With a grand slam by Anthony García, the Criollos de Caguas from Puerto Rico came back from a four-run deficit against the Caribes de Anzoátegui from Venezuela, whom they defeated 6-5, and advanced to the final of the 2018 Caribbean Series of Baseball being played in this city.

García hit the homerun, his third in the series, with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, a hit that tied the game for his team and then added two runs in the eighth to take the lead that they did not relinquish, while Venezuela scored one in the second, three in the fifth, and one more in the seventh.

Now, the Criollos await their opponent that will be determined in the second semifinal between the Alazanes de Granma from Cuba and the Águilas Cibaeñas from the Dominican Republic to be played tonight.

After both teams were scoreless in the first inning, Venezuela scored their first run in the bottom of the second.

Luis Jiménez and Tomás Telis drew walks and Willians Astudillo hit a line drive to right field to load the bases, then Alexi Amarista hit a sacrifice fly to center field for Jiménez to score on a tag play.

In the third and fourth, the starting pitchers Daryl Thompson from Venezuela and Rolando Román from Puerto Rico held strong and didn't allow any runs.

The Caribes extended their lead by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Luis Sardiñas led off with a single to center field, a hit that resulted in the exit of Puerto Rican starter Román, who was relieved by Fernando Cruz.

Rafael Ortega hit a line drive to right field, advancing to second and moving Sardiñas to third; then Niuman Romero hit the ball to left field to drive in Sardiñas and later on René Reyes hit a double to bring home Ortega and Romero.

This series of hits led to the exit of Fernando Cruz and Puerto Rican manager Luis Matos called in Luis Cruz to stop the Venezuelan offense.

It seemed like Anzoátegui was headed for victory, but Caguas reacted and came from behind to tie the game in the top of the sixth.

After an out, Irving Falu hit a single to center field, Rusney Castillo hit another one to left field, and Jesmuel Valentín also hit the ball to left field to load the bases.

This series of hits led to the exit of Thompson, who was replaced by Néstor Molina, who faced Anthony García and he hit a homerun to center field, loaded toward left, to drive in his three teammates, score a grand slam, and tie the game for Puerto Rico.

After the bomb, Molina left the mound and Liarvis Breto was called in to face one batter, and then Víctor Capellán came in.

In the bottom of the seventh, Luis Cruz left the mound for the American Robby Rowland, who walked Venezuela's Reyes and allowed hits from Jiménez and Telis, with the latter crossing home plate to put Venezuela ahead.

The Caribes took precautions and manager Omar López replaced Capellán on the mound with Mayckol Guaipe.

Puerto Rico immediately responded by opening the eighth inning with a line drive to left field by Falu, who advanced to third through a sacrifice bunt by Castillo and a passed ball by Venezuelan catcher Telis; Valentín hit the RBI to right field to tie the game and Caguas's fifth run.

Valentín then stole second and García drew a walk, setting the stage for Puerto Rico to take the lead for the first time in the game with a wild pitch by pitcher César Jiménez, who had replaced Guaipe.

Valentín took advantage and reached third base, Venezuelan catcher Telis recovered the ball but made an error throw to third and the Puerto Rican runner took advantage to reach home plate.

Due to Jiménez's lack of control, the Venezuelan manager called in the Dominican Felipe Paulino, who put out the fire for Caguas.

To close the eighth, Puerto Rico called on Miguel Mejía to the pitching mound, who also worked the ninth to secure the victory for the Criollos de Caguas.