Toros de Tijuana (1) 12, Algodoneros de Union Laguna (6) 6 – Yogi Berra famously said, "It ain't over 'til it's over."

But were he still alive, Berra could've called the press box at Estadio Revolucion after the top of the first last night and given the assembled press a new line, as the Toros scored all 12 of their runs in the top of the first and cruised to a win in Game 5 to take the series from the Algodoneros and advance to the second round.

The Toros loaded the bases before Union Laguna had retired a batter, and took a 1-0 lead when Phillip Evans drew a bases-loaded walk. Wilmer Flores followed with a single to make it 2-0, and a sac fly by Hernan Perez got another run home in exchange for the first out of the inning. Three more bases-loaded walks made it 6-0, and then three consecutive doubles by Isaac Rodriguez, Evans, and Flores made it 12-0.

The Algodoneros got a pair of homers in the fifth, one from Nick Torres and one from Albert Lara.

Tijuana will await a second-round opponent, while Union Laguna is eliminated, as Tabasco and Leon have each won two games in the first round.

Caliente de Durango (2) 10, Acereros de Monclova (4) 1 – Jose Carlos Urena hit a three-run homer and got another run in with a sac fly as the Caliente pummeled Monclova in Game 5 to win the series and advance to the second round.

Starter Joan Adon threw six scoreless innings for the Caliente, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out seven to earn the win.

Rodolfo Amador's seventh-inning solo homer off Joe Corbett scored Monclova's only run.

Monclova cannot advance to the second round, as Jalisco holds the tiebreaker to advance should both teams finish the first round with a single win.

Guerreros de Oaxaca (6) 5, Diablos Rojos del Mexico (1) 3 – Luis Miranda allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings, and four Oaxaca relievers combined to hold the Diablos Rojos scoreless with a single hit and three walks over the final four innings as the Guerreros took Game 5 and are a win away from advancing to the second round.

Ricardo Valuenzuela hit a two-run double for the Guerreros in the second, and Luis Barrera added two more with a double in the fourth. Juan Santana singled home Leonel Valera in the seventh for some insuance.

Julian Ornelas, Carlos Sepulveda, and Robinson Cano each had an RBI single for the Diablos.

Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu in Mexico City at 6 p.m. EDT. A Oaxaca win sends them on to the second round, while a Diablos win would likely assure the Diablos of advancing to the second round regardless of which team wins the series. The team in each division that wins the most games but loses the first round series advances to the second round.

Charros de Jalisco (4) 15, Sultanes de Monterrey (3) 5 – Facing elimination, the Charros finally got their offense going in Game 4, cranking out 19 hits and 15 runs.

Mateo Gil went 4-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBIs, clubbing an RBI single in the third and a three run homer in the sixth.

Dwight Smith Jr. hit a solo homer for the Charros, and Alfredo Hurtado had a pinch hit three run homer in the sixth.

Charros starter Luis Ivan Rodriguez allowed two runs on five hits over five innings, striking out five. Despite allowing 15 hits, the Charros allowed no walks and held Monterrey to five runs.

Game 5 is scheduled for Friday night at 9:30 p.m. EDT. Neither team has announced a starter.

Olmecas de Tabasco (2) at Bravos de Leon (4) – Game 5 was suspended due to rain after four innings with the Bravos leading 8-7. It will be completed on Friday night starting at 8:30 p.m. EDT, and Game 6 is now scheduled for Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT.

Piratas de Campeche (3) at Pericos de Puebla (4) – Game 4 of the series between Puebla and Campeche was rained out Thursday night and will be played Friday night at 9 p.m. EDT.

Leon's Pimentel Suspended Two Games, Fined - Sandber Pimentel of the Bravos de Leon was suspended two games and fined for his actions in Game 4 of the series between Leon and Tabasco.

In the first inning of Game 4, Pimentel delivered a forearm shiver to Tabasco catcher Jose Godoy while trying to score from third.

Where to Watch – All Liga Mexicana de Beisbol games are streamed live with a subscription on LMB TV, and a season subscription is on sale for MX$799 (about US$46) until April 30. Select games are streamed live on the YouTube page for Latin American network Claro Sports.

Friday’s LMB Playoff Schedule
All times Eastern Daylight Time
9 p.m. – Piratas de Campeche (3) at Pericos de Puebla (4) – Game 4 – Puebla leads series 2-1
9 p.m. – Diablos Rojos del Mexico (1) at Guerreros de Oaxaca (6) – Game 5 – Series tied 2-2
9:30 p.m. – Sultanes de Monterrey (3) at Charros de Jalisco (4) – Game 4 – Monterrey leads 3-0
9:30 p.m. – Olmecas de Tabasco (2) at Bravos de Leon (4) – Game 5 – Series tied 2-2
9:30 p.m. – Toros de Tijuana (1) at Algodoneros de Union Laguna (6) – Game 5 – Tijuana leads 2-1
9:45 p.m. – Caliente de Durango (2) at Acereros de Monclova (4) – Game 4 – Durango leads 3-13

Photo: Gilberto Celestino and the Toros de Tijuana celebrate one of the 12 runs they scored in the top of the first in Game 5 against Union Laguna. (Photo courtesy of the Algodoneros de Union Laguna)