The Rio Grande guerrillas they put the defending champions in trouble Juncos mules by prevailing 8-3 in the start of the 2021 Baseball Double A postseason on Friday night.
It was one of 14 matches on the first day of the section semifinal series.
Rio Grande took command at the top of the ninth inning, with a bunch of five laps. Single by Mirton Roque drove the definitive advantage in the legs of Christopher López. Pitcher Christian Torres threw three innings in relief without giving way to hits or scores to claim the victory for the Guerrillas, who need a victory to advance to the final in the East and take Juncos out of the race.
In the same section, Las Piedras Artisans beat Cariduros de Fajardo 3-1. All three laps were produced in the bottom of the sixth episode. Las Piedras featured an effective combination of pitchers Héctor Acevedo and Kelvin Fuentes.
In the Northwest, the San Sebastián Patrulleros beat the Libertadores de Hormigueros 7-1, with seven solid innings from left-handed pitcher Anthony Orta.
In the Southeast, the Yabucoa sugar producers surprised Leones de Patillas leaders with a 3-0 shutout, starring pitchers Noel Pinto and Steven Dávila. Meanwhile, the Humacao Grays won 5-2 over the Maunabo Jueyeros runners-up, thanks to Orlando Colón’s double in the sixth inning.
In the Central, the Toritos de Cayey overwhelmed the Polluelos de Aibonito 10-3 with the star Fernando Cabrera on the mound and three RBIs by Christian Torres. In addition, the Bravos de Cidra defeated the Próceres de Barranquitas 7-3 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored by Rey Navarro.
In the south, Juana Díaz’s Poets defeated Salinas Flying Fish 9-0, thanks to the efforts of pitchers Julio Morales, Héctor Baerga and Christian Negrón.
Also, the Coamo Marathoners came out through the wide door with a 6-5 result over the Colts of Santa Isabel. The four touchdowns that put the Marathoners ahead came in the seventh inning. The decisive hit was hit by Melvin Collazo, with an RBI single a couple of laps.
In the north, the Arenosos de Camuy left the Montañeses de Utuado on the field 6-5 on a sacrifice fly by Agustín Escobar in the ninth inning.
In another result, the Florida Titans dominated the Barceloneta Industriales 2-1. At the top of the ninth and with the bases loaded, Héctor Mercado received a ball with the bases loaded to put the Titans in front.
In the Metro, the Guardians of Dorado leaders painted the Cataño Lancheros 9-0 white. Pitcher Mad Salgado was the winner and Gabriel Roa drove in three runs with a home run.
For their part, the Carolina Giants beat the Vega Alta Maceteros 11-1. Anthony Rodriguez and Kaldwin Ortiz combined to drive six of the 11 touchdowns.
In the Southwest, the Petroleros de Peñuelas defeated the Petateros de Sabana Grande 5-4. Joiset Feliciano’s home run with a runner on base put the Oilers to joy in the seventh inning to take a definitive advantage.
Classify Añasco
The Founders of Añasco secured the last available ticket to the postseason by beating the Navegantes de Aguada 5-2 in decisive game.
Right-hander José Solá was in charge of silencing the Navegantes offense for 6.1 innings. Gaby Martinez was the one who brought in the Founders’ first touchdown with a solo homer in the first inning.
Añasco ranked fourth in the Northwest section and earned the right to play against the Aguadilla Sharks the semifinal series A of the Northwest.
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