Mexico Remains King of the Caribbean Series

By Francisco Romero

The Naranjeros de Hermosillo, representing Mexico defeated the Indios of Mayagüez of Puerto Rico by the score of 7-1 to obtain their second consecutive Caribbean Series championship.

This year’s series was played in the Island of Margarita Venezuela.  Last year the Yaquis of Obregon defeated the Leones of Escogido from the Dominican Republic to give Mexico the 2013 Caribbean Series Championship.

In the 2014 edition of the Caribbean Series, Mexico was not given much of a chance, some experts expected Mexico to be eliminated in the first round citing lack of pitching, power and speed.

Mexico’s starting pitchers Alfredo Aceves and Juan Delgadillo were superb in the mound as they guided their team to a championship.

Degaldillo finished the series with a record of 2-0 winning the championship game. In the final Delgadillo pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing 4 hits and striking out 5.

On the offensive side Sebastian Valle hit a grand slam to give Mexico a 6-0 lead and Mexico never looked back.

The victory gives Mexico its eight Caribbean Series win; it was the second Caribbean Series win for Hermosillo (representing Mexico) its first one came in 1976.  Mexico also won the series in 1986, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2011 and 2013.

“We came to play; we didn’t come to have fun, we didn’t come just to take a trip,” said Mexico’s manager Matias Carrillo.  “Our team left everything on the field in this series,” he added.

Mexico defeated the Dominican Republic by a score of 3-2 to advance to the final game. 

Cuba returned to the Caribbean Series after a 54 year absence, it left very disappointed as they were eliminated in the first round.

Next year’s series will be held in Puerto Rico.