Merida, Yucatan — Friday’s series opener at Parque Kukulcan Alamo was a “party in the cave” for the Leones de Yucatan.
Xavier Scruggs continued his hot streak, hitting two homers and a two-run double, while Yeison Asencio homered twice, in a 9-0 triumph against the Generales de Durango.
Scruggs’ double to left field, part of a three-run second inning, gave the Leones a 2-0 lead before Jose Aguilar hit an RBI single up the middle.
In the third inning, the Leones increased their lead when Luis Juarez hit a solo shot to left field, his tenth homer of the season. Scruggs’ first home run in the contest was a solo shot that came in the fourth. Asencio’s first of two home runs in the contest was a two-run shot in the sixth inning.
In the eighth inning, the Leones closed their scoring with back-to-back solo shots by Scruggs and Asencio. For the season, the night produced Scruggs’ second and third and Asencio’s 12th and 13th home runs.
Yucatan starter Jose Samayoa (3-2) picked up the win after four strikeouts, a walk and allowing five hits and no runs over six scoreless innings. He received help in relief by Tony Amezcua, Miguel Pena and Daniel Rodriguez. Opposing starter Ivan Pineyro (2-2) struck out two and walked none, but took the loss after giving up five runs and eight hits over four innings.
The Generales were held scoreless for the third time this season while the Leones recorded their third shutout this year. If they win tonight, the Leones will be at .500 at 36-36.
With the win, Yucatan improved to 3-1 against Durango this season.
Today (Saturday) at 5:45 p.m., the Leones will celebrate their most famous alumnus with Fernando Valenzuela Day. The ticket booth will sell 34-peso side and upper-level seats. A commemorative jersey at the Leoneshop comes with two center field tickets.
The duel will be between Durango’s Diego Moreno (1-0, 6.46 ERA) and the undefeated Jesse Estrada (5-0, 4.78 ERA). At the end of the game, the party will continue with live music by La Trakalada.
| TEAM |
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 |
| R | H | E |
| DGO |
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 6 | 0 |
| YUC |
| 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 0 | 2 | X |
| 9 | 12 | 0 |
PG: Samayoa (3-2)
PD: Pineyro (2-2)
SV: None
HR: Juárez (10), Scruggs 2 (3), Asencio 2 (13) for YUC
Sources: Associated Press, Leones, Generales
