The Charros de Jalisco secured a 3‑2 victory over the Águilas de Mexicali in Game 5, completing a 4‑1 series win and booking their first LMP final appearance since the 2019‑20 season. Pitcher Ronald Medrano’s dominant six‑scoreless innings and closer Diego Cárdenas’s clutch strikeout sealed the win. The win also showcased solid defense and sets up a final showdown.
Series Overview
The best‑of‑seven semifinal began with the Charros taking a 2‑0 lead at home. The Águilas forced a tie with a dramatic extra‑inning win in Game 3 on the road, but the Charros responded in Game 4, with Medrano delivering six shutout innings to push the series to a 3‑1 advantage.
Game 5 Highlights
In a tense night at Estadio de Deportes, the Charros held on to a 3‑2 lead, thanks to key defensive plays and timely pitching.
- First inning: José Alvarez singled and, after a Mexicali pitcher error, scored the opening run.
- Fourth inning: The Águilas answered with a two‑run sacrifice, tying the game at 1‑1.
- Sixth inning: Medrano struck out Luis Ramos, preserving the deadlock.
- Eighth inning: Closer Diego Cárdenas retired two batters, then forced a sacrifice play that delivered the decisive third run.
Implications for the LMP
With the 4‑1 series victory, the Charros de Jalisco earn their first LMP final berth since the 2019‑20 campaign, ending a championship drought that began in 2013. The performance highlights Medrano’s ace status and Cárdenas’s emerging role as a reliable closer, giving the coaching staff confidence heading into the championship.
Looking Ahead
Coach Alejandro Gómez praised his squad’s resilience, emphasizing that the team “responds when pressure rises.” Meanwhile, Águilas captain Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the Charros’ quality and vowed a stronger comeback next season. The upcoming final will pit the Charros against either the Tomateros de Culiacán or the Naranjeros de Hermosillo, promising a high‑stakes showdown for the LMP 2025‑26 title.
