LA ROMANA – Los Toros del Este demonstrated their offensive power and solidity on the mound, achieving a resounding 9-1 victory over the Estrellas Orientales this Saturday at the Francisco A. Micheli Stadium. This victory, the second consecutive, gives them a definitive advantage in the Serie de la Caña. The Toros’ offense was led by Manny Peña and Rafael Lantigua, who drove in two runs each, highlighting a six-run rally in the first inning that set the course of the game. With this triumph, the Toros improve their record to 20-16, consolidating themselves in second place in the tournament with a 3.5-game lead. In addition, they secure at least a tie in the Serie de la Caña (5-4) against an Estrellas team that falls to 16-21 after losing both games of the miniseries.
Bullpen Dominance and Historic Streak
The Toros’ bullpen once again proved key, accumulating 16 consecutive scoreless innings in the mini-series, adding to Friday’s shutout and seven more zeros in this encounter. In the last three games between both teams, the Estrellas have only managed to score two runs against the Taurino pitching. Greg Minier (1-0) took the victory, pitching two scoreless innings with one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts. The loss went to Marcos Diplan (0-1), who was charged with four runs without getting an out in the first inning.Early Attack and Decisive Rally
The Toros started the game strong in the first inning. Manny Peña hit a single to right field with the bases loaded, driving in two runs. Jeimer Candelario followed with another RBI single, followed by a double by Rafael Lantigua that drove in two more runs. Tres Barrera closed the rally with a sacrifice fly, setting the score at 6-0. In the sixth inning, Ruddy Martin hit a run-scoring double, bringing Tres Barrera to the plate, and subsequently scored thanks to a hit by Allan Castro, extending the lead to 8-0. Las Estrellas scored in the eighth with a double by José Tena, but in the ninth the Toros added another run when Martin hit his second double of the game and scored on a groundout by Alfredo Marte, sealing the definitive 9-1.Offensive Highlights
- Toros del Este:
- Rafael Lantigua: 3-2, double, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored
- Manny Peña: 3-1, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored
- Ruddy Martin: 4-2, two doubles, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored
- Allan Castro: 5-2, one RBI
- Jeimer Candelario: 4-1, 1 RBI
- Bryan De La Cruz: 4-1, one run scored (hit in 15 of his last 17 games)
- Gilberto Celestino: 2-2, 2 walks, 1 run scored, 1 stolen base (21 stolen bases on the season)
- Estrellas Orientales:
- José Tena: 1-1, double, 1 RBI
- Robinson Canó: 3-2
