Yabucoa breaks Sabana Grande’s 9-game win streak

Cristián González pitched six innings, striking out six and allowing three runs -- one unearned -- to pick up the win on Saturday as the Azucareros of Yabucoa improved to 2-0 in the Double-A “Carnaval de Campeones.” (Gilmari Cruz)

Hatillo picks up its first win ever in the ‘Carnaval de Campeones’

By THE STAR STAFF

The Azucareros of Yabucoa, Pescadores del Plata of Comerío, Libertadores of Hormigueros and Tigres of Hatillo all secured victories on Saturday in the Superior Double-A Baseball League’s “Carnaval de Campeones” (Carnival of Champions).

Visiting Yabucoa defeated the Petateros of Sabana Grande 5-3 at Rafael Milán Padró Stadium, snapping the Petateros’ nine-game winning streak. It was Sabana Grande’s first loss of the postseason.

Right-hander Cristián González pitched six innings, striking out six and allowing three runs -- one unearned -- to claim the win for Yabucoa (2-0). In relief, Luis Omar Dávila, Alberto Rosario, Jonnathdael González and Joan Román held the Petateros (1-1) scoreless, with Román earning the save.

Jan Hernández drove in two runs, and Kevin Santa went 3-for-5 with three runs scored for the Azucareros.

At Mariano “Niní” Meaux Stadium in Juncos, meanwhile, three Comerío pitchers combined to shut out the defending champion Mulos of Juncos, 4-0. Comerío has now won six consecutive games.

Southpaw ace Héctor Hernández pitched the first seven innings, striking out eight and allowing just three hits to secure the victory for the Pescadores del Plata. Alexis Ortiz and Kelvin Román completed the shutout.

Luis Colón hit a home run and Kevin Millet drove in two runs to lead the offense as Comerío improved to 2-0, while Juncos fell to 0-2.

At Luis Guillermo Moreno Stadium in Santa Isabel, the Libertadores routed the Maratonistas of Coamo, 10-2, powered by a 15-hit attack. Ramón Agosto, Adriel Acevedo and Jhenzel Figueroa combined for nine of those hits. Hormigueros secured the lead in the fourth inning on a grand slam by Carlos Lugo. Left-hander Omar Meléndez pitched six innings to earn the win for the Libertadores (1-1). The Maratonistas stand at 0-2.

Meanwhile, right-hander Rawell Rivera pitched a complete game in the Tigres’ 2-1 victory over the Gigantes of Carolina at Rafael “Fello” Marrero Stadium in Florida. Both teams now have 1-1 records.

Rivera -- undefeated at 5-0 in the postseason -- struck out four, allowed six hits, and issued one walk for the Tigres. Ángel “Gallo” Rosa hit a home run as Hatillo notched its first-ever win in the Carnaval de Campeones.