Driven by an offensive display featuring a three-run home run from Christian Lucero and a five-run eighth-inning rally, the Tomateros de Culiacán defeated the Cañeros de Los Mochis 11-3 to kick off "La Baja Beis" action in Los Cabos.
Lorenzo Bundy's squad struck early to seize control of the game. In the opening frame, Sebastián García reached scoring position before Ramiro Peña executed an RBI groundout to first base, sending the first guinda run across the plate.
The culichi attack struck again in the fourth inning. Christian Lucero reached on a fielder's choice, and Édgar Robles immediately followed with an RBI triple to score Lucero. The damage didn't stop there, as Jeovanny Vega lined an RBI single to extend the Tomateros lead to 3-1.
The fifth inning brought more power to the guinda cause. With Ramiro Peña and Fabricio Macías aboard after back-to-back singles, Christian Lucero flexed his muscles, launching a towering three-run homer over the left-field wall to blow the game open for the Sinaloan capital squad.
The high point of the night came in the eighth frame with a five-run outburst that sealed the victory. After Jeovanny Vega was hit by a pitch and Kevin Robledo hit a deep fly ball, José Almeida lined an RBI single to bring Vega home. A bout of wildness from the green pitching staff allowed Robledo to score the eighth culichi run on a wild pitch.
With the bases loaded, Valentín Hernández joined the offensive rally with an RBI single that brought two more runners home. The 11th run of the night crossed the plate later in the frame when Ezequiel Rivera scored on a fielder's choice.
Cuban right-hander Norge Ruiz made his preseason debut on the mound for Culiacán, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings. Following Ruiz's start, Santiago Rojo, Pedro Reyes, Rafael Castañeda, Baltazar Arredondo, and Emiliano García provided solid relief out of the bullpen.
The guinda squad will play its second game of "La Baja Beis" tomorrow night in a rematch against the Cañeros de Los Mochis, with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 P.M. (local time).