Day 4 of Caribbean Series full of nail-biters
One-run games were the order of the day during Caribbean Series action Sunday in Caracas, Venezuela. With two extra-inning thrillers and a pair of one-run decisions in nine innings, Day 4 of the tournament was truly one to remember.
Here’s a recap of Sunday’s games:
Colombia 6, Curaçao 5 (13)
In a back-and-forth marathon, it was Fabian Pertuz’s solo home run in the top of the 13th inning that proved to be the difference in an extra-inning affair that evened Colombia’s record in the series at 2-2. Pertuz’s shot over the wall in left field actually put Colombia ahead by two, but that extra run would be critical, since Curaçao would score once in the bottom of the 13th. Overall, Pertuz was 3-for-5 with two RBIs to lead Colombia’s lineup, getting help from A’s No. 9 prospect Jordan Diaz, who delivered a game-tying two-run single in the ninth.
Right-hander Carlos Quevedo started for Colombia and turned in 5 1/3 innings, over which he gave up three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four. Longtime MLB shortstop Andrelton Simmons belted a two-run homer for Curaçao that chased Quevedo from the game in the sixth. But Colombia’s bullpen combination of Kevin Escorcia (two innings), Hugo Beltran (two-thirds), Julio Vivas (three), Carlos Diaz (one) and Yelmison Peralta (one) yielded just one run over the final 7 2/3 frames. Box score >
Mexico 6, Cuba 5
Mexico withstood a five-run second inning by Cuba to improve to 3-1 in the tournament, thanks in large part to the offensive production of Rodolfo Amador and Joey Terdoslavich, as well as a tremendous performance from the bullpen. It was an Amador RBI single and a two-run double by Terdoslavich that helped Mexico jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first.
A pair of fielding errors by Mexico opened the door to the five-run second for Cuba, but Mexico answered right away with a three-run third. Mexico loaded the bases with one out in that frame, and Julian Ornelas hit into a run-scoring forceout that tied the game, followed by a two-run single by Jasson Atondo to regain the lead.
From there, starter Jeff Kinley finished his outing with three scoreless innings, and relievers Rafael Cordova, Samuel Zazueta and Jake Sanchez each tossed a scoreless frame to secure the victory. Box score >
Panama 3, Puerto Rico 2
Panama evened its series record at 2-2, while dropping Puerto Rico to 1-3, with a one-run victory highlighted by Cardinals No. 7 prospect Iván Herrera. The 22-year-old catcher, who was serving as Panama’s designated hitter, went 3-for-3 with a walk and three singles, including a go-ahead base hit in the eighth inning that proved to be the difference in the contest.
Right-hander Steven Fuentes started for Panama and gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits, walking three and striking out three. Puerto Rico’s two runs came in the third, when Bryan Torres tripled home Jesmuel Valentín, who reached on an error to open the inning. D-backs infielder Emmanuel Rivera then doubled home Torres to make it 2-0.
Panama scored solo runs in the third and fourth innings to tie the game, 2-2. Rodrigo Orozco doubled in Panama’s first run in the third, and Jahdiel Santamaria led off the fourth with a game-tying homer. Panama’s bullpen took care of things from there, as Wilfredo Pereira (1 2/3 innings) and David Richardson (1 1/3) shut down Puerto Rico’s bats over the final three frames to secure the victory. Box score >
Venezuela 3, Dominican Republic 2 (12)
José Rondón was the hero for the Venezuela club, which improved to 3-1 when he came through with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning to lift the host team in the Caribbean Series to victory.
This contest was scoreless into the 10th, as Venezuela starter Erick Leal and D.R. starter César Valdez each pitched six brilliant innings before giving way to their respective bullpens. Leal gave up four hits, walked one and struck out six, while Valdez gave up three hits and struck out four.
The bullpens then dueled into extra innings. With an automatic runner placed at second base to open the 10th, the D.R. went ahead after an inning-opening groundout to move the runner to third, followed by a wild pitch from Venezuela reliever Anthony Vizcaya that enabled a run to score. But Venezuela answered in their half of the 10th when Rondón delivered the first of two huge hits in extras, an RBI single.
In the 11th, both sides scored again, with Henry Urrutia singling in a run for the D.R. in the top of the frame, and Venezuela taking advantage of a fielding error by D.R. second baseman Gustavo Nunez to tie the game. That set the stage for Rondón’s walk-off single in the 12th, dropping the D.R. to 2-2 for the tournament. Box score >