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: 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 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

• @LBPRC
• @CriollosCaguas
  
• Criollos/YouTube

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

• @LVBP_Oficial
• @caribesanz
  
• Caribes/YouTube
  

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

• @ProbeisOficial
• Baseball International/YouTube
  

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

• @bdecolombia
• @CaimanesBquilla
  
• LBP/YouTube

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.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Mexican Pacific League Final Four

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifica

In a bit of ironic synchronicity, each of the four first-round series was closed out this Saturday with the winners claiming victory over their respective opponents, four games against two.

⚾

SERIES: Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo defeat Los Venados de Mazatlan; 4-2

BOXSCORE Game Six 1/9/2021 - At Estadio Sonora, Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo whitewashed the Venados de Mazatlan by a slim, 1-0 margin of victory.  Hermosillo starter Ryan Verdugo yielded just three hits and four walks with a pair of strikeouts through seven innings pitched for the win, his second of the series.  Four relievers joined together for two scoreless innings to complete the shutout, Robinson Leyer picked up his second save.  With two outs in the bottom of the second, third baseman Luis Alfonso scored from third on a play to first for the only run of the game.  Venados starter Francisco Rios pitches well in defeat, yielding the one lone run on just four hits and two walks with five strikeouts through seven innings.

⚾

SERIES: Los Yaquis de Obregon defeat Los Charros de Jalisco; 4-2

BOXSCORE Game Six 1/9/2021 - Yaquis starter Dallas Martinez limited Jalisco to just a hit and three walks with nine strikeouts through 4.2 scoreless innings pitched but did not figure in the decision.  Four Obregon relievers joined to yield just one unearned run on two hits and one walk with five strikeouts over the final 4.1 innings.  Southpaw Miguel Aguilar picked up the victory, his second of the series.  Los Yaquis got a home run from designated hitter Jonathan Aranda in the seventh.  Right fielder Leandro Castro was 1 for 4 with two runs batted in and second baseman Carlos Sepulveda was 2 for 4 with a run batted in, all en route to a commanding 8-1 series clincher over the Charros de Jalisco at Estadio de Los Yaquis.

⚾

SERIES: Sultanes de Monterrey defeat Aguilas de Mexicali; 4-2

BOXSCORE Game Six 1/9/2021 - A big four-run outburst in the sixth inning ensures victory for Los Sultanes.  Monterrey center fielder Paulo Orlando opened the scoring with a two-run home run off Aguilas starter Lavier Solano in the third.  Mexicali's first baseman Luis Juarez put the Aguilas on the board in the fifth, then drove in his second run of the game in the seventh, to no avail.  Los Sultanes added one last run in the eighth en route to a 7-2 margin of victory.  Monterrey utilized seven different pitchers who all helped limit the Aguilas to a pair of earned runs on eight hits and four walks with six strikeouts.  Right-hander Francisco Moreno picked up the victory for tossing a scoreless sixth.

⚾

SERIES: Tomateros de Culiacan defeat Algodoneros de Guasave; 4-2

BOXSCORE Game Six 1/9/2021 - Guasave took a prompt 1-0 lead in the first inning against the defending league champion Tomateros.  That lasted until Culiacan's three-run rally in the fifth.  Center fielder Yoelkis Guibert doubled home a pair of runs, and second baseman Ramiro Pena singled home Guibert for a 3-1 lead.  Pinch-hitter Alejandro Ortiz knotted the game at three with a two-run double in the seventh.  But the defending champs push one last run across in the eighth on third baseman Michael Wing's hit through the left side.  Southpaw Alberto Baldonado pitched the final 1.2 innings to preserve the victory and earn the save.  Culiacan starter Manny Barreda yielded one earned run on just one hit and three walks with seven strikeouts through six innings but exited to a no-decision.

FINAL FOUR

• Naranjeros de Hermosillo
• Yaquis de Obregon
• Tomateros de Culiacan
• Sultanes de Monterrey

TWITTER: @Liga_ARCO

Winter League Playoffs 2020-2021: LMP Mexican League Round-Up

From the desk: FANATICO DEL BEISBOL DE INVIERNO

LMP Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• Final Scores through JAN 3, 2021
• No Games Scheduled for JAN. 4, 2021
• Final Regular Season Standings
  
• Defending League Champion: Tomateros de Culiacan

#1 NARANJEROS de HERMOSILLO  vs.  #8 VENADOS de MAZATLAN

1. Naranjeros 2; Venados 1 (12-innings)  (HR - Anthony Giansanti)
2. Naranjeros 3; Venados 1

#2 YAQUIS de OBREGON  vs.  #7 CHARROS de JALISCO

1. Charros 11; Yaquis 5  (HR - Alejandro Gonzalez)
2. Yaquis 6; Charros 2

#3 ALGODONEROS de GUASAVE  vs.  #6 TOMATEROS de CULIACAN

1. Tomateros 11; Algodoneros 6  (HR - Alexis Wilson, Jose Chavez, Jose Meneses)
2. Algodoneros 5; Tomateros 1  (HR - Jesse Castillo)

#4 SULTANES de MONTERREY vs.  #5 AGUILAS de MEXICALI

1. Sultanes 3; Aguilas 2  (HR - Ricardo Serrano)
2. Sultanes 4; Aguilas 3

⚾

LBPRC

• RECAPS: 1/2/2021
• RECAPS: 1/3/2021

LIDOM

• RECAPS: 1/2/2021
• RECAPS: 1/3/2021

Winter League Baseball: Mexican Pacific League Playoffs Underway

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

MEXICO

LigaMexicanaDelPacifico

Founded 1945

LMP FIRST ROUND

(Jan. 1-9)

Series tied 1-1

Charros de Jalisco (28-29)

vs. 

Tomateros de Culiacan (33-25)

Yaquis lead series 2-0

Venados de Mazatlan (27-31)

vs.

Yaquis de Obregon (30-26)

Series tied 1-1

Caneros de Los Mochis (28-30)

vs.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo (33-25)

Liga Mexico Pacifico 
Scoreboard, Boxscores, and Gameday

*Team graphics Wikipedia

Serie del Caribe 2018: Defending Champs Experience First Setback

From the desk of:  BEISBOL INVIERNO

desde Estadio Charros, 

Guadalajara, Mexico

ICYMI:

Serie del Caribe Preview 

Recap: Day One and Two

Pool Play Standings: Through Day Three
Cuba   2-0
VEN    2-1
D.R.    1-1
P.R.     1-1
MEX   0-3


Round Robin: Day Three

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 6; PUERTO RICO 3

The defending champions suffered their first setback of the tournament, as los Criollos were doubled up by the Dominican Republic during Sunday's early game.  Los Aguilas Cibaenas jumped out to a 5-0 lead after just two innings.  Aguilas starter Francisley Bueno allowed six hits and two walks, and fanned three over five scoreless innings of work.  Although Puerto Rico rallied for three runs in the sixth, Cibaenas relievers Ramon Ramirez, Wirfin Obispo, and Josh Judy, joined to walk just one and fan three over four scoreless innings of two-hit ball, thus silencing Caguas the rest of the way.  Los Aguilas Cibaenas scored one last run in the eighth en route to their first victory of the tournament.  Giovanni Soto took the loss after allowing five earned runs on seven hits before ever recording an out in the second inning.



   


VENEZUELA 6; MEXICO 2

Host Mexico has now bowed out of three straight games, and with just one game left in pool play appear all but eliminated from the tournament.  While Mexico sits idle on Monday, they will be looking on desperately needing losses from Puerto Rico (vs. Venezuela), and the Dominican Republic (vs. Cuba).  Meanwhile, Venezuela wins their second straight after losing their Serie opener.  Los Caribes de Anzoategui continued slugging away on Sunday.  They've connected for thirteen doubles and seven home runs over three games.



Pool Play: Day Four/Monday

• Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela
• Cuba vs. Dominican Republic

Pool Play: Day Five/Tuesday

• Cuba vs. Puerto Rico
• Mexico vs. Dominican Republic

Serie del Caribe 2018: Cuba Takes the High Ground

From the desk of:  BEISBOL INVIERNO

Pool Play

CUBA   2-0

P.R.       1-0

 VEN      1-1

D.R.       0-1

MEX     0-2

Winter Leagues Tournament Preview

Round Robin: Day One

CUBA 6; VENEZUELA 4

In the tournament's opening game, Venezuela was forced into playing from behind throughout.  Cuba's Alazanes de Granma jumped out to an immediate 2-0 lead in the first.  But los Caribes de Anzoategui struck back with a run in the third, then tied the game on a solo home run from DH Luis Jimenez in the fourth.  Cuba reclaimed the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth, then added two insurance runs in the seventh.  The teams then traded runs in the eighth, and Venezuela scored a run in the top of the ninth, but no more.  Granma took the game's opening contest by a 6-4 final.

PUERTO RICO 7; MEXICO 4

Puerto Rico's Criollos de Caguas began defense of their Serie del Caribe title with an opening victory over Mexico's Tomateros de Ciliacan.  Los Criollos jumped out to an early 3-1 lead through the top of the third.  However, Mexico answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, then took a 4-3 lead in the home fourth inning.  With two out in the top of the fifth, Criollos right fielder Anthony Garcia singled home the game's tying run.  Caguas then pulled away with three runs in the eighth.

Round Robin: Day Two

VENEZUELA 15; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 4

The Dominican Republic endured a rather forgetful debut in their tournament opener against Venezuela, as los Caribes de Anzoategui took out their opening game frustrations against los Aguilas Cibaenas in a romp.  Venezuela bats exploded for seven doubles, four home runs, and twenty hits overall, against lanzadores Dominicana.

CUBA 5; MEXICO 4

Make that two wins for Cuba, and two losses for Mexico.  Looking to bounce back after their opening day loss against Puerto Rico, Mexico jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead.  Not unexpectedly, Cuba responded with a pair of runs in the third.  But Mexico stormed back to regain the lead with a trio of runs in the top of the fourth.  However, the game would ultimately change on the arm of Cuban reliever Alain Sanchez.  In relief of Granma starter Yoanni Yera, Sanchez limited Mexico to just one earned run on four hits and no walks over five innings pitched.  As such, Cuba's Alazanes tied the game at four in the seventh, then scored what proved to be the winning run in the eighth.