Diablos Rojos del Mexico 7, Pericos de Puebla 3 – Erick Leal allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out 11 as the Diablos Rojos advanced with a 4-1 series win over Puebla.
Julian Ornelas went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, and Patrick Mazeika hit a solo homer in the seventh for Mexico City.
Justin Courtney, Tomohiro Anraku each threw perfect innings in relief, and Jake Sanchez allowed a hit and a walk in the ninth but held on to earn the save for the Diablos.
Samar Leyva went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for Puebla in the loss, hitting a solo homer in the third inning and another in the sixth.
The Diablos Rojos will face the loser of the series between Oaxaca and Yucatan in the second round, which will begin August 14 in Mexico City.
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos 6, Acereros de Monclova 5 (10 innings) – Luis Sardinas’ one-out single to center field sent Magneuris Sierra with the series-winning run for Dos Laredos in the 10th inning.
The Tecos took the game and the series after trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth, evening the game when Ali Castillo drove in Al Harris with a single to left.
Monclova got out to a big lead early, getting five runs in teh first two innings off Laredos starter Junior Guerra, but six Laredos relievers combined to scatter two hits and five walks over eight scoreless innings in the come-from-behind win.
Both teams will advance to the second round, with Monclova facing Monterrey and Dos Laredos facing Union Laguna in series that will begin on August 13. Monclova advances by virtue of having the most victories as a losing team in the first round.
