Panama walks off to win on Day 3 of Caribbean Series
5:51 AM UTC
A thrilling walk-off, an early scoring barrage and a shutdown bullpen effort highlighted Day 3 of the Caribbean Series, with two teams remaining undefeated in the tournament after Saturdayâs action.
Panama improved to 2-0 in the tournament thanks in large part to the heroics of center fielder Jhonny Santos. Santos homered in the second inning to tie the game, 1-1, and then delivered a clutch walk-off triple in the ninth.
Panama’s Allen Cordoba, left, celebrates after Johnny Yussef Santos hit an RBI triple to score the game-winning run during the ninth inning of a Caribbean Series game against Mexico.AP Photo/Lynne SladkyBobby Bradley, Agustin Murillo and Aaron Altherr each drove in a run for Mexico (0-2). Bradley opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning, Murillo singled on a bunt toward third base that scored Roberto Valenzuela and Altherr tripled in a run to give Mexico a two-run lead in the ninth.
But Ivan Herrera was hit by a pitch to open the home half of the frame, and moved to third on a double by the next batter, Christian Bethancourt. One out later, Johan Camargo grounded out to second, bringing in Herrera to make it 3-2. Down to its last out, Panamaâs hope rested on the shoulders of Jean Arnaez.
Arnaez came through with a single to keep Panama alive, and Santos followed with his triple to center.
Also going to 2-0 with a victory Saturday was Venezuela. This game was determined early, with all the scoring taking place over the first three innings.
Venezuela jumped ahead quickly with two runs in the top of the first on a two-run homer by Ramon Flores. Jonathan Schoopâs RBI groundout to shortstop got Curaçao on the board in the second. In the top of the third, Yasiel Puig drew a bases-loaded walk to extend Venezuelaâs lead to 3-1.
Later in that frame, a Wilson Ramos groundout brought in Venezuelaâs fourth run. Curaçao scored a run in the bottom of the third on a wild pitch, but that would be as close as it would get.
Dominican Republic 5, Puerto Rico 2
The middle of the Dominican lineup did most of the damage in a victory over Puerto Rico that evened its record at 1-1, while handing Puerto Rico (2-1) its first loss of the tournament.
The No. 3 through No. 6 hitters in the batting order each had two hits, with Robinson CanĂł and Dawel Lugo combining to go 4-for-9 with three RBIs. Those three runs all came in the third — CanĂł launched a two-run homer and Lugo delivered an RBI single later in the frame to give the DR a 4-0 lead.
Puerto Rico scored both of its runs in the fourth on a Danny Ortiz RBI double and a sacrifice fly by Johneshwy Fargas. From there, Dominican pitching shut down the opposition — CĂ©sar Valdez started and completed five innings, then turned things over to the bullpen, from which Cameron Gann, J.C. MejĂa and Jairo Asencio combined for four scoreless innings to seal the victory.
9