Indians, Lions & Giants earn victories in LBPRC

Jacob Berry singled to right field to drive in two runs and cap a four-run rally by the Ponce Lions in the fifth inning.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Mayagüez Indians, Ponce Lions and Carolina Giants closed out Saturday night’s games with victories in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (LPPRC by its initials in Spanish).

Mayagüez defeated the visiting Caguas Criollos 5-2 at Isidoro “Cholo” García Stadium. The home team took control from the first inning with a double by Anthony García that drove in Eddie Rosario. Matthew Lugo drove in the second run in the second inning, and Isan Díaz added a solo home run in the fourth. Luis Vázquez hit his sixth home run of the season to produce Caguas’ two runs in the fifth, but the Indians (Indios) secured the win in the seventh with RBIs from Rosario and Emmanuel Rivera. Keylan Killgore earned the win and Jorge López the save for Mayagüez (13-14). Duane Underwood took the loss for the Criollos (14-15).

In Ponce, the second-place Lions (Leones) rallied for four runs in the fifth inning to overcome the league-leading Santurce Crabbers (Cangrejeros) 4-3 at Francisco “Paquito” Montaner Stadium in Ponce. Edwin Díaz drove in two runs with a single to right field, and a throwing error allowed the tying run to score. Then, Jacob Berry hit a single to right field to bring in two more runs and complete the rally. Santurce (19-10) scored runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings, but the Ponce (16-12) bullpen contained the threat. Julio Torres earned the win, and Andrew Marrero recorded his ninth save of the season.

At Hiram Bithorn Stadium, the Carolina Giants (Gigantes) came from behind and defeated the San Juan Senators (Senadores) 5-4 after a dramatic finish. With San Juan leading 4-3 in the ninth inning, a double by Gabriel Cancel tied the game. Cancel then stole third and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Johnathan Rodríguez. Ren Mukunoki earned the win in relief, and Aneuris Rosario suffered the loss. Carolina (14-15) opened the game with two runs in the first inning and added another in the sixth, while San Juan (9-19) scored in the first, fourth and eighth innings.