In a dramatic conclusion to the Caribbean Series, Mexico’s Jalisco Charros secured their first-ever championship title with a stunning 12-11 victory over Culiacan Tomateros during Saturday’s extra innings finale in Guadalajara.
The championship game unfolded as a remarkable tale of two halves, with the Charros establishing a commanding 9-1 lead by the fourth inning. However, the Tomateros mounted an extraordinary comeback, gradually erasing the deficit and ultimately forcing extra innings with a 10-10 tie. The seesaw battle continued as Culiacan briefly claimed an 11-10 advantage in the additional frames.
The game’s decisive moment arrived in the bottom of the 10th inning when reliever Guadalupe Chavez, with bases loaded and two outs, delivered two wild pitches that allowed the winning run to score. This climactic ending marked a redemption story for the Charros, who had fallen short in last year’s championship final against the Dominican Republic’s Escogido Leones.
The tournament itself carried significant geopolitical undertones, having been relocated from Venezuela to Mexico due to political instability and international tensions. Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico had previously committed to bypassing the tournament if held in Venezuela amid strained relations between Venezuela and the United States. Venezuela’s subsequent withdrawal created the unusual circumstance of Mexico fielding two teams in the competition.
This victory represents Mexico’s first Caribbean Series championship since 2016, when the Mazatlan Venados claimed the title, signaling a resurgence of Mexican baseball on the international stage.