Caribbean World Series 2015: Updated Standings, Schedule and Results
It may not get the hype of other international baseball tournaments like the Little League World Series or the World Baseball Classic, but the Caribbean World Series always provides excellent, exciting baseball and some of the brightest prospects in the game.
Below, you'll find the final standings, schedule, results and recaps from each day of action of this year's tournament, which saw Cuba defeat Mexico 3-2 in the final.
Games and Results
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| Monday, Feb. 2 | 12:05 p.m. | Cuba vs. Mexico | Mexico wins, 2-1 |
| Monday, Feb. 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico | Venezuela wins, 5-2 |
| Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 12:05 p.m. | Cuba vs. Dominican Republic | Dominican Republic wins, 6-1 |
| Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Puerto Rico vs. Mexico | Mexico wins, 3-2 |
| Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 12:05 p.m. | Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela | Venezuela wins, 6-5 |
| Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Puerto Rico vs. Cuba | Cuba wins, 3-2 |
| Thursday, Feb. 5 | 12:05 p.m. | Venezuela vs. Cuba | Venezuela wins, 6-2 |
| Thursday, Feb. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Mexico vs. Dominican Republic | Dominican Republic wins, 3-2 |
| Friday, Feb. 6 | 12:05 p.m. | Mexico vs. Venezuela | Venezuela wins, 4-2 |
| Friday, Feb. 6 | 6:30 p.m. | Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico wins, 3-2 |
| Sat., Feb. 7 | 12:05 p.m. | Mexico vs. Dominican Republic | Mexico wins, 5-4 |
| Sat., Feb. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Cuba vs. Venezuela | Cuba wins, 8-4 |
| Sunday, Feb. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Mexico vs. Cuba | Cuba wins, 3-2 |
Standings
| Venezuela | 4 | 1 |
| Mexico | 3 | 3 |
| Cuba | 3 | 3 |
| Dominican Republic | 2 | 3 |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 3 |
Day 7 Overview
Cuba scored a run in each of the first two innings to jump out to an early lead on Mexico, and then held on for a 3-2 victory in the Caribbean Series final.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network noted how significant the triumph was for the Cubans:
It was quite a current of history Cuba was working against, as Mexico had claimed the previous two Caribbean Series titles.
Small ball was the name of the game in the top of the first. With two outs, Yulieski Gourriel reached on an infield single and advanced to second base on a base hit by Alfredo Despaigne. Designated hitter Frederich Cepeda drove Gourriel home to plate the first run of the game.
Some believe Gourriel has the tools to make it in MLB—provided he's able to do so lawfully.
"I want to play, but I want to do it legally, with permission," said Gourriel to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. "Everyone wants to play in the highest level in the world. For baseball players, that's in MLB."
Third baseman Luis Yander La O got a timely one-out hit to score William Saavedra. Mexico didn't get on the board until the bottom of the fifth, when shortstop Walter Ibarra singled home Joey Meneses.
MiLB.com highlighted Meneses' strong outing:
Then it was Gourriel's turn for heroics when Mexico had pulled within one run, as he hit a solo shot off of Juan Delgadillo in the eighth to stretch Cuba's lead to 3-1.
Although Mexico scored once more in the bottom half of the eighth, it wasn't quite enough. Cuba had a big advantage of 11-4 in hits. Hector Mendoza retired the side in the ninth, striking out Ibarra swinging to end it in style.
Baseball America's Ben Badler weighed in once the game had been decided:
It is a stunning achievement that Cuba was able to go from not participating in the Caribbean Series since 1960 until last year, per Sanchez, to winning the whole tournament this year. Such is a testament to the quality and depth of baseball talent the nation has.
Provided the nucleus returns for the 2016 edition, Cuba figures to be a favorite, though Mexico will likely be eager to get back on top after falling just short of a three-peat. The budding rivalry should create some buildup and anticipation ahead of the next Caribbean Series.
Day 6 Overview
For the second consecutive day, the Dominican Republic suffered a heartbreaking defeat. Unlike Friday's loss against Puerto Rico, which ended qualifying play, Saturday was devastating because it spelled the end of the Dominican's run at the Caribbean Series.
It looked like Mexico would cruise to an easy victory after grabbing a 5-0 lead in the sixth inning. Jose Manuel Rodriguez had an excellent hitting day, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Ali Solis, a catcher in the Dodgers organization, provided the final blow with an RBI double off Zach Jackson to score Rodriguez.
The Dominicans would slowly chip away at the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a throwing error by Solis and an RBI single from Elian Herrera.
Hector Gomez made it 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth with a double that allowed Alexi Casilla to score. Gomez would be stranded at second base after Herrera and Audy Ciriaco both grounded out to first base. The Dominican offense would threaten again in the bottom of the ninth with Jonathan Villar and Willy Garcia reaching base to start the inning.
Jay Jackson was brought in to save the game for Mexico, which he did by retiring Robinzon Diaz, Luis Jimenez and Casilla in order with a run scoring as the result of a fielder's choice.
According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, based on recent results in the Caribbean Series, this is not a new spot for Mexico to be in:
Mexico will take on Cuba in the final on Sunday. The Cuban team pulled off a huge upset in the night cap by defeating previously undefeated Venezuela thanks to a five-run outburst in the seventh inning.
Frederich Cepeda, who was the offensive star of the game, had the big hit in that seventh inning with a three-run double off Richard Salazar. The 35-year-old went 4-for-5 with five RBI and one run scored, which elicited this Tweet from Baseball America's Ben Badler:
Making this win even more impressive is the way Cuba survived an initial onslaught from Venezuela's offense. This was a 4-0 game after the fourth inning thanks to an RBI double from Felix Perez and sloppy defense by Cuba catcher Yosvani Alarcon.
Norge Ruiz and Hector Mendoza combined for 5.1 shutout innings with five hits and four strikeouts in relief of Freddy Alvarez.
With presumed favorite Venezuela knocked out, Mexico has to feel good about its chances heading into Sunday's finale against Cuba. The two teams met in the first game of the Caribbean Series with Mexico getting a 2-1 win behind strong pitching and timely hitting.
Another win over Cuba on Sunday will give Mexico its fourth Caribbean Series title in five years. Cuba hasn't won this event since 1960, so the baseball-obsessed country is starved for a championship.
Day 5 Overview
Venezuela kept a perfect record in the Caribbean World Series thanks to a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Mexico.
The Mexican team jumped out to a 2-0 in the sixth inning after Jose Manuel Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to score Eric Farris. They were helped out earlier in the frame by some sloppy defense from Venezuela. Catcher Jesus Flores was charged with a pass ball that allowed Farris to reach second base.
A throwing error by Venezuelan shortstop Orlando Arcia allowed Joey Meneses to get on base. Russell Branyan would single to load the bases before Rodriguez's sac fly.
Venezuela answered in the bottom of the sixth with RBI doubles from Alexi Amarista and Felix Perez to tie the game, 2-2. The score would stay that way until the bottom of the eighth when the fireworks started. Minnesota Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia played hero with a two-run homer off Manny Barreda.
Even though he didn't get credited with the win, Venezuela starting pitcher Junior Guerra pitched a solid game with one unearned run allowed and seven strikeouts in five innings. He kept his team in the game long enough for the offense to come alive.
The late-inning heroics continued in the nightcap, as Puerto Rico salvaged a disappointing tournament with a 3-2 walk-off win over the Dominican Republic.
Also, like the first game featured a Twins prospect playing the hero for Venezuela, another one delivered in the clutch. This time it was outfield prospect Daniel Ortiz, per MiLB.com's official Twitter:
Ortiz had to play hero because Puerto Rican right-hander Fernando Cabrera couldn't hold a lead in the ninth inning. The former MLB reliever gave up an RBI single to Phillies prospect Maikel Franco that scored Elian Herrera.
Franco had an excellent game, going 2-for-4 and driving in both runs for the Dominican Republic with the first coming on a home run in the fifth inning.
Both teams had strong starting pitching with Marlon Arias giving the Dominican Republic five innings with six hits and two runs allowed. Jorge Martinez was even better for Puerto Rico by tossing 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts, one hit and one run allowed.
Puerto Rico was already eliminated from the Caribbean Series, so Friday's win was just a chance to save face against a solid Dominican team. The loss didn't really affect the Dominicans, as they were already locked into a game against Mexico on Saturday.
Day 4 Overview
Cuba's rough Caribbean World Series continued on Thursday, as the team couldn't build on the momentum from Wednesday's win and lost to undefeated Venezuela (3-0), 6-2.
Cesar Valdez was the hero for the red-hot Venezuelans, giving up solo home runs to Alexander Malleta and Luis Valdes but striking out eight in seven innings of work.
"Things worked out well," Valdez told Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. "I was trying to work down in the strike zone, and thank God things worked out the way I hoped."
Things have not worked out for Cuba at all in this tournament. It appeared they were on the right track in the bottom of the second, scoring the game's first run, but Venezuela exploded for four runs in the top of the third. That would be all the Venezuelans needed.
Cuba (1-3) was playing amidst the news that Vladimir Gutierrez and Dainer Moreira defected to Puerto Rico the day before. It's uncertain if that served as a distraction to the Cuban side, though given the poor tournament they've had, it's hard to imagine it made that big of a difference.
A furious comeback in the final two innings saw Mexico throw away a 2-0 lead and lose 3-2 to the Dominican Republic on Thursday night at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
Maxwell Leon provided the first run for Mexico, singling home Rico Noel in the top of the third. Jose Rodriguez doubled the advantage in the top of the seventh, scoring on a fielding error.
The Dominican Republic lucked into their first run somewhat after a wild pitch by Hector Rodriguez allowed Hector Gomez to score in the bottom of the eighth.
In the bottom of the ninth, Oscar Villarreal completely unraveled. He allowed a leadoff single to Carlos Paulino, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jonathan Villar. Paulino scored the tying run on a single by Leury Garcia.
A single by Gomez put runners on the corners with one out. A strikeout by Maikel Franco did little to help Villarreal, who was replaced by Randy Jackson.
The first batter Jackson faced was Elian Herrera, who capped off an eight-pitch at-bat with a walk-off base hit to end the game.
Day 3 Overview
Neither Venezuela nor the Dominican Republic could get so much two innings out of their starting pitcher. Their bullpens, though, saved the day in what was one of the best games of the Caribbean World Series thus far.
Starting off, it looked like an offensive bloodbath. The Dominicans started off pelting Yeiper Castillo for two runs in the top of the first, to which the Venezuelans responded by dropping four on starter Edward Valdez. Valdez was pulled after recording only two outs and giving up four runs, all unearned due to fielding miscues.
Down 4-2, the Dominican Republic responded by ending Castillo's afternoon after only 1.1 innings. Alexi Casilla drove in two runs following a throwing error by Venezuelan reliever Eric Niesen. By the time Niesen got out of the inning, Venezuela was back down a run at 5-4. After Niuman Romero homered and Balbino Fuenmayor hit an RBI double to put them back ahead 6-5 in the bottom of the second, 11 runs were scored in as many outs.
Here is where you'd expect a continuation of the offensive onslaught. Here is where you'd be wrong. After compiling 11 runs across their first 11 outs, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic combined for zero over their next 43. The bullpens for each side pitched the final seven innings without giving up a run. Only two half-innings the rest of the way had so much as two hits; only three times did a runner get within 90 feet of home plate.
Venezuela used eight relievers in total. Jean Toledo, who pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, was awarded the win. Carlos Pimentel was given the loss for the Dominican Republic, which drops to 1-1.
In the day's other game, Cuba avoided an 0-3 fate thanks to the late-game heroics of Roel Santos. The outfielder hit a game-winning single to right-center field, scoring Frank Morejon to give Cuba a 3-2 win over Puerto Rico in extra innings.
Hector Mendoza, Cuba's third of three relievers, got the win. He pitched 3.2 innings of scoreless ball, holding on despite walking four batters. Fernando Cabrera got the loss for Puerto Rico, which is now the only winless team remaining in the World Series. The loss will overshadow a strong effort from 30-year-old Mario Santiago, who struck out six batters over five scoreless innings.
Cuba will play Venezuela on Thursday as it attempts to get back to .500. Puerto Rico, which is eliminated from contention, is off Thursday before its final pool play game Friday against the Dominican Republic.
Day 2 Overview
Things went from bad to worse for Cuba and Puerto Rico on Tuesday, as both teams dipped to 0-2 at this year's Caribbean World Series.
In the day's first contest, Cuba picked up its second loss, this time falling to the Dominican Republic, 6-1, scoring a single run for the second straight game. Rafael Perez (5.1 innings, six hits, no runs, one strikeout) and five relievers combined to give up 12 hits but only a solitary run.
Already leading 1-0, the Dominicans blew this one up in the bottom of the sixth. Audy Ciriaco's RBI single got things started, and Willy Garcia followed with a two-run homer. Alexi Casilla's RBI fielder's choice gave the Dominicans a lead they wouldn't come close to relinquishing.
In the nightcap, Mexico went 2-0 with another tight win, this time knocking off Puerto Rico. Five different pitchers combined to give up just eight hits and two runs. Maxwell Leon was the hero, as his sacrifice fly in the seventh inning broke a 2-2 deadlock and ultimately gave Mexico the win.
That spoiled Joel Pineiro's start. The former Major Leaguer pitched six innings for Puerto Rico, giving up six hits and two runs.
Wednesday will be a vital day for Cuba and Puerto Rico, as the two countries face off, each in desperate need of a victory. Meanwhile, both Venezuela and the Dominican Republic will be looking to catch up to Mexico, as the two 1-0 teams face off with a spot next to the Mexicans atop the standings up for grabs.
Wednesday promises to be a huge day at the Caribbean World Series, in other words.
Day 1 Overview
Mexico opened the 2015 Caribbean World Series with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Cuba. Anthony Vasquez led the way for Mexico, throwing five innings and giving up just one run and five hits. Three relievers combined to give up just one hit and no runs over the final four innings, sealing the win for Mexico.
The Mexicans did their damage in the sixth and seventh innings, with Walter Ibarra's tiebreaking single the difference in the close contest.
For a Cuban team with plenty of firepower, the result was a disappointing one.
"Baseball is unpredictable," Cuban manager Alfonso Urquiola told Jorge L. Ortiz of USA Today. "When you look at our roster, we're an offensive team. But things don't always go the way you want them to. Obviously we expect more from our team."
In the nightcap, Venezuela defeated host Puerto Rico, 5-2, behind a big third inning that saw Ehire Adrianza hit an RBI single before Alexi Amarista ripped a two-run triple. That would be enough for the Venezuelans, though they pushed across two more runs in the fourth inning as well.
Daryl Thompson was excellent for Venezuela, giving up a run in six innings while striking out five. His counterpart, Giovanni Soto, had a much rougher outing, giving up all five runs on six hits and three walks in four innings of work.
