The Vaqueros de Monteria are one win away from riding off to the Caribbean Series, defeating the Tigres de Cartagena 6-4 in game four of the Liga Profesional Beisbol Colombiano final to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
The Vaqueros grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Jordan Diaz singled to left field, scoring Carlos Herrera.
The Tigres evened the game at one apiece in the top of the third. Meibrys Viloria walked on four pitches, then advanced to third when Adrian Sanchez hit into a fielder’s choice and Vaqueros third baseman Francisco Acuna overthrew first base. Viloria scored when Jesus Marriaga hit into a fielder’s choice, tying the game at one.
An inning later, the Vaqueros regained the lead when Andres Angulo hit a solo homer to left.
Harold Ramirez answered back for the Tigres, launching his own solo shot to left in the top of the fifth, tying the game at two.
After Dayan Frias was hit by a pitch, Reynaldo Rodriguez hit a two-run home run to left to give Vaqueros a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth.
Jordan Diaz and Daniel Vellojin hit back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the eighth to give the Vaqueros a 6-2 lead.
Starter Julius Alives went six innings, allowing four hits and one run, striking out six and walking four to earn the win for the Vaqueros.
The Tigres added two runs in the top of the ninth, but were unable to complete the rally.
Game five is Sunday, January 22 at 5 p.m. ET. The game will be livestreamed on the LPBC’s YouTube page.
