Photo: Saraperos de Saltillo
In his first game as a member of the Saraperos de Saltillo José Miguel Fernández slugged two homeruns in five at-bats, drove two runs and scored two runs to lead the offense for the team from Coahuila. The slugger from Colón, Cuba was a key offseason for Saltillo and expected to play a key role on offense.
What was supposed to be a pitchers duel between Cubans Ariel Miranda and Odrisamer Despaigne turned to be a 11-3 drubbing by Saltillo of Guadalajara. In between the two heralded pitchers a total of 12 hits and eight runs were surrendered on Opening Day. Expect more fireworks from José Miguel Fernández this season.
Although Yoennis Yera pitched admirably tossing six innings of five hit and one run ball, but it was all for naught, because Tabasco’s bullpen was a disaster giving up five earned runs in four innings to Oaxaca 6-5. Yera also fanned seven to open the season with a 1.50 ERA.
Félix Pérez last season’s MVP, homerun and RBI king opened the season with a longball in four at-bats and a run batted in the Toros de Tijuana lost to El Águila de Veracruz 8-3. Pérez who the most feared batter in México also scored a run in the contest. Expect the slugger to be in every major offensive category in the LMB.
Cuban action on the night:
Lázaro Hernández (QR) 4-2, 2B, RBI, BB
Yosmany Guerra (QR) 4-0, R,
Peter O´Brien (PUE) 4-2, RBI, 2 R,
Luis Medina (PUE) 0-0, R
Josuan Hernández (CAM) 3-1, RBI, BB,
Lázaro Blanco (LEO) 4.2IP, 4H, 3 ER, 7 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, (5.79)
Yoennis Yera (TAB) 6.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 7 K, 1.50 ERA
Félix Pérez (TIJ) 4-1. HR, RBI, R,
Jesús Balaguer (MON) 0.2IP, H,2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, (27.00)
Ariel Miranda (SAL) 5.0 INN, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 5.40
José Fernández (SAL) 5-2, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB
Henry Urrutia (SAL) 3-0, 2 BB, 3 SO
Odrisamer Despaigne (GUA) 0.2 INN, 6 H, 5 ER, BB, SO, (67.50)
Dariel Álvarez (GUA) 4-1