The Tapatia Festival that Became a Witch Burning
Poor Charros of Jalisco. They had the best intention of throwing their little party at the Pan American Stadium, just as manager Benjamín Gil had promised, but they found that the Red Devils of Mexico arrived with the coal, the grills and the pitchforks. What was going to be a celebration with mariachi was transformed, with an efficiency worthy of a better cause, into an authentic public grill. And the steaks that were cooked were, of course, those of the local squad.
The result, a resounding 7-2, leaves the capital’s team just one victory away from winning the Two-time Championship of the Mexican Baseball League. At this point, one wonders if the Devils don’t have an infernal pact that guarantees them victories in exchange for, I don’t know, the soul of a relief pitcher or the hopes of a fan.
The Shocker who Stopped Surprising (Unfortunately)
The charro starter, Luis Iván Rodríguez, alias ‘El Shocker’, had one of those nights that any pitcher has nightmares about. His four-inning effort was less of a blowout for the Devils and more of a paid batting practice session. He allowed six earned runs, three of them thanks to the elegance of the home run. He struck out two opponents, which is like bragging about having blown out two candles on a cake that is already completely engulfed in flames.
The cruelest thing about baseball is that moment of false hope it gives you before destroying your soul. Rodriguez seemed to have everything under control in the third inning, coming out of a ham with runners on base like it was a Sunday walk. He dominated Allen Córdoba and Robinson Canó with a couple of ground balls. How big is the Shocker! How dominating! TRUE? Well yes, it lasted as long as an ice cream in the desert.
Taking advantage of that moment of glory, in the bottom part of the same inning, Mallex Smith became the momentary hero by hitting an RBI triple, followed by a line drive from Michael Wielansky that scored the second run. Joy invaded the hearts of the foremen. We’re in it! The series is alive!
Oh, innocents. The fourth inning arrived and the Devils, bored with so much other people’s happiness, decided that it was time to play at being the demolition machine that they are. The strategy? Simple: hit the ball with so much force that it was probably left without a seam.
Two singles by Julián Ornelas and José Marmolejos were the appetizer. The main course was served by José Pirela, who sent the ball on its way with a three-run home run that not only turned the score around, but probably also ruined Rodríguez’s night. Just in case someone thought it was luck, Carlos Pérez arrived and said “I want it too,” hitting a solitary home run to close the festival of strength with a flourish. The message was clear: this is not a series, it is a demonstration of power.
As it is, the Red Devils are one victory away from engraving their name in history with letters of gold (or fire, which is more suitable for them). Meanwhile, the Charros are literally against the wall, watching the dream of the championship disappear in the smoke of the capital’s hits. Will they be able to react? The fans hope so. Logic, and what we saw last night, suggests that the Devils already have the champagne on ice.
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