Toros del Este Dominate Gigantes del Cibao with Explosive Offense
SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS – Los Toros del Este desplegaron una ofensiva contundente, liderada por Gilberto Celestino e Iván Castillo, para asegurar una victoria de 10-3 sobre los Gigantes del Cibao en el Estadio Julián Javier este viernes.
Celestino, center fielder and aspiring Most Valuable Player award winner, stood out with three hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs. Castillo had a perfect night, batting 3-3 with two doubles, a walk, three runs scored, and four RBIs.
Yairo Muñoz also contributed significantly with two doubles, two runs scored, and one RBI, solidifying himself as the tournament leader in doubles.
The victory marks the third consecutive for the Bulls, who improved their record to 23-17 and secured the second position, getting closer to qualifying for the postseason. The Giants, for their part, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, remaining with a record of 17-23, although they remain in the fourth qualifying position.
The Toros’ pitching limited the Gigantes to hitting 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.
George Soriano (1-0) earned the victory, pitching 1.1 innings without allowing runs. Shane Greene (1-2) took the loss, being charged with four runs (one earned) in 1.2 innings.The Game
The Bulls took the lead early, scoring four runs in the second inning. After two outs, Jeimer Candelario received a walk and scored thanks to a double by Yairo Muñoz, who then reached home plate with a single by Ronaldo Hernández. Consecutive doubles by Iván Castillo and Gilberto Celestino extended the lead to 4-0.
In the fifth inning, doubles by Celestino and Bryan De La Cruz increased the difference to 6-0. An inning later, Hernández led off with a double and scored on a hit by Castillo. The Giants responded in the sixth with three runs, driven in by a double by Nomar Mazara, a fielder’s choice by Deyvison De los Santos, and an RBI single by Gary Sánchez.
The Toros sealed the victory in the eighth, adding three more runs: Ronaldo Hernandez drove in one, Ivan Castillo hit a producing double and Gilberto Celestino closed the account with a single to center field.Offensive Performance
On the offensive for the Toros, Celestino stood out with a performance of 5-3, including two doubles and three RBIs; Castillo, 3-3, with two doubles, three runs scored and four RBIs; Muñoz, 4-2, with two doubles; Hernández, 5-2, with a double and three runs scored; and De La Cruz, 5-2, with one RBI. For the Gigantes, Gary Sánchez batted 3-2 with one RBI and Nomar Mazara, 4-1 with one run scored and one RBI.
The Toros return this Saturday to La Romana to receive the Tigres del Licey at 7:30 p.m. at the Francisco A. Micheli Stadium.
