Caribbean Series 2016: Championship Winner and Results After Sunday
Mexico capped its remarkable, undefeated run at the Caribbean Series on Sunday with a walk-off home run by Jorge Vazquez in the bottom of the ninth inning that secured a 5-4 victory to capture its third title in four years.
Vazquez powered a 2-0 breaking ball well over the left-center field wall that left no doubt as he rounded first base, as shown by ESPN Beisbol:
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The homer marked Vazquez’s first RBI this week, yet he still hit a reliable 6-for-18 primarily in the five-hole as the team’s designated hitter.
Here is a look at the final standings from the exciting week of action:
| Mexico | 6-0 |
| Venezuela | 4-2 |
| Puerto Rico | 2-3 |
| Cuba | 1-4 |
| Dominican Republic | 0-4 |
| Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela | VEN, 2-1 |
| Mexico vs. Dominican Republic | MEX, 3-2 |
| Cuba vs. Mexico | MEX, 9-3 |
| Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic | VEN, 8-7 |
| Venezuela vs. Mexico | MEX, 6-4 |
| Puerto Rico vs. Cuba | PUR, 12-1 |
| Venezuela vs. Cuba | VEN, 3-1 |
| Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico | PUR, 2-1 |
| Mexico vs. Puerto Rico | MEX, 8-4 |
| Cuba vs. Dominican Republic | CUBA, 4-2 |
| Semifinal 1: Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela | VEN, 13-3 |
| Semifinal 2: Cuba vs. Mexico | MEX, 7-2 |
| Championship: Mexico vs. Venezuela | MEX, 5-4 |
Catcher Sebastian Valle, however, was Mexico’s offensive catalyst after lining a two-RBI single in the bottom of the seventh that tied the game at 4-4 after Mexico blew a 2-0 lead through the first four innings.
Venezuela second baseman Hernan Perez lined a two-run homer to center with no outs in the top of the fifth to tie the game. In the seventh inning, Teodoro Martinez followed with an RBI single to right that nearly scored two, though Perez was thrown out at home trying to score. Alex Romero added a sacrifice fly later in the inning that gave Venezuela a 4-2 cushion.
But Mexico responded quickly with Valle’s grounder with two outs that scored Yuniesky Betancourt and Esteban Quiroz, which brought everything even.
Venezuela nearly regained the lead in the top of the eighth when Sandy Leon laced a two-out single to left, but Luis Ugueto was thrown out at the plate while ambitiously trying to score from second.
It then had a runner on second with one out in the top of the ninth, but Romero and Adonis Garcia hit back-to-back pop-outs that ended the frame, just before Vazquez blasted his game-winning shot.
Mexico closer Steven Hensley was credited the win with just 0.1 innings of service. Starter Eddie Gamboa was relieved after allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits over 6.1 innings.
Mexico finished the week 6-0 with a collective performance that was a true testament to its continued dominance in the Caribbean Series, now with nine titles and four in the past six years.
Postgame Reaction
Mexico coach Juan Jose Pacho was most impressed with his team's continued resolve and their ability to maintain a resilient demeanor during its undefeated run.
"We never gave up. We always battled to the fullest and kept our heads up, so today we celebrate this crown," Pacho said, courtesy the Associated Press.
Venezuela coach Eduardo Perez was humble in defeat, and credited Mexico for its remarkable run.
"That's baseball," Perez said, per the AP. "We played hard and gave everything on the field. Congratulations to Mexico because they did a great job and are worthy champions."
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