Leones, Senadores, Criollos prevail in a trio of one-run games in LBPRC
By THE STAR STAFF
The Leones of Ponce, Senadores of San Juan and Criollos of Caguas all emerged victorious on Wednesday night in Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (LBPRC) play.
At Isidoro “Cholo” García Stadium in Mayagüez, timely hitting from catcher Jacob Reimer propelled the Leones to a 4-3 win over the Indios.
Reimer went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBIs, and a run scored, helping the Leones improve their record to 3-4. The Indios fell to 2-5.
Leones starting pitcher Johnathan Bermúdez engaged in a pitching duel with Indios starter Bryant Salgado through the first four innings, treating fans to a masterclass in stifling opposing hitters.
After Danny Ortiz and Shawn Ross hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to bring the Indios back from a 2-0 deficit to lead 3-2, Reimer’s two-run homer in the top of the eighth put the Leones ahead, 4-3.
Alex Claudio (1-0) earned the win for Ponce; the left-hander allowed three runs over one and one-third innings. Right-hander Andrew Marrero recorded his second save of the season. Right-hander Jorge López (2-1) took the loss for Mayagüez, giving up two runs in one inning of work.
Meanwhile, at Yldefonso Solá Morales Stadium in Caguas, a base hit by catcher Onix Vega in the eighth inning secured a 3-2 victory for the Criollos over the Gigantes of Carolina.
It was the fourth win in a row for the Criollos (4-1) and their second straight victory against Carolina (4-3).
The Criollos took control of the game in the eighth inning, rallying for two runs to go ahead 3-2 on RBI singles by Won Bin-Cho and Vega off Gigantes reliever Jake Gozzo.
The win went to right-hander John McMillon (1-0), who allowed only one hit and no runs over one and one-third innings. Meanwhile, Gozzo (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
At Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Hato Rey, a double by Robbie Enríquez in the 10th inning helped the Senadores defeat the Cangrejeros of Santurce, 9-8.
After San Juan (2-3) scored three runs in the ninth inning to even the score at 7-7, the tie-breaker rule was applied, placing a runner in scoring position for each team. The Senadores began the top of the 10th with pinch-runner Manny García on second base. With two outs, Delvin Pérez reached base on an error by second baseman Shed Long Jr. With runners on the corners, Enríquez doubled to the opposite field, driving in two runs for a 9-7 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Cangrejeros (4-3) scored one run on a ground ball by Johneshwy Fargas, but could not produce another.
Enríquez finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs for San Juan.
The win went to Leonardo Rodríguez (1-0). Japanese pitcher Narita Haruse earned his second save of the season. The loss was charged to Francisco Mateo (0-1), who allowed San Juan’s two runs in the 10th.
