Mexico Wins Caribbean Series
HAVANA TIMES — The Caribbean Series baseball tournament came to a close on Saturday night with the defending champion, Mexico, represented by the Naranjeros de Hermosillo, defeating Puerto Rico’s Indios de Mayaguez in the final game by a score of 7-1 at Margarita Island, Venezuela.
The game was closer than the final score projects; at least for the first half. After five and a half innings a 0-0 pitcher’s duel was finally busted open by a 6-run Mexican rally including a two-out grand slam from catcher Sebastián Valle.
Puerto Rico’s only run came on a tag on a fly ball in the top of the ninth inning. Mexico had added one more to their lead on an RBI hit from Gil Velazques in the eighth.
Juan Delgadillo picked up the win for Mexico going a stellar seven innings allowing no runs, only four hits and striking out five while not allowing a walk. Puerto Rican starter Joel Piñero was equally unmarked going five strong scoreless innings on three hits and striking out three.
It was the Puerto Rican bullpen in the bottom of the sixth that was unable to hold down the fort. The grand slam came off Saul Rivera, the third pitcher of the disastrous inning.
The Mexican entries in the strong Caribbean Series tournament have now won three of the last for years, 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Cuba, represented by Villa Clara, attended the tournament for the first time in 54 years and was unable to qualify for the semifinals, finishing up with a disappointing 1-3 record.