Águilas Cibaeñas to Semifinals: Shutout Leones and Secure the Pass

Santo Domingo – The Águilas Cibaeñas have secured a spot in the semifinal of the Juan Marichal tournament, after defeating the Leones del Escogido with a score of 5-0 at the Cibao Stadium. The match was affected by delays due to energy problems.

Ezequiel Durán y Corey Joyce lideraron la ofensiva de las Águilas, impulsando dos carreras cada uno. El lanzador abridor, Jorge Tavárez (3-1), ofreció una sólida actuación, permitiendo solo dos hits, un boleto y un ponche en cinco entradas, lo que le valió la victoria. Burch Smith aseguró el salvamento, su quinto de la temporada, entrando en un momento crucial con las bases llenas en el noveno episodio.

Samuel Reyes (0-1) took the loss for the Escogido, after allowing one run in one and a third innings.

Eagles Secure Their Playoff Berth

With this victory, the Cibao team guarantees its participation in the postseason for the second consecutive year. Now, with a record of 28-11, the Eagles focus on winning the regular season, something they haven’t achieved since the 2012-2013 season. The Leones del Escogido, the current champions, are in a more complicated situation with a record of 16-24, which complicates their aspirations in the regular season, with only 10 games remaining.

Game Development

The Eagles’ attack began early:

• 3rd inning: Robert Moore hit a double and was driven in by a single from Ezequiel Durán, putting the score at 1-0. In this episode, manager Luis Urueta and catcher Elih Marrero were ejected after arguing with the umpires’ decisions.
• 4th inning: After an error that allowed Jerar Encarnación to get on base, Juan Lagares hit a single and Corey Joyce drove in two runs with a double to center field, extending the lead to 3-0.
• 5th inning: Moore received a walk, stole second base, and scored thanks to another single from Durán, who added his second RBI of the game (4-0).
• 7th inning: Encarnación hit a single, advanced on a passed ball, and Wilmer Difó, who replaced him as a runner, scored on a “balk” by pitcher Carlos Teller, establishing the final score of 5-0.

Dramatic Finish in the Ninth

José Cuas entered the ninth for the Águilas, but loaded the bases after issuing walks to Sócrates Brito, Franchy Cordero, and Luis de los Santos. Manager Joel Noboa called on closer Burch Smith, who struck out Alexander Canario and completed the shutout by forcing an out at second after a groundout by Jonathan Guzmán.

Impeccable Relay

After Tavárez, relievers Jean Carlos Henríquez, Jonathan Hernández and Richard Rodríguez kept the score scoreless from the sixth to the eighth inning, setting the stage for Smith’s save.