Host Venezuela among Caribbean Series winners on Day 1
The Caribbean Series opened Thursday in Caracas, Venezuela, with an unprecedented eight groups collaborating within the annual match of winter league champions.
The champions of Colombia (Vaqueros de Montería), Cuba (Agricultores), Curacao (Wildcats KJ74), the Dominican Republic (Tigres del Licey), Mexico (Cañeros de Los Mochis), Panama (Federales de Chiriquí), Puerto Rico (Indios de Mayagüez) and Venezuela (Leones del Caracas) are vying to win the championship of the primary Caribbean Series performed in Venezuela in 9 years.
The collection incorporates a seven-game, single round-robin schedule for every group. The prime 4 golf equipment within the standings will advance to a single-elimination semifinal, adopted by a championship contest on Feb. 10. There will even be a third-place recreation between the 2 groups eradicated within the semifinals.
Here’s a recap of the series-opening motion Thursday at Estadio Monumental de Caracas Simón Bolívar — often known as Estadio de La Rinconada — and Estadio Jorge Luis García Carneiro:
Cuba 3, Curacao 1 (10 innings)
This recreation was a taut pitcher’s duel between Cuba, a group that returned to the Caribbean Series after a five-year hiatus, and Curacao, making its Caribbean Series debut. Right-hander Cody Mincey tossed seven scoreless innings for Curacao, whereas Cuba’s starter, righty César García, practically matched him zero for zero. García yielded only one run over seven robust innings of his personal. The recreation in the end was determined late — Cuba’s Andrés De La Cruz launched a solo dwelling run to tie the competition within the eighth earlier than Guillermo Avilés delivered a go-ahead single within the prime of the tenth. Right-hander Andy Vargas pitched the ultimate three frames for Cuba, together with a 1-2-3 backside of the tenth to shut it out.
Mexico 5, Dominican Republic 4
Down 4-1 after six innings, Mexico got here again with a run within the seventh and three within the eighth. Reynaldo Rodriguez belted a solo homer to open the seventh, and the three-run eighth featured a trio of doubles. Jose Cardona hit a one-out double to proper discipline, one in every of three Cardona hits on the evening. Two batters later, Roberto Valenzuela drew a two-out stroll. Rodriguez then doubled dwelling Cardona, and that was adopted by a two-run double from Irving Lopez to provide Mexico a one-run lead.
Colombia 7, Puerto Rico 1
Jordan Díaz, the Athletics’ No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer to guide Colombia. Gustavo Campero opened the scoring for Colombia with an RBI double within the prime of the third. Díaz launched his three-run shot within the fifth, and Francisco Acuna added on with an RBI double within the sixth. Colombia tacked on two extra within the ninth on a Campero double and a bases-loaded stroll by Dilson Herrera.
Venezuela 5, Panama 2
Host group Venezuela opened the Caribbean Series on a excessive observe with a victory, thanks largely to Ali Castillo’s 3-for-3, two-RBI efficiency. Castillo led off the sport with a stroll and scored later within the first inning on a Hernán Pérez single. Castillo walked once more within the fourth to power in a run to tie the sport, 2-2. Castillo additionally delivered three singles, together with an RBI single within the eighth. José Rondón added an insurance coverage run for Venezuela with a sacrifice fly within the ninth. Venezuela starter David Ramos yielded two runs within the second — one unearned — however threw three scoreless frames after that, ending with one stroll and 4 strikeouts. Relievers Miguel Socolovich, Arnaldo Hernandez, Ricardo Rodríguez and Anthony Vizcaya mixed for 4 scoreless frames to shut out the victory.
