MAZATLÁN (EFE) – Rey Fuentes hit a two-touchdown homer in the fourth inning to guide the Caguas Criollos of Puerto Rico to a 2-1 win over the Mexican Tomateros de Culiacán with which the Caribbeans qualified for the final of the Caribbean Baseball Series.
In Mazatlán, the Mexican Pacific port, right-handers Manny Barreda, for Mexico, and Luis Medina, for Puerto Rico, got involved in a duel decided by the minimum.
The Tomateros took the lead in the fourth inning. Ramiro Peña singled, stole second base, advanced to third on a Sebastian Elizalde ground, and scored on a hit by Joey Meneses.
Puerto Rico responded with a pair of touchdowns in that inning with a hit by Jonathan Morales and a home run by Rey Fuentes.
From then on, Puerto Rico’s relievers were dominant and Mexico’s relievers solved their troubles, in the sixth inning, when the Criollos had full bases with no outs, and in the seventh in which there was a runner at second base with one out .
Medina scored the win with two hits in five innings in which he allowed a run, struck out four opponents and gave away a pair of walks; Barreda charged with the backhand and Rayan González scored a save, with perfect work in two innings.
For Puerto Rico, Fuentes was the most prominent figure, deciding the match and outfielder Jarre Duran went 3-2, while for Mexico, Ramiro Peña was 4-2.
This Saturday the Criollos will face the Dominican Eagles del Cibao who defeated Panama 4-3 in the other semifinal.