Venezuelan José “Cafecito” Martínez hit a tie-breaking three-run homer to cap off a six-run rally in the top of the eighth inning, and led the Leones de Yucatán to a 20-17 victory over the Pericos, before 8 spectators that met at the Hermanos Serdán Stadium in Puebla.
In the match there were 42 hits, at a rate of 21 per side, with ten complete circuit strikes and 37 annotations were made. 19 pitchers saw action, ten from the winners' mound.
Left-handed Hunter Cervenka (2-0), the visitors' seventh pitcher, took the victory and Jorge Rondóm from Guariqueño pitched the last act to obtain the rescue (3). Venezuelan Yoimer Camacho lost (1-3).
The long-haired team won 4-2 over those led by Venezuelan Wilfredo Romero and will now play the next phase of the playoff starting tomorrow against the Tigres de Quintana Roo. Los Pericos advance as the best losers in the southern zone and will face the Red Devils of Mexico.
Those classified for the second phase in the northern zone are Sultanes and Tecolotes who start their best-of-seven series today in Laredo, while Steelers and Toros will collide in the other key, they will face each other starting tonight in the city of Tijuana.
