ZAPOPAN, Jalisco. A crucial unstoppable hit by Rubén Castro, connected from the left band with two outs in the ninth inning, culminated an amazing comeback by the Cangrejeros de Santurce, who won 5-4 against México Verde in the opening game of the 68th Caribbean Series, held at the Estadio Panamericano de los Charros de Jalisco.
Puerto Rico reached the end of the ninth inning with a one-run deficit, but mounted a comeback against the Mexican relief.
Isán Díaz started the offense by being hit by the ball, advancing to second base thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Jack López. After a walk to pinch hitter Jeremy Arocho, manager Lorenzo Bundy called on reliever Miguel Vázquez.
Joneshwy Fargas entered as a pinch runner and an Andrew Velázquez grounder put the runners in scoring position before the decisive hit.
The victory went to reliever Gabriel Rodríguez, who pitched a perfect inning, while Anthony Gose took the loss. As for the offense, Yohandy Morales hit a home run for the Puerto Ricans.
México Verde took the lead from the first episode against the opener Colin Wiles.
Estevan Florial led off with a single, Allen Córdoba drew a walk, and a double by Rodolfo Amador drove in the first run. Subsequently, Córdoba scored after a sacrifice fly by Joey Meneses.
In the second chapter, the Mexicans extended their lead with singles by Jason Atondo and Alí Solís, as well as a double by Luis Verdugo, which led to Wiles’ early exit from the mound.
The Cangrejeros reacted in the fourth inning with a home run by Yohandy Morales, which found Gabriel Cancel on base, bringing Puerto Rico closer on the scoreboard. Later, in the seventh episode, Christian Vázquez scored after a productive groundout by Rubén Castro, leaving the game one run behind.
Castro led the Puerto Rican offense by going 2-for-5, with two RBIs, while Morales contributed a home run and two RBIs. Nelson Velázquez also stood out by going 2-for-4. For Mexico, Rodolfo Amador was the most outstanding by going 3-for-4, with a double and an RBI.
For Puerto Rico, in addition to Wiles, Jordan Morales, Brady Tedesco, Derek West, Roel Ramírez, and Gabriel Rodríguez pitched. Meanwhile, for Mexico, David Reyes, David Gutiérrez, Sasagi Sánchez, Rafael Córdova, Lupe Chávez, Anthony Gose, and Miguel Vázquez worked.
In their next encounter, Puerto Rico will face the Dominican Republic this Monday, on the first day, while Green Mexico will return to the field on Tuesday after its free date to face Panama.
Later, after the official opening ceremony —in which Sergio Ramos will make the honorary kickoff—, the defending champion Leones del Escogido from the Dominican Republic will face Mexico Rojo, represented by the Charros de Jalisco.
