SAN PEDRO DE MACORÍS – Las Estrellas Orientales started the 2025-2026 season of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) on the right foot by defeating the Toros del Este 7-3 in the opening game. The match took place at the Tetelo Vargas Stadium, in a tournament dedicated to Cooperstown’s Immortal, Juan Marichal. The San Pedro de Macorís team had an outstanding pitching performance by Esmil Rogers (1-0, 3.60 ERA), who pitched five innings, allowing two runs, one walk, and striking out six batters. Patrick Weigel earned his first save of the season. The loss went to Matt Dermody (0-1, 18.00 ERA), who was punished with six runs and six hits in three innings. The Stars’ offensive was led by Rodolfo Castro, who hit a home run and drove in five runs, and Josh Lester, who contributed a home run, a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Raimel Tapia also had an outstanding performance, batting 2-3 with two runs scored. For the Toros del Este, young prospect Felnin Celestén had a memorable debut in the LIDOM by hitting his first home run in the league, in addition to driving in two runs and scoring one. Gilberto Celestino and Yairo Muñoz each had two hits, while Félix Reyes drove in a run with a double. The races for the Stars came early, with a three-run homer by Rodolfo Castro in the third inning, followed by a solo home run by Josh Lester. The greens extended their lead with a Castro RBI single and a Lester RBI double in the eighth inning. The Toros scored with a double by Félix Reyes that drove in Gilberto Celestino, Celestino’s home run in the fifth inning, and a sacrifice fly by the same Celestino in the seventh that allowed Marco Luciano to score.
