Hatillo scores 9 in the 8th to beat Florida in Double-A.
By THE STAR STAFF
The Tigres of Hatillo scored nine runs in the eighth inning to beat the Titanes of Florida 11-6 and complicate the Titanes’ path to playoff contention in the Superior Double-A Baseball League.
Erick Sepúlveda pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win in relief. Offensively, Jay Feliciano hit a home run and drove in four runs, while Ángel “Gallo” Rosa blasted two home runs and knocked in five runs.
Meanwhile, Dereck Rodríguez pitched a complete game to lead the Atenienses of Manatí to an 8-0 shutout victory over the Montañeses of Utuado. The previously delayed contest resumed in the fourth inning with Manatí holding a 4-0 lead.
Rodríguez struck out six batters, allowed five hits, and improved his record to 4-1.
With the aforementioned results, Manatí, Utuado and Florida remain in contention for the two available postseason berths in the North Section. The Montañeses face the most difficult scenario; they are required to win both of their remaining games and, furthermore, must rely on a loss by either the Titanes or the Atenienses to force a tie and keep their playoff hopes alive.
In the Southeast Section, the Leones of Patillas shut out the Samaritanos of San Lorenzo 2-0 behind a complete-game performance by Carlos Polanco, who struck out seven batters and allowed just three hits. Additionally, the Jueyeros of Maunabo defeated the division-leading Azucareros of Yabucoa, 2-1, thanks to a combined pitching effort from Luisiel Rivera and Dennzel Ruiz.
In inter-sectional play, the Grises of Humacao defeated the Halcones of Gurabo, 7-5, powered by three RBIs from Dickie González.
In the Metro Division, the Melao Melao of Vega Baja surprised the Maceteros of Vega Alta with a 2-1 victory, thanks to a home run by Julio Cajigas in the top of the ninth inning. Evan Rosa pitched a complete game to earn the win. Vega Baja snapped a 13-game losing streak to close out the regular season with a 3-17 record.
Meanwhile, the Lancheros of Cataño defeated the Mets of Guaynabo, 6-4, powered by southpaw starter José Vélez, who recorded six strikeouts over seven innings.
In the Northwest Division, the Libertadores of Hormigueros beat the Fundadores of Añasco, 5-4, backed by seven innings pitched by right-hander Roy Geigel.
In the East Division, the league-leading Artesanos of Las Piedras won their fifth straight by shutting out the Cocoteros of Loíza, 10-0, and officially eliminating Loíza from playoff contention.
Miguel Mejía pitched the first six innings, recording six strikeouts, to earn the win, while Yandel Tolentino completed the pitching duties in relief.
