Winter Leagues Playoffs 2021-2022: Monterrey Draws Even; Culiacan Pushes Guasave to Brink in Semifinals Game Four

From the desk: FANÁTICO del BÉISBOL de INVIERNO

! FELIZ AÑO NUEVO !

 

   LIGA MEXICANO del PACIFICO

• TWITTER: LMP

SEMIFINAL - I

Charros de Jalisco (2-2) @ Sultanes de Monterrey (2-2)

A leadoff hit and an E4 places Jalisco left-hander Ryan Verdugo into immediate trouble.  Two consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly later, and Los Charros trail by three after the first.  However, Monterrey left-hander Edgar Torres makes an early exit after allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in just three innings pitched.  Jalisco then ties the game against right-hander Luis Gamez in the fourth.  But with two outs and the bases loaded in the home fifth, Charros' right-hander Jaime Lugo 

issues a walk to force home a run, then yields a two-out, two-run single to third baseman Ricardo Serrano giving Monterrey a 6-3 lead.  In the seventh, right fielder Dariel Alvarez's two-run home run pulls Jalisco within one.  But Sultanes right fielder Nick Torres's two-run single in the eighth puts the game out of reach.  Los Charros manage a run in the ninth, but no more.  Left-hander Jeff Kinley holds on for the save.  Right-hander Jonas Garibay earns the win in relief with 2.2 scoreless innings pitched.  Southpaw Irwin Delgado suffers the loss in relief of Ryan Verdugo.

• GAME FOUR FINAL: Jalisco 6; Monterrey 8
• BOXSCORE Jan. 8
  

SEMIFINAL - II

Algodoneros de Guasave (1-3) @ Tomateros de Culiacan (3-1)

Culiacan scores early, often, and late en route to an 8-3 victory and a commanding 3-1 series lead over Guasave.  Los Tomateros take a first-inning lead, but Los Algodoneros seizes a 3-1 lead in the second.  However, that would mark the end of Guasave's surge.  Culiacan goes on to score seven unanswered runs.  Designated hitter Victor Mendoza drove home Culiacan's first run of the game and hit a two-run home run in the fifth.  Center fielder Jesus Fabela connected on a three-run home run in the eighth.  Right-hander Aldo Montes wins in relief of starter Jose Bravo, limiting Guasave to just a pair of hits and one walk with four strikeouts over four scoreless innings pitched.

• GAME FOUR FINAL: Guasave 3; Culiacan 8
• BOXSCORE Jan. 8
  

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2021-2022: Jalisco and Culiacan Take Series Leads in LMP Semifinals

From the desk: FANÁTICO del BÉISBOL de INVIERNO

! FELIZ AÑO NUEVO !

 

   LIGA MEXICANO del PACIFICO

• TWITTER: LMP

SEMIFINAL - I

Charros de Jalisco (2-1) @ Sultanes de Monterrey (1-2)

After three quiet frames, Monterrey opens the scoring with two runs in the fourth.  Jalisco answers with three in the fifth - shortstop Amadeo Zazueta singles home the first run and soon scores on first baseman Cionel Perez's two-run home run to right field.  Los Sultanes promptly retook the lead with three runs in the home sixth highlighted by catcher Gilberto Galaviz's two-out, two-run single to left field.  But again, their advantage does not last.  After a scoreless seventh, Jalisco manufactures two runs in the eighth, tying the game at five.  The teams duel through a scoreless ninth, and into extra innings, they go.  Each side goes down in order in the tenth.  Catcher Fernando Flores connects to right field off Monterrey reliever Nathanael Santiago on a home run with one out in the visitor's eleventh.  With two outs in the home eleventh and runners on the corners, Charros reliever Roberto Osuna strikes out designated hitter Fernando Perez to end the game.  Osuna strikes out three in the frame.  He closes out a stellar performance allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out six over the final 2.2 innings for the win.

• GAME THREE FINAL: Jalisco 6; Monterrey 5  11-inn
• BOXSCORE: Jan. 7

SEMIFINAL - II

Algodoneros de Guasave (1-2) @ Tomateros de Culiacan (2-1)

Facing Guasave left-hander David Holmberg in the home first, Culiacan first baseman Joey Meneses 

connects for a two-run home run over the left-field wall.  Catcher Ali Solis' run-scoring double in the fourth gives Los Tomateros a 3-0 lead.  Algondoneros designated hitter Jhoan Urena brings Guasave within one with a two-run home run in the visitor's fifth.  Culiacan scores what proves to be the decisive run in the sixth, as Guasave would tally one last time in the seventh.  David Holmberg allows three runs in the loss, but only one is earned.  Culiacan southpaw Anthony Vasquez allows two earned runs on three hits and one walk through five for the win.  Left-hander Alberto Baldonado throws a scoreless ninth for his second save this series.

• GAME THREE FINAL: Guasave 3; Culiacan 4 
• BOXSCORE Jan. 7

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2021-2022: Monterrey and Guasave Even Series in LMP Semifinals

From the desk: FANÁTICO del BÉISBOL de INVIERNO

! FELIZ AÑO NUEVO !

 

   LIGA MEXICANO del PACIFICO

• TWITTER: LMP

SEMIFINAL - I

Sultanes de Monterrey (1-1) @ Charros de Jalisco (1-1)

Jalisco manufactures a run in the opening frame.  Afterwhich, the score remains unchanged through the seventh inning.  Starter Javier Solano takes his bid into the eighth inning.  But after walking the leadoff batter and striking out the next, he is removed in favor of southpaw Alemao Hernandez, who promptly yeilds a hit putting runners on the corners.  Hernandez is relieved by Alexandro Tovalin, who fields a comebacker keeping the runners in place but then walks the next batter to load the bases.  Tovalin walks Monterrey's first baseman, Issmael Salas, with two outs, forcing home the tying run.  Alexandro Tovalin is then replaced by Adrian Guzman.  Sultanes' third baseman Ricardo Serrano greets Guzman with a bases-clearing double to center field, then scores on catcher Carlos Soto's groundball base hit through the middle for a 5-1 Sultanes lead.  Los Charros respond with two runs in the home eighth but nothing more.  Monterrey left-hander Jeff Kinley closes out the game with a four-out save.  Starter Nick Struck allows one earned run on just four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts for the win.  Jalisco starter Javier Solano walks off to a no-decision after yielding just one run on five hits over 7.1 innings  Alemao Hernandez takes the loss in relief.

• GAME TWO FINAL: Monterrey 5; Jalisco 3
• BOXSCORE: Jan. 5

SEMIFINAL - II

Tomateros de Culiacan (1-1) @ Algodoneros de Guasave (1-1)

An excellent back and forth affair unfolds at Guasave's Estadio Francisco Carranza Limon.  Culiacan promptly takes the lead on second baseman Ramiro Pena's first-inning home run.  Designated hitter Victor Mendoza connects on a two-run home run in the fourth, and Los Tomateros add two more runs in the visitor's fifth for a 5-0 lead.  Los Algodoneros make it all back in the home fifth, knocking Culiacan starter Manny Barreda out of the box and tying the game at five.  Guasave forges ahead with two runs in the seventh.  But with single runs in the top of the eighth and ninth innings, Los Tomateros tie the game at seven.  Undeterred, Guasave rallies in the home ninth for the win.  Right-hander Zach Hartman suffers the loss in relief.  Despite yielding two runs on three hits over two innings pitched, Matt Pobereyko is taken off the hook for the victory.

• GAME TWO FINAL: Culiacan 7; Guasave 8
• BOXSCORE Jan. 5

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2021-2022: Mayaguez Rises To Top of LBPRC; Jalisco and Culiacan Open LMP Semifinals With Wins

From the desk: FANÁTICO del BÉISBOL de INVIERNO

! FELIZ AÑO NUEVO !

LIGA PROFESIONAL de BEISBOL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

• TWITTER: LBPRC

On Monday, Jan. 3, Los Indios de Mayaguez defeated Los Criollos de Caguas by a 4-2 margin to once and for all settle this season's regular-season final standings - BOXSCORE.   On Friday, Jan. 7, the semifinal round commences with top-seeded Mayaguez taking on fourth-seeded Los Gigantes de Carolina while Caguas will be pitted against third-place Los Cangrejeros de Santurce.

1. Indios de Mayaguez (21-10)
2. Criollos de Caguas (20-12)
3. Cangrejeros de Santurce (17-15)
4. Gigantes de Carolina (13-18)

 LIGA MEXICANO del PACIFICO

• TWITTER: LMP

SEMIFINAL - I

Sultanes de Monterrey @ Charros de Jalisco 

Los Sultanes seize a 4-0 lead as Charros southpaw Orlando Lara fails to make it out the fourth inning.  With two outs, Lara is relieved by right-hander Jaime Lugo but not before Monterrey's Carlos Figueroa

and third baseman Ricardo Serrano drive home two runs apiece.  However, Los Sultanes' lead does not last.  Los Charros tie the score in the fifth on a pair of runs batted in by Amadeo Zazueta and a two-run home run by designated hitter Christian Villanueva against Sultanes starter Christian Castillo and reliever Linder Castro.  Jalisco strikes again in the sixth, with second baseman Messael Rivera doubling home the go-ahead run.  They add to their lead with two more runs in the seventh.  Christian Villanueva drives home his third run this game, and Dariel Alvarez's base hit gives Jalisco a 7-4 lead.  The score remains unchanged through the ninth.  Right-hander Alexandro Tovalin wins in relief with 1.2 innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts. 

BOXSCORE

SEMIFINAL - II

Tomateros de Culiacan @ Algodoneros de Guasave

With southpaw Manny Banuelos starting for Culiacan, Los Algodoneros de Guasave jump out to an early first-inning lead on Ramon Rios' leadoff double and shortstop Esteban Quiroz's home run.  Facing Guasave right-hander Geno Encina, Los Tomateros score single runs in the third and fourth innings driven in by second baseman Ramiro Pena and third baseman Emmanuel Avila respectively.  Both starters pitched scoreless fifth and sixth innings.  Pinch-hitting in the top of the seventh, Jesus Fabela triples home the go-ahead run against Guasave reliever Rafael Cordova.  Ramiro Pena then drives home, Fabela, from third for a 4-2 Tomateros lead.  After Banuelos initially allows two first-inning runs, he keeps Guasave scoreless over his final five innings of work for the win.  Culiacan's bullpen hurls three scoreless innings of one-hit ball.  Southpaw Alberto Baldonado earns the save.  BOXSCORE

Winter Leagues Baseball Playoff Preview 2021-2022

From the desk: FANÁTICO del BÉISBOL de INVIERNO

! FELIZ AÑO NUEVO !

LIGA PROFESIONAL de BEISBOL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

• TWITTER: LBPRC

The regular season winds down on Tuesday, Jan. 4, with Los Criollos de Caguas and Los Indios de Mayaguez still locked in a pitched battle for first place.  The third-place Cangrejeros de Santurce and fourth place Gigantes de Carolina round out the semifinals.  The RA12 squad is eliminated.

• Criollos de Caguas
• Indios de Mayaguez
• Cangrejeros de Santurce
• Gigantes de Carolina

   LIGA VENEZULANA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

• TWITTER: LVBP

The league's top five teams of the field of eight advances to the round-robin semifinals now five games in.  Los Navegantes de Magallanes clinched the regular-season championship by four games over Los Cardinales de Lara.  The round-robin series runs from Dec. 27 through Jan. 16, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals.

• Navegantes de Magallanes
• Cardenales de Lara
• Caribes de Anzoategui
• Tigres de Aragua
• Leones de Caracas

   LIGA de BEISBOL REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

• TWITTER: LIDOM

LIDOM's round-robin series runs from Dec. 27 through Jan. 17 with ten games down and 26 more contests to go.  The top four teams of the six-team field advance.  In a hotly contested race, Los Gigantes del Cibao clinched the regular season flag by one game over Los Estrellas Orientales.  Los Tigres del Licey finished two games back, and Los Aguilas Cibeanas finished three back.

• Gigantes del Cibao
• Estrellas Orientales
• Tigres de Licey
• Aguilas Cibaenas

   LIGA MEXICANO del PACIFICO

• TWITTER: LMP

Round One of the LMP playoffs is complete.  Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo and Los Mayos de Navojoa have been eliminated.  The remaining four teams advance to the semifinals, which commence Tuesday, Jan. 4, with Los Tomateros de Culiacan facing off against Los Algodoneros de Guasave and Los Charros de Jalisco pitted against Los Sultanes de Monterrey. 

• Tomateros de Culiacan
• Algodoneros de Guasave
• Charros de Jalisco
• Sultanes de Monterrey

Serie del Caribe 2021 Semifinals: Puerto Rico Outlasts Mexico to Advance Into Serie Finale

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

SEMIFINALS

FEB. 5, 2021

• Serie del Caribe 2021 Tournament Preview
• DAY ONE
• DAY TWO
• DAY THREE
• DAY FOUR
• DAY FIVE

⚾

Tomateros de Culiacan vs. Criollos de Caguas

(3-3) MEXICO             1

(5-1) PUERTO RICO  2

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/5/21 - After three scoreless innings, Mexico strikes in the fourth.  Left fielder Joey Meneses singles home second baseman Ramiro Pena with the first run of the game.  Caguas first baseman Jonathan Morales singles with one out in the bottom half of the frame.  Left fielder Rey Fuentes follows with a home to right off Culiacan starter Manny Barreda for a 2-0 Criollos lead.  Both starting pitchers are out of the game after five.  Barreda allows two runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts.  Criollos starter Luis Medina exits on the winning side after yielding just one run on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts.  The respective bullpens reengage in a pitcher's duel on through the eighth.  Caguas reliever Rayan Gonzalez returns to the hill for his second inning of work with the game on the line.  Mexico goes down in order.  Los Criollos bullpen accounts for four scoreless innings of one-hit ball.  Luis Medina gets the win; Rayan Gonzalez earns his first save.  Puerto Rico will next face the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series championship game.

• Semifinal: Dominican Republic vs. Panama

Serie del Caribe 2021: Day Four Recaps

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY FOUR

Feb. 3, 2021

• Serie del Caribe 2021 Tournament Preview
• DAY ONE
• DAY TWO
• DAY THREE

⚾

Caribes de Anzoátegui  vs.  Aguilas Cibaeñas

(1-3) VENEZUELA                         0

(4-0) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC       2

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/3/21  Yet another pitching duel unfolds at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal in Mazatlan, Mexico.  Right-hander  Williams Perez toes the rubber for Anzoátegui and is opposed by southpaw Andy Otero for Cibaeñas.  The game remains scoreless through the sixth, with four hits for Venezuela and just one for the Dominican Republic.  But that changes in the seventh.  Left fielder Junior Lake leads off with a single, and third baseman Ramon Torres draws a walk.  After Lake steals third, second baseman Robel Garcia doubles both base runners home for a 2-0 Aguilas lead and the final margin of victory.  Fine pitching by Venezuela goes for not.  Williams Perez yields no runs on just two hits with six strikeouts through six innings pitched but does not figure in the decision.  Reliever Loiger Padron takes the loss.  Aguilas starter Andy Otero allows no runs on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings, but he too does not figure in the decision.  Southpaw Dario Alvarez earns the victory in relief.  Fernando Abad preserves the shutout and earns the save.  Five Dominican Republic pitchers limit Venezuela to just six hits.  Los Aguilas remain undefeated in the tournament.  The only question remaining is who they will face in the semifinal.

⚾

Caimanes de Barranquilla  vs.  Criollos de Caguas

(0-4) COLOMBIA           1

(3-1) PUERTO RICO      2

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/3/21 - Los Caimanes and Criollos exchange runs early in the game.  In the second inning, Colombia third baseman Jordan Diaz doubles home Dilson Herrera, and Yadier Molina singles home the tying run in the third.  Otherwise, pitching once again rules the day.  The teams remain knotted through the eighth, and into the ninth inning, they go.  Criollos reliever Fernando Cruz retires Los Caimanes in order, striking out the last two batters.  Right-hander Cody Mincey enters the game for Colombia.  After striking out third baseman Jose Miranda, Mincey loses the Midas touch.  A double by Johneshwy Fargas and two intentional walks loaded the bases for catcher Jonathan Morales.  Mincey hurls a breaking pitch in the dirt after breaking pitch in the dirt.  The count runs full.  But Mincey refuses to offer a fastball, unleashing yet another breaking ball.  Morales stays disciplined and takes ball four.  Johneshwy Fargas scores the winning run from third.  In another case of hard-luck pitching, five Colombia pitchers join in limiting Puerto Rico to a pair of runs on five hits and just three walks with ten strikeouts.  Criollos starter Tommy Romero yields just one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through 5.1 innings but does not figure in the decision.  Three relievers join in limiting Colombia to no runs on no hits and no walks with four strikeouts over the final 3.2 innings.  Fernando Cruz is credited with the victory.  Caguas assures themselves a spot in the semifinals.

⚾

Tomateros de Culiacan  vs.  Federales de Chiriqui

(2-2) MEXICO     6

(2-2) PANAMA    3

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/3/21 - Panama opens the scoring but it's Mexico who strikes the mighty blow.  Chiriqui catcher David Rodriguez leads off the top of the second with a double and comes around to score on a double-play.  Panama starter Luis Machuca is relieved after walking two batters in the top of the fourth.  Reliever Walter Silva intentionally walks Victor Mendoza to load the bases.  Catcher Julian Leon then follows with a grand slam home run to left.  Los Federales get one back in the bottom of the sixth on a lead-off home run by center fielder Jhonny Santos.  But Culiacan puts the game out of reach with a run in the seventh and another in the eighth en route to a very important 6-3 victory.  Tomateros southpaw Anthony Vasquez is the victor, allowing two runs, just one earned, on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts through seven innings.  Alberto Baldonado earns the save.

Serie Del Caribe 2021: Puerto Rico Triumphs Over Mexico

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO 

DAY THREE

Feb. 2, 2021

• Serie del Caribe 2021 Tournament Preview
• DAY ONE
• DAY TWO

⚾

Criollos de Caguas  vs.  Tomateros de Culiacan

(2-1) PUERTO RICO   6

(1-2) MEXICO              4

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/2/21 - Puerto Rico achieves their second victory in the tournament.   Los Criollos jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the second on a two-run home run from shortstop Edwin Diaz.  But the lead is short-lived.  Los Tomateros tie the score in the bottom of the second.  With two outs, shortstop  Juan Carlos Gamboa and center fielder Jesus Fabela each drive in a run apiece.  Caguas then pulls away with three runs in the fifth.  Center fielder Jarren Duran tripled home a run and scored on a hit from second baseman Vimael Machin.  Behind the plate again, Yadier Molina scores on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Rey Fuentes.  Left fielder Henry Ramos knocks in Puerto Rico's sixth run with a two-out hit in the sixth.  Mexico plates two in the bottom of the seventh on a double by center fielder Jesus Fabela and a hit by right fielder Sebastian Elizalde but would score no more.  Criollos starter Hector Santiago allows four runs, but only two earned, on seven hits and one walks with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings for the victory.  Reliever Fernando Cruz pitches a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts for his second save of the tourney.  

DAY THREE:

• Dominican Republic defeats Panama
• Venezuela defeats Colombia

Serie Del Caribe 2021: Day Two Results

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY TWO

February 1, 2021

 

• Serie del Caribe 2021 Tournament Preview
• DAY ONE

⚾

Federales de Chiriqui  vs.  Caimanes de Baranquilla

(2-0) PANAMA         9

(0-2) COLOMBIA     5

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/1/21 - Reminiscent of 2019, Panama enters the Serie del Caribe like a wrecking ball.  Los Federales de Chiriqui are now 2-0 after Monday's victory over Colombia.  With a seven-run outburst in the third and two more runs in the ninth, Panama offers no quarter.  Try as they might, Los Caimanes rallied for four runs in the sixth but fall by a 9-5 final score.  Leading the attack is shortstop Jonathan Arauz with three hits and two runs batted in.  Designated hitter David Rodriguez doubles in three times at bat with three runs batted in.  Right fielder Willy Garcia and first baseman Carlos Quiroz each drive in a run apiece.  Caimanes designated hitter Jordan Diaz goes 3 for 4 with a double and two runs batted in.  Panama starter Manuel Campos opens the game with three scoreless innings allowing just one hit and a walk with two strikeouts.  Southpaw Davis Romero earns the victory in relief, pitching the final three innings with five strikeouts.  Colombia's bullpen limits Panama to a pair of runs on three hits with nine strikeouts over the final 6.1 innings, but the damage was already done.  Playing in their second straight tournament, Colombia is still seeking their first-ever victory in Caribbean Series play.

⚾

Caribes de Anzoátegui  vs.  Criollos de Caguas

(0-2) VENEZUELA        0

(1-1) PUERTO RICO     3

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/1/21 - With Yadier Molina starting his first Winter game behind the plate, Puerto Rico southpaw Hector Hernandez toes the rubber opposed by Raul Rivero for Venezuela.  Caguas opens the scoring in the bottom of the third on a run batted in by left fielder Henry Rodriguez.  Hector Hernandez's work is done after five, allowing no runs on just two hits and four walks with five strikeouts.  He exits on the winning side of a one-run game.  Afterwhich, Caguas center fielder Jarred Duran draws a walk leading off the bottom half of the sixth, then with one out steals second.  Yadier Molina follows, giving Puerto Rico much needed insurance with a home run to left against Raul Rivero for a 3-0 lead.  Right-hander Anthony Maldonado yields no hits in a scoreless sixth.  Southpaw Zach Muckenhirn hurls a scoreless seventh with three strikeouts, and Rayan Gonzalez tosses a scoreless eighth.  Fernando Cruz throws a scoreless ninth inning for the save.  Jarred Duran ends the game with a fine running catch in the center/left gap.  Five Caguas pitchers, received by Yadier Molina, join together to hurl a gem.  Together they limit Venezuela to just two hits and six walks with eleven strikeouts.  The bullpen accounts for no runs and no hits with six strikeouts; Hector Hernandez earns a well-deserved win.  Molina set the tone right away with a strike 'em out/throw 'em out double-play in the first inning, nailing Ali Castillo's attempted steal of second.

⚾

Aguilas Cibaeñas  vs.  Tomateros de Culiacan

(2-0) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   4

(1-1) MEXICO                             1

FINAL

 

BOXSCORE 2/1/21 - In the battle of the undefeated, Cesar Valdez climbs the hill for Cibaeñas and is opposed by Culiacan right-hander Hector Velazquez.  In the third inning, Aguilas first baseman Ronald Guzman drives home Melky Cabrera for the game's first run.  Valdez faces just two over the minimum through four complete.  In the top of the fifth, Hector Velazquez issues a two-out walk to Juan Lagares, and off to the showers he goes.  Southpaw Arturo Lopez is brought into the game to face lefty-swinging Robinson Cano, who grounds out, second to first.  Designated hitter Jesse Castillo with one out in the bottom half of the fifth lines a single to right, only the second hit of the game for Mexico.  Tomateros batters struck out to end the first, third, fourth, and fifth innings.  With two outs in the top of the sixth and Ronald Guzman on first, Aguilas left fielder Junior Lake launches a double over the head of center fielder Jose Cardona giving the Dominican Republic a 2-0 lead.  Cesar Valdez sets down Los Tomateros in order in the bottom of the sixth.  Los Aguilas strike for another clutch two-out hit in the seventh, a home run to right from Juan Lagares, who continues having an extraordinary Winter post-season.  Mexico strikes out again to end the eighth.  The Dominican Republic scores in the top of the ninth for good measure; shortstop Jonathan Villar doubles and scored on Melky Cabrera's hit to left for a 4-0 Cibaeñas lead.  With two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the frame, Mexico ruins the shutout against  Fernando Abad on runs batted in from Jesse Castillo and catcher Julian Leon making it a 4-2 deficit for Los Tomateros.  Jhan Marinez is called upon to secure the final out for the save.  Starter Cesar Valdez throws six scoreless innings on just two hits and six strikeouts for the victory.

Serie del Caribe 2020-2021 Tournament Preview

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

CARIBBEAN SERIES 

2020-2021

HOST

MAZATLAN, MEXICO

Jan. 31 ~ Feb. 6

@beisboldecaribe 

SerieDelCaribe/YouTube

⚾

CONFEDERACION de BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL del CARIBE

est. 1949

 

MEMBERS

MEXICO ~ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

PUERTO RICO ~ VENEZUELA

INVITATION

PANAMA ~ COLOMBIA

Liga Mexicana del Pacifíco

• @LIGA_Arco LMP
• @clubtomateros
• Tomateros/YouTube

CHAMPION: Tomateros de Culiacan

The defending champions come all the way back from a 3-1 series deficit against the favored Naranjeros de Hermosillo to win three straight games and clinch back-to-back LMP championships.  Los Tomateros de Culiacan was founded in 1965.  Second, only to Hermosillo, this marks the team's 13th LMP championship.  It's their second in a row, and their third title in the last four years.  They are two-time Serie del Caribe champions in 1996 and 2002.  Mexico is third among counties with nine Caribbean titles.  They last captured the Caribbean championship in 2016 via Los Venados de Mazatlan.  Coincidentally, Mazatlan will be hosting this year's Serie del Caribe.  Catch last night's thrilling game seven victory recap HERE. 

  Liga de Béisbol Profesional República Dominicana

• @LIDOMRD
• @AguilasCibaeñas
  
• DR Sports/YouTube
  

CHAMPION: Aguilas Cibaeñas

Los Aguilas baseball club was founded in 1933.  They are tied for second-most Caribbean titles with five.  In 1998, Los Aguilas went undefeated in the round-robin tournament to capture their second of back-to-back Caribe titles.  The Dominican Republic leads the Confederation with twenty Serie del Caribe championships.  The Dominican Republic is also the defending Caribbean champions, with Los Toros del Este capturing last year's title.  Team Dominican Republic features a host of major leaguers including Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Juan Lagares, Jonathan Villar and pitcher Carlos Martinez.

  Liga Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

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• @CriollosCaguas
  
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CHAMPION: Criollos de Caguas

As a founding member of LBPRC established in 1938, Los Criollos de Caguas won their league record 19th Puerto Rican championship by defeating Los Indios de Mayagüez.  It's their first title since seizing back-to-back league flags during the 2016-2018 seasons, in which they also went on to capture the Caribbean championship each time.  Along with Cibaeñas of the Dominican Republic, Caguas is tied for second-most with five Caribbean championships, while Puerto Rico itself is second all-time with 16 Serie del Caribe titles.  Los Criollos will feature MLB catcher Yadier Molina and this year's LBPRC MVP and New York Mets farmhand Johneshwy Fargas.  Selected in the reinforcement draft from Los Indios de Mayagüez are Henry Ramos, Jack Lopez, Jeremy Rivera, and Emmanuel Rivera.  Former New York Mets catcher Juan Centeno was selected from Los Atenienses de Manatí.

  Liga Venezolana Béisbol Profesional

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CHAMPION: Caribes de Anzoátegui

The LVBP was established in 1945.  Los Caribes were founded in 1987 but did not take the field until 1991.  Anzoátegui defeated the defending champion Los Cardenales de Lara to capture their fourth-ever LVBP title.  Lara was defeated by Los Toros del Este in last year's Caribbean Championship.  Los Caribes have yet to win a Caribbean title; Venezuela has won seven Caribbean titles in the country's history.  Venezuela last won the tournament in 2009 (Tigres de Aragua).  Reinforcements from Los Aguilas de Zulia Silvino Bracho and Ali Castillo will continue forward with Los Caribes, as will pitchers Raul Rivero, Logan Darnell, Yapson Gomez and Williams Perez from Los Cardenales de Lara.

  Panama Probeis LPBP

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CHAMPION: Federales de Chiriquí

The Panamanian regular season was canceled due to COVID.  Therefore, the 2020-2019 Astronautas de Chiriqui (Los Santos) are technically the defending champions.  However, Los Federales de Chiriqui has been selected to represent Panama (again by invitation) in this Caribbean tourney.  The team will more resemble an all-star squad incorporating players drafted from the circuit's three other members.  Among their reinforcements, Los Federales will be adding infielder Jesus Lopez from the Nicaraguan Baseball League, from the Dominican Republic Alejandro de Aza and Eury De La Rosa, and American recruits left-handed pitcher Austin Warner and right-hander Geoff Broussard.  Panama recently won the 2018-2019 Series del Caribe when Panama City stepped up at the last minute as host site due to rising political unrest in (scheduled host) Venezuela putting the tournament in jeopardy.  Historically, Panama is a founding member of the original Confederation and winner of the 1950 Caribbean championship.  Panama, with Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Cuba, comprise the original four members.  Fidel Castro's Cuban revolution caused the Confederation to suspend operations for the next ten years until it restarted again in 1970.  New incoming members Mexico and the Dominican Republic (replacing Cuba and Panama) joined returning members Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

  Liga Profesional de Béisbol Colombiano LPBC

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CHAMPION: Caimanes de Barranquilla

Cuba, due to visa issues, did not participate in the 2019-2020 Caribbean tournament.  They were replaced by Colombia (by invitation), who this year will again participate in their second straight tournament as Cuba had already notified the Confederation of their withdrawal from this year's tourney.  Founded in 1984, the "Alligators" defeated Los Vaqueros de Monteria in seven games to win their eleventh LPBC championship.  This marks the team's first trip to the Caribbean Series.  Team Colombia features former New York Met Dilson Herrera.  They'll be reinforced by league MVP Jordan Diaz from Los Vaqueros de Montería and Harold Ramirez, shortstop Brallan Perez and catcher Carlos Martínez from Los Tigres de Cartagena.