Merida, Yucatan — Leo Heras hit a three-run homer, lifting the Leones de Yucatan to a 4-2 victory over the Rieleros de Aguascalientes in an exciting game Wednesday at Parque Kukulcán Alamo.
The Leones tied the series after being trounced in Tuesday’s homecoming.
The Leones’ rally began after there were two outs in the fourth inning. Alex Liddi started the attack with a single. Luis Juarez followed with a base on balls, which opened the door for Sebastian Valle’s hit, which produced the first run. This was followed by Heras’ 11th home run of the season, a hit over the right field wall for a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the ninth, Aguascalientes cut into the lead when, after two outs, a single by Michael Wing scored Richy Pedroza, who after getting on base, stole second.
Ronald Belisario (2-5) got the win with a scoreless inning in relief while Jose Valverde (2-1) took the loss.
The Rieleros squandered some scoring chances, leaving 12 runners on base in the loss.
Yoanner Negrin dominated the diamond, striking out 10 and allowing only four hits, three walks and one run in six innings.
In relief, Ronald Belisario shut out the seventh to get the win with one strikeout. In the eighth, Andres Avila got the side out in order, and by making the last three outs of the game, Josh Lueke earned a save in the final inning.
The series will be decided tonight (Thursday) at 7:45 p.m., with rival pitcher Rolando Valdez (1-3, 8.14 ERA) and the Leones’ Cesar Valdez (9-1, 2.69 ERA) on the mound.
| TEAM |
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 |
| R | H | E |
| AGS |
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 7 | 0 |
| YUC |
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 | X |
| 4 | 5 | 1 |
WP: Belisario (2-5)
LP: Valverde (2-1)
SV: Lueke (10)
HR: Heras (11) por YUC
Sources: Associated Press, Leones
