HERMOSILLO, SONORA. Backed by a gem from Luis Cessa, clutch hitting in key moments, and a late rally, the Tomateros de Culiacán defeated the Naranjeros de Hermosillo 5-4 in extra innings to start the series on the right foot at Estadio Fernando Valenzuela.
Despite falling behind early in the first inning, the Guinda squad answered right back. In the top of the second, Orlando Martínez sparked the rally with a clean double to right field, followed immediately by Luis Verdugo's RBI double to drive in the Cuban outfielder and tie the score at one.
Lorenzo Bundy's squad took the lead in the fourth frame when Luis Verdugo crushed a pitch deep over the left-field wall for his fourth home run of the campaign, putting Culiacán ahead.
After a hard-fought battle extended into extra innings, the Guinda lineup delivered in the tenth. With runners on the corners, Ramiro Peña came through with an RBI single to bring Alí Solís home for the go-ahead run. Later in the frame with the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Fabricio Macías played the hero, ripping a two-run double that locked in the crucial 5-4 advantage.
On the mound, Luis Cessa delivered a brilliant performance, tossing six complete innings while allowing just one run on three hits and striking out three, including a stretch where he retired 13 consecutive batters. Robert Gsellman earned the win in relief, while Seth Shuman closed out the tenth to secure his third save of the season.
The rivalry series continues Wednesday in the Sonoran capital. The probable pitching matchup for Game 2 features Édgar Arredondo for the Guindas against José Rolando Mora for the home side.