The Toros del Este appeared poised to take one step closer to getting to the Caribbean Series. They were on their way to an easy victory against the Leones del Escogido in game one of the LIDOM championship series, until all hell broke loose in the eighth on Jan. 21.
Six outs away from the win with a 6-2 lead at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, the Toros del Este brought in reliever J.C. Mejia, arguably the best reliever in the round robin after he was added from the Tigres del Licey as a reinforcement. During the regular season with the Tigres del Licey, he was one of their top pitchers, with a 2.70 ERA and 26 ⅔ strikeouts in 27 innings.
El lanzador relevista JC Mejia que está reforzando a los Toros del Este desde los Tigres del Licey tiene Efectividad Independiente del Fildeo (FIP) de 0.21 en 9 juegos en el Round Robin.
Es el más bajo en la historia de LIDOM.
Ha ponchado al 41% de los enfrentados. pic.twitter.com/aH5o1fAg6O
— Béisbol 108 (@Beisbol108) January 17, 2026
This made the meltdown that saw Mejia, 29, give up five earned runs was even more shocking. He gave up two singles and an RBI double from Leones del Escogido outfielder Sórcates Brito that cut the lead to 6-3. After giving up three straight hits, the damage didn’t stop with an RBI single from outfielder Junior Lake to make it 6-4. He finally recorded an out when outfielder Raimel Tapia grounded out. He intentionally walked first baseman Yamaico Navarro to try to set up a double play with the bases loaded.
At that point, Mejia probably should have been pulled from the game because of the awful inning he was having, but Toros del Este manager Victor Estevez decided to keep him in. Estevas paid the price when Mejia gave up a game-tying RBI single to third baseman Alcides Escobar. After the damage was done, Mejia was sent to the showers, and Joe Corbett was sent out in another tough spot that was his previous outing against the Àguilas Cibaeñas.
This time, he couldn’t get it done and gave up the lead. Leones del Escogido pinch-hitter Franchy Cordero hit a sacrifice fly to right fielder Bryan De La Cruz that brought in Navarro for a 7-6 lead. Corbett avoided further damage with a strikeout of shortstop Erik Gonzales, and the inning was mercifully over for the Toros del Este.
Three outs away from an improbable victory,the Leone s del Escogido brought in reliever Stephen Nogosek. Nogosek got a groundout, walked Jeimer Candelario, then proceeded to get a pop-up and a groundout to end the game.
The #LIDOM championship series last night, got started with a huge 7-6 comeback win by @EscogidoBBClub against the @TorosdelEste ??
Franchy Cordero capped a five run eighth inning with a sacrifice fly!
pic.twitter.com/vdcGDIqnBs— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) January 22, 2026
The Leones del Escogido are looking to win back-to-back LIDOM championships and take another trip to the Caribbean Series. Will this snowball for the Toros del Este, or will they rebound in game two and even up the series?
LIDOM Championship Series Schedule
All times Eastern Standard Time
Games streamed on MLB.tv with a subscription
* – If necessary
Jan. 21
Leones del Escogido 7, Toros del Este 6
Jan. 22
6:30 p.m. – Leones del Escogido at Toros del Este – Game 2
Jan. 23
6:15 p.m. – Toros del Este at Leones del Escogido – Game 3
Jan. 25
4 p.m. – Leones del Escogido at Toros del Este – Game 4
Jan. 26
6:15 p.m. – Toros del Este at Leones del Escogido – Game 5*
Jan. 27
6:30 p.m. – Leones del Escogido at Toros del Este – Game 6*
Jan. 28
6:15 p.m. – Toros del Este at Leones del Escogido – Game 7*
Photo: The Leones del Escogido arrive for Game 1 of the 2026 LIDOM championship series. (Photo courtesy of Leones del Escogido)
