By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Last night under the lights at Estadio Yamil Rios in Rivas, Nicaragua, the Indios del Boer’s offense beat the lights out of the reigning champions, Gigantes Del Rivas, on the road to even the best-of-seven Liga de Beisbol Profesional Nacional championship series at two.
Rubi Silva had four hits for Boer’s offense and has pushed his average over .400 for the championship series, leading the team. Silva’s numbers have held up over the course the season as the right fielder played for Tigres de Chinandega in the regular season and Tren del Norte during the round robin. Prior to the championship series, Pelota Cubana reporter Yusseff Diaz listed Silva’s combined stats at with a .326 with 57 hits, three home runs and 37 runs batted in during the 2022-23 regular season.
Gigantes got on the board first during the bottom of the second inning when Roger Bernadina singled to right center, scoring Jesus Valdez to take a 1-0 lead. A few batters later, Rafael Estrada laced a single to left field, scoring Bernadina as Gigantes took a 2-0 lead. Boer starting pitcher Juan Carlos Sulbaran did not go back out for the third inning, throwing two innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs, walking no batters, and striking out two.
During the top of the fourth, Boer got on the board with Bismarck Rivera’s sac fly to center field, scoring Edgard Montiel to make it 2-1. A few batters later, during Silva’s at-bat, Vladimr Frias came in to score on a wild pitch to tie the game up at two.
Gigantes starting pitcher Carlos Sano went four innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, and walking four batters.
Boer took the lead in the top of the fifth inning when Ademar Rifaela laced a double to deep left center field, scoring Melvin Novoa to take a 3-2 lead.
Boer ran away in the top of the seventh inning, putting up six runs. Rivera singled to center field, scoring Ademar Rifaela and Melvin Novoa, and then Gigantes center fielder Bernadina bobbled the ball, allowing Garbez Rosa to score as Boer extended their lead to 7-2.
Boer manager Joel Fuentes saw his offense score 10 runs on 19 hits in their 10-3 victory over Gigantes to even the series at two games apiece. Boer’s bullpen combined to give up one earned run, striking out eight batters and walking one during the remaining seven innings of last night’s game.
Game 5 will be on Friday at 7 p.m. in Managua at Estadio Nacional Soberania.