1/2/23
PUERTO RICO
the Gigantes de Carolina became the second team to qualify for the postseason when they defeated the Leones de Ponce at home
The Criollos de Caguas secure first place in the standings with victory over the Cangrejeros de Santurce
by LBPRC Press
January 3, 2023
Caguas, Puerto Rico (Monday, January 2, 2023) – The Criollos de Caguas clinched first place in the standings, while the Gigantes de Carolina became the second team qualify for a playoff berth when both got their first wins of 2023 in winter baseball.
The Criollos de Caguas defeated the Cangrejeros de Santurce by a score of 7-2, while the team from Carolina defeated the Leones de Ponce by a score of 4-1.
With these results, Caguas has a record of 30-18 (.625) followed by Carolina with 27-21 (.563), Mayagüez had a night off for which they maintain a record of 26-22 (.542), Santurce remains in fourth position with 25-23 (.521), while Ponce continues with a qualifying opportunity with a 23-25 (.479) mark and RA12 did not see action on this day, maintaining their 13 victories in 48 commitments (.271).
The Criollos de Caguas ensure the location of the Semifinal Series A of the winter ball
The Criollos de Caguas secured the first position of the regular season defeating the Cangrejeros de Santurce by a score of 7-2.
This victory ensures the home field of the two-time defending champions in the Semifinal Series that begins this Saturday, January 7, 2023.
Caguas was the first to break the ice with the first run of the game courtesy of Luis Vázquez's single in the second inning, but Santurce tied the game with Yariel González's sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.
Jonathan Morales drove in Peter O'Brien from third base for Caguas to take a momentary 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth, Santurce tied the score again with a bunt hit on a suicide play bringing in the second crustacean run.
A three-run rally at the bottom of the 7th inning returned the lead to the Criollos with hits from Morales and Vázquez, while a two-run homer by Peter O'Brien gave Santurce a comfortible lead.
Yacksel Ríos continues to lead in the wins department in the tournament, earning his seventh win with an inning and a third in relief where he fanned two batters, while Andre Scrubb did not have the same luck had the setback allowing three earned runs in one inning.
Carolina defends their home field advantage against Ponce and punches their ticket to the postseason
The Carolina Giants defended their home field advantage against the Leones de Ponce, defeating them 4-1.
As a result, Carolina is the second team to qualify for the postseason and keeps Ponce alive, forced to win their remaining two games at home against Santurce, RA12 and depend on the results of the other games.
The first to score Carolina in the third inning when Johnathan Rodríguez singled to center driving in Delvin Pérez from second base.
5th inning with a base hit to tie the game one run per side on the legs of Gabriel García.
In the bottom half of the 5th, José Sermo's huge home run to center field added three to the Giants' tally, adding his fifth home run of the season.
Héctor Santiago was successful on the mound throwing six complete innings on two hits, one unearned run, three walks and eight strikeouts, the closer José Espada got his seventh save with the work of an inning without walks and one strikeout. The defeat went to Héctor Quiñones giving up two earned runs in one inning and a third.
Johnathan Rodriguez (Carolina - LF) AV 4, R 1, H 2, RBI 1, BB 0, SO 0, LOB 0 1, AVG .279
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Re: Winter/Fall/Latin/Asian/World Ball
6781“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller
-- Bob Feller