The roster of the Pericos is very different from what we saw in the previous season, but for those who didn't know the power they could display from the batter's box, they have already shown what they are capable of. And for the Diablos Rojos, the first test of the year once again had inconsistencies from the center of the diamond.

The script of the first story of 2018 for both teams went from an attractive start by their starting pitchers to a clash where the bats came alive and took control of the game. And in the end, the feathered artillery was more damaging.

In any situation where you suffer a seven-run rally, it's painful, and even more so when the game was tied 0-0. And although the Red Devils have enough power in their lineup to score those seven runs or more, they failed to explode in their 2018 debut. The Reds went 2-for-8 with runners on base and ended the night with nine strikeouts.

The game turned into a pitchers' duel in the first third of the match. Luis Nieblas' pitches were effective, although the Puebla batters made contact with the ball, but the Red Devils' defense managed to avoid damage.

On the other side, lefty Mitch Lambson took advantage of it being his first time in the league and retired the first nine batters in a row, combining his fastball with breaking pitches effectively, working the corners well.

Both pitchers left the first third of the match with nine strikeouts, Niebla had four and Lambson had five.

But the scoreless game ended in the fifth inning. Niebla lost his effectiveness and issued two walks that, combined with a wild pitch and a ground-rule double by Mike Crouse, got the scoreboard moving. The attack didn't stop there, Jorge Flores hit a ground ball that found its way between second and first base, and Crouse jogged home to change the score to 3-0. That was the end of Niebla's debut.

But the game wasn't over yet. The Puebla artillery exploded four more times. With Braxton Martínez, Jorge Flores, Daniel Sánchez, and Daric Barton crossing the plate, the blow was seven runs. Goodbye pitching duel.