Garcia, Sultanes take series lead

Karim Garcia hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning to push Monterrey past Saltillo, 4-3, in Game 3 of their Mexican League semifinal series on Tuesday.

Garcia blasted a solo homer, his first of the playoffs, in the sixth to forge a 3-3 tie. After Carlos Orrantia walked to open the seventh, Garcia hit a two-out double. Orrantia was 2-for-3 with two RBIs to help the Sultanes grab a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.

Monterrey reliever Gaudencio Aguirre (1-0) yielded a hit and a walk in 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Maximo De La Rosa pitched around a hit in the ninth for his second save. Starter Walter Silva allowed three runs -- one earned -- on six hits with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 frames.

Jesus Rivera hit an RBI single and scored in the fifth and Jesus Cota singled twice and scored a run for the Saraperos.

Saltillo reliever Miguel Gonzalez (0-1) allowed a run and a walk in one inning. Starter Mario Mendoza gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks with one strikeout over 5 2/3 frames.