Serie del Rey heads to Merida with a tie

Yoanner Negrin took the loss in Wednesday’s Serie del Rey matchup in Monclova. Photo: Leones

Monclova, Coah. — A late rally sent the Leones back home to Kukulcan Stadium with their first post-season defeat.

Ricky Rodriguez hit a grand slam in the eighth inning, leading the Acereros del Norte to a 9-3 win Wednesday’s second Serie del Rey duel.

Rodriguez capped a five-run inning and gave the Acereros a 9-3 lead after Alex Mejia got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded earlier in the inning.

For the Leones, Leo Heras homered and singled.

Zach Phillips (4-4) got the win with a scoreless inning in relief while Yucatan starter Yoanner Negrin (15-8) took the loss after just over six innings with four runs and eight strikeouts.

The series continues in Merida at 7:30 Friday. Pitchers Dustin Crenshaw and Conor Harber will start.

At the end of the game, the Leones manager Gerónimo Gil spoke about the importance of having won a victory in Monclova.

“I fully trust the boys 100% because they are giving everything to get the victories; we are always with a positive mindset,” said Gil.

CLUB
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
R H E
YUC
1 1 1
0 0 0
0 0 0
3 8 1
MVA
0 0 1
0 0 0
3 5 X
9 10 1

Win: Phillips (1-0)

Loss: Negrín (0-1)

Save: Bustamante (1)

HR: Jones (2), Heras (1) for YUC; Rodríguez (1) for MVA

Sources: Leones, Associated Press

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