Serie del Caribe 2018: Criollos de Caguas Are Back to Back Champions

From the desk of:  BEISBOL INVIERNO

60th Anniversary

CRIOLLOS de CAGUAS

CARIBBEAN CHAMPIONS

1954      1974      1987

2017-2018

Los Criollos de Caguas are back-to-back Caribbean champions.

Trailing 4-1 after six innings, Caguas surged ahead of the Dominican Republic's Aguilas Cibaenas with five runs in the seventh, and three more in the eighth, en route to a 9-4 victory in Thursday's tournament finale, and their second Serie del Caribe championship in as many years.

Criollos catcher Jonathan Morales' three run home run in the seventh proved to be the game's decisive blow.  Caguas also got a home run from center fielder Rusney Castillo.  First baseman Ruben Gotay went 2 for 4, with three RBI.

Andres Santiago earned the win in relief with two shutout innings of one-hit ball.  Miguel Mejia earned the save with two scoreless innings of no-hit ball.

Caguas has now claimed five Caribbean titles, tying them for second most in Serie del Caribe history.  Los Tigres de Licey of the Dominican Republic hold the record with ten.

This is Puerto Rico's sixteenth Caribbean title.  They are second to Dominican Republic whom also hold the record with nineteen tournament victories.