Mayaguez – The Caguas Creoles will be the representatives of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series.
The ninth Cagüeña dramatically beat the Indians on Sunday 7-6 to score a sweep in the final series and get their 19th championship in the Professional League Roberto Clemente (Lbprc) in a match held at the stadium Isidoro “Cholo” García de Mayagüez.
Caguas did not have it easy and had to come from behind to overcome the disadvantage of a race in the ninth inning in a feat that seemed impossible against an inspired ninth of Mayaguez.
The title of the Creoles not only breaks the tie with the Indians as the teams with the most national sceptres, but it is historic because it occurs in the middle of a pandemic that forced them to play the entire tournament without fans in the stands.
Now the ensemble led by Ramón Vázquez will travel to the Caribbean Series, which will be held from January 31 to February 6 in the city of Mazatlán, Mexico.
“All this work that has been done for three months is reflected in this moment. He took off my hat in front of the players and the coaching staff. Excellent work, the team deserves it,” said a excited leader Ramón Vázquez after the conquest.
The dramatic comeback began when Víctor Caratini connected on a single to take Jarren Duran to the starting line-up and equalize the board at six runs per side. Then a single by Vimael Machín propelled Kevin Santa into a fierce run to the start to seal the win at the home of the others.
The ninth Cagüeña then rushed onto the pitch – from a deserted and silent stadium – to celebrate its first scepter since the shortened 2018 season after Hurricane Maria.
However, this is not the first time Caguas has beaten Mayagüez in a final.
The Creoles dominated the ninth Mayagüezana in the fight for the scepter in 1948, 1954, 1979, 1981, 2000-2001, 2009-2010 and 2012-2013.
The Indians, on the other hand, dominated the 2013-2014 final series.
Caguas seemed early to seal his win by dangerously extending his lead to 5-1 with a home run by José Miranda – who appeared to be a “foul” bat on the right garden barrier – to propel Jay González and Yadier Molina at the fifth entrance.
However, Mayagüez responded with a dramatic four-run lead in just the seventh inning.
The comeback of the Indians started with an untouchable double merit in the right field of Xavier Fernández that led to the initial pad to Cristian Colom and allowed Mayagüez to discount the disadvantage to 5-3.
Then a single from right field by Henry Ramos propelled Jeremy Rivera and Vicente Conde from second and third base, respectively, to tie the game at five runs per side.
Ramos then took advantage of a deep strike from ‘out’ to left field produced by Jack Lopez to start an aggressive run from second base and give the Indians dominance 6-5.
It was the first time in the entire duel that Mayagüez took control, but it turned out to be fleeting after two innings.
The Caribbean Series will begin next Sunday in Mazatlán, Mexico.