Honestly, if you were looking for MLB scores last night, you probably realized the diamond is pretty quiet in the States right now. It's January. But for those of us who follow winter ball, last night was massive. The stakes were high. Basically, we’re in the middle of the "January Madness" of Caribbean and Pacific baseball, where teams are fighting for a spot in the 2026 Caribbean Series.
The Tomateros are Going to the Finals
The biggest news from Thursday night came out of the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico (LAMP). The Tomateros de Culiacán didn’t just win; they dominated. They took down the Algodoneros de Guasave with an 8-1 victory. This wasn't just another win. It completed a four-game sweep.
Culiacán is now the first team to punch their ticket to the 2026 Caribbean Series. Luis Cessa was a beast on the mound, throwing five scoreless innings. The game really broke open in the sixth when Allen Cordoba slapped a three-run single. If you’re a Guasave fan, it was a rough night to watch.
Drama in the Dominican Republic (LIDOM)
Over in the Dominican Republic, the Round Robin is getting tight. The Toros del Este pulled off a gutsy 8-5 comeback win against the Leones del Escogido. For a while there, it looked like Escogido had it. They were up 5-3 in the seventh. Then, the wheels kinda came off for the Leones.
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Eloy Jiménez tied it up with a grounder, but the real hero was Yairo Muñoz. He cleared the bases with a triple that sent the Toros fans into a frenzy. Now, the Toros are just one win away from clinching a spot in the LIDOM finals. Meanwhile, the Águilas Cibaeñas kept their hopes alive by edging out the Gigantes del Cibao 5-4.
Santurce is One Win Away in Puerto Rico
The Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC) is currently in its Championship Series. Last night, the Cangrejeros de Santurce beat the Leones de Ponce 6-3. This puts Santurce up 3-0 in the series.
Interestingly, Ponce actually outhit Santurce 12 to 6. You’ve probably seen games like that before. You get the hits, but you can’t drive them in. Ponce went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Santurce, on the other hand, made their hits count. Yohandy Morales and Nelson Velázquez both went deep.
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What’s Happening in Venezuela?
The LVBP (Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional) also saw some high-scoring action. The Navegantes del Magallanes crushed the Águilas del Zulia 10-4. Angel Reyes was the standout here, hitting a two-run homer and a triple.
In the other matchup, the Cardenales de Lara beat the Bravos de Margarita 6-2. Luisangel Acuña—yeah, Ronald's brother—had a huge night with five RBIs. He’s been a terror this postseason.
Summary of Last Night's Key Winners
- Tomateros de Culiacán (8-1 vs. Guasave) - Advanced to Finals
- Toros del Este (8-5 vs. Escogido) - One win from Finals
- Cangrejeros de Santurce (6-3 vs. Ponce) - Leads Series 3-0
- Navegantes del Magallanes (10-4 vs. Zulia)
- Cardenales de Lara (6-2 vs. Margarita)
Why These Games Matter
You might think winter league baseball is just for keeping players warm, but it's not. The winner of each of these leagues represents their country in the Caribbean Series, which starts in early February in Guadalajara, Mexico. For players like Estevan Florial or Eloy Jiménez, this is high-pressure baseball.
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If you're looking to catch tonight's action, most of these games are streaming on MLB.tv or specialized platforms like BeisbolPlay. The LIDOM games usually start around 6:00 PM EST, while the Mexican Pacific League games often run late into the night for East Coast viewers.
Next Steps for Baseball Fans:
- Check the LIDOM standings; the race for the second finals spot between Águilas and Toros is coming down to the final two games.
- Watch for the Santurce vs. Ponce Game 4 tonight; a win for Santurce ends the series and crowns them champions of Puerto Rico.
- Keep an eye on the LVBP Round Robin, as Cardenales de Lara are currently sitting at the top of the table.