LAMP: Salazar’s Solo Homer Enough As Naranjeros de Hermosillo Edge Nayarit; Charros Sweep Tomateros

Naranjeros de Hermosillo (34-22) 1, Jaguares de Nayarit (32-24) 0 – Cesar Salazar hit a solo homer in the seventh for Hermosillo, and the Naranjeros climbed on the back of starter Omar Cruz, who allowed six hits over six scoreless innings, striking out three. The Hermosillo bullpen allowed just two walks over three scoreless, hitless innings.

Charros de Jalisco (32-24) 3, Tomateros de Culiacan (32-24) 2 – With Alejandro Osuna on second base in the eighth, Bligh Madris grounded out to shallow right field, allowing Osuna to score the go-ahead run as the Charros completed a sweep of the Tomateros. Julian Ornelas had an RBI single for the Charros, who got 5 1/3 innings and one run allowed from starter Luis Payan as they improved to 12-9 in the second half.

Caneros de Los Mochis (31-25) 8, Algodoneros de Guasave (20-36) – Yurisbel Gracial went 2-for-4, scored twice, and drove in four runs with a sac fly in the first, a solo homer in the third, and a two-run double in the fifth. Nine Caneros pitchers combined to allow two runs on nine hits and eight walks as the Algodoneros went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 13 on the basepaths. Emmanuel Avila hit his second homer of the year for Guasave, a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth.

Aguilas de Mexicali (29-27) 3, Yaquis de Obregon (33-23) 0 – Valente Bellozo allowed two hits, struck out five, and walked none over five scoreless innings, and four relievers combined to hold the shutout for the Aguilas. Jake Sanchez earned his 12th save of the year and is one save away from tying the all-time save record in the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico. Estevan Florial hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth for Mexicali, and Moises Gutierrez added some insurance with a sac fly in the bottom of the seventh.

Tucson Baseball Team (19-37) 4, Venados de Mazatlan (19-37) 3 – Ramon Mendoza drove in a pair of runs for Tucson with a triple in the second, and Marco Chicuate and Alexis Wilson each contributed RBI singles in the win for the Baseball Team. Carlos Tirado hit a solo homer in the second for Mazatlan.

Transactions for Dec. 18

Aguilas de Mexicali – Retroactive to Dec. 15, X Alejandro Flores is being deactivated and may be activated Dec. 20. C Alen Pineda will take his place on the active roster. Retroactive to Dec. 17, RHP Sergio García-Repper is being deactivated and may be activated Dec. 19. RHP Valente Bellozo will take his place on the active roster.

Caneros de Los Mochis – RHP Yahir Gámez has been placed on inactive status. He may be activated Dec. 19, and LHP Juan Pablo López has taken his place on the active roster. Fired manager Félix Fermín and named Chris Coste interim manager.

Algodoneros de Guasave – Retroactive to Dec. 14, RHP Mario García has been placed on the inactive list and is eligible to be activated on Dec. 21. RHP Domingo Acevedo will take his place on the active roster. Retroactive to Dec. 12, LHP Ian Medina has been placed on the inactive list and is eligible to be activated on Dec. 19. RHP Víctor Buelna will take his place on the active roster. Retroactive to Dec.17, C Alan Espinoza has been placed on the inactive list and is eligible to be activated on Dec. 22. C Carlos Garzón will take his place on the active roster.

Tomateros de Culiacan – Deactivated RHP Axel Sauceda, who will be activated Dec. 19, and RHP Cristhofer Lozoya takes his place on the active roster.

Venados de Mazatlan – RHP Raúl Castellón is inactive and may be activated on Dec. 19. RHP Jorge Franco takes his place on the active roster. Retroactive to Dec. 15, RHP Óscar Rojas is inactive and may be activated on Dec. 19. RHP Erick Rodríguez takes his place on the active roster. Retroactive to Dec. 8, IF Ítalo Motta is inactive and may be activated on Dec. 19. C Miguel Ojeda takes his place on the active roster.

Charros de Jalisco – RHP Darío Gardea is deactivated. He may be reactivated on Dec. 19, and RHP Édgar Manzo will take his place on the active roster. OF Christian Morales is hereby deactivated. He may be reactivated on Dec. 19, and LHP Adrián Gusman will take his place on the active roster. RHP Jonathan López is deactivated. He may be reactivated on Dec. 19, and RHP César Gómez will take his place on the active roster.

Friday night’s Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico Schedule
All times Eastern Standard Time
8:30 p.m. – Charros de Jalisco at Tucson Baseball Team – Played in Zapopan
9:05 p.m. – Algodoneros de Guasave at Tomateros de Culiacan
9:10 p.m. – Jaguares de Nayarit at Yaquis de Obregon
9:30 p.m. – Aguilas de Mexicali at Caneros de Los Mochis
9:30 p.m. – Venados de Mazatlan at Naranjeros de Hermosillo

Photo: Cesar Salazar’s solo homer was enough for the Naranjeros to get by the Jaguares on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of the Naranjeros de Hermosillo)