Mexico got off to a blazing start at the 2025 Serie del Caribe, showcasing their power and skill by defeating Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayagüez with a decisive score of 8-1 on January 31, 2025. Held at the Estadio Nido de los Águilas in Mexicali, Baja California, this match marked the beginning of Mexico's campaign, following their recent triumph at the Liga Mexicana del Pacífico.
Under the leadership of manager Benjamín Gil, the Charros de Jalisco launched their tournament with enthusiasm, filling the stadium with thousands of hopeful fans. They quickly made their mark, scoring the first run of the game right out of the gate, setting the tone for what was to come.
Mateo Gil led off with a walk, and through two wild pitches, he advanced to third base. Following him, Julián Ornelas also got on base via walk. Jack Mayfield then drove them both home with an infield hit, marking the beginning of Mexico's offensive prowess. By the time the fourth inning rolled around, the Charros were already demonstrating their dominance.
With two outs on the board, Reynaldo Rodríguez and Donovan Casey laced base hits, setting the stage for Japhet Amador, who doubled to center field, bringing both runners home. Puerto Rico managed to break Mexico's initial hold with one run scored, courtesy of Isan Díaz's single, but this hardly deterred the home team.
Mexico answered back swiftly, increasing their lead once more. Billy Hamilton reached first base on a hit, executing not one but two stolen bases to place himself 90 feet from home. He capitalized on another wild pitch by Puerto Rico to score the fourth run, re-asserting Mexico's control over the game.
The eighth inning saw Mexico explode for four more runs, effectively sealing their victory. With the bases loaded, Hamilton once again showcased his speed, drawing a walk and facilitating another run. Michael Wielansky then delivered the decisive blow with a two-RBI single, prompting cheers from the jubilant crowd.
The pitching of David Reyes was another highlight. Known famously as 'El Rey David', he delivered seven stellar innings, allowing just four hits and one run, punctuating his performance with four strikeouts. His contribution to the mound was instrumental, as it marked his resurgence, having only recently wrapped up his season with the Águilas de Mexicali.
Reyes expressed his happiness post-game, emphasizing the importance of their teamwork and dedication during such a pivotal tournament. “David Reyes poncha 4 y permite una carrera,” noted the Charros de Jalisco's social media, highlighting the pitcher's excellence during the contest.
On the opposing side, Puerto Rico’s Ronnie Williams faced challenges throughout the game. Although he retired the first two batters he faced with ease, trouble brewed soon after, culminating with four earned runs attributed to his five innings on the mound.
This victory not only marked Mexico’s powerful start but also placed them tied for first place with the Dominican Republic after the first day of competition, as reported by local sources. With the win over Puerto Rico, the Charros de Jalisco look primed to carry this momentum forward, bolstered by outstanding performances from both their hitters and Reyes.
Looking forward, fans are eager to see if Mexico can maintain this successful track as they continue through the round-robin phase of the Serie del Caribe, which will conclude with the finals on February 7. The tournament promises to deliver high stakes and intense matchups, and the Charros are clearly prepared to take the challenge head-on.