Monday night was the opening game of the best-of-seven Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente championship series.
The Cangrejeros de Santurce hosted the Leones de Ponce at Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with an opportunity to take an important first step to the Caribbean Series in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Santurce took a 1-0 series lead with a thrilling 5-4 victory in nine innings, spoiling a late comeback from Ponce.
The Leones jumped ahead 1-0 during the top of the second inning, but an RBI single from Cangrejeros shortstop Andrew Velazquez tied the score in the bottom half. Nelson Velázquez’s two-run home run to the left field seats capped a three-run third for Santurce. Velázquez is a current Major League Baseball free agent.
The Leones utilized power to stay competitive in Game 1, after hitting just 10 homers during the regular season.
Edwin Diaz’s solo shot in the sixth pulled the Leones within two runs. The shortstop hit three homers during the semifinals against the Gigantes de Carolina after connecting for none in 40 regular-season contests.
With Ponce down 4-2 and two outs in the ninth, Alex Dickerson lofted a 2-0 fastball from reliever Robert Gsellman over the right center field wall, and the failed leaping attempt from Cangrejeros center fielder Johneshjwy Fargas, to tie the game at four.
Despite relinquishing the lead, Santurce maintained its composure in the bottom of the ninth. Jeremy Arocho dove headfirst into home plate after sprinting all the way from first base to score the game’s winning run. Ruben Castro’s one-out walk-off double rolled all the way to the left field corner, giving left fielder Gabriel Cancel little to no time to make a competitive throw home.
Seven of Santurce’s nine batters reached base in Game 1, with the offense drawing six walks against five of the Leones’ pitchers. Cangrejeros manager Omar Lopez had a quick hook for starter Ashton Goudeau, who walked four compared to just one strikeout on 28 pitches in three frames.
The LBPRC championship series resumes Tuesday at 6:21 p.m. EST at Estadio Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
Where to Watch: Puerto Rico’s LBPRC streams its games live on its YouTube page and on the league’s official app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
WBN Puerto Rico: https://worldbaseball.com/league/puerto-rico/
