Viva Los Toros: Tijuana Toros Weekly Recap #8
Tijuana Toros weekly recap
The Toros had by far their worst week of the season and I’m not only talking about the record over a six game period. They also lost their manager. Only one victory and five games lost were the reason to fire Luis Sojo. The team that was a game out of second place is now a game and a half out of a playoff run after a long road trip down south.
At Quintana Roo
Game 1: Just a long shot to show for
Even though Juan Apodaca hit a two-run home run in the top of the second inning to put the Toros ahead, it wasn’t enough and Tijuana dropped the first game of the series in Quintana Roo 5-2. Esteban Quiroz hit his 13th dinger of the year to cap a three-run rally in the fifth for the Tigres. Then Ramon Ramirez hit another home run, a solo shot, in the seventh to put the final score on the board. Alex Sanabia suffered the loss after working for six innings allowing four runs on seven hits. He struck out only one batter and walked a pair.
Game 2: Tigres secure the series on free baseball
Tijuana was down by one and came back to tie the ball game, but in extra innings Alex Liddi hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the tenth for a 3-1 win. Liddi scored the first run of the game in the second after hitting a double and then touching home with a Yeison Asencio single. The Toros tied it in the sixth but it was only to prolong the game yet not to win it. Closer Jason Urquidez was the pitcher that got the loss, his second of the season.
Game 3: Toros avoid the sweep
A three-run fourth inning rally proved to be the key in the Toros 5-3 win to snap the losing streak. Manny Barreda earned his first win of the season after Mark Serrano got his first career start and was on the mound for four scoreless innings. He allowed just four hits, striking out three and walking just a batter. Jason Urquidez saved his sixteenth game of the year (and with the team), becoming the all-time Toros saves leader.
Side note
After the win against Quintana Roo, the Toros were the first team to reach to 300 walks in the season, being the most “patient” team in the league leading in that category. Dustin Martin has reached 44 times, Juan Apodaca 35 and Oscar Robles 32 up to this point in the year.
At Yucatan
Game 1: Can’t hold the lead
The “Bulls” were up 3-1 at one point, but couldn’t hold on and lost by a final score of 4-3 at Yucatan. In the sixth inning with two men in scoring position, Dustin Martin hit a two-run single to take the lead. Then in the seventh Eduardo Arredondo drove in Oscar Robles, who was on second, with a two out double. However in the bottom half of the same seventh the Leones got one back, and in the ninth, Jason Urquidez blew the lead after a two-run walk-off double by Diego Madero.
Game 2: Doubleheader after the storm, not good
After rain suspended Saturday’s game the league scheduled a seven-inning doubleheader for Sunday and it wasn’t fun for the Toros. In the first game of the day Tijuana lost 1-0 with the only run coming in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly. Horacio Ramirez was the losing pitcher and now has a 1-4 record. He threw for six innings in which he allowed just the one run on five hits, walked one and punched out two Leones.
Game 3: Doubleheader sweep as well as the series
Tijuana ended a disappointing week by being swept by the Leones after a 3-2 loss. Corey Wimberly started the scoring in the first inning with a solo shot to put the locals on top and then added another run in the third. The Toros tied it in the fifth. In “extra innings” in the bottom of the eight, with Francisco Lugo on second base Jose Juan Aguilar grounded to second but Jose Guadalupe Chavez couldn’t handle Carlos Valencia’s throw and on came Lugo 180 feet with the winning run.
Luis Sojo fired as manager
The week’s results has caused Luis Sojo to be unemployed. On Monday general manager Jorge Campillo announced the Venezuelan was the manager no more, he was fired after being swept in Yucatan.
North Zone Standings
W/L % GB
Monterrey 50-27 .649 – –
Monclova 46-31 .597 4.0
Laguna 43-34 .558 7.0
Tijuana 40-37 .519 10.0
Mexico 38-38 .500 11.5
Aguascalientes37-39 .487 12.5
Saltillo 34-41 .453 15.0
Reynosa 22-55 .286 28.0
A reporter for EVT in the region, also for Síntesis TV in Baja California and a correspondent for ESPN México. A sports freak, crazy about the teams in San Diego and Tijuana. My goal is to provide information for the people by always being a fan. Understanding the point of view of the players and organizations and with that to tell the truth with an objective approach.
