ZAPOPAN, Mexico — On a 76-degree hazy day in Jalisco at the 2026 Caribbean Series semifinals, the Tomateros de Culiacán advanced to the championship game with a 9–4 victory over the defending champion Leones del Escogido, ending the Dominican Republic’s hopes for a repeat title.
The Tomateros (Mexico Green) will now face the winner of the second semifinal between the host Charros de Jalisco (Mexico Red) and the Puerto Rican champions, Cangrejeros de Santurce. The championship game is set for Saturday, February 7, at 8:00 p.m. EST, airing on ESPN Deportes and MLB Network.
“What can I tell you, it’s something very happy for everyone here, because it’s the goal that is being pursued,” Yadir Drake told World Baseball Network during pregame on Friday afternoon. “The goal is that both Mexicos reach the final and the title stays here at home. It’s one of the biggest things that can happen to us this year.”
Lorenzo Bundy’s pitching staff, featuring starter David Reyes and relievers Anthony Gose, Norman Elenes, Sasagi Sanchez, Rafael Cordova, and Luis Chavez, combined for nine innings, allowing 10 hits, four runs (three earned), and six walks., and six walks while striking out seven. On the other side, Ramon Santiago’s staff—led by Oscar De La Cruz and seven relievers—surrendered 13 hits and eight earned runs.
Leones del Escogido starter Oscar De La Cruz pitched with high-level intensity early, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the top of the second. De La Cruz induced a 3-2-3 double play from shortstop Luis Verdugo before striking out Estevan Florial swinging to end the frame.
¡SALE SIN DAÑO! ?
Con casa llena, Oscar de la Cruz logró conseguir los tres outs sin permitir carrera ✖️#SeriedelCaribe #Jalisco2026 pic.twitter.com/hCi0o8ycr6
— Serie del Caribe (@beisboldecaribe) February 6, 2026
In the bottom of the second, the Leones struck first when Marco Hernández laced an RBI single into center field, scoring Franchy Cordero for a 1–0 lead.
DOMINICANA TOMA LA DELANTERA ⚾️
Con este batazo de hit de Marco Hernández, Escogido inauguró la pizarra ‼️#Semifinal #SerieDelCaribe #Jalisco2026 pic.twitter.com/3aHobG70DI
— Serie del Caribe (@beisboldecaribe) February 6, 2026
The lead grew to 2–0 in the third when Junior Lake reached on a fielding error by second baseman Carlos Sepulveda, allowing Sócrates Brito to score. However, the momentum flipped in the fourth. After De La Cruz allowed a two-out single to Víctor Mendoza and a walk to Luis Verdugo, manager Ramón Santiago turned to his bullpen for Kenny Hernández.
De La Cruz finished with 3.2 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while chucking 64 pitches (46 strikes). Moments later, Estevan Florial brought the Tomateros back into the game with a towering three-run home run over the left-field wall, scoring Verdugo and Mendoza to capture a 3–2 lead.
¡ESTEVAN FLORIAL LE DIO LA VUELTA! ?⚾
Cuadrangular de 3 carreras ¡Tomateros a la delantera! #SerieDelCaribe pic.twitter.com/WZbPEAIlPd
— ESPN Béisbol ⚾️ (@ESPN_Beisbol) February 6, 2026
Mexico Green manager Lorenzo Bundy went to his own bullpen in the fifth, calling on Anthony Gose to replace David Reyes. Reyes turned in a gritty 4.2 innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run on 80 pitches. The Dominican Republic threatened in the bottom half when Junior Lake hit an infield single, but a heads-up play by Mendoza saw him fire home to catcher Ali Solís to tag out Erik González and preserve the 3–2 lead.
¡LA DEFENSA DE LOS TOMATEROOOOSSS! ? ? #SerieDelCaribe pic.twitter.com/9uyMy2l7EV
— ESPN Béisbol ⚾️ (@ESPN_Beisbol) February 6, 2026
The Tomateros extended the lead in the sixth on a Luis Verdugo RBI single and an Ali Solís sacrifice fly to make it 5–2. The Leones clawed back with a bases-loaded walk by Gustavo Núñez in the bottom half, but the Tomateros “bulked out” four more runs in the seventh to put the game away.
UNA MÁS PARA EL MÉXICO VERDE ???
Luis Verdugo pega sencillo al jardín central que manda a Joey Meneses al plato
6⃣? ??? 4 – 2??#SerieDelCaribe #Jalisco2026 pic.twitter.com/SCWN6a1eUB
— Serie del Caribe (@beisboldecaribe) February 6, 2026
The rally was highlighted by a Yadir Drake RBI single and a massive two-run double from Verdugo that pinned the score at 9–3. A late RBI single by Núñez for the Leones in the eighth provided the final 9–4 margin.
¡LUCKY SEVEN! ? Llegaron 4 carreras más para MÉXICO VERDE en la séptima alta ??? pic.twitter.com/3rzy58ujKY
— Serie del Caribe (@beisboldecaribe) February 6, 2026
The Tomateros now look to Saturday to capture their first Caribbean Series title since 2002.
2026 Caribbean Series Schedule
All times Eastern Standard Time
* – If either or both Mexico teams advance to the semifinals, they will play the late game regardless of seeding.
MEX-G – Mexico Green
MEX-R – Mexico Red
PR – Puerto Rico
DR – Dominican Republic
PAN – Panama
Sunday, Feb. 1
Cangrejeros de Santurce (PR) 5, Tomateros de Culiacán (MEX-G) 4
Leones del Escogido (DR) 5, Charros de Jalisco (MEX-R) 4
Monday, Feb. 2
Leones del Escogido (DR) 5, Cangrejeros de Santurce (PR) 3
Charros de Jalisco (MEX-R) 11, Federales de Chiriquí (PAN) 4
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Tomateros de Culiacan (MEX-G) 2, Federales de Chiriqui (PAN) 1
Charros de Jalisco (MEX-R) 3, Cangrejeros de Santurce (PR) 0
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Leones del Escogido (DR) 16, Federales de Chiriquí (PAN) 15
Charros de Jalisco (MEX-R) 4, Tomateros de Culiacán (MEX-G) 2
Thursday, Feb. 5
Cangrejeros de Santurce (PR) 8, Federales de Chiriquí (PAN) 3
Tomateros de Culiacán (MEX-G) 10, Leones del Escogido (DR) 7
Friday, Feb. 6
8 p.m. – Charros de Jalisco vs. Cangrejeros de Santurce – Semifinal 2*
Saturday, Feb. 7
8 p.m. – Championship Game
