2021 Caribbean Series

The 2021 Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was the fifty-first edition of the second stage of the Caribbean Series. It was played in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico from January 31-February 6, 2021, at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal. It was the first Caribbean Series to start in January. The series featured six teams - from Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela. The Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Winter League won the series and were managed by Félix Fermín. The Most Valuable Player was Juan Lagares, an outfielder with the Águilas Cibaeñas.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance was capped at 40% and those in attendance had to wear masks.

Final Standings

Team	League	G	W	L	WPCT	Manager
Águilas Cibaeñas‎	Dominican League	7	7	0	1.000	Félix Fermín
Criollos de Caguas	Puerto Rican League	7	5	2	.714	Ramón Vázquez
Tomateros de Culiacán	Mexican Pacific League	6	3	3	.500	Benji Gil
Federales de Chiriquí	Panamanian League	6	2	4	.333	Alfonso Urquiola
Caribes de Anzoátegui	Venezuelan League	5	1	4	.200	Mike Alvarez
Caimanes de Barranquilla	Colombian League	5	0	5	.000	José Mosquera

Teams

• The Tomateros de Culiacán won the Mexican Pacific League title for the 13th time and had won the Series twice, most recently in 2002.

• The Caribes de Anzoátegui were playing in their fourth Caribbean Series but had never won one.

• The Criollos de Caguas were five-time Series champs and had just won their 19th Puerto Rican League crown.

• The Águilas Cibaeñas had won their twenty-second Dominican League title, having won five prior Series as well.

• The Federales de Chiriquí were composed of various Panamanian League players as the league had not played due to the pandemic.

• The Caimanes de Barranquilla were the second Colombian League representative in the Series and had won 11 titles.

All-Star Team

• C: Yadier Molina, Caguas
• 1B: Ronald Guzmán, Águilas
• 2B: Robinson Canó, Águilas
• SS: Jonathan Araúz, Chiriquí
• 3B: Jordan Díaz, Barranquilla
• LF: Jarren Duran, Culiacán
• CF: Juan Lagares, Águilas
• RF: Melky Cabrera, Águilas
• DH: Jesse Castillo, Culiacán
• SP: Carlos Martinez, Águilas
• RP: Jumbo Díaz, Águilas
• Manager: Félix Fermín, Águilas

Games

January 31

Game 1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chiriquí	0	1	0	1	0	4	0	0	0	6	14	0
Anzoátegui	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	3	12	0
Win: Austin Warner (1-0) Loss: Mayckol Guaipe (0-1) Save: Severino González (1)

Austin Warner and Severino González combine for 4 1/3 shutout innings in relief of Harold Araúz. LF Allen Córdoba raps three hits for Panama while 3B Héctor Gómez doubles twice. In a losing cause, CF Herlis Rodríguez falls a triple shy of a cycle.

Game 2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Caguas	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	2
Águilas	0	0	3	2	0	0	0	0	-	5	7	0
Win: Carlos Martinez (1-0) Loss: Luis Medina (0-1)

DH José Miranda singles in CF Jarren Duran in the first but Carlos Martinez, Luis Castillo, Wirfin Obispo and Fernando Abad give up nothing further. CF Juan Lagares hits a 3-run homer and drives in five for the victors.

Game 3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Culiacán	1	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	3	10	10	1
Barranquilla	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	7	0
Win: Manny Barreda (1-0) Loss: Luis De Avila (0-1)

LMP finals MVP Jesse Castillo hits a 3-run homer and Colombia falls to 0-6 in Series history.

February 1

Game 4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chiriquí	0	0	7	0	0	0	0	0	2	9	9	1
Barranquilla	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	1	5	7	1
Win: Davis Romero (1-0) Loss: Edison Frías (0-1)

DH David Rodriguez hits a three-run double while SS Jonathan Araúz has 3 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBI to help Panama go to 2-0. Davis Romero allows one run in three relief innings for the victory.

Game 5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Anzoátegui	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Caguas	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	-	3	4	0
Win: Héctor Hernández (1-0) Loss: Raúl Rivero (0-1) Save: Fernando Cruz (1)

Puerto Rico's Héctor Hernández and Venezuela's Raúl Rivero engage in a fine pitching duel, but Caguas prevails. C Yadier Molina hits a two-run homer, while 3B/LF Willians Astudillo and C Jesús Sucre got the only hits for the Caribes.

Game 6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Águilas	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	1	4	8	2
Culiacán	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	5	0
Win: César Valdez (1-0) Loss: Héctor Velázquez (0-1) Save: Jhan Marinez (1)

César Valdez fans six and allows two hits in six innings while Juan Lagares goes deep once again.

February 2

Game 7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Barranquilla	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
Anzoátegui	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	-	1	1	0
Win: Guillermo Moscoso (1-0) Loss: Randy Consuegra (0-1) Save: Silvino Bracho (1)

Guillermo Moscoso, Loiger Padron, Lester Oliveros, Pedro Rodríguez and Silvino Bracho combine on a five-hit whitewash as Venezuela gets its first win. Guillermo Moscoso only gives up one hit, but takes the loss - in the third, SS Luis Sardinas walks, advances on a grounder and scored on a double by CF Herlis Rodríguez.

Game 8

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Águilas	1	0	0	3	4	0	0	2	1	11	9	3
Chiriquí	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	6	10	4
Win: Joe Van Meter (1-0) Loss: Edgardo Sandoval (0-1)

RF Melky Cabrera drives in three to back the solid pitching of Joe Van Meter (1 UER in 6 IP).

Game 9

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Caguas	0	2	0	0	3	1	0	0	0	6	10	1
Culiacán	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	4	8	2
Win: Héctor Santiago (1-0) Loss: Edgar González (0-1) Save: Fernando Cruz (2)

Edwin Díaz hits a two-run homer in the second, then Jarren Duran's triple in the 5th puts Puerto Rico ahead for good.

February 3

Game 10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Anzoátegui	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1
Águilas	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	-	2	4	0
Win: Darío Álvarez (1-0) Loss: Loiger Padrón (0-1) Save: Fernando Abad (1)

In a fine pitching duel, the Caribes' Williams Pérez throws six innings of two-hit shutout ball while the Águilas' Andy Otero turned in 5 1/3 zeroes of his own. After Otero, the Dominican bullpen of Luis Castillo, Darío Álvarez, Jumbo Díaz and Fernando Abad allowed one hit and no runs over the final 3 2/3. After Venezuela left the bases loaded in the top of the 7th, the Dominicans finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning. LF Junior Lake, a Series veteran, bunted for a hit against Loiger Padrón. 3B Ramón Torres drew a walk. After an out, 2B Robel García doubled in both runs as the Dominicans went to 4-0.

Game 11

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Barranquilla	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	1
Caguas	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	5	0
Win: Fernando Cruz (1-0) Loss: Cody Mincey (0-1)

Colombia fell to 0-9 in Series history but was in it until the end. They went ahead in the 2nd when 1B Dilson Herrera drew a walk from Tommy Romero and 3B Jordan Diaz doubled him in. After that, Caguas allowed no more runs behind the pitching of Romero, Joshua Torres, Giovanni Soto, Rayan Gonzalez and Fernando Cruz. They pulled alongside in the 3rd against Reiver Sanmartin. C Jonathan Morales singled and CF Jarren Duran hit a one-out single. LF Henry Ramos hit into a force at third, then DH Yadier Molina singled to left to bring in Duran.

In the bottom of the 9th, RF Johneshwy Fargas doubled off Cody Mincey and 1B Vimael Machin was intentionally walked. Fargas stole third, with the call being upheld on reply. PH Rey Fuentes was then intentionally walked as well and Morales drew an unintentional walk to force in Fargas with the winner.

Game 12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Culiacán	0	0	0	4	0	0	1	1	0	6	8	1
Chiriquí	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	3	6	2
Win: Anthony Vásquez (1-0) Loss: Luis Machuca (0-1) Save: Alberto Baldonado (1)

Veteran Anthony Vásquez turned in a fine effort, allowing two runs (one earned) in seven innings as Mexico tied Panama at 2-2. C Julián León's grand slam off reliever Walter Silva, a fellow Mexican, is the big blow of the day. CF Jhonny Santos scores twice for Panama.

February 4

Game 13

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chiriquí	5	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	8	14	0
Caguas	1	1	3	1	3	0	0	0	-	9	12	0
Win: Giovanni Soto (1-0) Loss: Severino González (0-1) Save: Fernando Cruz (3)

The Federales jump of Jason García for five first-inning runs to chase him. Harold Araúz failed to hold on to that lead, giving up five runs and six hits in two innings. Puerto Rico went ahead 9-6 after five but the game was not done yet. Panama loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 9th after closing it to 9-8 against Joshua Torres. Fernando Cruz put out the fire by getting CF Jhonny Santos on a pop-up and fanning RF Rodrigo Orozco Jr. to end it. CF Jarren Duran fell a triple shy of a cycle and scored three for the Criollos, while C David Rodriguez had three hits in a losing cause.

Game 14

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Barranquilla	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	5	1
Águilas	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	3	10	1
Win: Lisalverto Bonilla (1-0) Loss: Jalen Miller (0-1)

Colombia finishes winless for the second straight year, while the Dominicans remain unbeaten this year. It is surprisingly close, as Colombia leads for part of the game. In the 4th, SS Evan Mendoza and CF Harold Ramírez single off Yunesky Maya and they are bunted over. 3B Jordan Diaz hits a sacrifice fly and DH Dilson Herrera doubles for a 2-0 lead. Colombia only had two hits the rest of the game, none in three innings against reliever Lisalverto Bonilla.

After Edison Frias pitched five shutout innings for the Caimanes, the bullpen failed to hold on. In the 6th, 3B Johan Camargo singled in RF Melky Cabrera and an inning later, Cabrera doubled in LF Junior Lake. In the bottom of the 9th, SS Ramón Torres drew a walk from Jalen Miller and stole second. After an out, DH Robinson Canó was intentionally walked. Luis De Avila relieved Miller and retired Cabrera on a fly but balked the runners over and 1B Rangel Ravelo singled in Torres with the winner.

Game 15

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Anzoátegui	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	9	0
Culiacán	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	1	4	13	0
Win: Carlos Torres (1-0) Loss: Liarvis Breto (0-1)

All three games today wind up being comeback wins. Venezuela scores three runs in 4 2/3 against Edgar Arredondo but the Mexican bullpen of Aldo Montes, Arturo López, Jesus Castillo, Derrick Loop, Sasagi Sanchez, Alberto Baldonado and Carlos Torres pitched shutout ball after that.

Meanwhile, Logan Darnell blanked Culiacán for seven innings. Pedro Rodríguez failed to hold on to that, giving up three runs in the 8th. In the bottom of the tenth, Mexico completed the comeback. RF Sebastián Elizalde finished with three hits for the victors, while C Jesús Sucre had three hits for the Caribes.

February 5

Game 16

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chiriquí	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	3	6	0
Águilas	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	4	8	6
Win: Wirfin Obispo (1-0) Loss: Walter Silva (0-1)

After sweeping through the round-robin, the Dominicans make six errors to open the semifinals and need a 9th-inning rally to win and move to the finale. Carlos Martinez is again dominant, allowing one hit (four walks) and fanning eight in 5 1/3 innings but Manuel Campos pitches shutout ball as well through five. In the bottom of the 6th, the Águilas solve Campos. CF Juan Lagares and 2B Robinson Canó single. 1B Ronald Guzmán doubles in the runners, but is thrown out trying to make third on the play.

In the top of the 7th, Panama rallies against Luis Castillo. C Rodrigo Vigil singles and DH Belarmino Campos hits into a force at second but reaches on an error by two-time Gold Glove winner Canó. CF Jhonny Santos reaches on a fielder's choice and RF Rodrigo Orozco Jr. singles in Campos, a throwing error by Cabrera bringing Santos home as well with the tying run.

In the top of the 9th, the Federales go ahead. Belarmino Campos hits a one-out double off Fernando Abad and Jorge Bishop pinch-runs. Santos singles and Orozco singles as well; Lagares' error on the play moves Santos lets Bishop score and make it 3-2. Walter Silva had blanked the unbeaten Dominicans in the 7th and 8th. In the 9th, though, Cabrera hit a one-out single and PR Yefri Pérez stole second. DH Rangel Ravelo grounded out and the Panamanians were ont out away from the finals. LF Junior Lake hit an infield single to load the bases, and backup catcher Carlos Paulino delivered a big two-run single to score Pérez and 3B Johan Camargo with the tying and winning runs, respectively.

Game 17

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Culiacán	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	0
Caguas	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	-	2	6	1
Win: Luis Medina (1-1) Loss: Manny Barreda (0-1) Save: Rayan Gonzalez (1)

The other semifinal also featured a fine pitching duel, between Luis Medina and Manny Barreda. Both pitched three shutout innings to start off. In the top of the fourth, the home fans got something to cheer about. 2B Ramiro Peña singled and stole second, then took third on a grounder by RF Sebastián Elizalde and scored on a hit by LF Joey Meneses. Those were the only two hits Medina allowed in five innings, then the bullpen of Zach Mauckenhirn, Anthony Maldonado and Rayan Gonzalez combined to allow one hit in four shutout innings, Gonzalez getting the last six outs for the save. Caguas also got all of their runs in the fourth. 1B Jonathan Morales singled off Barreda with one out and LF Rey Fuentes went deep for the game-winning hit.

February 6

Game 18

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Caguas	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	0
Águilas	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	-	4	6	0
Win: Luis Castillo (1-0) Loss: Anthony Maldonado (0-1) Save: Jumbo Díaz (1)

Two five-time champions squared off; the winner would become the second team to have at least six Series titles (joining the Tigres del Licey's ten). This game featured another fine pitching contest between the Criollos' Héctor Hernández and the Águilas' César Valdez. Neither allowed a run through the first four. Caguas got to Valdez in the 5th. DH Juan Centeno hit a one-out single and advanced on a wild pitch; he scored on a one-out single to right by CF Jarren Duran. RF Henry Ramos singled Duran to third but C Yadier Molina lined out to end the threat. Luis Castillo, Wirfin Obispo and Jumbo Díaz pitched shutout ball from there.

In the bottom of the 5th, 3B Johan Camargo took Hernández deep to tie it at one. Anthony Maldonado relieved in the bottom of the 6th and immediately ran into trouble. 3B Ramón Torres singled and CF Juan Lagares doubled him in. After ground-outs by DH Robinson Canó and RF Melky Cabrera. 1B Ronald Guzmán singled in Lagares for a 3-1 lead. Guzmán added insurance with a 8th-inning shot off Fernando Cruz.

Sources: ESPN Deportes, Marco Stoovelaar's Dutch baseball site, MLB.com