Tomateros de Culiacán to the Caribbean Series Final 2026
Zapopan, Jalisco – Los Tomateros de Culiacán secured their place in the 2026 Caribbean Series final after defeating Leones del Escogido with a score of 9-4 in the first semifinal of the tournament, held this Friday at the Pan American Stadium.
The Mexican offense demonstrated its power with 13 hits, including a crucial home run by Dominican Esteban Florial in the fourth inning. This hit changed the course of the game, putting Culiacán in a definitive lead.
This triumph marks the Tomateros’ second consecutive victory over the Dominican team, after their match on the last day of the round robin. With this result, the Mexican team repeats the feat of the Tigres del Licey in 2012, who reached the final after finishing second in their local league.
Florial: The Turning Point
The Lions took the lead early in the game. In the second inning, a double by Franchy Cordero and a single by Marcos Hernández put the score at 1-0. In the third, they took advantage of walks and a defensive error to increase the lead to 2-0.
However, the fourth episode changed the landscape. With two outs and runners on base, the Dominican manager took out starting pitcher Oscar de la Cruz and brought in reliever Kenny Hernández to face Florial. The outfielder didn’t fail and hit a home run that turned the score 3-2 in favor of the Mexicans.
From that moment on, Culiacán dominated the game. In the sixth inning, they added two more runs, thanks to timely singles and a sacrifice fly by Alí Solís. The attack continued in the seventh, with a cluster of four runs that practically sealed the victory.
The Lions tried to react, loading the bases in the sixth inning and scoring one more run with a walk to Gustavo Núñez, but they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity.
David Reyes opened for Culiacán, pitching four innings and allowing two runs. Anthonny Gose took the win as a reliever, while Kenny Hernández took the loss.
By the Escogido, Oscar de la Cruz pitched 3.1 innings before being relieved in the fourth episode. The Dominican bullpen failed to control the Mexican offense in the final innings.
Waiting for the rival
With this victory, the Tomateros advance to Saturday’s grand final and await the winner of the match between the Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico) and the Charros de Jalisco (Red Mexico).
The Sinaloa team will seek to lift the champion’s trophy of the 2026 Caribbean Series, after an outstanding offensive performance at the key moment of the tournament.
