Patillas defeats Juncos in Double A Champions Cup

Starter Ryan Muñoz and five other Patillas pitchers limited Juncos to just four hits. (Brian Díaz)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Leones of Patillas defeated the Mulos of Juncos 4-1 on Friday in the Champions Cup of the Double A Superior Baseball League at Mariano “Nini” Meaux Stadium in Juncos.

With the win, Patillas secured its place in the winners’ bracket of the 2026 preseason tournament, backed by an effective pitching combination of six pitchers, who limited the Juncos offense to just four hits.

This game represented a rematch between the two finalists from August 2025, when the Mulos (Mules) were crowned champions for the 11th time.

The Leones’ (Lions’) first run came in the second inning on an RBI single by Geomar Santana. The visitors extended the lead in the sixth inning with two more runs, driven in on a hit by Jaime Ortiz and a double-play ground ball by Gerani Colón.

On the mound, Patillas starter Ryan Muñoz went four scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Zariel Dilán, Carlos Jazmín, Andrés Medina, Jean Pabón and Christian Bonilla worked the remaining innings in relief. On offense, Yahir Fonseca led the way for the Lions, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Francisco López took the loss for Juncos after pitching two innings, in which he allowed one run.