(Mexicali, Baja California) Nine innings weren’t enough in Mexicali, and the
game went to 10 innings with a 5-4 victory for the Águilas, thanks to Norberto Obeso.
The red-hot Gaige Howard drove in Tucson’s first run in the top of the first inning with a
groundout to first base, scoring Jesús Fabela on a fielder’s choice.
Tucson added another run in the top of the fourth inning when Ramón Mendoza drove in a
run with a single to left field, scoring Gaige Howard for the visitors’ second run, making it 2-
0.
The home team narrowed the gap in the bottom of the fifth inning with a run thanks to a
sacrifice fly by Alejandro Flores off Zoé Carrillo, scoring Moisés Gutiérrez from third.
Tucson responded in the top of the sixth with a run to regain a two-run lead. Samar Leyva’s
single to left field drove in Missael Rivera, making the score 3-1 in the border city.
The fateful seventh inning marked the beginning of Tucson’s relief appearance, as they were
greeted by two runs from the Águilas on an RBI single by Ren Tachioka. The Mexicali offense
managed to load the bases, but reliever Jake Gozzo battled hard and kept the Eagles at bay.
The bullpen battled again in the eighth inning, when Mexicali managed to put a runner on
third base but was unable to drive in a run thanks to a great performance by Esteban Bloch.
The game went to extra innings, every fan’s dream, and Tucson capitalized, scoring a run in
the top of the tenth on an RBI single by Agustín Ruiz.
Mexicali responded, scoring two runs in the bottom of the tenth. A wild pitch by Garret
Alexander brought in the tying run, and Norberto Obeso’s long single to right field drove in
Moisés Gutiérrez with the winning run.
Despite a strong outing by Zoé Carrillo, he received a no-decision, with Garret Alexander
taking the loss and David Cruz earning the win, both pitching in relief.
Press Release courtesy of the Tucson Baseball Team
Click on Logo
