Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico: Vintage Robinson Canó moment leads to win

[Kevin Barral]

Final score: DR 5, PUR 2

The Dominican Republic would never look back after the 41-year-old's home run.

MIAMI, FL—The crowd of nearly 36,000 that spent their Saturday night enjoying Caribbean Series baseball did not leave disappointed. Although the Dominican Republic got out to an early 4-0 lead over Yadier Molina and Puerto Rico—propelled by Robinson Canó's two-run homer in the top of the third inning—Puerto Rico kept it close until the end. The D.R. bullpen was able to close it out.

Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico box score and play-by-play 

After an Emilio Bonifacio base hit up the middle to begin the game, Puerto Rico starter Daryl Thompson struck out both Gustavo Nuñez and Canó which was then followed by catcher and FIU alum J.C. Escarra caught Emilio Bonifacio stealing second for the third out of the inning. A fairly quick inning by Dominican Republic starter César Valdez would not see Puerto Rico get much going despite a base hit from Heliot Ramos.

The last time Robinson Canó hit a home run at Marlins/LoanDepot Park was for the American League in the 2017 All-Star Game. On Saturday, Canó extended the D.R. lead to 3-0 in the top of the third with his first-ever Caribbean Series home run, taking Thompson 372 feet deep.

Canó would end the night going 2-for-5. He is slashing .364/.429/.636/1.065 during this tournament.

After the home run, Molina made a pitching change and went with experienced big leaguer Alex Claudio, but Ramon Hernández got to him first with a double which was followed up with a Dawel Lugo RBI single to make it a 4-0 game.

The first run for Yadi's club came in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to a Danny Ortiz RBI double to center field which drove in Heliot Ramos. For Ortiz, he ended the night going two for four with an RBI and a double. This is Ortiz's ninth Caribbean Series. Puerto Rico added another run on a Johneshwy Fargas sacrifice fly, which drove in Ortiz.

The fifth and final run for the Dominican Republic came in the top of the seventh inning. Cuban Yadiel Hernández got the inning started with a leadoff base hit which was then followed up with a Michael De La Cruz sac bunt. Hernández scored on an RBI single by Gustavo Nuñez to make it a 5-2 ballgame.

Starter César Valdez gave the Dominican Republic length, which is something they weren't able to get out of starter Brooks Hall on Friday against Nicaragua who only went 3.2 innings. On Saturday, Dominican Republic manager Gilbert Gómez only had to go with three relievers. The veteran right-hander went five innings, allowing two runs off of six hits and struck out two while walking one. Between relievers, Cameron Gann, J.C. Mejia and Jairo Asencio they allowed one hit and struck out three, limiting Puerto Rico's offense to only seven hits on the night.

This matchup broke the record for the most-attended Caribbean Series game ever, even outdoing the finals of past tournaments. Paid attendance was 35,972, which was a sellout.

For both teams, they now have a 2-1 record. Puerto Rico takes the field next against Venezuela at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. As for the Dominican Republic, they take on 0-3 México in what will be a must-win game for Naranjeros de Hermosillo to avoid elimination. That's expected to draw a big crowd as well as both teams' fanbases have showed up well throughout the tournament.

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