The Pericos de Puebla have the Diablos Rojos del México on the ropes. A dominant 8-1 win in Game 3 of the South Zone Semifinal on Saturday at Estadio Hermanos Serdán puts Puebla up 3-0 in the series — one win away from sending the two-time defending LMB champions home.
What Lozano Did — and What Hall Couldn’t
Fernando Lozano, a 26-year-old right-hander, was exactly what Puebla needed. His final line: 5 innings, 0 runs, 7 hits, 2 walks. It wasn’t a strikeout showcase — it was efficiency and composure in a must-dominate spot, keeping a lineup that finished the regular season as South Zone leaders completely off the board.
On the other side, Brooks Hall — the Diablos’ pitching coach who also takes the mound — entered Game 3 with a 0-1 record and a 9.00 ERA this postseason. He couldn’t slow Puebla down, and four Pericos relievers closed things out to complete the victory.
How This Sweep Came Together
The series opened August 19 at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, and Puebla didn’t wait to make a statement. The Pericos battered the Diablos 13-5, racking up 21 hits. Luis Castro and Henry Ramos combined for six RBIs. That wasn’t a close game — it was a blowout on the road.
Game 2, also in Mexico City, was tighter but just as decisive. Antonio Santos went five innings, allowing just four hits and one run. José Rondón hit two solo home runs off Trevor Bauer, and Puebla took the 4-1 win to head home up 2-0.
Game 3 was the confirmation. Lozano and the Puebla bullpen held México to a single run. The Diablos, who went 64-29 to finish atop the South Zone in the regular season, have been unable to do anything in three tries against a team that entered the playoffs at 50-42.
The 2023 Ghost — and What’s Next
This isn’t the first time Puebla has done this to México. In 2023, the Pericos eliminated the Diablos in the semis and went on to win the Serie del Rey. The Diablos got their revenge in 2024, bouncing Puebla 4-1 in the first round before claiming the title — then repeating in 2025 to become two-time champions.
The pendulum is swinging back. The two clubs split their regular-season matchup 3-3, but in this postseason it’s been all Puebla: three straight wins and a match point in hand.
Game 4 is Sunday, August 23 at Estadio Hermanos Serdán, 2:00 p.m. local time. A Puebla win ends the Diablos’ reign. México needs four consecutive victories just to survive — and they haven’t come close to winning even one.
