The Mexican Pacific League playoffs began yesterday. This league uses a playoff format like we’re used to seeing in the US leagues. The top 6 teams are in the playoffs, with #1 Culiacan playing the #6 Navojoa, #2 Mexicali vs. #5 Mochis, and #3 Obregon vs. #4 Hermosillo in the best-of-7 first round. Los Venados de Mazatlan, with Pirates’ Rogelio Noris, finished in last place and are eliminated, along with Los Caneros de Los Mochis. There is some shifting around of rosters — former Pirate OF Corey Wimberly has jumped from the Venezuelan League to Los Yaquis de Obregon for the playoffs. He had one hit in Obregon’s 3-0 win over Guasave on Sunday.
Yaquis de Obregon 8, Algodoneros de Guasave 7
Both teams had a 4-run inning early in the game, but by the end of 9 innings, they were tied at 7-7. Los Yaquis began the bottom of the 10th with a single. CF Corey Wimberly, who had been 0-for-4 in the game, dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position. Former Indy Indian (2005) SS Alfredo Amezaga singled up the middle, driving in the winning run.
The Dominican League continues their round-robin style playoff series.
Leones del Escogido 8, Aguilas Cibaenas 3
Los Aguilas posted 14 hits, only one fewer than Los Leones, but Los Aguilas were not able to push runs across. Los Leones scored 3 runs in the 4th, and one runs in five other innings. Los Aguilas scored 2 runs in the 2nd, 3B Audy Ciriaco led off with a double, then another double and an RBI single brought in the runs. They scored again in the 7th, when RF Brandon Moss’ RBI double drove in a runner from first base. SS Pedro Ciriaco singled three times, but did not score.
Gigantes del Cibao 9, Tigres del Licey 1
Two throwing errors by Los Tigres, plus a triple, allowed Los Gigantes to score 3 runs in the 4th. Five singles, a walk, and a double added another 5 runs for Los Gigantes in the top of the 9th, burying Los Tigres. Los Tigres scored their only run with a walk, a wild pitch, and an RBI single in the bottom of the 4th. 3B Yamaico Navarro and DH Ronny Paulino both went 0-for-4 for Los Tigres. C Robinzon Diaz’s RBI single drove in Los Gigantes’ first run in the top of the 1st.
