RAMÓN FIGUEROA'S SIX RBIs SET CARIBBEAN KIDS SERIES RECORD IN WINNING DEBUT FOR "TOMATERITOS"

Two home runs by the first baseman and four hitless innings from the bullpen backed a 9-2 victory over Puerto Rico in Mexico Red's opener.

TEPIC, NAYARIT. – The Tomateritos de Culiacán, representing Mexico Red, debuted with a 9-2 victory over Puerto Rico in the nightcap of Day 2 at the 3rd Caribbean Kids Series, held at the Coloso del Pacífico Don Alejo Peralta Stadium.

With one out in the first inning, Nicolás Sánchez and Luis Ángel Ríos drew back-to-back walks, and Ramón Alberto Figueroa drove them home with a three-run home run. Miguel Eduardo Ruiz followed with a single to left field, Milton Cota was hit by a pitch, and Damián Leopoldo López walked to load the bases. A wild pitch by the Puerto Rican starter allowed Ruiz to score, forcing a pitching change. The relief pitcher got the second out, but Jesús Acosta delivered an RBI single, and Sánchez, back in the batter's box in the same frame, drew a bases-loaded walk. Six runs in the top of the first had the game well in hand before Puerto Rico even came to bat.

The fourth inning unfolded in similar fashion. Sánchez led off with a single to right field, Luis Ángel Ríos walked, and Figueroa, once again with two runners aboard, drove the ball out of the park for his second home run of the night. His six RBIs set a single-game record for the Caribbean Kids Series.

Yael Alberto Cervantes started for the Tomateritos, pitching two innings with four strikeouts. Puerto Rico scored its two runs in the bottom of the second with virtually no contact: with one out, Darío Elian Díaz reached first on a wild pitch following a strikeout, Jacob Javier Lazu walked, and Bryan Abel Tolentino singled to left field to load the bases. A hit-by-pitch to Pedro Yovian Moreno forced in Díaz, and a sacrifice fly to center field by Neithan Johan Quiles brought home Lazu. Tolentino’s single was the only hit Puerto Rico mustered all game.

Ian Briceño came on in relief in the third inning and earned the win with three hitless, scoreless frames, striking out two and walking three. Lugo closed out the sixth, facing three batters and allowing no baserunners. Together, the duo combined for four shutout innings.

Milton Cota caught the entire game behind the dish, handling all three pitchers without a single passed ball.

Leadoff hitter Jesús Acosta finished with two hits, including the RBI single in the opening-frame rally. Miguel Eduardo Ruiz also chipped in two hits, scoring the fourth run of the first inning.

In the day’s other matchup, the Dominican Republic routed Mexico Green 14-2. With those results, the Dominicans lead the tournament at 2-0, followed by Mexico Red (1-0), Mexico Green (1-1), Panama (0-1), and Puerto Rico (0-2).

This Wednesday's slate features Puerto Rico facing Panama at 2:00 PM, followed by Mexico Red taking on Mexico Green at 7:00 PM local time—a rematch of the Mexican national final.

Nine runs, a tournament record, and an opening night these kids from Culiacán won't ever forget. The tournament is just getting started.