Hernán Pérez delivered a masterclass performance by driving in five runs, including a dramatic grand slam, to lead the Toros de Tijuana to a hard-fought 7-6 victory over the Sultanes de Monterrey at the Toros Mobil Park, evening their series in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol.
Early Sultanes Control and Offensive Outburst
The visiting Sultanes established an early advantage on the road, silencing the crowd at the Cerro Colorado ballpark in the early frames. In the second inning, Raimel Tapia opened the scoring with an RBI single that drove in Sócrates Brito to break the deadlock. Monterrey doubled down in the third inning when Josh Lester lined a two-run single, pushing the lead to 3-0 against Tijuana’s pitching staff. The visitors manufactured two more runs in the fifth frame thanks to productive swings from Ramiro Peña and Wilson García, stretching the margin to 5-0 and putting the Toros on the ropes.
The Fifth-Inning Turning Point and Grand Slam
Facing a five-run deficit, the Tijuana lineup mounted an immediate response in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jonathan Guzmán ignited the rally by grounding a line drive to center field that allowed Franchy Cordero to score Tijuana’s first run. With the bases loaded moments later, utility player Hernán Pérez connected on a high-velocity offering and deposited it over the outfield wall for a grand slam. The clutch swing cleared the bases—bringing home Chris Williams, Edson García, and Guzmán—to tie the game at 5-5. The dramatic blast marked Pérez’s 37th run batted in of the campaign, according to local reporting.
Back-and-Forth Drama in the Late Innings
The offensive fireworks continued into the sixth inning when Franchy Cordero drove a solo home run 425 feet deep into right field, handing the Toros their first lead of the night at 6-5. Monterrey fought back in the seventh frame, drawing even when Sócrates Brito bounced an RBI single through the infield to plate Víctor Mendoza. However, Pérez broke the 6-6 tie in the bottom of the seventh by lifting a deep sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Guzmán to tag up from third base and cross the plate for what stood up as the game-winning run.
Bullpen Closes Out the Victory
Tijuana’s relief corps preserved the slim lead through the final frames under high pressure. Daniel Martínez started the game on the mound for the Toros, pitching four innings while allowing three runs and striking out six batters. Juan Hillman relieved in the fifth and surrendered two runs, while newcomer Aneurys Zabala made his Liga Mexicana de Béisbol debut in the sixth by striking out two Monterrey hitters. Roel Ramírez surrendered a run in the seventh, and Miguel Díaz handled a clean eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts. Brett de Geus took over in the ninth, recording two strikeouts to secure his 12th save of the season and seal the 7-6 victory.
Series Finale on the Horizon
Following the emotional 7-6 win, manager Roberto Kelly and the Toros de Tijuana look to secure the series victory on Sunday. The club announced that David “El Rey” Reyes, who holds a 3-2 record and a 4.46 ERA, will take the ball as Tijuana’s starting pitcher for the rubber match at the Toros Mobil Park.
