The Leones de Yucatán dropped the first game of the WBSC Baseball Champions League tournament to the Caimanes de Barranquilla 5-3 inspite of great performances from Matanzas, Cuba native Yadir Drake, while Cuban-Americans Josh Fuentes and JC Escarra. Fuentes opened up the scoring for Yucatán with single in the third inning giving the host club a 1-0 lead.
The Colombians put up a four spot in the top of the fourth inning via Pabel Manzanero single, a wild pitch and a Edwin García single making the game 4-1. Yadir Drake went yard in the bottom of the fourth inning a two-run shot bring in Escarra making the game 4-3. Edgar Robles added a single in the top of the ninth to make the score 5-3.
💥💥💥 Yadir Drake dinger! #BaseballChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/Bhe3XiAnQd
— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) September 29, 2023
Elkin Alcalá tossed a scoreless ninth in which he fanned two to notch the save. Antonio Galindo was credited with the victory after tossing an inning in relief. Henderson Álvarez was tagged with the loss after giving up two runs in 3 ⅓ innings of work. Barranquilla starter Miguel Piña worked 4 ⅔ giving up six hits, three earned runs and struck out two.
For the Leones Yadir Drake ( 4-1,HR,2RBI), JC Escarra (3-3,2B,R) and Josh Fuentes (5-3,RBI) were the offensive stars, while Edwin García (4-1,2RBI) and Jesús Marriaga (4-3,2B,2R) starred with the bat for the Caimanes. Barranquilla plays Granma this afternoon at 3PM, while Yucatán will play Fargo-Moorhead at 10 PM.
💪 First run of the game!
🔛 Josh Fuentes with the RBI.#BaseballChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/b3M6JBXtj5
— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) September 29, 2023