For the first time in 55 years, Cuba are the Caribbean Series champions as they defeated Mexico by a final score of 3-2, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
After getting the first two outs of the inning, Mexico surrendered three straight singles, started by Yulieski Gourriel after he reached base on a ball hit towards second. Alfredo Despaigne and Frederich Cepeda followed suit with the latter getting credit for the RBI after he hit a soft fly ball to into shallow center field. Cuba would get a second run in the next inning after Yosvanni Torres set down Mexico in order in their top of the first.
It was the small ball again from Cuba that produced their next run as William Saavedra scored on a Luis La O hit a line drive towards Mexico's center fielder, Rico Noel. However, Noel couldn't gather ball cleanly which allowed Saaverdra to score from second base. Yosvanni Torres was impressive this afternoon going six strong innings, striking out five while allowing just two hits and one run. His ability to locate his pitches threw Mexico off all evening.
Mexico finally got on the board in the fifth inning giving Cuba a taste of their own medicine. Joey Meneses led off the inning with a ground rule double, followed up with a sacrifice by Russell Branyan, moving Meneses over to third. Then Walter Ibarra stepped up to the dish and hit the ball to shallow right field to Alexei Bell, but it was enough to bringing in the first baseman, Meneses.
Both teams got on the board in the eighth inning. Cuba's Gourriel was a part of the offense once more as he led off the top of the 8th with home run to left field. Mexico got a huge double play to get out of a jam which could have potentially been the crushing blow. They carried the momentum into the following half inning. Maxwell Leon moved Noel over to second as he singled to the second baseman, Alfredo Despaigne. Eric Farris hit the ball through the right side of the infield which scored Noel, bringing Mexico with one.
However, that would be all that they could muster. Hector Mendoza came into finish the ninth as he retired Mexico in order, getting Waltar Ibarra to strike out swinging, bringing the Caribbean Series back to Cuba.