Criollos de Caguas downs Tiburones de la Guaira

Miami, Florida –Bouncing back from last night’s loss, Criollos de Caguas took care of business beating Tiburones de la Guaira 6-2 on day four of the tourney. In a tale of two teams, Puerto Rico’s offense feasted finding ways to score striking early and often. Conversely, Venezuela was frustrated all night at the plate. Loading the bases on three occasions, they came away with only a pair of runs stranding 11.

Aside from going two-for-11 with runners in scoring position, the starting pitching struggled to reign in Puerto Ricans. The Tiburones surrendered five runs through five innings. Venezuelan starter Jhoulys Chacín was a late scratch due to discomfort in his bicep while warming up. Tiago Da Silva took his place on the mound.

Como diría Rubén: ¡Si lo ven que viene, palo al tiburón! 😅 pic.twitter.com/54y1DO5YlW

— Criollos de Caguas 2️⃣1️⃣🏆 (@CriollosCaguas) February 5, 2024

In addition, J.C. Escarra, Nelson Velazquez, and Emmanuel Rivera had productive nights. Each recorded two hits apiece including a double and triple among them. Escarra, an alumnus of Florida International, drove in the first run of the game. With the win Puerto Rico improves to 3-1 and Venezuela drops to 2-1 suffering their first defeat of the competition. The former plays Panama, the last undefeated team, on Monday night and the latter Mexico in the afternoon.

Using bat and glove

Puerto Rico got to work early in the first frame. Escarra singled on a line drive to center fielder Alexi Amarista knocking in Bryan Torres. A defensive miscue by shortstop Ehire Adrianza allowed Escarra to score as Jonathan Morales reached base on a throwing error. Danny Ortiz tried to sneak in at home but was caught at the plate. Criollos de Caguas threatened again in the second. Third baseman Wilfredo Tovar misplayed Jack Lopez’s hard grounder resulting in both a single and runners at the corners with one out. Skipper Ozzie Guillén proceeded with a pitching change switching Angel Padron for Da Silva. Rivera scored on the Torres ground out making it 3-0 Criollos.

¡Respeten los rangos! 😜 pic.twitter.com/9S0qgnlxWx

— Criollos de Caguas 2️⃣1️⃣🏆 (@CriollosCaguas) February 4, 2024

Velazquez’s arm saved Caguas a run with a big play at the plate. Escobar singled on a line drive to right field as Hernan Perez was waved home. Velazquez fired a cannon toward the catcher Jonathan Morales gunning down Perez, turning away the Tiburones.

No lack of opportunities

Like their predatory namesake, Venezuela swam back for more in the third. Wilfredo Tovar doubled with a runner aboard putting two in scoring position. With one out and Yasiel Puig at the dish coach Yadier Molina replaced Luke Westphal with Ricardo Velez. The strategy worked as Velez struck out Puig and retired Luis Torrens ending the threat.

¡Los del mofongo le picaron al frente a los de la arepa! 😎 pic.twitter.com/bbkZqXrx88

— Criollos de Caguas 2️⃣1️⃣🏆 (@CriollosCaguas) February 4, 2024

Their persistence paid off some in the fourth. Escobar walked to load the bases. Looking for the three outs, Danny Wirchansky regained control striking out Adrianza before Alexi Amarista hit a sacrifice fly deep enough into the outfield allowing Perez to notch the team’s first run. However, it’s all they mustered as Tovar struck out to end the inning.

The effort was nullified as Puerto Rico continued to find ways to add to their advantage scoring again in the fifth. Fighting on, Venezuela cut into the lead after the seventh-inning stretch via a Ramon Flores RBI single. Once more they were presented with another bases-loaded opportunity. However, same as before a similar scenario played out. Perez walked juicing the bases only for Odubel Herrera to whiff for out number three.

Adding salt to the proverbial wound, Puerto Rico distanced itself further adding their sixth run of the game in the eighth.

“PUERTO RICO ESTÁ __________”

.@CriollosCaguas se llevan la victoria para el segundo juego de hoy en @beisboldecaribe. #SerieDelCaribe pic.twitter.com/aQGyklyXGs

— loanDepot park (@loanDepotpark) February 5, 2024

Familiar face

The Tiburones’ entry into the tourney is a special one, ending a 38-year championship drought thanks in part to former Marlins manager Ozzie Guillén and pitching coach Carlos Zambrano. For those who need a (painful) refresher, Guillén was hired to be the Marlins coach back in 2012. He lasted one season. Angering the Cuban exiles who make up a very large segment of the fanbase with remarks praising Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Ozzie found himself in hot water (or thin ice whatever you prefer). Coupled with a very disappointing performance by the ballclub, his tenure became a brief one.

For Guaira, it was a team effort with help from very familiar players such as Yasiel Puig, Ronald Acuña Jr., Alcides Escobar, Harold Ramírez, and Miguel Rojas. They are also joined by former pros Wilson Ramos, Odúbel Herrera, Silvino Bracho, and Jhoulys Chacín. Regardless of Guillen’s less-than-pleasant time in Miami, he ended the dry spell for the Tiburones.