MAZATLAN
MAZATLAN 7, HERMOSILLO 2 IN MAZATLAN
Mazatlan scored three in the first and three in the third to take a 6-1 lead. Edson Garcia was 2-for-3 with a walk and four RBIs. Anthony Giansanti was 2-for-4 with two runs. Edgar Torres pitched five innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk and striking out three.
Record: Mazatlan trails the best-of-seven series 2-3.
Next game: Mazatlan is at Hermosillo tonight.
GIGANTES
GIGANTES 5, ESTRELLAS 3 AT ESTRELLAS
Kelvin Gutierrez hit a two-run homer in the first and the Gigantes led all the way. Abiatal Avelino was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. Gutierrez was 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Chris Ellis struck out seven in six innings, giving up one run on four hits and two walks.
Record: The Gigantes won the best-of-seven series 4-2.
Next game: The Gigantes will play the winner of the Aguilas/Toros series in the finals. The first game of the series will be Tuesday.
LARA, GAMES 36 AND 37
MAGALLANES 7, LARA 2 IN LARA (GAME 1--7 INNINGS)
Magallanes scored three in the fourth to break a 2-2 tie. Osman Marval was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Yojhan Quevedo was 2-for-3 with a double. Nestor Molina started and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk and striking out two.
LARA 5, MAGALLANES 4 IN LARA (GAME 2--7 INNINGS)
Yordanys Linares RBI single in the sixth tied it 4-4 and Josmar Cordero's RBI single in the seventh won it for Lara. Cesar Puello was 2-for-4 with a walk. Linares was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Ex-Twin Logan Darnell pitched four innings, giving up two runs on six hits and no walks and striking out two.
Record: Lara is 23-14, in first place in the Venezuelan League West, 1.5 games ahead of Magallanes.
Next game: Lara is at Magallanes tonight.
MAYAGUEZ
Mayaguez' series with Manati remains in limbo due to COVID concerns. The last I knew, a decision would be made Sunday or Monday in regard to whether the series would be continued. If it is not, Caguas, which won the other semi-final series, will be declared the champion.
MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE 4, CANBERRA 3 AT CANBERRA (10 INNINGS)
Damek Tomscha hit a three-run homer in the ninth to tie it 3-3. Blake Gailen then singled in the tenth to bring home the go-ahead run. Tomscha was 2-for-3 with a walk in addition to the home run, which was his fifth. Jake Romanski was 2-for-4. Brian Flynn struck out eight in 6.1 scoreless innings, giving up four hits and no walks.
Record: Melbourne is 6-4, in second place in the Australian League, no "games back", but in second by winning percentage behind Adelaide.