at home on Sunday, September 8 in Estadio Kukulkan as Cesar Valdez held Oaxaca to one run over seven two-hit innings and Juarez drove in the first Yucatan run with a double and later scored their second tally in the bottom of the first.  A stocky two-time All-Star out of Culiacan, Juarez batted .319 to top the .300 mark for the fourth season in a row (including twice last year) and hit 12 homers, driving in 65 runs despite two trips to the reserve list.

It was a tough way to end the season for Oaxaca outfielder Alonzo Harris, who followed up an MVP-worthy regular campaign (.343 with 39 homers, 45 stolen bases, 117 RBIs and a remarkable 131 runs over 119 games) with a .263 average in five postseason tilts during which he homered twice and scored three times in Game Four but was otherwise fairly quiet at the plate.  Guerreros catcher Erick Rodriguez, a seven-time All-Star (MVP of the 2015 ASG) likewise had a good regular season (.356/12/47 in 87 games) with another ASG appearance, but the 39-year-old Monterrey native faded in the playoffs by going only 3-for-17 with one run while playing all five games. He did steal a base in Game One after collecting only 15 swipes over his 19-year career, none since 2017.

Mexico City outfielder Carlos Figueroa

Mexico City advanced from the LMB South semis by topping Quintana Roo, 4 games to 3.  The Diablos were on the brink of elimination after five games before winning twice at home to send the rival Tigres home to Cancun (for now).  Last Tuesday's game at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu saw the home team come from behind with four runs in the bottom of the ninth, the last coming an a single up the middle by Carlos Figueroa off reliever Juan Noriega that was followed a throwing error by Tigres centerfielder Yordanys Linares, scoring two runs to seal a 5-4 walkoff win.  Quintana Roo starter Javier Solano had allowed run run in eight entradas before giving way to Noriega.  Game Seven on Wednesday was a slugfest, with the Diablos outlasting the Tigres, 13-11, behind Japhet Amador's 4-for-5 performance that included two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored.  Ex-Twins minor leaguer Alex Robles had a great night in a losing cause for Quintana Roo, going 4-for-5 himself with a homer and seven RBIs, but an eight-run seventh for the Diablos gave the home team a 13-7 lead and the Tigres' four runs in the ninth weren't enough to catch up. 

Quintana Roo's defeat closes their season amid speculation that the Tigres may not be long for Cancun, a popular place for tourists but not so much for baseball fans (think Florida).  Owner Fernando Valenzuela got off to a rocky start shortly after buying the heritage franchise in February 2017 when five prospects who'd belonged to the Tigres before Valenzuela and wife Linda bought the team magically appeared on Mexico City's reserve list after the sale, a move that eventually became the Rookiegate scandal.  However, Cancun has never warmed to the team and rumors are that the Valenzuelas may move them to their historic home of Mexico City even though that could mean using 5,000-seat Estadio Fray Nano, which proved inadequate for AAA baseball over the five years the Diablos used it before opening their new state-of-the-art facility this spring.

MONCLOVA, TIJUANA ADVANCE TO LMB NORTH FINALS

Tijuana pitcher James Russell

It took them seven games to do it, but the Monclova Acereros finally knocked defending champion Monterrey out of contention for a repeat pennant by winning Game Seven of their LMB North semifinal series, 5-2, last Thursday in Estadio Monclova.  By reaching the division championships, the Steelers are facing Tijuana, who needed six games to dispatch a pesky Saltillo team few were receiving few playoff projections prior to the regular season but parlayed a second-half title into the fourth and final division seed.  

The Toros then began the division title series with two wins against Monclova over the weekend, including a 5-1 victory Sunday night in Tijuana that was a scoreless tie until the Bulls exploded for all five runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by a two-run single by Ricky Alvarez and a two-run homer by Jesus "Cacao" Valdez.  Francisco Peguero got one run back for the Acereros with a solo shot in the top of the seventh but Monclova was unable to catch up before their 27 outs were used up.  Tijuana starter Horacio Ramirez, a former Mariners hurler, got the win by pitching 6.1 shoutout innings and allowing just three hits. 

The division title set began Saturday night in Tijuana as the host Toros shut out Monclova, 4-0, with TJ starter James Russell turning in a standout effort on the mound.  A reliever during his big league days with the Cubs, Braves and Phillies between 2010 and 2016, Russell (son of former MLB All-Star closer Jeff Russell) was signed by the Toros as a free agent in April and inserted into the starting rotation.  Although he pitched into the seventh inning three times in 18 starts and didn't compile enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, Russell had a solid campaign for Tijuana by going 8-4 with a 3.26 ERA (which would've ranked third in the LMB), striking out 66 and walking just 11 in 88.1 innings.  Facing a potent Monclova lineup that averaged .320 and a Liga-best 7.46 runs per game, Russell limited the Acereros to three hits in 6.1 shutout innings, whiffing 11 batsmen (including Chris Carter three times) and walking one before being pulled after 100 pitches.  Maxwell Leon and Isaac Rodriguez each had two hits and one run in support of Russell for the winners.

Monclova's Francisco Peguero and Chris Carter

Like Mexico City in their series with Quintana Roo, Monclova went into Game Six of their series with Monterrey trailing 3-games-to-2 after losing to the Sultanes, 5-4, last Monday as Yamaico Navarro's walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth drove in Tony Campana with the game-winning run.  Campana had two singles and a double as the ex-Cub scored twice for the winners.  The two teams then moved to Monclova for Wednesday's 10-1 Acereros' drubbing of the Fall 2018 champs, with Francisco Peguero clobbering two homers en route to a three-hit night in which he scored four runs and drove in three.  Monclova starter Conor Harber let in one Monterrey one by scattering eight hits and a walk over seven frames.  That brought things to a Game Seven last Thursday and Acereros slugger Chris Carter came up big with two homers and three ribbies as Monclova clinched the series with a 5-2 win.  The former National League HR champion lofted six circuit clouts in the series.  Former Rangers prospect Adam Quintana pitched six innings of scoreless ball for the Acereros, giving up three hits and striking out five.  Quintana finished the regular season with an 8-4 record after pitching out of the bullpen until new manager Pat Listach added him to the rotation in early July for the rest of the schedule. 

Tijuana had a slightly easier time of it in their series with Saltillo, who surprised observers with their second-half title under first-year helmsman Roberto Vizcarra, who has won wherever he's worked during his short managerial career.  The Saraperos trailed the Toros 3-games-to-2 after winning Game Six at home last Monday with a 5-0 shutout over the potent border team.  Former Red Sox pitcher Felix Doubront blanked TJ over 7.2 innings on six hits for the win while Juan Perez gave Saltillo a 4-for-4 night at the plate with a homer and three RBIs.  The series shifted to Tijuana for Game Six last Wednesday, and the Bulls responded with a clinching 6-4 win as Maxwell Leon, Jesus Valdez and Leandro Castro combined for six hits, two runs and four RBIs.  The Saraperos had a wide advantage in baserunners over the game, but the Toros went 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position while Saltillo were just 3-for-12 in similar situations.

While both Monterrey and Saltillo were knocked out of the playoffs last week, their respective managers may face entirely different perceptions from their team owners.  Saltillo's new managing partner Cesar Cantu has to be thrilled with both his team's unexpected on-field success and attendance increase from 4,439 per game last fall to 6,398 this year, so Vizcarra is as secure as any manager in the LMB, although skippers in Mexico may have the shortest leashes in baseball.  On the other hand, even though Sultanes skipper Robero Kelly is only a year removed from his team's first pennant since 2007 and coming off a 72-46 regular season (third-best in the Liga), co-owner Jose "Pepe" Maiz is not known for his patience in the best of times and the former Yankees outfielder may find himself on the hot seat, deserved or not.

MEX PAC TRAINING CAMPS OPEN; MEXICALI BALLPARK RENAMED

Guasave players on first day of training camp

While the Mexican League playoffs are entering their third week with four teams still playing, training camps for the Mexican Pacific League's 75th winterball season have been opening in September in preparation for next month's season openers.  The number of players and even managers reporting when camps open is typically low, but their ranks will swell in the days and weeks to come.  The revived Guasave Algodoneros, one of two new LMP franchises to join the league since last season, joined the Hermosillo Naranjeros as the first teams to open camp on September 9 at the Arturo Peimbert Camacho sports complex in the Sinaloa city.  

The Mex Pac's other expansion team, the Monterrey Sultanes, are coming into their first season with a long history in the summer game, a strong ownership in Grupo Multimedios, a veteran manager in Homar Rojas (Roberto Kelly will not manage winterball in Monterrey) and the country's largest ballpark to play in.  The Cottoneers, on the other hand, have been scrambling to assemble a team in the front office and on the playing field ever since the city of 271,196 (smallest in the LMP) was awarded a franchise after Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador leaned on league president Omar Canizales to help fulfill a campaign promise to return baseball to "The Agricultural Heart of Mexico."  

So far, so good with the Algodoneros as current Durango Generales owner Alfredo Aramburo was recruited to own the team and is said to be seeking to divest all interests in his Mexican League franchise, Rigo Beltran has been settled upon as field manager for the fledgling team, 20 players reported for the first day of training (including six catchers) and work continues to prepare 8,000-seat Estadio Francisco Carranza Limon in time for Guasave's October 13 home opener against Los Mochis.

Jalisco (and Mexico City) slugger Japhet Amador

Meanwhile, defending champion Jalisco's hopes for a repeat were dealt a blow when it was announced that slugger Japhet Amador will not be available to play for the Charros this winter.  The Mulege Giant is still playing for Mexico City in the Mexican League postseason, but will undergo surgery for an Achilles tendon injury at the conclusion of the Diablos' season and require six months to recover.  Amador hit .283 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 27 games for the Guadalajara team last season after being suspended from organized baseball for testing positive for a banned substance while playing in Japan for the Rakuten Golden Eagles.

Another massive longball hitter many had hoped would play in the LMP this winter, Chris Carter, may also end up skipping the Mex Pac campaign.  Carter was originally planning to spend the winter in Venezuela but conditions in that country have made that prospect unlikely.  Carter was picked by Obregon in July's foreigner draft and it was thought he might suit up for the Yaquis this season, but Monclova's MVP candidate (after leading the Mexican League with 49 homers and 119 RBIs) has not signed with Obregon and his LMP rights are thought to be up for trade.  The 6'4" Californian is reportedly drawing interest from teams in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and could be held out from playing winterball if he signs with an NPB franchise for 2020. 

17,000-seat La Nida ballpark in Mexicali

Finally, the Mexicali Aguilas' ballpark has a new corporate name.  Known casually as La Nida ("The Nest") since its 1976 LMP debut, the 17,000-seat facility will be hosting Aguilas baseball for a 43rd season this winter and has been the scene of the 1985 LMP All-Star Game, the 2009 Caribbean Series and qualifying games for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.  La Nida originally held 9,000 seats but was expanded to its current configuration after remodeling in 2008.  The stadium has been named at times after a fan manufacturer, a housing development firm and (for the upcoming season) a pharmacy.  Since corporate stadium and arena naming rights payments are not extended to media covering the teams playing in them, the media is under no obligation to use those corporate names so, as a formal policy, Baseball Mexico won't...La Nida it is from this point forward.