Durango, Dgo. — Leo Heras launched a ferocious offensive to command Saturday’s 11-4 triumph over the Generales at Francisco Villa Stadium.
Heras had a sensational day at bat, going three for four, batting in three runs and crossing the plate himself three times, as well as racking up his tenth home run of the season.
The Leones started the scoring at the top of the second with a solo shot from Luis Juarez and a run-producing line-drive double from Alex Liddi in the third.
The Generales tied at the end of the third inning when Santiago Gonzalez hit a savage shot to left field for his ninth home run, with a man on board, to score two. But the Leones regained the lead in the sixth, scoring two — Juarez and Heras — on Yeison Asencio’s single for a 4-2 lead.
The Leones later added two runs in the eighth with Asencio again scoring one with a hit up the middle and later in the inning, Heras coming home on a wild pitch. The Leones put the game away in the ninth, scoring five runs.
Yucatan right-hander Jose Samayoa (2-2) picked up the win after allowing two runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked one. Opposing starter Ivan Pineyro (2-1) took the loss in the Mexican League game after giving up four runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out four, over six innings of work.
The Leones were supported in relief by pitchers Manuel Chavez, Ronald Belisario, Manny Parra, Andres Avila and finally Josh Lueke, who made his first appearance in a Leones uniform for the last three outs. Just last week he was in Long Island, N.Y., playing for the Ducks.
The third and final challenge of the series is 3 p.m. today (Sunday) with the Leones’ Jesse Estrada (5-0, 4.23), facing Diego Moreno (1-0, 6.97) on the mound. The game can be followed live on La Comadre 98.5 for free or with a subscription to the Internetv streaming service.
After today’s game, the Leones will rest for one day, returning Tuesday to Yucatan for a six-game homestand beginning with Aguascalientes for three games, and then again against the Generales de Durango.
| CLUB |
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 |
| C | H | E |
| YUC |
| 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 11 | 14 | 0 |
| DUR |
| 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | 10 | 0 |
PG: Samayoa (2-2)
PD: Piñeyro (2-1)
SV: No hubo
HR: Juárez (9), Heras (10), Sosa (4) por YUC; González (9) por DGO
