Castilla belts walk-off homer at Caribbean Series

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MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela (AP) -- Former Major League Baseball star Vinny Castilla drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Mexico's Naranjeros de Hermosillo a 3-2 victory over Venezuela's Leones del Caracas in the Caribbean Series on Friday.

The victory improved Naranjeros to 2-2, keeping it in the hunt to win the tournament which ends Sunday. Earlier, the previously unbeaten Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic slipped to a 3-1 record after being beaten 7-3 by Puerto Rico's Indios del Magayuez.

The 42-year-old Castilla, best remembered for his seven-year stint with the Colorado Rockies, drove a shot to center out of the reach of Erold Andrus, allowing Heber Gomez to score the winning run.

Gomez opened the inning with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Roberson. Karim Garcia was given an intentional walk, setting the stage for Castilla.

The Venezuelans had led 2-0 after three innings, but Mexico tied it with runs in the fourth and sixth. Leones del Caracas fell to a 1-3 record to all but eliminate them from title contention.

Mario Mendoza got the victory in 1 2/3 inning of relief.

In the earlier game Andrew Baldwin picked up the victory for Indios, combining with relievers Orlando Roman and Bill Simas to hold the Dominicans to eight hits.

Indios jumped on top in the first with three runs off losing pitcher Felix Diaz. Diaz gave up three runs and three hits and walked three in four innings pitched.

Puerto Rico scored three more runs in the sixth to seal the victory and move to a 2-2 record that keep them in with a chance of the title.

In Saturday's games, Naranjeros will take on Leones del Escogido while Indios face Leones del Caracas.

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