In an exciting encounter that extended for eleven innings, the Leones del Escogido achieved an 8-7 victory over the Toros del Este this Sunday at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal stadium, consolidating themselves in first place in the Todos contra Todos of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM).The victory, obtained after more than four hours of play, positions the current national and Caribbean champions with a record of 2-0, while the Bulls descend to 1-1, placing themselves in second position in the table.The game was decided in the bottom of the eleventh inning. Junior Lake, who started on second as a ghost runner, scored the decisive run thanks to an error on pitcher Janser Lara’s throw, after a sacrifice bunt by Erik González on the first pitch of his at-bat.Alexander Colomé (1-0) earned the victory, retiring the top of the eleventh inning in order, including a strikeout. Janser Lara (0-1) took the loss.
Game Development
The Toros opened the scoring in the first inning with a double by Luis Liberato to left field and a run-scoring single by Bryan De la Cruz, against starting pitcher José Urquidy.In the second episode, the Romanenses extended their lead with consecutive doubles by Bryan Lavastida and Sergio Alcántara, followed by a single by Gilberto Celestino, establishing a score of 3-0. However, the Escogido responded in the bottom half with two runs driven in by doubles from Raimel Tapia and José Marmolejos, as well as a run-producing single by Michael De la Cruz.The Bulls pulled away again with two runs in the third inning, but the reds staged a four-run rally in the sixth, taking a 6-5 lead. In that episode, Erik González drove in two runs with a double to left field, while Tapia added two more with a single after a walk to Yamaico Navarro and a stolen base.The Bulls’ reaction materialized in the seventh, tying the game 6-6 taking advantage of a passed ball with Jeimer Candelario on third base. Subsequently, both teams scored once more, taking the game to extra innings.
For the Escogido, Raimel Tapia stood out with a 5-3 performance, including two doubles, two RBIs, and one run scored. José Marmolejos also had an outstanding performance, batting 5-3 with a double, two RBIs, and one run scored. Erik González went 5-1, with a double, two RBIs, and one run scored, and Michael De la Cruz went 3-2, with one RBI, one run scored, and two walks.For the Bulls, Troy Johnston went 2-for-5, with a double, two RBIs, and a walk, while Luis Liberato finished 2-for-6, with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.
Upcoming Commitment
The Leones del Escogido will continue their participation in the Round Robin this Monday, when they visit the Gigantes del Cibao at the Julián Javier stadium, in San Francisco de Macorís, starting at 7:15 pm.
