MEXICALI, Mexico – A day after a game that could only be described as a debacle, the Japan Breeze hung in with Puerto Rico’s Indios de Mayaguez, but ultimately lost 3-2.
The Indios de Mayaguez are now 1-1 at the 2025 Caribbean Series, while the Japan Breeze, making their first appearance at the event, dropped to 0-2.
“Japan gave a great fight, however, the objective of that first victory in the Caribbean was not achieved,” said Breeze manager Alex Ramirez in Spanish following the game. “Today’s game was a totally different game from yesterday’s, although we lost the game, but… Actually, if we are going to lose, it’s the best way.”
Japan Breeze starter Isaki Ninomiya pitched well despite getting into a little bit of a jam in the bottom of the fifth inning on Sunday.
Ninomiya threw 4 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, two earned runs, three walks, and two strikeouts, which correlated the rest of the pitching staff for the Japan Breeze that chucked eight innings, allowing four hits, three earned runs, five walks, and six strikeouts, while dicing 68 pitches for 36 strikes.
The first hit of the game for the Indios de Mayaguez did not come until the bottom of the fifth inning, when first baseman David MacKinnon poked a soft flare single into right field.
Shortly after, the Indios de Mayaguez offense cracked the scoreboard when catcher Mario Feliciano hit into a field choice for Japan Breeze third baseman Jin Kurumatani, who threw home in an attempt to cut down Mackinnon. MacKinnon beat the tag, sliding in to score and tie it at 1-1.
The next batter, Shed Long Jr., laid down a bunt single a few feet past the edge of the grass, and Eddie Rosario broke from third base and scored to give Puerto Rico a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the third inning, Japan’s Takeru Ohashi poked an infield single to Indios shortstop Isan Diaz and beat out the throw, and then Yuta Hamada hit a line drive single into left field, scoring Ohashi to give the Breeze a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Puerto Rico’s David MacKinnon poked a soft flare into right field for a single. Then Mario Feliciano hit into a fielder’s choice at third, and Japan’s Jin Kurumatani fired the ball home. Mackinnon beat the tag, sliding into score and tie it at 1-1.
The Indios de Mayaguez got their third run across in the bottom of the seventh when designated hitter Anthony Garcia lofted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Feliciano to extend the lead to 3-1.
Japan edged closer when designated hitter Takuhishi Satoh cracked a one-out triple to right field in the top of the eighth inning. A few moments later, Munenori Kawasaki socked an RBI single into center field that scored Satoh to cut the deficit to 3-2.
With a one-run lead, Idios manager Wil Cordero called on relief pitcher Justin Yeager to get a three-out save. Yeager allowed a one-out single to Yuta Hamada, who was stranded at second base when Yeager got Takuhishi Satoh to strike out swinging for the final out.
Indios de Mayagüez starter Luis “Leroy” Cruz recorded the win on Sunday afternoon, throwing five innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, two strikeouts, and seven strikeouts with 79 pitches and 52 strikes.
“I think that what we experienced today was an unforgettable experience,” said Ramirez. “Although it was a loss, I think we won a lot today.”
The Japan Breeze will be tested again tomorrow when they face Mexico’s Charros de Jalisco in the nightcap. Ramirez knows what his team is facing Monday evening.
“I know that the fans will enjoy the game,” Ramirez said. “Even though tomorrow the fans are in favor of Mexico, I know that [the Japan players] will be in your hearts and that the fans will support us.”
The Japan Breeze (0-2) will play on February 3 against the 2024-25 Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico champion Charros de Jalisco (2-0) at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN Deportes and MLB Network.
The Indios de Mayaguez will play on February 3 at 3 p.m. EST against the 2024-25 Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional champion Cardenales de Lara (0-2)
Every game of the 2025 Caribbean Series is televised on MLB Network and ESPN Deportes.
Photo: David MacKinnon of the Indios de Mayaguez slides in to score on a bunt by Shed Long Jr. (Photo Courtesy of CBPC)
