CULIACÁN, SINALOA. Backed by a four-homer night and an unstoppable offense, the Tomateros de Culiacán routed the Venados de Mazatlán 16-1 to start the Clásico Sinaloense on the right foot.
The run fest kicked off in the very first inning, as Tomateros erupted for a seven-run rally to jump out to a commanding lead. JP Martínez and Joey Meneses drew walks against the visiting starter before Orlando Martínez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Venados pitcher’s wildness continued, issuing consecutive free passes to Jon Singleton and Luis Verdugo to force in the first two runs.
Fabricio Macías added to the damage with a two-run single up the middle. The outburst was capped by a three-run home run from Ichiro Cano; the young infielder crushed the ball deep over the right-field wall for his first big fly of the campaign, putting the Guindas ahead 7-0.
Tomateros stayed hot in the second frame. With Orlando Martínez and Jon Singleton aboard, Luis Verdugo drove them both home with a double to left field. Lorenzo Bundy’s squad tacked on another run later in the inning on an RBI single by Ichiro Cano, stretching the advantage to 10-0.
Culiacán mounted yet another rally in the third inning. With the bases loaded with Guindas, Jon Singleton launched a grand slam over the right-field fence. It marked the fourth home run of the season for the American slugger, pushing the home side's lead to 14-0.
The Sinaloan capital club flexed its muscles again in the sixth frame, when Luis Verdugo made it 15-0 with a solo shot.
Fabricio Macías belted the fourth home run of the night for the Guindas in the bottom of the eighth inning to seal the final 16-1 score.
Manny Barreda spearheaded the victory on the mound, earning his second win of the season after tossing five scoreless innings, scattering four hits, and striking out five.
Out of the bullpen, Édgar Arredondo worked three complete frames, allowing one run while fanning three. Fans also saw the debut of left-hander Anthony Gose, who locked down the final three outs in order.
With this statement win, Tomateros take the series opener at Estadio Tomateros. Action resumes tomorrow at 6:05 PM at the home of Nación Guinda.