In Guadalajara, Mexico, reliever Guadalupe Chavez’s multiple wild pitches with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning allowed the Charros of Jalisco to edge out the Culiacan Tomateros 12-11 on Saturday, securing the franchise’s first Caribbean Series championship. The Charros, who had previously fallen to the Escogido Leones from the Dominican Republic in last year’s final, held a commanding 9-1 lead after four innings. However, the Tomateros rallied back to tie the game at 10-10 and then briefly took an 11-10 lead in extra innings before Jalisco loaded the bases and Chavez’s errant pitch sealed the victory.
This win provides Mexico its first Caribbean Series title since 2016, when the Mazatlán Venados earned the crown. Originally, the series was slated to take place in Venezuela, but due to political unrest, the event was relocated to Guadalajara. Several teams from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico declined to participate in the Venezuelan-hosted tournament over concerns stemming from tensions between Venezuela and the United States. With Venezuela’s national team opting out, Mexico was allowed to enter two squads in this year’s competition.
Fan Take: Although this exciting baseball finale might seem distant for basketball enthusiasts, the determination and resilience demonstrated here resonate across all sports. For basketball fans, it’s a reminder that international competitions often bring unexpected twists and thrilling moments, which could encourage greater regional collaboration and cross-sport fan engagement in the future.
