Marcell Ozuna leads spectacular comeback for the Gigantes against the Escogido
On a vibrant night for winter baseball, Marcell Ozuna played the hero by hitting a grand slam in the eighth inning, guiding the Gigantes del Cibao to a resounding 14-9 victory over the Leones del Escogido. This matchup, part of the 2026-2027 LIDOM championship, dedicated to Héctor José Rizek Llabaly, marked the return of the San Francisco de Macorís team to the winning path.
The stellar designated hitter punished a pitch from Iván Armstrong, hitting his first home run of the campaign. With this hit, the 18th of his career in the Dominican league, Ozuna ties with historical figures such as Fernando Tatis Sr., Mel Rojas Jr., and Jordany Valdespín on the circuit’s all-time list.
Ozuna finished the day with a stellar 5-for-2 performance, highlighting with six RBIs and two runs scored, serving as the main engine of the Giants’ offense at the stadium.
Offensive and pitching details
In addition to Ozuna’s outstanding performance, other players were key pieces in the victory:
- Nomar Mazara: Went 4-for-2, with two runs scored and two RBIs.
- Carlos Paulino: Contributed with a hit and an RBI.
- Hansel Robles: Earned the win (1-0) after an impeccable performance on the mound, striking out two batters.
For the Leones del Escogido, José Marmolejos stood out by going 4-for-3 with an RBI, while Michael De la Cruz and Vidal Bruján each contributed two RBIs in an effort that was not enough against the final attack of the home team.
Current landscape in LIDOM
With this result, the Gigantes del Cibao level their record at 2-2, placing themselves alongside the Estrellas Orientales in the standings. The Tigres del Licey continue to lead the championship with a 4-1 mark, followed by the Toros del Este with 3-2. For their part, the Águilas Cibaeñas and Leones del Escogido are looking to improve their situation at the bottom of the table with 1-3.
The Gigantes are preparing for their next matchup this Thursday, when they will host the Toros del Este at the Julián Javier stadium in San Francisco de Macorís, with the goal of maintaining the positive momentum achieved in this round.
