The Charros de Jalisco came within one swing of extending their first-round Mexican Baseball League playoff series against Sultanes de Monterrey.  But in the end, a furious ninth-inning rally fell just short, and Jalisco fell 6-5 in Game 5 on August 14 at the Estadio Panamericano.

The loss gave the Sultanes a 4-1 series victory and a direct pass to the Zone Series.

But for the Charros, the season is not over.

As the highest-ranked team among the eliminated clubs in the first round, Jalisco earned a spot as the “comodín” — the best loser — and advanced to the next phase.

Their reward? A matchup against the Toros de Tijuana, who dominated the Northern Zone during the regular season and dispatched Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in four games in the playoff first round.

The odds are clearly against the Charros. Tijuana posted the best team earned-run average of the opening playoffs, allowing just 19 runs over five games.  Charros, by contrast, struggled offensively in the first round, batting just .265 with 26 runs scored — the fifth-lowest total among playoff teams.

The Zone Series begins Tuesday, August 18, at Toros Mobil Park in Tijuana. Games 3, 4, and a possible Game 5 will return to Zapopan’s Estadio Panamericano on Friday, August 21 (7:30 p.m.), Saturday, August 22 (6 p.m.) and Sunday, August 23 (5 p.m.).  Tickets are available at Boletomóvil.com, starting at 50 pesos.