Bryan De La Cruz: Bullfighting Hero with Decisive Home Run
La Romana – Bryan De La Cruz continues to demonstrate his worth in the Round Robin, establishing himself as a key figure for the Toros del Este. In an exciting encounter this Tuesday, De La Cruz hit a crucial three-run home run in the eighth inning, driving his team’s comeback and securing the 8-5 victory over the Águilas Cibaeñas at the Francisco A. Micheli Stadium. With the score tied at five runs in the eighth inning, De La Cruz hit an impressive home run to left field, bringing in two teammates and crowning a four-run rally that defined the game in favor of the Bulls.This was De La Cruz’s first home run in the Todos contra Todos and the second for the Toros in this stage. In addition to the four-corner hit, the outfielder hit two doubles, culminating in a stellar night that keeps him in MVP mode, leading the Round Robin in batting average (.529), RBIs (8) and with a home run.
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Performance on the Montículo and Game Development
The victory went to reliever Miguel Castro (1-0), who pitched the eighth inning and struck out one batter. Joe Corbett earned the save, retiring the ninth inning without allowing runs and with a strikeout. The loss fell to Richard Rodríguez (0-1). The Toros’ pitching staff once again responded in key moments, limiting the Águilas to leave 11 runners on base, batting only 3-for-14 with men in scoring position. The Toros took the lead early in the first inning with a single by Luis Liberato, a run-scoring double by Bryan De La Cruz, and a groundout by Eloy Jiménez, putting the score at 2-0. The Águilas tied it in the third chapter with a two-run double by Leody Taveras. However, the Toros regained control immediately with another run-scoring double by De La Cruz and a double by Jiménez, putting the scoreboard at 4-2. The Cibao team reacted with a run in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings: a surprise bunt by Webster Rivas, a run-scoring double by Cristhian Adames, and a run-scoring single by Rivas, following a triple by Adael Amador, to take a 5-4 lead. The Toros responded strongly in the eighth. Bryan Lavastida reached base by error, Ismael Alcántara advanced to third after a passed ball and a bunt by Sergio Alcántara, and scored the tying run with a single by Luis Liberato to center field. Immediately afterwards, De La Cruz hit his three-run home run to seal the 8-5 victory.Offensive Highlights
Toros del Este
- Bryan De La Cruz: 5-3, home run, 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, 3 runs scored
- Eloy Jiménez: 3-2, double, 2 RBIs
- Luis Liberato: 4-3, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored
- Sergio Alcántara: 3-2, double
- Leody Taveras: 2-1, double, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored
- Cristhian Adames: 5-3, 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
- Webster Rivas: 2-1, 2 RBIs
