Parma Clima Takes 2-1 Lead Over San Marino in 2026 Italian Baseball Series
Parma Clima beat San Marino 7-5 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the 2026 Italian Baseball Series after Robel Garcia’s ninth-inning home run.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
Parma Clima moved two wins away from the Italian championship after rallying past San Marino 7-5 in Game 3 of the 2026 Italian Baseball Series.
Robel Garcia hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to complete Parma’s comeback from a 5-2 deficit and give the visitors a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Serie A Gold final.
San Marino appeared in control after Gabriel Lino’s grand slam highlighted a four-run third inning and gave the defending champions a 5-2 advantage. Parma’s bullpen, however, shut out San Marino over the final six innings while the offense steadily erased the deficit.
Aldo Leonora’s sacrifice fly made it 5-3 in the fifth before Connor Helmig homered in the sixth. Parma tied the game in the eighth when captain Riccardo Flisi doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly.
Garcia then decided the game in the ninth. Manny Geraldo singled before Garcia drove a full-count pitch over the right-field fence for his 13th home run of the 2026 season.
Parma bullpen shuts down San Marino
Alex Kourtis delivered four scoreless innings in relief of starter Naykel Cruz, keeping Parma within striking distance.
Matteo Bocchi closed the game in dominant fashion. The Italian right-hander entered with two runners aboard and nobody out in the eighth and retired all six batters he faced, recording five strikeouts.
Parma had taken its first lead in the third when Geraldo hit a two-run homer, but Lino’s grand slam immediately put San Marino back in front.
The Titans did not score again.
2026 Italian Baseball Series results
San Marino opened the championship series with a 5-3 victory in Game 1 behind 6.1 scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts from Francisco Sanchez.
Parma answered with a 15-8 win in Game 2, fueled by a nine-run fourth inning.
The series now stands:
- Game 1: San Marino 5, Parma Clima 3
- Game 2: Parma Clima 15, San Marino 8
- Game 3: Parma Clima 7, San Marino 5
- Series: Parma Clima leads 2-1
Third straight Parma-San Marino final
Parma and San Marino are meeting in the Italian Baseball Series for the third consecutive season.
Parma won the 2024 championship, beating San Marino 4-1 in the series to capture its 11th Italian title.
San Marino responded in 2025, winning the final 3-1 and securing the seventh Scudetto in club history.
The 2026 matchup will therefore decide which club takes a second championship in three seasons.
Both teams entered the playoffs as regular-season group winners. Parma advanced through Reggio Emilia and Hotsand Macerata, while San Marino eliminated Farma Crocetta before surviving a seven-game semifinal against Unipol Fortitudo Bologna.
Game 4 set for Tuesday in Serravalle
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1 at 20:00 local time in Serravalle.
Raymond Figueredo is expected to start for Parma, with Sanchez scheduled to return for San Marino.
A San Marino win would level the series at 2-2. A Parma victory would create a commanding 3-1 advantage and move the club within one win of the 2026 Serie A Gold championship.
Game 5 follows Wednesday in Serravalle. If necessary, the Italian Baseball Series will return to Parma for Games 6 and 7 on September 5 and 6.
