SAN ANTONIO- Pericos de Puebla scored 14 runs without benefit of an opposing error and a strong pitching performances from Vance Keller, Ken Iida and Tomohiro Yomashita allowed the Capitals to earn a 2-1 come-from-behind victory in their Texas Winter League season openers on Thursday.

Pericos de Puebla 14 - Apaches 0

Thomas Shull and Jason Merjano had perfect days at the plate while Will Chapman drove in five runs as the Parrots pounded the Apaches in a game shortened to five innings.

But while these players are professional veterans, perhaps the most notable hit came from catcher David Peterson, who collected his first hit in 26 lifetime TWL at bats when he collected a sharp 2-run double down the third base line to highlight a 7-run fifth inning that turned the game into a laughter.

Peterson, who during this time has displayed contact hitting abilities by striking out only six times, was finally blessed with a ball with eyes after he battled Hidekatsu Mitani to a full count by fouling off numerous pitches before pulling the pitch he wanted for a double.

But while Peterson’s hit gave the game a feel-good perspective, the veterans in the Parrots’ lineup gave notice they want a shot at the higher leagues the TWL is feeding players to this season.

Shull, the Parrots’ leadoff hitter, collected four singles in as many times to the plate and scored four runs, while Merjano followed with three hits, a walk, three runs scored and another driven in from his second place position in manager Chris Paterson’s batting order.

Chapman, who was the TWL’s “Most Inspirational Player” in 2014, broke the game open in the top of the third with a 3-run double to right center off reliever Pete Martinez to highlight a 4-run third, then hit a sacrifice fly to right in the fourth to make the score 7-0 and greeted new reliever Fumitaka Sakaguchi with a bases loaded walk in the fifth.

Pericos de Puebla starter Casey McMickle (1-0) allowed only one hit in four innings, an infield single to Jonathan Grishman in the second, while striking out three and walking as many.

Sho Nagashima added a scoreless fifth to close out the victory.

Chadd Flick (0-1) took the loss for the Apaches. After surrendering a 2-run single to R.J. Perucki in the top of the first, he was removed in the second inning with what is believed to be bicep tendonitis and is eyeing a potential Saturday return.

CAPITALS 2 - TEJANOS 1

Kazuki Nakayama drove in Connor Battaglia with a bloop single to centerfield in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Capitals a 2-1 come from behind victory against the Tejanos.

The single came off newly inserted reliever Billy Pullia and went just beyond the reach of shortstop Dillon Sauers and in front of centerfielder Daiki Miyazaki to plate Battaglia from third. Battaglia had reached on a four pitch walk, then advanced to third base on a pass ball and wild pitch before Nakayama’s hit on a 2-2 pitch.

Vance Keller started the game for the Capitals and threw three strong innings, allowing only two hits and a walk while fanning two. The only run he allowed came in the third on a two out single from Ryan DiMascio that scored Cesar Pinto, who had reached when Keller dropped a toss from first baseman Brian Haggett that led off the frame.

Jeremy Hall was even more impressive as the Tejanos’ starter, striking out five while shutting out the Capitals through three innings, scattering two hits and a walk. Jamie Perez then followed with an inning and a third of scoreless relief.

But after he fanned Masanari Kato to lead off the bottom of the fifth, Tejanos manager Carlos Lezcano removed Perez for left-hander Hiroki Taniguchi. The strategy served two purposes; to save Perez for a later start and to allow Taniguchi to face a lineup that would feature four straight lefthanded hitters.

But Taniguchi could not retire any of the four southpaw sluggers, allowing the Capitals to tie the game when he walked Haggett with the bases loaded to score Will Wurth.

Meanwhile, the Capitals bullpen was flawless. Ken Iida retired all six batters he faced and Tomohiro Yamsshita followed with two scoreless frames.

Nakayama and DiMascio both had two hits in the game to lead all hitters as the Tejanos were limited to three hits and the Caps had five for the game.