Caribbean Series 2015: The Cubans have suffered two losses and two defections

With major league scouts descending upon San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium to chronicle Cuban talent, it was reported earlier this afternoon two Cuban players participating in the Caribbean Series defected. This was according to an anonymous tournament source who spoke to USA Today Sports.

The Cuban Federation has yet to confirm the defections.

The players are believed to be shortstop Dainer Moreira and pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez. Neither is considered major league ready, however, Gutierrez is said to be the better major league prospect.

As Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, this marks the first time top Cuban players are playing on U.S. soil since the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Since then, President Obama initiated a process to normalize relations with the communist island nation.

So far, the Cuban contingent is 0-2 in Caribbean Series 2015, as is Puerto Rico. The two will face off Wednesday night in what effectively has become an elimination showdown.

Caribbean Series Standings a/o Feb. 3rd:

Mexico 2-0
Dominican Republic 1-0
Venezuela 1-0
Puerto Rico 0-2
Cuba 0-2

Wednesday’s games:

Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela (in progress)
Puerto Rico vs. Cuba

2/3 – Tuesday Recap

In Tuesday’s early game, the Dominicans made their series debut with a 6-1 victory over Cuba.

Winning starting pitcher Rafael Perez kept Cuba scoreless over his 5.1 innings of work, while allowing 6 hits and striking out one.

Norge Ruiz suffered the loss for Cuba. He allowed 3 earned runs on 9 hits, walked none and fanned 3, over 5 innings pitched.

In the bottom of the 2nd, with 1-out and runners on 1st and 2nd, catcher Carlos Paulino singled up the middle to give D.R. an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 6th, left fielder Willy Garcia‘s 2-run home run, and RBI from DH Audy Ciriaco and second baseman Alexi Casilla gave the Dominican squad a 5-0 lead.

Shortstop Dainer Moreir drove in Cuba’s only run with a single in the top half of the 7th. The Dominicans scored one more time in the bottom half of the frame to give themselves a 6-1 final.

In the night game, Puerto Rico also lost their second game of the tournament, this time to the defending champs from Mexico.

Puerto Rico jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd, when right fielder Jorge Padilla‘s sac-fly scored Ruben Gotay from third.

Mexico then took a 2-1 lead in the 3rd. Center fielder Rico Noel reached on 1-out single, and advanced on a wild pitch by Puerto Rican starter Joel Pineiro. Left fielder Maxwell Leon‘s single scored Noel. Maxwell later scored on a sac-fly from first baseman Joey Meneses.

Puerto Rico tied the game in the 6th on second baseman Enrique Hernandez‘ home run.

Mexico went ahead for good in the bottom of the 7th, when Maxwell Leon‘s sac-fly scored Dave Sappelt to give them a 3-2 final over Puerto Rico.

Starter Joel Pineiro earned a no-decision for Puerto Rico. He pitched 6 innings, and allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits. Southpaw Nelvin Fuentes took the loss in relief.

Mexico starter Francisco Campos exited the game after allowing 1 run, on 4 hits and one walk, in just 1.2 innings pitched. Reliever Juan Delgadillo pitched 4 innings, and allowed one run for the victory. Oscar Villarreal picked up his second save.

Participating League Champions:

Cuba – Pinar del Rio
Puerto Rico – Cangrejeros de Santurce
Dominican Republic – Cibao Gigantes
Mexico – Culiacan Tomateros
Venezuela – Caribes de Anzoategui