MEXICALI, BAJA CALIFORNIA. Powered by a four-run fifth-inning rally and a lockdown effort from the bullpen, the Tomateros de Culiacán defeated the Águilas de Mexicali 6-3 to level the series at one game apiece.
Tomateros drew first blood in the top of the second inning. Luis Verdugo and Fernando Flores hit back-to-back singles, setting the table for Fabricio Macías to line an RBI single to right field to put the visitors on the board.
The home side answered back, scoring in the bottom of the second and third frames to pull ahead 3-1.
Lorenzo Bundy’s squad cut the deficit to a single run behind a solo home run from Rosman Verdugo, his fourth big fly of the campaign.
The Sinaloan capital squad then erupted for a four-run rally in the top of the fifth. Joey Meneses launched a two-run homer—his first of the season—bringing Ramiro Peña home ahead of him. The surge continued with an RBI single by Fernando Flores to plate Orlando Martínez, and Macías capped the frame with another RBI single to log his second run driven in on the night and put Tomateros ahead 6-3.
The Culiacán bullpen delivered a dominant performance behind starter Darius Vines. Pedro Reyes earned the win in relief, supported by scoreless bridge work from Baltazar Arredondo, Francisco Haro, Robert Gsellman, Sasagi Sánchez, and Tony Rossi.
The rubber match is set for tomorrow, Thursday, November 12, with first pitch scheduled for 8:30 PM (Culiacán time). Cuban right-hander Norge Ruiz takes the mound for the Guindas against Daniel Núñez for the hosts.