Dominican Republic debuts with a 5-4 victory over Red Mexico in the 2026 Caribbean Series

Zapopan, Jalisco.– The Dominican Junior Lake had a stellar performance by driving in three runs, hitting four hits and making an accurate throw from the outfield that prevented the tying run in the eighth inning, leading the Leones del Escogido to a 5-4 victory over the Charros de Jalisco (Red Mexico), in the opening game of the 68th Caribbean Series Jalisco 2026, held early Monday morning before more than eight thousand fans at the Pan American Stadium.

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Lake was the big man on offense for the Dominican representation, who manufactured three runs in the third inning and two more in the fifth. Mexico, for its part, scored a run in the first inning, two in the seventh and another in the ninth, falling short in its comeback attempt. Reliever Kenny Hernández was credited with the victory, while Manny Bañuelos took the loss. Jimmy Cordero closed the ninth inning to earn the save and Jeffry Yan shone in the eighth, retiring the inning with authority and two strikeouts. By Mexico, Michael Wielansky had a perfect night, batting 4-4, while Mateo Gil, despite connecting only one hit, drove in three runs. Bañuelos worked four and a third innings, allowed five runs, six hits, gave three walks and struck out three batters. Also took the mound for the Charros Mario Meza, Luis Márquez and Jesús Cruz.

For the Leones, the starting pitcher Oscar de la Cruz pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowed three runs, four hits, gave three walks and struck out five rivals. The Dominican relief was in charge of Kenny Hernández, Luis Frías and Alex Colomé.

The Charros opened the scoring in the first inning against Oscar de la Cruz. Connor Hollis started the episode, Michael Wielansky hit a single and, after a walk to Willie Calhoun, Mateo Gil grounded out to shortstop to force at second, allowing Hollis to score the first run of the game. In the third inning, the Lions took a 2-1 lead when Junior Lake, with two outs and the bases loaded, hit a double to left field, driving in Erik González and Sócrates Brito. In the fifth inning, the Dominicans extended the lead. Gustavo Núñez led off with a walk, stole second base, and scored on a run-scoring single by Erik González. After another hit by Brito and the relief appearance of Mario Meza, Lake singled to load the bases and Cristian Adames drove in the fifth run with a groundout to first base. Mexico reacted in the closing of the fifth with a double by Mateo Gil, who drove in two runs, causing the departure of Oscar de la Cruz. Kenny Hernández came to the rescue and dominated Bligh Madris to close the threat and maintain the Dominican advantage 5-3.