Cangrejeros drop 2nd straight in Caribbean Series

Luis Fernando Miranda earned the win for the Charros after stifling the Puerto Rican offense, which managed only two of its four hits against him in six innings pitched. (Facebook via BeisbolPuro)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Cangrejeros of Puerto Rico suffered their second setback on Tuesday night, falling 3-0 to the Charros of Mexico on the third day of the Caribbean Series at Pan American Stadium in Zapopan in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

The Cangrejeros now have a 1-2 record, while the Charros improved to 2-1.

Charros right-hander Luis Fernando Miranda earned the win after almost completely shutting down the Puerto Rican offense, which managed only two of its four hits against him in six innings pitched. He also struck out five batters.

“What can I say? Sometimes you have to acknowledge when you face great pitching, like the kind shown by Mexico Red [the Charros],” Cangrejeros manager Omar López said in a press conference after the game. “We watched their videos, we did our scouting. His numbers are impressive, and sometimes you have to tip your cap to that kind of performance.”

The Charros’ offense, meanwhile, was led by second baseman Michael Wielansky. Batting third in the lineup, the right-handed hitter went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

The Charros scored their first run in the first inning against Cangrejeros starter Eduardo Rivera. Billy Hamilton led off with a double to center field and scored on an error by Andrew Velázquez on his throw to first base after fielding a ground ball hit by Wielansky.

In the third inning it was Wielansky again, driving in the second run of the game with a double. In the previous at-bat, Julián Ornelas had reached first base with a line drive to left field and subsequently stole second base.

The Ornelas-Wielansky duo wreaked havoc again in the fifth. Ornelas led off with the Charros’ third double of the game, and Wielansky drove him in with a single to extend the home team’s lead to 3-0.

The loss went to Rivera after he allowed the Charros’ first two runs in his three and two-thirds innings pitched. The left-hander walked four batters and struck out five. Right-hander Trevor Clifton earned the save for the Charros.

Puerto Rico will play its fourth game today against the Federales of Panama. The game will be broadcast on WAPA Deportes starting at 4 p.m.