Ramón Flores' 2-RBI night leads Venezuela to Caribbean Series final

[Kevin Barral]

Final score: CW 2, VEN 6

The Tiburones de La Guaira bats eventually broke through against Curacao's pitching to give Venezuela the win and ticket to Friday's title game against the Dominican Republic.

MIAMI, FL—Thursday would define who would be playing for the 2024 Caribbean Series title. Those two teams ended up being Tigres del Licey from the Dominican Republic and the Tiburones de La Guaira from Venezuela, who defeated Curacao in the night cap of the semifinals.

Venezuela starter Miguel Romero gave up a lot of contact, but despite a Jurickson Profar RBI single in the top of the first inning, Romero kept his team in it as he went 5 ⅓ innings, struck out one, walked one and gave up two runs on six hits.  Romero would give up his second run of the game in the top of the fourth inning as Juremi Profar smacked an RBI double to drive in Ademar Rifaela to extend the lead to 2-0.

The Tiburones de La Guaira took the lead in the bottom of the fourth after Curacao starter Nelmerson Angela has been perfect, not giving up a single hit. After a fly and ground out, Venezuela designated hitter Wilson Ramos broke the no-hitter and it was followed up by a Yasiel Puig walk. Following a mound visit, Ramón Flores, who had a two-RBI night against Nicaragua on Wednesday night followed it up on Thursday with an RBI to drive in Ramos and put Venezuela within one run.

Following Flores RBI single, Angela was taken out of the game in place for Curacao's best reliever Kevin Kelly, but with the bases loaded catcher Luis Torrens came in the clutch and drove in two-runs on an RBI single to give the Tiburones a 3-2 lead. Xavier Angela ended his outing going 3 ⅔ innings, giving up three runs off of two hits, three walks and zero strikeouts. Kelly, who didn't go back out for the following inning, so he ended his appearance giving up one hit and walking one, but he did give up the RBI to Torrens, just the runs counted towards Angela.

Flores has had a strong showing in the Caribbean Series as he slashed .292/.346/.417/.763 with one home run and six RBIs entering the semifinals. His two-RBI night certainly boosted all of those stats. For Torrens, he has struggled in the Caribbean Series, but saw himself in a better position these last two games where he will be a factor in the final game against the Dominican Republic with his MLB experience.

In the sixth inning, Wendell Floranus entered in relief for Curacao. Floranus was the fourth reliever used and whenever Venezuela has needed someone to come in and produce, it's been Flores. Before Flores, Wilson Ramos got a base hit, which then saw Yasiel Puig line out, but in a full count, Flores took advantage of a fastball and sent it into the gap in left-center to drive in Ramos.

 

 

With the win, Venezuela's Tiburones de La Guaira have an opportunity to win their eighth Caribbean Series championship. The title game against Tigres del Licey will begin at 8:00 p.m.

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