Leones del Escogido (1-0) 12, Aguilas Cibaenas (0-1) 2 – The Leones del Escogido got four runs in the top of the second, two when Aguilas third baseman Cristhian Adames couldn’t handle Jonathan Guzman’s grounder, and two more on a single to left by Junior Lake. They added five more in the fourth, getting Junior Lake home on a squeeze bunt by Socrates Brito, who reached base on a throwing error and later scored on Yamaico Navarro’s double to right. Raimel Tapia scored on a double steal when Aguilas catcher Webster Rivas made a terrible throw, and a wild pitch by Carlos Pena allowed Jorge Mateo to scoot home to make it 9-1. Navarro later added a solo homer. Travis Lakins Sr. allowed one run on three hits and two walks over five innings for Escogido.
Toros del Este (1-0) 11, Gigantes del Cibao (0-1) 3 – The Toros jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back, adding five more in the sixth as they slung a rock at the Gigantes in the round robin opener. Bryan De La Cruz, who went 4-for-5 with two RBIS, had an RBI double to score Gilberto Celestino in the first, and Eloy Jimenez, Troy Johnston, and Jeimer Candelario each contributed RBI singles. In the sixth, Celestino and Tres Barrera each had RBI doubles and Luis Liberato and De La Cruz had RBI singles. The Toros bullpenned the game, and six pitchers combined to allow two hits and a walk over the final six innings of the game. Johan Rojas hit a solo homer for the Gigantes.
Sunday’s Winter Ball Playoff Schedule
All times Eastern Standard Time
3 p.m. – Toros del Este at Leones del Escogido
4 p.m. – Aguilas Cibaenas at Gigantes del Cibao
Photo: Yamaico Navarro celebrates after scoring in the Leones del Escogido’s rout of the Aguilas Cibaenas in the opener of the round robin playoff. (Photo courtesy of LIDOM)
