If you woke up today wondering who won the game last night baseball fans are probably realizing we are in that weird, beautiful pocket of the calendar. January isn't exactly October. There’s no bunting hanging from the upper decks of Yankee Stadium or Dodger Stadium right now. But if you think the bats have gone silent, you’re looking in the wrong hemisphere.
Last night, January 16, 2026, was actually a massive night for the sport. While the MLB is currently in the "Winter Meetings and Workout" phase of the off-season, the winter leagues in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela are essentially in their version of the World Series.
The short answer? In the Dominican Republic, the Toros del Este took a massive step toward the finals by beating Leones del Escogido 8-5. Over in Mexico, the Tomateros de Culiacán basically broke the internet (or at least the Mexican Pacific League) by sweeping their way into the Caribbean Series.
The Dominican Drama: Toros Charge Toward the Finals
Dominican winter ball, or LIDOM, is a different beast. The crowd noise is deafening, and the stakes are high because these guys are playing for national pride. Last night, the Toros del Este put on a clinic.
They weren't supposed to have it this easy against the Leones, who have been leading the round-robin stage for a while. But baseball is weird. The Toros were actually trailing 5-3 going into the bottom of the seventh. Then, the wheels came off for the Leones.
Eloy Jimenez—yeah, that Eloy Jimenez—hit a gritty grounder to first to bring in the tying run. But the real hero was Yairo Muñoz. He stepped up with the bases loaded and absolutely cleared them with a triple. Just like that, an 8-5 lead. Joe Corbett came in for the save, striking out three. It was clinical. It was loud. It was exactly what you want from winter ball.
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Meanwhile, the Águilas Cibaeñas kept their pulse beating with a 5-4 win over the Gigantes del Cibao. It wasn't pretty. They relied on a few errors and some small ball from Steward Berroa and Geraldo Perdomo, but a win is a win. They still have a mountain to climb to reach the finals, but they aren't dead yet.
Mexico: Culiacán Punches Their Ticket
If you want to know who won the game last night baseball fans in Mexico have the loudest answer. The Tomateros de Culiacán are officially the first team to qualify for the 2026 Caribbean Series.
They didn't just win; they embarrassed the Algodoneros de Guasave with an 8-1 blowout. It was a sweep. Total dominance.
Why the Culiacán Win Matters
- Sweep Authority: Taking four straight in a semi-final is rare.
- Allen Cordoba's Bat: He hit a three-run single in the sixth that basically ended the game.
- Pitching Depth: Their rotation hasn't skipped a beat all January.
In the other Mexican matchup, the Charros de Jalisco took a 3-1 series lead over the Águilas de Mexicali with a 4-2 win. Ronald Medrano was a monster on the mound. He threw six scoreless innings. If you’re a fan of the underdog, you’re probably rooting for Mexicali to pull a miracle, but Jalisco looks like a freight train right now.
What's Happening in Venezuela and Puerto Rico?
We can't talk about who won the game last night baseball without mentioning the Navegantes del Magallanes. They absolutely crushed the Águilas del Zulia 10-4.
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Angel Reyes had a night he’ll probably tell his grandkids about. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and a triple. When a guy is seeing the ball that well, the opposing pitcher might as well be throwing beach balls. The Navegantes are clawing their way back into the round-robin conversation, and that 15-hit explosion is exactly why nobody wants to play them right now.
In Puerto Rico, the Cangrejeros de Santurce are sitting pretty. They beat the Leones de Ponce 6-3 on Thursday night, which put them up 3-0 in their series. They are basically one game away from booking their own trip to the Caribbean Series.
Why You Should Care About These Results
Look, I get it. If you’re a casual fan, you’re waiting for Spring Training in February. But these games are where the real intensity lives in January.
The Caribbean Series is the "World Series of the Caribbean," and the qualification process happening right now is brutal. We are seeing MLB veterans like Eddie Rosario and Eloy Jimenez playing alongside hungry prospects who are fighting for a roster spot in the Big Leagues this summer.
The quality of play is surprisingly high. You’ve got guys throwing 98 mph in the LIDOM playoffs while MLB players are still posting videos of themselves lifting weights in Florida. If you haven't checked out a LIDOM or LAMP stream on MLB.tv, you're missing out on the best-kept secret in sports.
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Actionable Steps for Baseball Fans Today
Now that you're caught up on who won the game last night baseball, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve for tonight’s matchups.
First, check the LIDOM standings. The Toros del Este are one win away from the finals. If they win tonight, the atmosphere in the Dominican is going to be electric. You can usually find these games streaming on MLB.tv or even through some of the teams' YouTube channels.
Second, keep an eye on the Caribbean Series schedule. It starts February 1st in Jalisco, Mexico. Since the Tomateros de Culiacán have already qualified, they are going to be the "home" favorites.
Lastly, don't sleep on the Australian Baseball League (ABL) scores. Because of the time difference, those games are happening while we sleep. The Adelaide Giants and Perth Heat have been locked in some serious battles lately.
Baseball never actually stops. You just have to know where to look.