With Jones’ grand slam, Yucatan wins series with Laguna

Jonathan Jones leads the Leones in a a historic game at Parque Kukulcán Alamo.

Merida, Yucatan — Jonathan Jones’ seventh-inning grand slam led the Leones de Yucatan to a 19-6 win over the Algodoneros Union Laguna on Sunday.

The grand slam by California-born Jones scored Leo Heras, Jose Aguilar, and Walter Ibarra to give the Leones a 16-6 lead in a historic game at Parque Kukulcán Alamo.

Algodoneros and Leones received 23 walks, equaling the Mexican Baseball League record, which they now share with Dos Laredos and Minatitlán (1993), as well as Torreón and Puebla (2000).

With the win, the Leones took the series 2-1.

The Leones later scored three runs in the eighth to finish off the blowout.

Luis Juarez doubled twice and singled, driving home two runs for Yucatan.

Christian Prado (2-1) got the win with three innings of scoreless, one-hit relief while Laguna starter Yohan Flande (0-1) took the loss.

Yucatan took advantage of some erratic Laguna pitching, drawing a season-high 13 walks in its victory.

Prior to the game, Lic. Juan Carlos Xacur Goff, commercial director of La Bolita, tossed the first ball in recognition of the support given to the team as a business partner this season.

The Leones will hit the road this week, returning for a two-series home stand with the Rieleros de Aguascalientes and the Durango Generals, from July 2 to 7. 

Jones started his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, also playing for U.S teams like the New Britain (Conn.) Bees and the Gary (Ind.) RailCats. The 29-year-old center fielder played for Laguna from 2016-2018.

This is his seventh home run in two consecutive games.

Sources: Associated Press, Leones

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