Viva Los Toros: Tijuana Toros Weekly Recap
Tijuana Toros weekly recap
We start our Toros series recap on the first three games of a seven game road trip that includes visits to Aguascalientes and México City. Before the team arrived in Aguascalientes, the “Bulls” made some roster moves that were officially announced before the start of the first series on the road.
Roster moves
On Tuesday and before the Toros played the first game of their series against Rieleros, the team made official the signings of ex big leaguers Danny Richar and Mike Jacobs.
Richar, 32, made his MLB debut in 2007 with the Chicago White Sox. Born in Dominican Republic, he also played for the Cincinnati Reds in 2008 after a trade that included Nick Masset for Ken Griffey Jr. Originally signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, the infielder made his Mexican League debut in 2015 with the Aguascalientes Rieleros. Danny Richar has taken former Padres player Freddy Guzman’s spot in the roster.
Jacobs, 35, played for the New York Mets in 2005 and 2010, the Florida Marlins from 2006 to 2008, Kansas City Royals in 2009 and for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012.
The Chula Vista native has played winter ball in Mexico in 2011, 2013 and also was part of the current Pacific Mexican League (winter) champion Mazatlán Venados. In the Mexican League (summer) Mike Jacobs played for the Oaxaca Guerreros in 2013 and 2015.
At Aguascalientes
Game 1: The “Bulls” can’t hold lead vs Rieleros
Tijuana had a two run lead but Aguascalientes came back to win it on a seventh inning RBI double by Diory Hernández in a disappointing 4-5 loss for the Toros.
Carlos Valencia had two home runs (4), one in the second inning with a man aboard and the next one in the fourth to increase his team’s lead to 4-2, but the home team would tie it in the fifth and go ahead in the lucky seventh.
Michael Gonzalez got his second loss of the year (0-2) and the Toros were now in the midst of a two-game losing streak.
Game 2: Tijuana ties series on a slugfest
Roberto López hit a grand slam in the second inning and Dustin Martin got his sixth HR of the season in a 9-8 win against the Rieleros. López had a 2 for 3 game with a couple of runs scored while Martin got his only hit of the game (after being out on his first five at bats) on an eighth inning HR in a come from behind win and after blowing a 6-2 lead in the third. Needless to say the starting pitchers were out of the game by the fifth inning. Jason Urquidez got his sixth save of the season on a game that both teams combined for 32 hits.
Game 3: Toros take the series
Isaac Rodriguez had three RBI’s and Héctor Ambriz had a solid seven inning start as the Toros took the series in Aguascalientes 8-2.
Ambriz got the win (2-1) as he defends his 2015 ERA’s title after only allowing two runs in seven innings of work, didn’t walk anybody and had two strikeouts.
Shortstop Isaac Rodriguez went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a double and catcher Juan Apodaca had a 2 for 4 night with a couple of two-baggers and two runs scored.
At México City
Game 1: Rafael Díaz makes history
A four RBI game for Carlos Valencia helped the Tijuana Toros to win the first of a four-game series against the Diablos Rojos. After being down 3-0 in the second inning, the Toros responded with an eight-run rally in the fifth and added a pair in the sixth to take control of the game, but Rafael Díaz’s date with history presented itself and took the headlines.
Only five days after getting 1,000 (1,003) strikeouts in his career, Díaz made history after becoming the second pitcher ever to get to that mark, 100 saves (104) and the 100 wins in a Mexican League career after he earned the W.
Game 2: Toros win pitcher’s duel
Barry Enright had a solid outing dominating the “Red Devils” thru seven innings of four hit ball for a 1-0 victory in México City.
Mike Jacobs hit a solo shot in the sixth inning and that was the difference. The Toros beat former Padres pitcher Javier Arturo López on a tight affair.
Game 3: Tijuana splits doubleheader
On the first game of a Sunday two game agenda, the Toros ended up winning 9-2 on another outstanding performance by Alex Sanabia (5-1) and helped by Mike Jacobs who hit his second dinger with his new team.
The Diablos Rojos finally pulled of a victory on the last game of the series with a 12-9 win, but Tijuana finished 5-2 on the week while being on the road. After this series, the Toros stand in 4th pace in the North Zone of the Mexican Baseball League, with a 18-15 record and 4.5 games behind first place. Stay tuned to EastVillageTimes for a weekly recap on the Toros. Go Toros!
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.