What Happened
Colón opened the 2026 Campeonato Nacional de Béisbol Mayor semifinal with a 3-1 comeback win over Bocas del Toro on Monday at Calvin Byron Stadium in Changuinola. The victory gave Colón the early edge in a series that began a day later than scheduled after Sunday rain forced a postponement.
The game featured a duel between two starters who controlled the pace for most of the night. Manuel Campos and Pedro Torres matched each other through seven full innings, keeping the score tied and limiting both lineups in El Nido de la Tortuga.
A Late Turnaround
Bocas del Toro appeared ready to seize control in the bottom of the eighth. Jonathan Mendoza reached on a hit-by-pitch, stole second, and then scored after a throwing error by Jean Carrillo, breaking the scoreless tie and putting the defending champions in front.
Colón answered in the top of the ninth with a decisive rally. Amni Ortega opened the inning with a hit to the opposite field and advanced to third after a stumble in the outfield. With runners on the corners, Jorge Bishop lined a ball through right-center field to clear the bases and flip the score. Jason Patterson then added a sacrifice fly to bring home the third run and seal the 3-1 result.
Pitching Defined the Game
Campos delivered a strong outing for Colón, working seven and one-third innings and allowing just three hits and one unearned run. He struck out eight and walked two, giving his team the chance to stay within striking distance until the offense broke through.
Julio Denis handled the final inning for Colón without allowing a run. On the other side, left-hander Pedro Torres also pitched well, throwing seven scoreless innings and giving up only three hits, though he did not factor into the decision.
Why It Matters
The win is important for Colón because it came on the road against the reigning champions and regular-season leaders, who finished 11-5. It also showed that the series may hinge on late-inning execution, as both teams were locked in a tight pitchers’ battle for most of the night.
Bocas del Toro, which managed five hits and played error-free baseball overall, will now look to respond in the next meeting at Calvin Byron. Colón, meanwhile, will try to build on a victory that came from patience on the mound and timely hitting when the game was on the line.