01/10/2023 2 Minute Read

Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks shut out Barranquilla, win inaugural Baseball Champions League Americas

Tyler Grauer limited Barranquilla to four hits over six innings, and his bullpen never allowed scoring chances. "Tonight, our pitchers made a difference," said manager Chris Coste. "You have to give credit to them," added Barranquilla's rookie manager Carlos Vidal. "There are some situations you cannot control."

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks shut out the Barranquilla Caimanes 8-0, and secured the inaugural Baseball Champions League Americas title.

Fargo dominated the final, outhitting Barranquilla 11-5. Left-handed starter Tyler Grauer posted a six-inning gem.

"I was executing very early. It's all about that; get ahead of hitters and get early outs. This will boost your confidence going forward," said Grauer after the game. "Tonight, everything worked for me. I felt like using my off-speed stuff on any count, and I turned to my fastball when I really needed a pitch. Working with Tony Morales helped me. He has a lot of knowledge."

Fargo's bullpen completed Grauer's job with three scoreless innings.

"Tonight, our pitchers did everything right," said manager Chris Coste. "I've known Grauer for three years and we have an excellent chance to win if he has a feel for his change-up. I told my coaches after the first inning that we would be good tonight."

Barranquilla's first-year manager, Carlos Vidal, credited Fargo's pitchers. "They did an excellent job. They didn't waste pitches. We entered this game with our best pitcher on the mound, but Fargo did well and took the lead. Sometimes, there are things you cannot control."

The mind goes back to the first inning of the round-robin game and the eight runs Fargo scored. Did that change something? "We tried to save our best pitcher for this game. Of course, it didn't work as we would have liked."

Both managers praised the success of the inaugural Baseball Champions League Americas.

"It's a great event. I cannot express how happy I am to be the manager who will go into the history books as the first edition winner," said Coste. "Winning in Mexico, my favourite country after the US makes it special."

"It's been a great experience for me as a first-year manager," said Vidal. "The tournament showcased good baseball."

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HIGHLIGHTS

Live blog - The final as it happened

Left-hander Tyler Grauer took the mound for the RedHawks. He made his professional debut for Fargo in 2021 as a 24-year-old and has played for the RedHawks since.

The Caimanes handed the ball to Jalen Miller. The 30-year-old American starred in the American Association for the Kansas City Monarchs during the 2023 season.

Fargo took the lead in the bottom of the second. Miller walked Max Murphy to lead off the at-bat and hit Leobaldo Piňa with one out. Centre fielder Alec Olund turned his second pitch into an RBI single up the middle.

Miller walked Dillon Thomas to load the bases with two outs. Catcher Roy Morales singled on a chopper up the middle to score Olund and Piňa, make it 3-0 and send Miller to the showers.

Reliever José Piňa couldn't stop Fargo's bat. Second baseman Dayson Croes looked at two balls and hit an RBI single. The at-bat ended on Manny Boscan's fly to right field.

Grauer got some help from Dillon Thomas to retire the first our of the third.

The RedHawks added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Fernando Perez, the third Caimanes pitcher, allowed a walk, hit a batter, and left for Ruben Galindo with one out. Leobaldo Piňa and Sam Dexter got to the newcomer with a pair of RBI singles.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, right fielder Max Murphy turned Galindo's third offering into a home run to dead centre. Barranquilla handed the ball to Luis Moreno, their fifth pitcher.

Grauer's masterful outing ended after six innings and 85 pitches, 64 for strikes. He allowed only four hits while striking out seven. Fargo handed the ball to right-hander Garrett Alexander.

Right-hander Alexander Dubord took care of the final three outs, the final one on strikes.