The Aguilas Cibaenas celebrate their sweep at the Titanes del Caribe series at Citi Field in Flushing, New York. (Photo Courtesy of LIDOM)
NEW YORK – The Aguilas Cibaenas took final game of the Titanes del caribe series, sweeping the three-game exhibition series with a 9-6 win over the Tigres del Licey.
The Aguilas Cibaenas pitching staff only allowed six earned runs during the three-game series in New York against their arch rival. The nine pitchers for Aguilas Cibaenas allowed 11 hits, six earned runs, six walks, and seven strikeouts.
The three games in New York do not count towards the LIDOM regular season standings.
In the bottom of the first inning, Aguilas got their offense rolling with two consecutive singles from lead-off hitter shortstop Christopher Morel and designated hitter Yadiel Hernandez.
A few moments later during Aguilas first baseman Elehuris Montero’s at-bat, Tigres starting pitcher Adrian Rodriguez’ pick-off attempt went past first baseman Michael de la Cruz and Morel scored the first run of the game.
Rodriguez did not record an out during the bottom of the first inning, walking the final three batters he faced, including a bases-loaded free pass to Gabriel Celestino that sent Hernandez came in to score to extend the lead to 2-0.
Relief pitcher Luis Peralta replaced Rodriguez during the bottom of the first inning, after the starter allowed two hits, five earned runs, and walked three batters.
The next batter, Aguilas second baseman Luis Valenzuela drew a bases-loaded walk and Montero came in to score to make it 3-0. Then Aguilas right fielder J.C. Perez got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and third baseman Cesar Prieto was pushed home for the fourth run of the game.
The Aguilas had three hits during their seven-run outburst in the bottom of the first inning with Licey’s pitching staff allowing six walks and one hit by pitch.
“In pregame, we talked about having an approach not to chase bad pitches, and if we take the approach, I know we can work counts when capitalizing on other pitchers’ mistakes. We want to maintain our approach of hitting and if teams want to pitch to us we will take the walks to work counts,” Aguilas manager Tony Pena stated during the postgame press conference.
Aguilas starting pitcher Tyler Viza threw three innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, two walks, and one strikeout.
Hernandez ended the day with one hit, one run scored, one walk, and one strikeout during in four at-bats.
Morel went 2-for-4 for the Aguilas with two runs scored, one walk, and one strikeout on Sunday, and catcher Carlos Paulino homered in the bottom of the seventh. Prieto had one hit, one RBI, one walk, and struck out once.