Team Caribe wins Double-A All-Star Game.

A 7-5 victory over Team Atlantic in the Double-A All-Star Game on Saturday in Cataño marked the fifth consecutive year of dominance for Team Caribe, which is composed of select players from the East, Southeast, Central and South sections. (Eileen Quintero)

By THE STAR STAFF

Team Caribe defeated Team Atlantic 7-5 on Saturday night in the traditional Double-A Superior Baseball League All-Star Game, held at Pedro “Perucho” Cepeda Stadium in Cataño.

The game marked the fifth consecutive year of dominance for Team Caribe, which is composed of select players from the East, Southeast, Central and South sections.

It was the first time Cataño hosted the flagship event of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation (FBPR by its initials in Spanish) season, with support from the Lancheros franchise and the Autonomous Municipality of Cataño. The day’s festivities also included the sixth edition of the “Legends of Our Baseball” Game, which brought together 60 distinguished former Double-A players.

Team Caribe took a one-run lead in the top of the seventh inning with a three-run rally after trailing 5-3. Nelson Molina of the Toritos of Cayey narrowed the gap with an RBI single, and shortly thereafter, Melvin Reyes of the Maratonistas of Coamo, hit the key single that drove in the tying and go-ahead runs.

Team Caribe pitchers held Team Atlantic scoreless in the final three innings.

The Team Caribe offense also featured home runs from Dilan Rosario of the Halcones of Gurabo and Kenen Irizarry of the Criollos of Caguas. Rosario was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after going 2-for-3 at the plate, with two RBIs and two runs scored.

On the pitching side, Rubén Ramírez of the Mulos of Juncos was selected as the standout pitcher after working two scoreless innings and recording three strikeouts. Reliever Harold Cortijo of the Cocoteros of Loíza earned the win, while Luis González of the Criollos notched the save with two strikeouts in the ninth inning.

Jaime Ayende of the Tigres of Hatillo took the loss for Team Atlantic, while Jesmuel Valentín of the Titanes of Florida drove in three of his squad’s five runs with a home run.

The FBPR dedicated the All-Star Game to Guillermo “Willie” Montañez, a standout former Double-A player for Cataño, a member of the 1965 Puerto Rican National Team, and a veteran of Major League Baseball and other professional leagues.

Prior to the game, special recognition was also bestowed upon the star pitcher for the Cariduros of Fajardo, Jean Félix Ortega, for joining the 90-win club. Similarly, pitcher José Vélez of the Lancheros of Cataño was honored; earlier this year he pitched a no-hitter in a victory over the Montañeses Utuado.

Both players received commemorative posters presented by the federation president, Dr. José Daniel Quiles.

Earlier in the afternoon, Team Cano García comfortably defeated Team Roberto Lugo 10-2 in the “Legends of Our Baseball” Game, powered by four RBIs and three hits from José Juan Collazo, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Orville Batista earned the win, while Heriberto “El Zorro” Bermúdez took the loss. Luisito Ramos also stood out, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

In the pre-game competitions, Kevin Meléndez of the Gigantes of Carolina won the catchers’ challenge and received a prize of $200.

Meanwhile, Jay Feliciano of the Tigres won the home run derby with five round-trippers, taking home a prize of $400. The prizes were awarded by the FBPR.