Zapopan, Jalisco – The
Tomateros de Culiacán (Green Mexico) secured their place in the grand final of the 2026 Caribbean Series after defeating the
Leones del Escogido (Dominican Republic) with a score of 9-4 in the first semifinal of the tournament, held this Friday at the Pan American Stadium.
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The Mexican offense responded forcefully by connecting 13 hits, including a decisive home run by Dominican
Esteban Florial in the fourth inning, a hit that changed the course of the game and put Culiacán in a definitive lead.
It was the Tomateros' second consecutive victory over the Dominican team, after also defeating them in the last round of the round robin. With this result, the Mexican team emulates the feat of the Tigres del Licey in 2012, when they advanced to the final after finishing in second place in their local league.
Florial marked the before and after
The Lions took the lead early in the game. In the second inning, a double by
Franchy Cordero and a run-scoring single by
Marcos Hernández put them up 1-0. Then, in the third, they took advantage of walks and a defensive error to extend the lead to 2-0.
However, the fourth episode changed the story. After two outs and with two runners on base, the Dominican manager removed the starting pitcher
Oscar de la Cruz and brought in reliever
Kenny Hernández to face Florial. The outfielder did not forgive and hit a home run that turned the score 3-2 in favor of the Mexicans.
From there, Culiacán took control. In the sixth inning, they added two more, combining timely singles and a sacrifice fly from
Alí Solís. The attack continued in the seventh, where they manufactured a cluster of four runs that practically sealed the commitment.
The Lions tried to react, loading the bases in the sixth inning and scoring one more run via a walk to
Gustavo Núñez, but they couldn't capitalize on the opportunity.
Mound Labor
Right-handed pitcher
David Reyes started for Culiacán and pitched four innings, allowing two runs. The win went to reliever
Anthonny Gose, while the loss fell on
Kenny Hernández.
By the Escogido,
Oscar de la Cruz pitched 3.1 innings before being punished in the fourth chapter. The Dominican bullpen also failed to contain the Mexican offense in the final innings.
Waiting for the rival
With the victory, the Tomateros advance to Saturday's grand final and await the winner of the duel between the
Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico) and the
Charros de Jalisco (Mexico Rojo).
The Sinaloa team will now seek to lift the champion's trophy of the 2026 Caribbean Series, after an offensive performance that came at the most important moment of the tournament
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