Serie del Caribe 2021 Semifinals: Ninth Inning Rally Propels Dominican Republic 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
  

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Federales de Chiriqui  vs.  Aguilas Cinaeñas

(2-3) PANAMA                            3

(5-0) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   4

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/5/21 - Right-hander Manuel Campos toes the rubber for Panama and is opposed by Carlos Martinez for Cibaeñas.  The two duel through five scoreless frames.  However, both are dispatched to the showers by the sixth.  Martinez hits a batter and walks two more to load the bases, but right-hander Luis Castillo enters the game to put out the fire.  Panama is not as fortunate.  Manuel Campos yields consecutive hits to Juan Lagares and Robinson Cano, followed by a double from first baseman Ronald Guzman which scores both runners.  But as the Fates would have it, Panama ties the game in the seventh.  Robinson Cano's error clears the way for two runs crossing the plate on a Rodrigo Orozco base hit to right.  Otherwise, the struggle for runs continues.  Facing Fernando Abad with one out in the top of the ninth, Federales designated hitter Belarmino Campos doubles, and center fielder  Jhonny Santos reaches on an infield hit to third.  Rodrigo Orozco then singles up the middle, scoring Campos.  Right-hander Wirfin Obispo ends the threat in relief of Abad but not before Panama takes a 3-2 lead.  Chiriqui reliever Walter Silva returns to the mound for his third inning of work.  With one out, Melky Cabrera singled, and pinch-runner Yefri Perez steals second.  Designated hitter Rangel Ravelo grounds out to third for out number two.  Afterwhich, Silva intentionally walks Johan Camargo, and an infield hit to short from Junior Lake loads the bases.  Panama makes no move to relieve Walter Silva.  With two outs, replacement catcher Carlos Paulino lines sharply back through the middle, scoring both the tying and the game-winning run.  A certain manager is sure to be questioned in the post-game presser.  The Dominican Republic remains undefeated and awaits the winner between Puerto Rico and Mexico.  Starter Carlos Martinez is stellar but comes away with a no-decision upon allowing no runs on just one hit and four walks with eight strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  Fernando Abad is let off the hook.  Wirfin Obispo earns the victory in relief.

Serie Del Caribe 2021: Day Five Recaps

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY FIVE

Feb. 4, 2021

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

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Federales de Chiriqui  vs.  Criollos de Caguas

(2-3) PANAMA              8

(4-1) PUERTO RICO    9

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/4/21 - Panama immediately puts up five runs in the first.  Shortstop Jonathan Arauz leads off the game with a double to right and scores on a David Rodriguez base hit to center.  Chiriqui loads the bases, and starter Jason Garcia walks in a run.  First baseman Carlos Quiroz then singles to drive home two, and with two outs, right fielder Rodrigo Orozco singles and drives home another.  In the bottom of the first, center fielder Jarren Duran leads-off against Panama starter Harold Arauz with a home run to right.  Caguas shortstop Jeremy Rivera drives in a run in the second.  Los Criollos then string together four consecutive hits in the third en route to three runs and a tie game; Harold Arauz is knocked out of the game without recording an out.  Caguas takes the lead in the sixth when Jarren Duran scores on a sac-fly from second baseman Vimael Machin, making it a 6-5 game.  Undeterred, David Rodriguez singles leading off the top of the fifth and comes around to score on a double-play, tying the game at six.  Puerto Rico reestablishes the lead in the bottom of the frame.  First baseman Jonathan Morales hits a lead-off double and scored on Juan Centeno's hit to center.  With the bases loaded and one out, right fielder Henry Ramos singles to center, driving in two runs for a 9-6 Puerto Rico lead.  But they have trouble closing out the game.  Reliever Joshua Torres starts the ninth, but after yielding four hits and hitting a batter, he is yanked in favor of Fernando Cruz, who secures the last two outs on a pop-up and a strikeout, but not before Panama scores two runs and puts a good scare into fans of Puerto Rico.  Giovanni Soto earns the victory with two innings pitched in relief.  Fernando Cruz earns his third save of the tournament.  

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Caimanes de Barranquilla  vs.  Aguilas Cibaeñas

(0-5) COLOMBIA                          2

(5-0) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC     2

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/4/21  Still seeking their first-ever Caribbean Series victory, Colombia takes a 2-0 lead in the fourth on runs batted in from third baseman Jordan Diaz and Dilson Herrera.  Barranquilla pitching is once again stellar.  Starter Edison Frias limits Los Aguilas to just four hits over five scoreless innings pitched.  However, the bullpen cannot hold Cibaeñas at bay.  Third baseman Johan Camargo singled home a run in the sixth, and right fielder Melky Cabrera doubles home a run in the seventh, tying the game at two.  Colombia starter Yunesky Maya exits to a no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts through six innings pitched.  The game remains knotted through eight.  Colombia threatens in the top of the ninth with runners on the corners but strands them both.  Aguilas shortstop  Ramon Torres draws a walk leading off the bottom of the ninth, then steals second.  Robinson Cano is intentionally walked, followed by a pitching change.  Luis de Avila retires Melky Cabrera but then balks both runners forward one base.  With two runners now in scoring position, first baseman  Rangel Ravelo punches a hit through the left side, scoring Ramon Torres.  Colombia remains in search of its first-ever Caribbean Series victory.  Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic stays undefeated, heading into the semifinal round.  Right-hander Lisalverto Bonilla earns the win.

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Caribes de Anzoátegui  vs.  Tomateros de Culiacan

(1-4) VENEZUELA  3

(3-2) MEXICO          4

FINAL/10inn

BOXSCORE 2/4/21 - Venezuela starts strong, but it's Mexico who proves more resilient.  Right fielder Danry Vasquez homers to open the scoring in the third.  They add two more runs in the fifth; catcher Jose Sucre scores on a fielder's choice and second baseman Ali Castillo drives in a run with a single to center, giving Los Caribes a 3-0 lead.  Starter Logan Darnell strikes out the side in the bottom half of the fifth.  Anzoátegui pitching continues holding sway through the seventh.  Mexico finally breaks through in the eighth.  With two outs and two runners on base, back to back doubles from right fielder Sebastian Elizalde and third baseman Joey Meneses tie the game at three.  After a scoreless ninth, into extra-innings, they go at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal.  With two outs in the tenth, Tomateros third baseman Juan Carlos Gamboa singles home the winning run.  Starter Edgar Arredondo scapes with a no-decision after yielding three runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 4.2 innings pitched.  Mexico's bullpen allows just two hits and no runs with three strikeouts over the final 5.1 innings.  Carlos Torres earns the victory in relief.  Los Tomateros de Culiacan advance to the semifinal round.

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FINAL ROUND ROBIN STANDINGS

1. Dominican Republic   5-0
2. Puerto Rico                 4-1
3. Mexico                         3-2
4. Panama                        2-3
5. Venezuela                     1-4
6. Colombia                      0-5

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.

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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.

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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: Undefeated Cibaeñas Hand Chiriqui First Defeat

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY THREE

Feb. 2, 2021

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

⚾

Aguilas Cibaeñas  vs.  Federales de Chiriqui

(3-0) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  11

(2-1) PANAMA                             6

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/2/21 - In the battle of the undefeated, heads up base running gives Cibaeñas the early lead.  With one out, Los Aguilas load the bases.  Melky Cabrera lofts a pop-fly in foul territory behind third.  Juan Lagares smartly tags up and scores as third baseman Hector Gomez is out of position to make a throw home.  Los Federales get right back in the game when Jesus Lopez scores on an error by Cibaeñas second baseman Robel Garcia.  However, by the fourth, the roof begins caving in on Panama.  Two Chiriqui fielding errors in the fourth directly lead to three runs.  With the bases loaded in the fifth, catcher Francisco Pena doubles sending everybody home for a commanding 8-1 lead.  Still not through, Cibaeñas scores late.  Melky Cabrera doubles and drives home two in the eighth and another Chiriqui error this time by shortstop Jorge Bishop leads to one more run in the ninth.  Panama finally strings together several hits against reliever Michael Tonkin who walks in a run, then yields two more hits and two more runs.  Tonkin is relieved with two outs after allowing five hits and a walk.  Right fielder Willy Garcia greets new reliever Jhan Marinez with a single through the left side scoring one run.  Designated hitter David Rodriguez then draws a walk to reload the bases.  Third baseman Hector Gomez steps in and is caught looking at strike three.  Panama posts five runs in the inning, but it's not nearly enough as the Dominican Republic wins their third straight game, this one by an 11-6 final score.  Aguilas starter Joe Van Meter allows just one unearned run on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts over six innings for the victory.  Melky Cabrera and Francisco Pena finish with three runs batted in apiece.  Designated hitter Robinson Cano goes 2 for 2 with a run batted in. 

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.

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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.

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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 2021: Panama and Dominican Republic Win Opening Games

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY ONE

January 31, 2021

ICYMI: Serie Del Caribe 2021 Tournament Preview

⚾

Federales de Chiriquí  vs.  Caribes de Anzoátegui

(1-0) PANAMA           6

(0-1) VENEZUELA     3

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/31/21 - Team Venezuela seizes the honor of scoring the first run of the 2021 Serie del Caribe.  With one out in the bottom of the first, third baseman Willians Astudillo doubles to left and scores on a base hit from left fielder Danry Vasquez.  Panama sends a quick reminder of who the 2019 Caribbean champions were.  Back-to-back doubles leading-off the top of the second from designated hitter David Rodriguez and third baseman Hector Gomez tie the game at one.  Venezuela retakes the lead in the bottom of the third on a lead-off home run from center fielder Herlis Rodriguez.  But, back comes Panama.  With two outs in the top of the fourth, consecutive hits from catcher Rodrigo Vigil, center fielder Jhonny Santos, and shortstop Jonathan Araúz knot the game at two.  Los Caribes once again retake the lead on catcher Jesus Sucre's home run to left, making it a 3-2 game in favor of Venezuela.  Once again, Panama strikes back.  Hector Gomez opens the bottom of the sixth with a double, then scored on a base hit back through the middle from first baseman Carlos Quiros.  Soon after, Jonathan Araúz singles home Rodrigo Vigil forcing a pitching change.  Second baseman Jesus Lopez greets Caribes reliever Andres E. Perez with a double to left scoring Araúz.  Two more consecutive hits from left fielder Allen Cordoba and clean-up batter Willy Garcia give Los Federales a 6-3 lead and the final margin of victory.  Panam starter Harold Arauz yields three runs on six hits and no walks with two strikeouts through 4.2 innings pitched but does not figure in the decision.  Southpaw  Austin Warner earns the victory with 2.2 scoreless innings pitched.  Right-hander Severino Gonzalez earns the save.  Caribes reliever Mayckol Guaipe suffers the loss.

⚾

Criollos de Caguas  vs.  Aguilas Cibaeñas

(0-1) PUERTO RICO                  1

(1-0) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   5

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/31/21 - Taking on last year's defending champion, Puerto Rico opens the scoring against the Dominican Republic.  Center fielder Jarren Duran singles, leading-off the game, then steals second.  After advancing to third, Duran scores on a single from designated hitter Jose Miranda.  In the bottom of the third, Caguas starter Luis Medina issues a one-out walk.  Right fielder Melky Cabrera follows with a single through the middle, and center fielder Juan Lagares clears the bases with a home run to left, giving Cibaeñas a 3-1 lead.  With two outs and two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the fourth, Juan Lagares again clears the bases with a line single to center for a 5-1 lead.  Luis Medina then issues a base on balls to Robinson Cano, and it's off to the showers he goes.  Puerto Rico loads the bases in the sixth on two walks and a hit-by-pitch.  That's enough for Cibaeñas to replace starter Carlos Martinez.  With two outs, reliever Luis Castillo induces third baseman Emmanuel Rivera into a groundball to third.  Yadier Molina doubles in the eighth for only Puerto Rico's fourth hit of the game.  Otherwise, Caguas fades with the setting sun.  Luis Medina takes the loss, allowing five runs, but only three earned, on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched.  Aguilas' starter Carlos Martinez earns the victory, yielding just one first-inning run on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  Three Cibaeñas relievers join in limiting Caguas to one hit and no walks through 3.1 innings pitched.  Southpaw Fernando Abad strikes out the side in the ninth to close out Los Aguilas' first victory of the tournament.

⚾

Tomateros de Culiacan  vs.  Caimanes de Baranquilla

(1-0) MEXICO        10

(0-1) COLOMBIA     2

LATE FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/31/21 - Mexico opens with a commanding 10-2 victory over Colombia.  After trading runs with Los Caimenes in the first, Los Tomateros strike for six runs in the fifth and another three runs in the ninth inning.   Designated hitter Jesse Castillo goes 2 for 3 with two runs scored, a home run, and three runs batted in.  Center fielder Jose Cardona and left fielder Joey Meneses each drive in two runs apiece.  Starter Manny Barreda yields two runs, just one earned, on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts through six innings for the victory.  Former New York Mets infielder Dilson Herrera and catcher Carlos Martinez drive in a run each for Colombia.