Tijuana Toros Recap: Toros Swept By Sultanes de Monterrey In First Road Series of 2018
The Tijuana Toros were dominated in a three-game series against Sultanes de Monterrey this past week.
The border city side was swept out of town by Los Regios in a very disappointing display that was not close at all. The bullpen was a real issue throughout the series as it allowed 13 runs throughout the three-game set.
The Toros’ dangerous base runners were also kept in check which made a significant impact in the three-game set. Pedro Mere’s team will now try to gain redemption back in Tijuana to host a three-game series against Generales de Durango at the Estadio Gasmart this weekend.
Here is a rundown of the disastrous series in Monterrey that had little to no positives to take from it.
Game 1: Toros 1-6 Sultanes
Marco Tovar and the Sultanes’ bullpen dominated the visiting team as the Toros were only able to scrape five hits in this game. Isaac Rodriguez produced two of those hits, while Justin Greene, Carlos Rivero and Juan Apodaca collected the other hits. The lone RBI of the encounter for the Toros came from Justin Greene, that hit a solo-shot off Marco Tovar in the third inning.
For Monterrey, the standout at the plate was former Phillies’ outfielder Dominic Brown, who hit a two-run shot off Pedro Villarreal in the eighth inning of the ballgame. Former big leaguer Hector Ambriz struggled in his first start of the season as he allowed two runs in just three and two-thirds innings of work. The bullpen was not much better as Hector Galvan and Pedro Villarreal allowed two runs each as well. The lone bright spot of the border city team was 48-year-old Rafael Diaz, who pitched two shutout innings out of the pen.
Game 2: Toros 5-6 Sultanes
Six was the magic number again for Monterrey in the second game of the series as Sultanes achieved a hard-fought win in extra innings. This was easily the best game of the three-game set and the Toros were very unlucky to lose this clash. Tijuana’s bats awoke in this game after a slumber in the first game as Dustin Martin and Cyle Hankerd both hit bombs.
Agustin Murillo was the player of the game as he hit two home runs and produced three runs for Sultanes. Chris Roberson was the hero of the night for the home team as he hit a walk-off solo-shot in the bottom of the tenth that gave Monterrey the win. The Toros’ downfall was the bullpen, the starting pitcher of the day, Miguel Pena was fantastic as he only allowed a run through five innings of work.
Game 3: Toros 4-9 Sultanes
Alex Sanabia made his season debut and was dismal as he allowed five runs in just one and two-thirds innings of work. The bullpen was also not great with four more runs allowed in the encounter to make for the ludicrous scoreline. The offense did produce some runs but it was not enough, Dustin Martin was the standout with Three RBI. Agustin Murillo, Ricky Alvarez and Dominic Brown caused the most damage to the Toros’ pitchers with two RBI each. The performance was embarrassing to end the disappointing series in Monterrey.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.