The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger

Friday, February 05, 2021

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

⚾

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.

⚾

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.

⚾

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.

⚾

FINAL ROUND ROBIN STANDINGS

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

A Metsian Podcast Featuring Baseball Author Erik Sherman

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

With SAM, RICH & MIKE

GUEST

BASEBALL AUTHOR

ERIK SHERMAN

eighty-six minutes

#LGM

Thursday, February 04, 2021

Serie del Caribe 2021: Day Four Recaps

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY FOUR

Feb. 3, 2021

⚾

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.

Wednesday, February 03, 2021

Serie Del Caribe 2021: Puerto Rico Triumphs Over Mexico

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY THREE

Feb. 2, 2021

⚾

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:

Serie Del Caribe 2021: Undefeated Cibaeñas Hand Chiriqui First Defeat

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY THREE

Feb. 2, 2021

⚾

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.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Cuts It Close Against Clippers

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

TUESDAY

Clippers 120

Nets 124

FINAL

Nets Defense Was Good Enough, But Clutch Free Throws Seal The Deal Against L.A. Clippers.

Just when I thought I had safely buried the memory of Sunday's meltdown deep within the recesses of my brain, the fourth quarter happens Tuesday night against the Clippers ...

This was a big game. The Clippers arrived in Flatbush vying for the top spot in the Western Conference. Kawhi Leonard did his thing, scoring a team-high 33 points. Paul George also got his 26 points while Serge Ibaka secured a team-high ten rebounds. Of course, the Clippers are intense and very disciplined on defense. After losing the first quarter by eight points, the Nets trailed by only one at the half.

Paul George stops Brooklyn's 13-0 run with just under four minutes left in the game. The Nets led by six at that point. A Paul George three-pointer with 24.8 seconds left to play brings the Clippers to within one of the Nets.

Kyrie Irving, by this time, had a game-high 37 points but, under the two-minute mark, had yet to attempt a shot. The ball stayed in the hands of James Harden for the finish. Despite shooting just 1/6 from the arc, Harden registers another triple-double, scoring 23 points with game-highs of eleven rebounds and 14 assists. But he had trouble closing out the Clippers, committing a turnover, and incurring an offensive foul.

As much as anything else, free throws got the Nets through the home stretch. It started with Harden sinking three straight free throws at the 2:36 mark. Kevin Durant's two free throws put the Nets up by three with 9.8 seconds left to play. Afterwhich, the ball finally made its way back into Kyrie Irving's hands, who, with 1.9 seconds left in the game, sinks two free throws to once and for all put the game out of reach.

Kevin Durant finished with 28 points and nine rebounds. His lone attempt at a three-pointer put the Nets up by ten with 1:55 left in the game. KD, Kyrie, and The Beard finish with 90 total points, or 72.5% of Brooklyn's scoring. The Nets finished plus-five in rebounds and plus-four in assists but turned the ball over twice as many times as the Clippers.

All things considered, the defensive effort on this night was as good as it needed to be.

Big effort by the Big Three in a big game ... it's gonna be a fun winter.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to burying the memory of scoring 146 points in regulation time and still losing against a three-win team.

Serie Del Caribe 2021: Colombia Hurls One-Hitter But Falls to Venezuela

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

DAY THREE

FEB. 2, 2021

⚾

Caimanes de Barranquilla vs. Caribes de Anzoátegui

(0-3) COLOMBIA 0

(1-2) VENEZUELA 1

FINAL

BOXSCORE 2/2/21 - With both teams seeking their first win of the tournament, another brilliant pitching duel unfolds at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal in Mazatlan, Mexico. Colombia starter Randy Consuegra faces off against Venezuela's Guillermo Moscoso. Los Caimanes threaten in the top of the third but strand runners on the corners. Venezuela takes a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the inning on a double and a run batted in from center fielder Herlis Rodriguez. Otherwise, the pitching duel continues through the fifth and onward into the ninth. Los Caribes' lone run scored in the third inning holds up. Moscoso yields no runs on just three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through five innings for the victory. The bullpen accounts for no runs on two hits and no walks through the final four innings. Silvino Bracho pitches a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout and earn the save. Venezuela gains their first victory of the tournament. Colombia, however, remains winless after three games. They suffer an unlucky defeat. Barranquilla pitchers join to hurl a masterful one-hitter, walking four and fanning seven through nine innings. Randy Consuegra takes the hard-luck loss having yielded one run on one hit in three innings pitched. Three relievers allow no hits through five innings pitched.

Tuesday, February 02, 2021

N.Y. Rangers: A Blueline Special

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

STILL THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

Not their drubbing of the Islanders roughly two weeks ago; not their recent defeat of the Sabres; Monday night's game against the Penguins was the Rangers' best game of the season.

It took some overtime along the blue line. Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba played over twenty-six minutes each. Jack Johnson was thankfully off the ice, Tony DeAngelo cleared waivers, and Brendan Smith sustained an injury after six shifts. Ryan Lindgren and K'Andre Miller both skated over 21 minutes. Meanwhile, making his Rangers debut, New York State native Anthony Bitetto saw almost 15 minutes. K'Andre Miller was the brightest star of the night, laying a big hit and making the biggest save of the game when it mattered most. Adam Fox's shot from the point deflected in by Chris Kreider midway through the second period gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish,

... unlike losing face-offs in your own end and giving up yet another third period lead.

A look at the other side sees sophomore defenseman John Marino skate for over 30:30 minutes. Next in was Pierre-Olivier Joseph with 26:14 minutes. No other Pittsburgh defenseman skated beyond 16 minutes. Now consider the Rangers only mustered 23 shots on goal.

There's just no getting around it. The Rangers are weak up the middle, not just now, but for a long-ass time. I don't need to tell fans; we all know it. The Devils beat us to Jack Hughes, but it appears the Rangers would have drafted Kaapo Kakko nonetheless. Hughes so far has eight points through nine games with a plus-two. But I digress. Filip Chytil's injury compounds the Rangers dilemma. The Rangers are dependent on Ryan Strome more now than ever. That's not somewhere I want to be.

Rangers Centers:

Mika Zibanejad - nine games, two points, minus-four.
Ryan Strome - nine games, four points, plus-three.
Brett Howden - nine games, one point, minus-one.

Coach Quinn rejoined Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Pavel Buchnevich, who created multiple chances in the third period.

By the way, did you see my guy Brendan Lemieux the other night ... a big hit in the neutral zone, recovers the turnover, then scores!

Igor Shesterkin gets the start. He faces 26 shots and stops all but one. After Jason Zucker's goal at 9:05 if the first period, Igor shut them out. He stood up to intense pressure throughout the third period and particularly in the final minutes. K'Andre Miller may have made the biggest save of the night, but Shesterkin made many excellent ones too.

This is what I mean by learning how to lose before you can win. These youngsters are good learners. Although their teacher has been pissing me off somewhat lately, it's cool.

Tony D'Angelo cleared waivers. The Rangers are free to buy him out, or whatever it is they chose to do, but he will never again don a Blue Shirt. That is certain. He was problematic before arriving off-Broadway, he proved problematic here, and I'm not so sure other teams may want him as well. The last straw was DeAngelo allegedly going after goalie Alexandar Georgiev for allowing the losing goal against Pittsburgh. Rumor has it DeAngelo instigated a confrontation with his goalie in the tunnel on the way back to the locker room. Sure, DeAngelo scored over 50 points last season, but truth be told, his defense has left a lot to be desired throughout. He was a minus-six when the hammer fell.

File Monday's win against Pittsburgh under addition by subtraction.

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.

Monday, February 01, 2021

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.