Mexico shocks Dominican Republic to stay alive

Miami, Florida – Facing elimination, Mexico crushed the Dominican Republic 9-1 keeping their Caribbean Series championship hopes breathing Sunday night. Taking advantage of Tigres del Licey’s sloppy performance, the Naranjeros de Hermosillo pulled off an unexpected victory after losing the first three games of the championship competition. Jeff Kinley tossed a six-inning quality gem scattering six hits and holding the Dominicans to a run.

Doble play 🔥 ¡VAMOOOOOS! 🇲🇽👏🏼#SCaribexSKY #SkySportsMX #NaranjerosFlow pic.twitter.com/oA7geJxUh2

— Naranjeros de 𝐇ermosillo (@ClubNaranjeros) February 5, 2024

One play changed the course of the contest. Up 1-0 at the top of the third, Jose Cardona hit a two-out single on a fly ball to right fielder Junior Lake. Although officially scored as a hit, the replay showed it was an error. The ball bounced off Lake’s glove. Instead of ending the inning, Mexico ultimately rattled off four unforeseen runs. Poor fielding, an inability to overpower Kinley, and bad base running choices doomed the Dominican Republic. The Mexicans hope to put up a winning streak versus Venezuela on Monday afternoon and while the Dominicans enjoy the day off.

Surprise upset

With two runners in scoring position, Robinson Cano drove in the first run via a sacrifice fly to right fielder Julian Ornelas. Emilio Bonifacio tagged up eventually crossing the plate. If fans of Tigres del Licey were hoping for an easy win they were mistaken.  The Naranjeros answered with a quartet. With a runner at every bag, Aaron Altherr pulled off the clutch bases-clearing double. Bobby Bradley hit an RBI single bringing Altherr home. Bursting ahead 4-1, Mexico overcame a very slow start at the dish.

BATAZO DE ALTHERR PRODUCTOR DE TRES CARRERAS 💥⚾️#SCaribexSKY #SkySportsMX #NaranjerosFlow pic.twitter.com/esiVpnTxc9

— Naranjeros de 𝐇ermosillo (@ClubNaranjeros) February 5, 2024

The Mexicans added to the tally courtesy of Agustin Murillo. Flipping a switch, Murillo powered one over the left field fence in the sixth making it 5-1. Things went from bad to worse for a seemingly unprepared Dominican side. Reliever Williams Jerez’s pitch got away from him hitting Bradley to load the bases in the eighth. Murillo, who homered earlier in the contest, lined out to Lake for the sac fly, allowing Juan Carlos Gamboa to tag up from third. Then, Gustavo Nunez committed a fielding error when Ramiro Pena swung a hard hit nearly through his legs. Altherr scored on the mistake to make it 7-1.

MURILLO PARA LA CALLE 🤩🇲🇽⚾️#SCaribexSKY #SkySportsMX #NaranjerosFlow pic.twitter.com/06kayMf6J0

— Naranjeros de 𝐇ermosillo (@ClubNaranjeros) February 5, 2024

Ornelas kept up the attack finding the gap at center field for the two-run double erasing any doubt.

Impressions

Naranjeros de Hermosillo played with their backs to the wall emerging victorious. Initially, I thought this was going to be an easy DR dub. It certainly looked that way. However, Lake’s mistake set off an unexpected chain of events culminating in the biggest upset of the tournament. Maybe I jinxed them. Up 1-0, I was acting as if I had seen enough. Mea culpa. Mexico keeps its championship dreams alive staving off a first-round exit for a day. Considering their matchup with a talented Venezuela, this will be another hard ask.