Puerto Rico beats Mexico 5-3 for their first victory

by Guille Esquivel

 Ebeisbol Exclusive

Puerto Rico finally broke through to record their first victory by handing Mexico their second consecutive loss defeating them 5-3 in what was a must-win situation for both.

The matchup featured American Bill Pulsipher pitching for the Indios de Mayaguez while Australian Travis Blackley was on the mound for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo.

Puerto Rico with a lot on the line was determined to go down swinging. In the first inning they jumped on Blackley. They opened up the inning with a double by Jose Feliciano whose flyball was misplayed by Luis Cruz in left centerfield. Luis Figueroa and Miguel Abreu hit back to back singles and Feliciano came in to score. Randy Ruiz who hit a home run the night before singled to center scoring Figueroa and Abreu to take the 3-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, the Mexican team finally got on the board when Ruben Rivera reached base on shortstop Angel Sanchez’ error allowing Vinny Castilla to score. Two batters later, Saul Soto also reached base on an error by Figueroa and Luis Garcia came in to score, Mexico trailed 3-2. The Puerto Rican defense committed four errors that did not prove to be costly.

Pulsipher struggled in the fifth inning and the Naranjeros loaded the bases, but he induced a flyout to left field by Ruben Rivera to end the inning.

Pulsipher pitched five innings allowing one earned run, while walking two and striking out two.

The Puerto Rican team continued their hit parade opening the bottom of the fifth inning with back to back singles off of Blackley. Manager Homar Rojas pulled him and brought in Francisco Campos known as “Pancho Ponches” for his strikeouts. Campos didn’t let his team down as he struck out two and baserunner Figueroa was gunned down at third in a strike ‘em out throw ‘em out play to end the threat.

Losing pitcher Blackley pitched four innings allowing three runs and striking out five without allowing a walk.

Mayaguez pulled away in the bottom of the sixth when Hernandez took Campos deep to left center for the two run shot and the 5-2 lead. Hernandez went 1-3 with a home run and two RBI.

In their last at bat, Mexico rallied when Humberto Cota singled to get on base and two batters later Cruz singled him in to make it a 5-3 game. With two outs and one man on, Castilla came up to bat and hit a hard line drive to short that Sanchez leapt high and speared to end the game.

With the win Puerto Rico ties Mexico with a 1-2 record. They will face the Dominican Republic who they lost to in a close 2-1 game in their first meeting.

The Naranjeros will face Venezuela in the nightcap hoping to duplicate their performance in their first meeting.

Venezuela beats Puerto Rico 5-2 in a must win situation

by Guille Esquivel

Ebeisbol.com Exclusive

Leones del Caracas beat the Indios de Mayaguez 5-2 in what was an important game for both teams.

Mayaguez starter Juan Padilla played with the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the independent Can-Am League last season. He is a reliever by trade, but was used as a starter in the Puerto Rican Winter League in 2009 with the Leones de Ponce.

Venezuela got on the board early when Jesus Guzman singled to get on base and two batters later Raul Padron brought him in with a home run to right field off of Padilla to take the 2-0 lead in the second inning.

In the third inning, Venezuela did not let up and continued to punish Padilla. Carlos Maldonado singled to right scoring Oscar Salazar. Padron then singled to right scoring Guzman for his third RBI of the game. Padron went 2-4 with three RBI.

Mako Olivares, who entered the record books tying Francisco Paquin Estrada with seven appearances in the Caribbean Series, had seen enough and yanked Padilla in favor of Nelvin Fuentes.

Fuentes did not fare much better when he allowed back to back singles to open the fourth inning and Luis Maza proceeded to single to left scoring Gregorio Petit and giving his team the commanding lead, 5-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Puerto Rico showed signs of life when slugger Randy Ruiz hit a monster shot to center off Jason Simontacchi and ruined the shutout. Three batters later, Angel Sanchez reached base on an infield grounder and Edgardo Baez came in to score on shortstop Petit’s error and the Indios now trailed, 5-2.

Petit has committed three errors so far and is on pace to break Ivan DeJesus’ mark in a Caribbean Series.

Simontacchi pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing one earned run on eight hits, striking out five without allowing a walk.

Puerto Rico threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning loading up the bases on reliever Darwin Cubillan before he was pulled in favor of Edgar Estanga. Estanga induced an inning ending flyout to center to end the rally.

Venezuela and Puerto Rico had eleven hits apiece, but the Indios were unable to capitalize.

On Day 3 Puerto Rico will face Mexico in what is a do or die game for them. Puerto remains winless while Mexico has one victory and one loss.

Venezuela will meet the undefeated Dominican team in Thursday’s nightcap in what is the most anticipated matchup of the series.