Miami, Florida – Down two runs in the ninth, Panama pulled off the comeback edging Mexico 4-3 on the third day of the Caribbean Series. Just when it seemed like the Naranjeros de Hermosillo were going to win their first game of the tournament, the Federales’ bats came alive. It started inconspicuously. Mexico’s intended reliever Luis Marquez was declared ineligible because of an issue surrounding his jersey. Jake Sanchez took the mound instead hitting the lead-off hitter Iván Herrera on a full count. Christian Bethancourt followed up doubling down the third base line, bouncing off the bag.
Jhonny Santos #MVP del partido 🔥
Déjale tu comentario a Jhonny los estara leyendo 👀
#FederalesDeChriqui #Chiriqui #Panama pic.twitter.com/4JZS7LUt4M
— Federales de Chiriquí (@federalesdechi) February 4, 2024
Johan Camargo grounded out to second pushing across Herrera. With momentum on their side, Jean Arnaez hit the tying single followed by Jhonny Santos’ game-winning triple completing the rally. Panama remains undefeated moving up to 2-0 while Mexico slips to 0-3, their chances of advancing taking a significant hit. The former faces Nicaragua and the latter plays the Dominic Republic on Sunday.
Gaining the edge
Mexico jumped to an early 1-0 lead courtesy of a first-inning RBI single from Bobby Bradley. After knocking in Roberto Valenzuela for the opening run of the game, the Naranjeros’ advantage became very brief. Panama’s Federales de Chiriqui responded in the following frame. Santos homered to left knotting it up. The score remained level until the fifth. Agustin Murillo bunted a slow roller to third with two outs and runners at the corners, legging out Camargo’s throw for the go-ahead run. Hermosillo added an insurance run in the ninth but it proved not enough.
El federal chiricano Jhonny Santos en la parte baja del segundo episodio conecta cuadrangular para empatar el partido.
Panamá 1 – 1 México
Video @beisbolplay #FederalesDeChiriqui #SerieDelCaribe #Miami2024🌴 #HomeOfBeisbol pic.twitter.com/SW7jylst79
— Federales de Chiriquí (@federalesdechi) February 3, 2024
Mexico was badly in need of a win dropping their first two games of the tournament, their previous loss being a 2-0 shutout to Puerto Rico Friday night. Hermosillo was edged out by a loaded Curaçao Suns 6-5 on day 1 of the competition. Panama, meanwhile, kicked off their tourney hopes with an impressive 7-3 victory over the Suns.
The Naranjeros won the Mexican Pacific League championship, their 17th for the most in league history. Sweeping the Venados de Mazatlán 4-0, they punched their ticket to the Carribean Series. They’re led by former MLB infielder and coach Juan Castro. Sparked by third baseman Isaac Paredes and former Major Leaguer Aaron Altherr, the club returns to the Caribbean Series for the first time since 2014. Hermosillo won the tournament in their last appearance.
Over on the other side, the Federales defeated the Águilas Metropolitanas winning their first-ever championship. Strengthened by Bethancourt and Herrera, this is the ballclub’s second appearance in the Caribbean Series. Their first was the 2021 edition of the competition hosted in Mazatlán, Mexico.
A fishy connection
Bethancourt should ring a bell. During the offseason, the Miami Marlins looked to fill a big need at catcher. Acquiring the seven-year veteran from the Cleveland Guardians for cash, the Fish hopes to use his strong aim to reign in opposing runners. For 2023, the 32-year-old appeared in 104 games for the Tampa Bay Rays, a career-high, hitting .225 including 16 doubles. He also has some pop managing 11 dingers.
Desde Panamá, Miami Marlins Catcher @ChristianBeth27 🇵🇦
join us this season. tickets available now: https://t.co/5rOTQv6054 pic.twitter.com/FiyExte649
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) February 2, 2024
Christian was supplanted by René Pinto on the depth chart late in the season with the Guardians claiming him in early November. I’m looking forward to seeing him for spring training. Perhaps he’ll be Nick Fortes’ backup.
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