SANTO DOMINGO – A crucial two-run homer connected by Junior Lake in the seventh inning propelled the Leones del Escogido to a 3-2 victory over the Gigantes del Cibao this Tuesday. This triumph keeps the team undefeated (4-0) and consolidated at the top of the Todos contra Todos. Lake’s decisive hit, which extended 388 feet into left field with an exit velocity of 104.8 miles per hour, was the highlight of the game.
The long-haired players opened the scoring in the fourth inning against Cristopher Molina. Raimel Tapia and Jorge Mateo hit consecutive singles, and an error by left fielder Leury García allowed Mateo to advance to second. Subsequently, a ground ball by José Marmolejos to first base brought Tapia to the plate for the first run of the game.
In the fifth, the Giants threatened with the bases loaded and two outs against Kenny Hernández, but Francisco Mejía failed with a ground ball to second base. Jorge Mateo, with a great backhanded catch, made a precise throw to first base that José Marmolejos secured to avoid the rally. The visitors’ response came in the sixth inning against Grant Gavin, when Nicholas Torres hit a triple to center field and scored on a sacrifice fly by Leury García to right field. The Giants’ second run came in the ninth inning against Aneurys Zabala, who, although he allowed the run, managed to secure the lead and get the save. Carlos Teller (2-0) earned the win, pitching two-thirds of an inning without allowing runs. The loss went to Fernando Abad (0-1). Radhamés Liz, the scarlet opener, shone on the mound by working 4.2 innings without allowing runs, with four hits, three strikeouts and two walks. With a 4-0 record, the Leones del Escogido continue to lead the Round Robin, while the Gigantes del Cibao (0-4) remain in last place.Offensive Highlights
Leones del Escogido:
- Junior Lake: 4-1, home run, 2 RBIs and 1 run scored
- Raimel Tapia: 4-1, 1 run scored
- Michael De la Cruz: 2-1, 1 run scored and 1 walk
Gigantes del Cibao:
- Nicholas Torres: 4-1, triple and 1 scored
- Marco Hernández: 5-2
