La Romana – In an exciting matchup that extended for 11 innings at the Francisco A. Micheli stadium, the Leones del Escogido achieved a crucial victory over the Toros del Este with a score of 4-3. This result positions them just one win away from the bicampeonato and securing their number 18 crown in the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM), solidifying a 3-1 lead in the Final Series.
The defining run of the game came in the eleventh inning. With runners on first and second and one out, Erik González hit a ground ball to the shortstop that seemed headed for a double play. However, an error on the throw by second baseman Rafael Lantigua allowed Michael De la Cruz to score the go-ahead run.
Previously, in the ninth inning and with the score tied, De la Cruz had hit a single to center field against Joe Corbett, driving in Raimel Tapia and giving the Leones a momentary lead. The Toros, however, responded in the bottom of the inning to tie the game and force extra innings.
The home team took the lead in the first chapter thanks to a double by Sergio Alcántara, a sacrifice touch by Rudy Martin and a simple RBI by Eric Filia. The Escogido quickly tied in the second inning with a home run by Alcides Escobar, who drove in a teammate. In the fifth inning, the Toros tied the score with a hit by Eloy Jiménez.
Aneurys Zabala (2-0) took the victory, retiring the three batters he faced in the tenth inning. Miguel Castro (0-1) took the loss, while Alexander Colomé (1) earned the save.
Regarding the offense, Alcides Escobar stood out with a 5-2 game, including a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored. Raimel Tapia went 2-4, with two runs scored, a walk, and two stolen bases. Michael De la Cruz, for his part, had a 2-1 day, with an RBI, a run scored, three walks, and a stolen base. Sócrates Brito finished 1-4 with two walks.
For the Bulls, Eloy Jiménez went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, and Alcántara went 1-for-4, with a double, a run scored, and a walk.
The fifth game of the Final Series is scheduled for this Tuesday, at 7:15 PM, at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal stadium.
