Escogido Secures Round Robin Berth with Blowout Win Over Estrellas
In a memorable night, the Leones del Escogido demonstrated their offensive power by decisively defeating the Estrellas Orientales with a score of 11-3. This result not only secured their qualification to the Round Robin of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM), but also marked the end of the Estrellas’ participation in the season.
The game, played on Monday, was dominated by the “melenudos” thanks to an outstanding performance by Héctor Rodríguez, who hit a home run and a double, driving in four runs and scoring three. His performance was key to the victory.
With this triumph, the Escogido joins the Águilas Cibaeñas, the Toros del Este, and the Gigantes del Cibao in the postseason. The Gigantes secured their qualification after defeating the Tigres del Licey on the same day.
The current national and Caribbean champions, with a record of 23-27, will have to wait for the results of the last date of the regular season to define their final position in the standings. If the Gigantes lose on Tuesday against the Licey, the Escogido will finish in third place in the Round Robin; otherwise, they will occupy the fourth position.
The Estrellas Orientales took the lead early with two runs in the first inning, leading to the departure of starting pitcher Travis Lakins. From the bullpen, Phillips Valdez (3-0) earned the victory, pitching 2.1 innings with one earned run and two strikeouts. Grant Gavin also shone with three scoreless innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.
The loss went to Zac Kristofak (0-1), who allowed three runs in just one-third of an inning.How the Game Was Scored
The Lions responded in the first inning with a double by Junior Lake, a single by Erik González, and a run-scoring groundout by Sócrates Brito. In the third episode, a four-run rally, driven by a hit by González and a double by Jonathan Araúz, extended the lead to 5-3.
In the fifth inning, the Reds continued their offensive, adding four more runs. Héctor Rodríguez’s home run came in the sixth episode, a hit that traveled 432 feet through right field, with an exit velocity of 106.3 miles per hour, sealing the victory.For the Leones, Héctor Rodríguez had a perfect night, batting 3-3, including a home run, a double, four RBIs, three runs scored, and a walk. Erik González stood out with a 5-3, with two RBIs and a run scored. Pedro Severino contributed with a 4-2, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base, while Jonathan Araz connected a 4-2, with a double and two RBIs.
By the Stars, Ismael Munguía went 1-for-2, with an RBI, a run scored, and a walk, and Raimel Tapia finished 1-for-4, with a run scored and a stolen base.
