GUADALAJARA, Mexico.- When the Tomateros of Culiacán thought they would celebrate, the Charros of Jalisco had other plans to prevent the party from being at their house and, instead, be the ones who would lift the 2026 Caribbean Series champions trophy.
Two hits by Tomateros reliever Guadalupe Chávez caused a couple of runs for the Charros, who ended up winning 12-11 in the tenth inning.
The victory represented the first Caribbean Series title for the Jalisco franchise.
Those from Culiacán had tied the score at 10 in the ninth inning with a home run by Víctor Mendoza and then took advantage in the top of the tenth. However, with two outs at the end of that inning, Chávez tried to strike out Mateo Gil with a breaking pitch that catcher Alí Solís couldn’t handle. Subsequently, on the first pitch to Bligh Madris, he again threw a pitch that allowed Michael Wielansky to score from third with the winning run.
The victory of the Charros eclipsed the two home runs hit by Mendoza, whose hits kept the Tomateros alive, who were left wanting to avenge what happened in the final of the Mexican League, against the team led by Benji Gil.
Second baseman Wielansky was elected Most Valuable Player of the tournament after posting an offensive line of .625/.667/.750 in the qualifying round, with four RBIs and four runs scored. He only failed in six of his 16 turns.
