Serie del Caribe 2021: Los Aguilas Cibaeñas Capture Caribbean Series Championship

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

CARIBBEAN SERIES FINAL

FEB. 6, 2021

⚾

Criollos de Caguas  vs.  Aguilas Cibaeñas

(5-2) PUERTO RICO                 1

(7-0) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  4

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/6/21 - The battle to be crowned Caribbean Series champion features Puerto Rico southpaw Hector Hernandez who is opposed by right-hander Cesar Valdez for the Dominican Republic.  A double from shortstop  Ramon Torres leading off the first accounts for the only hit through the game's first four innings.  In the top of the fifth, designated hitter Juan Centeno singles for Los Criollos' first hit.  Centeno advances on a wild pitch, then scores on center fielder Jarren Duran's two-out hit through the right side.  But the lead does not last long.  With two outs in the bottom of the frame, third baseman  Johan Camargo ties the game at one with a home run to left.  Right-hander Luis Castillo relieves Cesar Valdez in the sixth.  Right-hander Anthony Maldonado likewise enters the game for Caguas.  Leading-off, Ramon Torres greets Maldonado with a single.  Center fielder Juan Lagares follows with a double scoring Torres all the way from first.  First baseman Ronald Guzman then singles driving home Lagares for a 3-1 Cibaeñas lead.  After hitting left fielder Junior Lake with a pitch, Maldonado is relieved by  Zach Muckenhirn, who strikes out Jonathan Villar swinging.  With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Ronald Guzman homers off reliever Fernando Cruz giving Los Aguilas a 4-1 lead.  Right-hander Jumbo Diaz retires Caguas to close out the victory and earn the save in order in the top of the ninth.  Luis Castillo earns the win.  Anthony Maldonado takes the loss.

AGUILAS CIBAEÑAS

⚾  CAMPEONES SERIE DEL CARIBE  ⚾

2020-2021

The Dominican Republic wins back-to-back titles and their tournament-leading 21st Caribbean championship overall.  Los Aguilas Cibaeñas now ranks second all-time with their sixth ever Caribbean title.  This is the second time (1998) Cibaeñas has gone on an undefeated run.  Only 13 teams have gone on undefeated runs in the 63-year history of the tournament.