Sultanes Rally Late, Toros Shut Out Charros in LMB Semifinal Openers
Monterrey scored three runs in the ninth inning to beat Durango 6-2 and take the series lead. Tijuana received a strong start from Daniel Martínez and blanked Jalisco 4-0. Both teams now lead their respective semifinal series.
Monterrey's comeback hinged on timely hitting after starter Daniel Mengden kept them within reach, striking out eight batters across just over five innings. The ninth-inning surge featured consecutive hits from Josh Lester and Maikel Franco, followed by Yonny Hernández's two-run triple that sealed the game. Relievers Ronaldo Alessandro and Chris Ellis then closed out Durango without allowing further scoring.
In Tijuana, Daniel Martínez earned the win despite issuing five walks, surrendering only one hit over five innings. Jalisco's defensive miscues proved costly, particularly catcher José Herrera's errant throw in the seventh inning, which Gilberto Celestino and Wilmer Flores converted into runs. Four Tijuana relievers combined for eleven strikeouts to complete the shutout.
These semifinal openers could shape momentum for both series, giving Monterrey and Tijuana early psychological advantages that may influence how their opponents approach upcoming games. Fans in those cities may experience heightened engagement and local economic activity around home playoff dates, while the LMB itself could see increased viewership as competitive storylines develop. The contrasting styles—dramatic late rallies versus dominant pitching—may also draw casual observers into following the remainder of the postseason.