Tomateros de Culiacán to the Caribbean Series Final 2026!
Zapopan, Jalisco – Los Tomateros de Culiacán, representing Mexico Verde, secured their place in the final of the 2026 Caribbean Series. They achieved this feat after defeating the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic with a score of 9-4. The match took place this Friday at the Pan American Stadium.
The Mexican offense demonstrated its power by connecting 13 hits, highlighting a crucial home run by Dominican Esteban Florial in the fourth inning. This hit changed the course of the game, giving Culiacán an advantage that they would maintain until the end.
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 also reached the final after finishing second in their local league.Florial: The Turning Point
The Leones del Escogido 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. Then, in the third, they took advantage of walks and a defensive error to extend their lead to 2-0.
However, the fourth inning changed the course of the game. With two outs and runners in scoring position, the Dominican manager took out starting pitcher Oscar de la Cruz and brought in reliever Kenny Hernández to face Florial. The outfielder didn’t forgive and hit a home run that turned the score to 3-2 in favor of the Mexicans.
From that moment on, Culiacán took control of 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, where they manufactured a cluster of four runs that practically sealed the victory.
The Lions tried to react, loading the bases in the sixth inning and scoring a run on a walk to Gustavo Núñez, but they failed to capitalize on the opportunity.Right-handed pitcher David Reyes opened for Culiacán and pitched four innings, allowing two runs. The victory went to reliever Anthonny Gose, 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 could not contain 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.
