NEW YORK -- Citi Field played host to one of Caribbean baseball’s most storied rivalries on Saturday, as All-Stars from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico winter leagues squared off in the “RD-PR Showdown,” an exhibition game that the Dominicans won, 6-2.
Dominant pitching was the story early on. The game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning, when the Dominican All-Stars took a 3-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by outfielder Sócrates Brito and a two-run single to center by catcher Webster Rivas off Puerto Rican right-hander Yacksel Ríos.
Puerto Rico closed the gap in the bottom of the seventh, cutting the deficit to 3-2 after shortstop Jack López’s popup single to left field drove in two runs.
Outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez, the Twins’ No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, hit the only home run of the afternoon: a two-run, 112.1 mph shot to right field against righty Osvaldo Berríos in the top of the eighth inning, extending the Dominican lead to 5-2. Rodriguez also singled, drew a walk and scored two runs on his way to earning MVP honors.
Saturday's game was also billed as a tribute to Dominican second baseman Robinson Canó, who went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk before being replaced at second base in the bottom of the seventh. Every member of the Dominican team wore Canó’s No. 24 and game action paused when retired former Mets second baseman Luis Castillo emerged from the third-base dugout to retrieve Canó.
The 17-year MLB veteran, who played for the Mets from 2019-22, fought back tears as he tipped his cap to a cheering crowd and embraced his teammates.
“Coming back here again and being able to play again means a lot to me, as I was here and got to witness the greatness of the Mets team, the treatment, the fans with that desire for a championship,” Canó said prior to the game. “Coming back here again to this field, really, it means a lot to me, and this day will have a special place in my heart.”
Several former Mets were part of the festivities, including former first baseman Carlos Delgado, who managed the Puerto Rican team, and former outfielder Carlos Gómez, the skipper for the Dominican squad. Former outfielder Carlos Beltrán, currently a special assistant to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, served as a coach for the Puerto Rican team.
Gómez made it clear that, although it was an exhibition game, he had every intention of winning.
"Anyone who follows baseball knows that when the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico face off, it’s a healthy competition, and anyone who comes to watch a game, comes to watch a real game,” Gómez said prior to the game. “Even in Little League, when they face off, they give it their all.”
This is the third consecutive year that Citi Field has hosted Caribbean teams. In November 2023, the Tigres del Licey and Águilas Cibaeñas from the Dominican Republic’s winter circuit faced off in a three-game exhibition series in Queens, where the two teams also played a one-game exhibition last fall.
Based on Saturday’s official attendance, 20,057 fans braved temperatures that hovered around 45 degrees to witness the game, reflecting the enthusiasm these types of matchups stir among the New York fanbase.
"It’s the reason for the event,” Delgado said. “New York, obviously, is a huge platform, especially for Latinos. With the Dominican and Puerto Rican demographic here, it’s natural to create this kind of event. This transcends the sport because it’s a cultural celebration.”