TOMATERITOS WALK OFF PANAMA 8-7 ON DAMIÁN LÓPEZ'S SIXTH-INNING SINGLE.

Trailing 4-0, Mexico Red produced a seven-run rally in the fifth capped by a three-run homer from Yael Cervantes, and secured the win in their final turn at bat. Second tournament victory moves them to 2-1 in the 3rd Caribbean Kids Series.

TEPIC, NAYARIT. – The Tomateritos de Culiacán, representing Mexico Red, defeated Panama 8-7 in the closest game of the 3rd Caribbean Kids Series so far. A single to left field by Damián Leopoldo López in the bottom of the sixth broke the tie and walked off the Panamanians at Coloso del Pacífico Don Alejo Peralta Stadium.

Panama got on the board first with three runs in the top of the third. Miguel Moreno and Noah Arauz set the table with back-to-back singles, Kendrick Salina drove both home with a double to center field, and Gabriel Ledezma reached on a defensive error that allowed Salina to score.

The Panamanians added another run in the fourth. Nelson Robledo drew a walk, stole second, and with two outs, crossed the plate when Thiago Serracín reached on an infield error.

The Mexican national champions entered the bottom of the fifth trailing 4-0 before turning the game on its head. The Tomateritos capitalized on three walks, two errors, and an infield hit, capped off by Yael Alberto Cervantes' three-run home run to push the lead to 7-4. Seven runs in a single frame after being held scoreless for 3.2 innings by Panamanian starter Axel Valdés.

Panama answered right back to tie the game in the top of the sixth. A single by Alams Rodríguez, walks to Robledo and Serracín, a stolen base, a wild pitch, and a two-run double by Arauz brought the score to 7-7.

The game-winning play came immediately after. Jesús Acosta got on base, and Damián Leopoldo López delivered a clutch single to left field, driving Acosta home with the winning run for the 8-7 victory.

Miguel Eduardo Ruiz started for the Tomateritos, tossing 2.2 innings with six strikeouts and no walks. Nicolás Sánchez relieved him with 2.1 hitless innings.

The win went to Jesús Acosta, who closed out the top of the sixth on the mound before scoring the walk-off run moments later. The loss was charged to Panama's Carlos Pérez.

For Panama, Noah Arauz led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

In the day's opening game, the Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico by mercy rule, 17-7. Isaac Brito became the first player in Caribbean Kids Series history to hit three home runs in a single game, setting a tournament record with seven RBIs.

The Dominican Republic leads the standings at 3-0. Mexico Green and Mexico Red share second place with matching 2-1 records, Panama sits at 1-2, and Puerto Rico rounds out the standings at 0-4.

The round-robin phase concludes this Friday. The Tomateritos will face the Dominican Republic at 2:00 PM local time, followed by Mexico Green taking on Panama at 7:00 PM.

A seven-run inning and a walk-off victory in their final turn at bat: the Tomateritos head into the final day of pool play at 2-1, facing an undefeated Dominican squad.