Dominican Republic - Venezuela summary online: stats, scores and highlights | Caribbean Series 2024 Final highlights
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2024 Caribbean Series Final: Venezuela Champions
Tiburones overpower Tigres to win first ever title
The 2024 Caribbean Series has been all that it promised to be and more.
The two best teams coming into the competiton were Tiburones de La Guaira and Tigres del Licey. While Panama´s Federales gave everyone a surprise Cinderella story to watch, in the end, it was the two pre-tournament favorites who made it to the final game. And what a game it was!
On the field, Tiburones were dominant, from start to finish. While it was the bats that were the focus of the buildup commentary, in the end it was the outstanding pitching that won the day. Starter Ricardo Pinto put in a solid day´s work, handing over 5.2 shutout innings. And in relief, Cavanerio, Bracho, Vizcaya, and Hernandez all held the rudder steady.
But it was perhaps in the stands where the game really stood out. A sold out attendance of 36,677 people was a record for the event and was even more than last year´s World Baseball Classic final between the USA and Japan. The atmosphere was one of carnival throughout and the hosts and the Caribbean Baseball Confederation are extremely pleased with the entire event.
The fiesta will certainly continue in Venezuela, whether you support Tiburones or not, the entire country can grab ahold of this win and take it to heart.
Manager Ozzie Guillén said before the game that Venezuela needed this win. Now they have it. Enjoy it!
GOODBYE!!!
That is going to do it for our live coverage of the 2024 Caribbean Series Final game between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Keep abreast of all baseball and sports news with Diario AS USA and stick with us as we bring you all of the 2024 college and MLB news as it happens!
We are just a week away from spring training and the NCAA baseball season, so we will be back soon with more live baseball action. We will keep you posted!
Until then, good night and God bless!
Ozzie Guillén: The one and only
Ozzie Guillén is the only latino manager to win both the World Series and the Caribbean Series. He is only the second ever, together with Tommy Lasorda. Great company!
Well deserved
They have been outstanding throughout the tournament and this is a well deserved win!
It has been 15 years since a Venezuelan team has won. This is the first time ever for Tiburones de La Guaira. What a tournament! What a game! What a season for Tiburones!
Tiburones de La Guaira win!
Kelvin Gutierrez up now and he rolls one to second base. The throw to first gets the final out! Venezuela wins!
Pinch hitter
Leury Garcia will pinch hit for Wester Rivas now and he works the count to 2-2 before another high heater, an absolute gem, gets him swinging at strike three! Two gone and the DR are down to their last out!
Top 9th
The Dominican Republic are down to their last three outs and Yadiel Hernández will lead things off. The count runs to 2-2 before a peach of a fastball up in the zone gets him swinging at strike three! One down.
Pitching change
Arnaldo Hernandez comes on to try and close this out for Venezuela. In the field, Barreto comes in to play center field as Amarista takes over at second base.
Alcides Escobar the hitter now and he lifts a high fly ball to center field but Bonifacio is there to put it away and end the inning.
Leo Reginatto up now and he grounds out sharply to short.
Bottom 8th
Luis Torrens will lead off for Venezuela here in the bottom of the eighth. He goes down swinging on three straight fastballs.
Pitching change
JC Mejia comes on to pitch for the Dominican Republic
Dawel Lugo up now and he runs the count full before swinging through a high fastball that he could never catch up to.
Robinson Canó is equally aggressive, slapping the first delivery into center field for a single.
Gustavo Nuñez jumps on the first delivery and grounds a dribbler to second base. the throw to first gets out number two.
Top 8th
Emilio Bonifacio leads off for the Dominicans and they are beginning to run out of real estate here in the eighth. He works the count to 2-2 before fouling off four in a row to hang in there. Eventually a high slider catches him whiffing for strike three. One down.
Pitching change
Anthony Vizcaya will take over on the mound for Venezuela.
Ramón Flores up now and he lifts a fly ball to left field for the final out.
Double!
Odubel Herrera jumps on the first delivery and puts it into the gap in right for a two out double!
Wilson Ramos up now and feliz attacks the zone again, running the count to 2-2.
A high heater gets Ramos swinging for strike three.
bottom 7th
Hernán Pérez leads off and feliz comes after him with three beautiful breaking pitches getting him swinging for the first out.
Junior Lake up now and he hits a sharp roller to third. the throw to first is in time to end the inning.
Héctor Rodríguez the hitter now and he rocks one right on the screws to left field but right at Odubel Herrera for the second out.
Kelvin Gutierrez up now and he hits a hard shot to the gap at first. Reginnatto is able to make the diving grab but Gutierrez beats it out and is safe!
Top 7th
Wester Rivas will lead things off here in the 7th and he runs the count to 2-2 before a fastball catches him swinging for strike three. One gone.
Pitching change
Silvino Bracho gets the tap to take over on the mound for Venezuela.
Wilfredo Tovar will face the new pitcher with runners on the corners and two outs. He chops a hard roller to third base. The throw to first in time to end the inning. After six, it is still Venezuela 3, Dominican Republic 0.
Pitching change
That is going to do it for Fernando Abad as Gilbert Gómez calls on Neftali Feliz to take over.
Alexi Amarista stands in now with two out and a runner on first. He loops a little flare through the gap at center for a single as Torrens rounds second and takes third on the play.
Alcides Escobar the hitter and he lifts a high fly ball to right field for a routine putout. Two gone.
Leo Reginatto up now and he squares around to bunt but it goes foul. A strike catches the bottom of the zone and a ball just misses to bring the count to 1-2.
Reginnatto lifts a fly ball to center field. One down
Bottom 6th
Luis Torrens leads off for Venezuela in the sixth and he works the count full before the payoff delivery misses high for a leadoff walk.
Pitching change
Fernando Abad will take over on the mound for the Dominican Republic.
Hernández works the count full before Cavanerio´s payoff delivery is slapped to short. Tovar fields it and goes to first to end the inning. That was huge! Venezuela got out of trouble unscathed and still lead 3-0!
Yadiel Hernández will face the new pitcher with bases loaded and two out.
Pitching change
That is going to be it for Pinto as Ozzie Guillén signals for Jorgan Cavanerio to take over on the mound.
Hit by pitch
Dawel Lugo up now and Pinto lets one get away from him, hitting Lugo. That loads the bases up with two outs!
Robinson Canó up now and he works the count full before the payoff pitch misses low and outside.
Gustavo Nuñez the hitter and he strikes out on alovely changup high in the zone. Two down.
Emilio Bonifacio hits one deep in the hole at short. Tovar gets to it but has no play at first. Infield single!
Top 6th
Junior Lake leads off for Tigres and he hacks one to third. the long throw is in time and we have one down.
Ramón Flores up now and he grounds one to short. The throw to first ends the inning but Venezuela add two more to their lead and are up 3-0!
Venezuela score!
Odubel Herrera hits a ground ball to deep in the hole at second. Pérez is able to score on it! The throw to first gets the second out.
Wilson Ramos comes up and he hits a sharp ground ball to first base. Gutierrez steps on the bag to make the out.
Pitching change
Jonathan Aro will take over on the mound for Tigres
Venezuela scores!
Hernán Pérez jumps on the first pitch with a shot into the right field corner! Tovar rounds third and scores! Pérez is in there with a triple!
Bottom 5th
Tovar leads off with single to right.
Héctor Rodríguez jumps on the first pitch and lifts it to shallow center for a routine putout to end the inning.
ꓘ
Kelvin Gutierrez up now and he works the count to 2-2 before getting frozen by a fastball at the knees for a called strike three!
Top 5th
Wester Rivas leads things off for the Dominican Republic in the fifth and he works the count full before chopping the payoff to third. The throw to first is in time. One down.
Capacity crowd of 37,446
The final ticket sales count is in and tonight´s crowd is 37,446
Alexi Amarista now up with runners on second and third and he strikes out swinging at a beautiful sinker to end the inning. Not as bad as it could have been, but Venezuela have opened up the scoring and lead after four complete innings by a score of 1-0.
Venezuela scores!
Alcides Escobar up now with the bases loaded and one out. He lifts a fly ball to right field. Junior Lake makes the catch for out number two but Herrera tags up and makes it home easily. Venezuela draw first blood!
Intentional walk
Leo Reginatto the hitter with runners on second and third and only one out. Valdez won´t take the chance and intentionally walks him to load the bases.
Sacrifice bunt
Luis Torrens up now with two on and nobody out. The infield is shading in to protect that run. Torrens lays down a perfect bunt. It is fielded by the pitcher Valdez and the only play he has is at first. Both runners move up 90 feet.
Ramón Flores up now and he rips a shot up the middle for a single. Almost mirror image of Puig´s hit! herrera advances to second.
Pinch runner
Odubel Herrera will come on to pinch run for Puig.
Bottom 4th
Yasiel Puig leads things off for Venezuela in the fourth and he rips a shot up the middle and into the outfield for a leadoff single.
Double play!
Yadiel Hernández the batter and he works the count full before Pinto´s payoff delivery is a beautiful sinker that gets him swinging. Lugo was running on the play and the throw from Torrens gets him in tons of time! Strike `em out! Throw `em out!
Fielder´s choice
Dawel Lugo up now and he chops a high roller to third. Pérez goes to second for one and the throw to first is not in time.
Top 4th
Robinson Canó leads off with a shot into the gap in center for a leadoff single.
Wilson Ramos the hitter and he taps one to second. Canó bobbles it but recovers and makes the throw to first to end the inning.
Hernán Pérez up now and he hits a shot on the screws right up the middle. Somehow, Robinson Canó gets to it! The throw to first is in time for the second out.
Bottom 3rd
Wilfredo Tovar leads off here and he lifts a fly ball to center but right at Bonifacio. One gone
Gustavo Nuñez the hitter and he rolls one out to third base. The throw gets him to end the inning.
Emilio Bonifacio up now and he works the count to 2-1 before lifting a fly ball to right field. Ramón Flores is able to get there and we have two away.
Top 3rd
Junior Lake leads off here in the third and goes down swinging on a nasty breaking ball.
Alexi Amarista now with men on the corners and two out. He rips a hard ground ball to first but right at Kelvin Gutierrez who steps on the bag to end the inning.
Alcides Escobar up now and he hits a single through to second. Reginnatto advances to third on the play.
Leo Reginatto the hitter and he works the count full before the payoff misses outside for ball four. The second walk of the inning!
Double play
Luis Torrens the hitter now and he raps a grounder to short. Nuñez flips to second for one, and on to first for the second. Double play! 6-4-3
Bottom 2nd
Ramón Flores will start us off in the second for Venezuela. The count runs full before the payoff delivery from Valdez just missed inside for ball four.
Never give up! Never surrender!
"It is hard to defeat someone who never gives up. Come on Vneezuela!"
ꓘ
Héctor Rodríguez the hitter and he works the count full before getting jelly legged by a beautiful fastball on the inside rail. Strike three!
Kelvin Gutierrez up now and he lifts a flare over short stop and into center field for a single.
Wester Rivas the hitter now and again Pinto goes after him with that great sinker. Rivas hits one off the hands. Broken bat and it rolls back to the mound. The throw to first records out number two.
Top 2nd
Yadiel Hernández leads things off for the Dominican Republic in the second and he works the count to 1-2 before chasing a peach of a sinker for strike three. one down.
Gabriela Vergara gets into the spirit of things!
LoanDepot Park is the biggest party on the planet right now.
Yasiel Puig will stand in now with two on and two out. Valdez delivers a low change up that Puig bangs hard on the ground to short. Gustavo Nuñez makes a stabbing backhand to nab it! He goes to second to get the force out and end the inning.
Wilson Ramos up to the plate now and he pokes a ahot through the gap at second into right field for a single. Tovar advances to second on the play.
Hernán Pérez up now and he lifts a high fly ball to right field, an easy catch for Junior Lake. Two gone.
Wilfredo Tovar the hitter now and he bangs a hard shot to right field, drifting foul! Working the count to 1-2, he rips one through the gap at short to left field for a single.
Ceremonial first pitch
Eury Pérez and Luis Arraez threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Caribbean Series Final.
Amarista clips one just foul to right field and watches strike two go by before chopping a roller to second base. The throw to first gets one out.
Bottom 1st
César Valdez will go to work on the mound for the Tigres del Licey as Alexi Amarista leads things off for Venezuela.
Dawel Lugo up now and he rips a hard line drive to left field. Yasiel Puig breaks into a dead run and makes a diving catch to end the inning! What a play!
Double
Robinson Canó the hitter and he goes inside out to drag a ball down the third base line and into the corner for a two out double.
Shortstop Gustavo Nuñez up now and he rolls the first delivery to second for Alcides Escobar. The throw to first and just like that, two are gone.
Top 1st
Emilio Bonifacio leads things off for the Dominican Republic and he lifts a long fly ball to center field but Yasiel Puig manages to track it down for the first out.
PLAY BALL!
The Tiburones de La Guaira are on the field, Ricardo Pinto is on the mound. The house is packed and the umpires are ready as Emilio Bonifacio will lead off for the Tigres del Licey.
Let's PLAY BALL!
LINEUPS
The Home Team
Venezuela Batting Order
1. Alexi Amarista CF
2. Wilfredo Tovar SS
3. Hernán Pérez 3B
4. Wilson Ramos DH
4. Yasiel Puig LF
5. Ramón Flores RF
6. Luis Torrens C
7. Leo Reginatto 1B
8. Alcides Escobar 2B
The Visitors
Dominican Republic Batting Order
1. Emilio Bonifacio CF
2. Gustavo Nuñez SS
3. Robinson Canó 2B
4. Dawel Lugo 3B
5. Yadiel Hernández LF
6. Wester Rivas C
7. Kelvin Gutierrez 1B
8. Héctor Rodríguez DH
9. Junior Lake RF
STARTING PITCHERS CAREER STATS
TIGRES DEL LICEY (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
César Valdez (RHP)
158 - 114
3.87 ERA
1966 K
2368.0 IP
1.25 WHIP
TIBURONES DE LA GUAIRA (VENEZUELA)
Ricardo Pinto (RHP)
87 - 66
4.29 ERA
965 K
1271.2 IP
1.41 WHIP
PITCHING
Starting for the Tiburones will be Ricardo Pinto, who has spent most of his career in Triple A ball with a couple of stints in the Show for both the Phillies and the Rays. Experienced in winter leagues, he has stood out in Korea, Mexico, and Venezuela and relies on a sinker and a changeup to most of his heavy lifting.
The Tigres will go with the supremely experienced César Valdez to start. Valdez was ready for the semi finals on four days rest, but manager Gilbert Gómez opted to save him for tonight. The 38-year-old has spent 11 years in the minors, 14 years in Korea, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, and five in the Show, with the A’s, the Blue Jays, and the Orioles. Predominantly a changeup pitcher, Valdez has a four seamer that can touch 90 and a pretty wicked slider that he pulls out from time to time.
WELCOME!!!
Welcome to the Diario AS USA live commentary of the 2024 Caribbean SeriesFinal as the Dominican Republic’s Tigres del Licey take on Venezuela’s Tiburones de La Guaira in Miami’s LoanDepot Park.
In the end, and with all due respect to every other team in the tournament, the final is going to be the right two teams. Panama had an insane run and Curaçao surprised so many fans, but at the end of the day, Tigres del Licey and Tiburones de La Guaira just feels right.
Both of these teams are legendary in Caribbean baseball. Both of them have long, proud histories. And while Tiburones have experienced a decades-long drought, both of these teams are worthy opponents in this pinnacle of this King of Sports.
The Tiburones have never won the Caribbean Series, but have been a legendary side in their native Venezuela, with some of baseball’s most loved names on their roster. Alex Cabrera, Daryl Strawberry, Marcelino Lopez and Odell Jones have all worn the Tiburones jersey with pride. They have won eight Venezuelan league titles and are returning to the top of the sport for the first time since 1986.
Facing them, the Tigres del Licey are the other side of the coin. As defending champions, they are looking to repeat in what would be their 12th Caribbean Series title. The oldest team in the Dominican Republic has had legends like Joaquin Andújar, Tommy Lasorda, José Canseco, and Orel Herscheiser grace their roster over the years.
In order to get here, Venezuela had to come from behind as their bats exploded with six unanswered runs in a thrilling semi final against Curaçao. Even so, manager Ozzie Guillén is certain that the Tiburones are capable of hitting more.
And they will need it against Licey, who have all of Guillén’s respect. "From day one, I said there were no easy teams here. Obviously, to win, you have to beat the best. The Dominican Republic, due to its track record in the Caribbean Series, the farm system it has had for many years, has always represented well."
While Tigres may be chasing their 12th trophy, they are just the sharp point of a fabulous Dominican baseball farm system, which as a nation has won 23 titles, more than any other country.
And hitting is first on the list for Tigres manager Gilbert Gómez as well. “We know the offensive talent we have. In the first six games, we probably didn’t show who we really are on the hitting side."
Tigres got here by going through the Cinderella story of the tournament, jumping out to an insurmountable lead over Panama in the semi final. They rode excellent pitching giving up just one run to a Panamanian side that has been able to score seemingly at will.
Gómez knows what a win will mean to the Dominican Republic, a nation that takes enormous pride in their baseball prowess.
Guillén also knows what a win would mean not only for La Guaira, but also for the entire Venezuelan nation. "My focus is on winning, not only for Venezuela but for ourselves, the players. If we win, we are heroes in Venezuela, and if we lose, well, you know…”
Guillén made it plain for those who don’t understand. “We want to take that trophy because our country needs that joy."