Puerto Rico vs Panama summary online: stats, scores and highlights | Caribbean Series 2024 updates
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Panama stun Puerto Rico
Panama prove that they are the real deal
The big boys coming into this competiton were the old guard, the traditional powerhouses and just in case you were wondering, Panama was not one of them.
Puerto Rico are a real test, the first one that Panama has faced in this tournament. Sure, they were undefeated. But wins over Mexico, Curaçao, and Nicaragua had people wondering just how good they really were. Well, after their performance against Puerto Rico, the answer is "very."
Panama are the real deal, the only still undefeated team. And they did it not with luck or guile - well, maybe they had a little luck - but mostly it was through strong hitting, good baserunning, and making your chances pay off.
Puerto Rico will not read too much into this loss. They are still in the hunt in the Caribbean Series, still a team to be reckoned with. But they are no longer in the driver's seat. Now, they will have to beat Curaçao to get into the semi finals.
The key to the game today was Puerto Rico's lack of quality on the mound. They had to dig deep to beat Venezuela yesterday, and it really showed. They were sluggish and sloppy tonight, a team in need of a rest day.
Panama was only a little better on the mound, but where they excelled was with the bats. They made Puerto Rico pay dearly for every error, scoring five of their nine runs on the back of mis-cues, bad throws, and walks.
Panama will have another steep hill tomorrow when they face the Dominican Republic, but win or lose, they are already in the semis. Must be a great spot to be in.
GOODBYE!!!
That is going to do it for our live coverage of the 2024 Caribbean Series game between Puerto Rico and Panama. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did!
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With that win, Panama have secured their place in the semi finals, and remain the only undefeated team in the competition.
Panama win!
Trei Cruz the hitter now and he floats one out to left field for Edgar Muñoz who puts it away to end the game. Panama win!
Vimael Machin smashes a lined shot up the middle for a two out single and Puerto Rico still have life in them yet!
Puerto Rico Home Run!
Heliot Ramos comes to the plate and jumps all over a hanging curve, smashing it over the left field wall! That is is second of the day! He draws back one run for Puerto Rico!
Danny Ortiz jumps on the first pitch and grounds it to second. The throw to first gets the second out and Puerto Rico are down to their last chance.
Top 9th
Puerto Rico are down to their last three outs. Emmanuel Rivera is charged with leading things off. He lifts a soft fly ball to right field and Puerto Rico are down to their last two outs.
Pitching change
Severino González will come on for Panama and try to slam the door shut.
Allen Cordoba the hitter with the bases full and two out. He rips a shot up the middle but second baseman López gets to it and flips it to Cruz covering the bag to get the force out and end the inning. But not before Panama can stretch that lead to three runs, making it 9-6 as we head to the ninth.
Edgar Muñoz the hitter and he draws a walk to load the bases. That is the seventh walk of the night for Puerto Rico.
Panama score
Joshwan Wright lays down a bunt on the first pitch. Wirchansky has a hard time getting it and throws it away! Camargo scores! Arnaez advances to third! Panama extend their lead to 9-6!
Johnny Santos will face the new pitcher with men on the corners and one out. He works the count full before Wirchansky's payoff delivery catches him swinging and missing a high fastball. Two out.
Pitching change
Yadi will make the switch now, asking Daniel Wirchansky to take over on the mound.
The very next pitch, Briceño hits Arnaez with another one that got away from him.
Wild pitch
Jean Arnaez up now and on a pitch in the dirt that squirts away from Escarra, Camargo advances to third.
Panama scores
Johan Camargo up now and he lifts a shot to the corner in right field! It lands fair and bounces off the wall. That looked like it was a few inches from a ground rule double, but it turns out a double anyway. Bethancourt scores on the play.
Ruben Tejada jumps on the first pitch and rolls it to second. The throw to first gets the out as Bethancourt advances to third.
Bottom 8th
Christian Bethancourt leads off and he hits a rocket to right center. It goes over the glove of Ramos and off the wall. Bethancourt is in with a leadoff double. It would have been a triple had he not stood to admire his hit before deciding to run.
Double play
JC Escarra up now with the bases loaded and one out. He hits a roller to the bag at third. Camargo fields it and steps on the bag before going to first to complete the 6-3 double play. That gets Panama out of trouble with no damage done. In the middle of eight, they still lead 7-6.
Nelson Velazquez up now with men still on first and second and now with one out. He is a dangerous hitter and Perez tries to stay away from him, throwing three balls before dropping a lovely change up in for a strike.
The 3-1 delivery misses low and he draws the walk to load the bases.
Bryan Torres to the plate with runners on first and second and no outs. He lays down and bunt in front of the plate and catcher Herrera goes to third for the force out.
Jack López up now and he tries to lay down a bunt on the first pitch, but it goes foul. He shows bunt before pulling it back and hitting a chopper that bounces over the head of Camargo who was charging on the play. Smith moves to second on the infield hit.
Top 8th
Dwight Smith Jr will come on to pinch hit for Jancarlos Cintron and he draws the walk on four pitches to lead things off.
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Ivan Herrera up now and he gets caught looking at a beautiful breaking ball for strike three.
Allen Cordoba up now with runners at first and second and one out. He lifts a high pop fly to shallow left. Ortiz is there to put it away for the second out.
Edgar Muñoz comes to the plate and draws the walk on four straight pitches.
Joshwan Wright to hit now and he lays a bunt down up the first base line. Machín charges it and applies the tag for the first out.
Bottom 7th
Johnny Santos will lead off things with a single to left field.
Pitching change
Endrys Briceño will come on to pitch for Puerto Rico. Also Jancarlos Cintron will come on for Jonathan Morales as JC Escarra shifts behind the plate and will play second as Vimael Machín shifts over to first.
Vimael Machin up now with bases still loaded, but now with two outs. That takes a lot of pressure off the Panamanians.
Machin bangs a laser at second base, but Joshwan Wright makes a leaping catch! Wow! What a grab! That ends the inning and gets Panama out of a hole, but not before the Puerto Ricans scratch and claw their way back into the game, picking up two more to trail now by a score of 7-6.
Heliot Ramos up now and the bases are still loaded, now with one out. He works the count full and the payoff delivery from Hernandez catches Ramos swinging at a lovely change up for strike three. Two down.
Danny Ortiz the hitter now with bases still loaded and nobody out. He slaps a hard shot to third. Camargo's throw goes home. It is off line but Herrera digs it out and steps on the plate for the out. But they can only get the one.
Puerto Rico score
Perez manages to pull one back with a fastball at the knees. 3-1
But he can't hit the zone again and Rivera draws the walk to score a run. Puerto Rico now trail by just one run!
Rivera watches three balls go by. This is dangerous territory for Panama.
Emmanuel Rivera will face the new pitcher with bases loaded and no outs. Anything in the outfield levels the game.
Pitching change
José Agustín Mayorga wastes no time in making the switch. Fernando Perez will now be called upon to try and put a stop to this.
After another bunt foul, Escarra is hit by a pitch as Hernandez tries to come inside on him. That loads the bases and now Panama is all adrift.
JC Escarra comes to the plate now with two runners on and no outs. He squares around to bunt but it goes foul.
Puerto Rico score
Velazquez lines a single up the middle! López scores on the play. Torres advances to second. Puerto Rico are clawing their way back into this game!
Nelson Velazquez up now with runners on the corners and no outs.
Bryan Torres will face the new pitcher and he rips a hard ground ball to the gap at second. It is too hot for Wright to come up with! López hustles and makes it to third on the play.
Pitching change
That is going to do it for Fuentes as José Agustín Mayorga does indeed make the change now. He calls on Kenny Hernandez to take over.
Top 7th
Jack López leads off and lays down a bunt. He beats it out for a leadoff hit!
Caught stealing
Johnny Santos the hitter and on the 2-2 delivery, Arnaez takes off for second. The throw from Morales is on the money and nails him dead to rights to end the inning.
Jean Arnaez will stand in to hit now and draws a four-pitch walk.
Johan Camargo up now and he lines a hard shot to right field but Ramos is right there. Two away.
Bottom 6th
Ruben Tejada wil lead things off for Panama in the sixth. He hits one right on the screws but straight to the glove of Escarra at first. One down.
Morales rolls one gently to third and Camargo goes to first to end the inning.
José Agustín Mayorga makes a mound visit but decides against pulling the pitcher. He trusts his man to pitch to Jonathan Morales.
Vimael Machin comes to the plate and draws a walk on five pitches.
Puerto Rico scores
Ramos slaps a little roller up the middle. Short stop Tejada gets to it and makes the play at first for the second out, but Ortiz scores on the play from third.
Throwing error
Heliot Ramos will hit now with a runner on and one out. With the count full, the catcher herrera tries a no-look back pick that flew over the first baseman's head and into right field. Ortiz makes it all the way to third base on the error.
Danny Ortiz up now and he works the count full. The payoff delivery from Fuentes misses low and Ortiz draws the walk.
Top 6th
Emmanuel Rivera will lead things off for Puerto Rico and he lifts a deep fly ball to right center. Cordoba drifts over and takes it in for out number one.
Christian Bethancourt will face the new pitcher and three outstanding sinkers get him swinging to end the inning.
Pitching change
That will do it for Gómez as Yadi takes the ball from him and hands it to Alex Claudio.
Ivan Herrera up now and he rips a single to right field on the second delivery. Cordoba advances to second on the play.
Allen Cordoba jumps on the first pitch and lines a shot to left field. It falls in for a two out single.
Edgar Muñoz lifts the first pitch to third base and Rivera takes this one. Two gone.
Bottom 5th
Joshwan Wright will lead off for Panama and he lifts a pop fly to short stop. López puts it away. One down.
JC Escarra the hitter and he works the count full. The payoff from Fuentes is tapped softly to second base and he throw to first ends the inning. Three up, three down.
Nelson Velazquez up now and he lifts the first pitch straight up for the catcher Ivan Herrera. Two out
Top 5th
Bryan Torres will lead things off for Puerto Rico and he nubs one to short stop. Tejada goes to first, in time. One out
Pitching change
Panama will bring on Steven Fuentes to take over on the mound.
Johnny Santos up now and taps a little blooper to short stop. López puts it away to end the inning.
Jean Arnaez will stand in now with one out and a man on third. He lifts a soft pop fly to short stop and López puts it away for out number two.
Johan Camargo up now and he cracks a fly ball into the gap in left center. Ortiz on the dead run slides and makes the catch! What a play!
Tejada tags up and goest to third on the play.
Bottom 4th
Ruben Tejada gets things going with a long drive into the left field corner for a leadoff double.
Jack López up now and González has completely recovered his form, throwing three excellent strikes to send López packing and end the inning.
Jonathan Morales up now and he goes down swinging on three breaking balls. Two out
Vimael Machin comes to the plate. He lifts a foul ball behind third base and Camargo drifts over to take it in. One down
Top 4th
Heliot Ramos will lead things off for Puerto Rico and see if they can put things back on track here. Now it is González's turn to throw wild, clipping Ramos on the arm.
Christian Bethancourt will face the new pitcher with bases loaded and two outs. He lifts a high fly ball to left center field. Danny Ortiz drifts over and puts it away to end the inning, but not before Panama can tack on three more. They lead 7-3 after three.
Pitching change
That is too much for Yadi and he makes the change. Garcia's night is done and it was a stinker. Ricardo Gómez will get the call to see if he can get out of this mess.
Panama scores
Ivan Herrera comes up now with the bases loaded and two outs in another big inning for Panama. They have posted six runs in the last two innings on Puerto Rico and the pitching seems to be falling apart as we speak.
Garcia comes inside and hits Herrera on the arm to walk in a run!
Allen Cordoba up now with runners on first and second and two outs. Garcia loses him on four straight balls to load the bases. Puerto Rico are in all kinds of bother here.
Back to the top of the order and Edgar Muñoz the hitter now. A fastball runs inside and clips his shirt. That will be a hit by pitch.
Panama scores!
Joshwan Wright up now and he hits a flare into center field. Santos comes around third and goes for home. The throw is not in time and Panama add one more to the score! They lead 6-3 now!
Panama scores!
Right fielder Johnny Santos will face the new pitcher. The count works to 2-2 before Santos slaps a drifter into right field. Tejada scores from second on the play! Arnaez tries to stretch it to third and gets thrown out at the bag.
Panama challenge the call of out but it is upheld on review.
Pitching change
That is going to do it for Torres as Yadier Molina strides out and takes the ball from him. The Puerto Rico skipper will tap Bryan Garcia to take over on the mound.
Jean Arnaez up now and he slashes the first pitch into center field for a single. Tejada advances to second on the play.
Johan Camargo up now and he lays down a bunt on the first pitch, but it drifts foul.
He lifts the next pitch into left field for the out.
Tejada works the count full before watching ball four miss low to draw the walk.
Bottom 3rd
Ruben Tejada will lead things off for Panama and Christian Torres will take over on the mound for Puerto Rico.
Left fielder Danny Ortiz to the dish and he hits it on the screws, but right at Christian Bethancourt to end the inning. In the middle of three, we have a ballgame on our hands! Puerto Rico answer back and trail 4-3.
Emmanuel Rivera the hitter and he rolls one to shortstop. Tejada fields it and completes the 6-3 putout. Two away.
JC Escarra up now and he pops one up to short. One out.
Velazquez Home Run!
Nelson Velazquez the hitter now and he crushes a monster shot to left field! That is gone! Two run shot and Puerto Rico have indeed answered back!
Torres chops a soft, high bouncer to second base. It falls into no man's land and he manages to beat it out for an infield hit.
Top 3rd
Bryan Torres leads off for Puerto Rico in the third and they need to respond quickly.
Christian Bethancourt to the plate now and Panama have really turned the screw here in the second inning. With two down and a runner on second, he taps a soft roller to third for Rivera. The throw gets him at first and Puerto Rico are finally put out of their misery. But not before Panama have taken control of the game with four runs!
Panama scores!
Ivan Herrera up now and he rips the first delivery off the base of the right field wall! Muñoz scores from second! Cordoba scores behind him! Herrera is in there with a double and Puerto Rico are in all kinds of trouble! Panama tack two more runs on!
Bunt for hit
Allen Cordoba up now and he lays down a perfect bunt to the third base side. Adams jumps off the mound for it but can't field it cleanly. There is no play and everyone is safe.
Edgar Muñoz up now and he draws a walk on five pitches.
Panama scores!
Joshwan Wright to the plate and he takes two balls. That is six in a row from Adams!
A breaking pitch lands in there for strike one. 2-1
Wright rips one into the gap in left! It gets past the outfielders! Santos races around from first and heads home! The throw home is in time but Morales doesn't field it! It gets past him! Santos is in there!
Wright is heading for third! The throw to third from Adams gets past Rivera and goes into the outfield! Wright goes home! I don't believe it! An in the park home run! Two fielding errors led to it but my oh my! Panama take the lead!
Johnny Santos up now and he draws a walk on four pitches.
Designated Hitter Jean Arnaez up now and he crushes one! Incredibly high and back to left field. Danny Ortiz catches up to it on the warning track right at the wall. That had a chance there for a second, but in the end it is a long out. Two gone.
Bottom 2nd
Third baseman Johan Camargo will lead things off for Panama and he lifts a towering pop fly to shallow center field. Torres charges in and gets under it to put it away for out number one.
Short stop Jack López to the plate now and he works the count full before swinging through a high fastball to end the inning. Puerto Rico retired in order, but they still lead 1-0 in the middle of two.
Jonathan Morales up now and he rips a hard ground ball to first. Christian Bethancourt fields it and will take it to the bag himself. Two gone.
Top 2nd
Vimael Machin will lead things off for Puerto Rico and he chops the first pitch to second base. 4-3 for the out.
Tejada rips a hot shot at short stop, but López fields it and makes a bullet of a throw to first to complete the 6-3 for out number three.
Stolen base
Ruben Tejada the hitter now with runners on the corners and two outs. Adams drops a curve ball in there for strike one. Tejada swings through a high fastball and it is 0-2.
Adams' fastball misses high as Bethancourt takes second base uncontested.
Christian Bethancourt the hitter now and he works the count to 2-2 before an inside pitch clips his foot. Hit by pitch, take your base young man!
Adams settles in and throws a beautiful fastball to catch Herrera swinging. Two out.
Double steal
Catcher Ivan Herrera up now with a runner on first and one out. He takes a slider for a strike. A fastball to the same spot misses inside and the count evens at 1-1.
Adams delivers a middle-middle change up for strike two.
Adams throws a fastball outside that gets by catcher Jonathan Morales and goes to the backstop. Cordoba was running on the pitch and it looks like Morales was thinking about the throw before making the catch! Cordoba keeps going and heads for third! The throw gets by Rivera but López was there to back him up. Double steal!
Allen Cordoba now up and he fouls the first pitch back before watching a fastball miss outside. A breaking pitch is fouled back and it is 1-2.
Adams delivers another breaking ball in the dirt and the count runs to 2-2. A fastball misses inside and it is now full.
The payoff delivery to Cordoba misses low and he draws the walk.
Muñoz chops a hard ground ball to third but Rivera is up to the challenge. The long throw completes the 5-3 for out number one.
Bottom 1st
Derrick Adams takes the mound for the Criollos and left fielder Edgar Muñoz will lead things off for Panama.
Right fielder Heliot Ramos up now and he rips a hard shot to short stop but right at Ruben Tejada. The flip to second gets the force out to end the inning, but the Criollos have struck first and lead in the middle of one by a score of 1-0.
Danny Ortiz the hitter now with runners on first and second and still only one out. He takes a breaking ball for a strike before fouling a fastball back. He is in a hole quickly here 0-2
A huge breaking ball drops off the table and catches Ortiz swinging for strike three. That is a big out!
Puerto Rico scores!
Rivera fouls another back and we do it again. Still 0-2
González misses high with a fastball. 1-2
Rivera rips one through the gap to left field for a single! Torres scores from second! Puerto Rico draw first blood!
Emmanuel Rivera up to the plate now with two on and one out. The first pitch is fouled back for strike one.
González delivers another fastball which is fouled back as well. 0-2
The 2-1 delivery from González misses outside for ball three. Escarra takes a fastball high to draw the walk. Two base runners now for Puerto Rico.
Stolen base
JC Escarra up to the plate now and he takes a fastball for strike one. Torrest takes off on the second delivery, a ball outside. He gets a great jump and the throw is not in time. Stolen base!
Nelson Velazquez the hitter now with a runner on first. The first pitch misses outside before Velazquez swings and misses at a low fastball. 1-1
He lifts one high into foul territory for Bethancourt at first. He drifts over and makes the catch right in front of the netting for out number one.
Another low fastball brings the count even at 2-2. Gonzalez delivers another low one and the count runs ful.
The payoff to Torres juuuusssssttt misses low for ball four. Man that looked good! Didn't miss by much!
Top 1st
Center fielder Bryan Torres will lead things off for Puerto Rico and he fouls the first two pitches off before watching a fastball outside. 1-2
He taps a high chopper foul and we do it again. Still 1-2
PLAY BALL!
The Federales are on the field, James González is on the mound. The house is packed and the umpires are ready as Bryan Torres will lead off for the Criollos de Caguas.
Let's PLAY BALL!
We are just about ready to get going. The teams are warming up and the crowd are filing their way to their seats. Just minutes to go now!
LINEUPS
The Home Team
Panama Batting Order
1. Edgar Muñoz LF
2. Allen Cordoba CF
3. Ivan Herrera C
4. Christian Bethancourt 1B
5. Ruben Tejada SS
6. Johan Camargo 3B
7. Jean Arnaez DH
8. Johnny Santos RF
9. Joshwan Wright 2B
The Visitors
Puerto Rico Batting Order
1. Bryan Torres CF
2. Nelson Velazquez DH
3. JC Escarra 1B
4. Emmanuel Rivera 3B
5. Danny Ortiz LF
6. Heliot Ramos RF
7. Vimael Machin 2B
8. Jonathan Morales C
9. Jack López SS
STARTING PITCHERS CAREER STATS
CRIOLLOS DE CAGUAS (PUERTO RICO)
Derrick Adams (LHP)
4 - 4
5.61 ERA
92 K
96.0 IP
0.90 WHIP
FEDERALES DE CHIRIQUI (PANAMA)
James Gonzáles (RHP)
10 - 19
4.78 ERA
260 K
233.2 IP
1.40 WHIP
PITCHING
Puerto Rico’s Criollos will start 26 year old lefty Derrick Adams, who has spent the last two years in the minors, mainly with Charleston and the Criollos themselves. He was a key component in the Criollos’ winning of the Roberto Clemente League, throwing 30.1 innings and striking out 21 hitters for a 2.08 ERA.
Panama’s Federales will go with an experienced right hander in James González. He has been part of the Oakland A’s organization for the past five years, and spent last season in minor league Lansing, throwing a 4.42 ERA while notching up 135 strikeouts in 108 innings.
WELCOME!!!
Welcome to the Diario AS USA live commentary of the 2024 Caribbean Series as Puerto Rico’s Criollos de Caguas take on Panama’s Federales de Chiriqui in Miami’s LoanDepot Park.
The landscape of the Caribbean Series is shifting daily and this is the hottest ticket game in the tournament right now. Puerto Rico have just come off of a huge victory yesterday, handing Venezuela their first loss. They had to grind their way through a few pitchers to do it however, and will need to keep their level of play just as high, if not higher, today.
They are facing Panama, who have surprised quite a few fans by remaining now the only undefeated team in the Series. Along the way, they have beaten two teams at the bottom of the table in Mexico and Nicaragua, while taking down a solid Curaçao squad. But this will be by far their biggest test.
The top four teams will get through to the semi finals, and while the Dominicans, Venezuelans, and Puerto Rico are the expectation to top that list, the fourth spot is up for grabs. Panama would love to stamp their name on it and a win tonight would guarantee their berth.