Águilas Cibaeñas Tie with Toros del Este in a Game Marked by Protest
The Águilas Cibaeñas achieved a crucial victory over the Toros del Este with a score of 6-2, thanks to an impressive five-run rally in the seventh inning. This result caused a tie in the second position of the semifinal Round Robin of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). However, the match was under protest due to an alleged violation of the regulations.
With this triumph, both teams tied their record at 10-7, which means that the classification to the final series will be defined on the last day of this Saturday.
The protest was filed by the Toros’ leader, Víctor Estévez, who argued that the Águilas included nine imported players in the official roster for the game, exceeding the limit of eight foreigners established in article 30 of the LIDOM regulations. The league has announced that it will issue a decision on this claim before the Round Robin concludes.
On the field, the Eagles overcame a 0-2 deficit in the seventh inning. Leody Taveras and Geraldo Perdomo hit singles that drove in runs, while other runs came from bases on balls with the bases loaded and a wild pitch from catcher Onix Vega, completing the comeback.
The Eagles’ attack began when Jerar Encarnación scored the first run of the inning after a walk to Andretty Cordero with the bases loaded. Subsequently, Taveras and Perdomo drove in runs with hits, and Elih Marrero took advantage of a defensive error to score. Although Ezequiel Durán hit into a double play, Taveras managed to score the run that turned the scoreboard around. Perdomo scored the final 6-2 after another walk with the bases loaded.
From the mound, the Eagles had an outstanding performance by Cuban starter Odrisamer Despaigne, who pitched five innings, allowing two hits and two runs, giving three walks and striking out four batters.
The Toros’ runs occurred in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Onix Vega hit a single to center field that drove in two runs.
The last date of the Round Robin will be decisive. The Toros del Este will face the Gigantes del Cibao, while the Águilas Cibaeñas will play against the Leones del Escogido, awaiting the official decision of the LIDOM on the protest filed.
