Gigantes del Cibao (8-12) 5, Estrellas Orientales (10-14) 2 – On Wednesday night, the Gigantes del Cibao set the tone early and never broke focus, controlling the rhythm of the matchup with sharp execution on both sides of the ball.
Gigantes starter Jake Faria threw four innings, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and a walk, recording five strikeouts.
In the top of the second, Rodolfo Durán ripped a double to center field, driving in Angel Martínez and Vidal Bruján to make it 2-0 Estrellas.
After getting a run in the third when Johan Rojas grounded out to first, scoring Kenny Piper, the Gigantes tied the game in the eighth when Deyvison De Los Santos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Estrellas challenged the hit-by-pitch call, but the ruling was upheld, allowing Marco Hernández to score. Carlos Franco then drew a bases-loaded walk to give Cibao the lead, and Jordan Diaz grounded out to score Rojas for a 4-2 lead. Hanser Alberto followed with a sacrifice bunt, with pitcher Geronimo Franzuá fielding it and tossing to first baseman Rainer Núñez for the out, while José Torres came in to score.
Rodolfo Durán finished 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs for the Estrellas in the loss.
Leones del Escogido (10-12) 5, Tigres del Licey (9-12) 4 – On Wednesday night, Leones del Escogido and Tigres del Licey battled in a tense, back-and-forth showdown.
Mel Rojas Jr. went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, two RBIs and a run scored, while Albert Abreu worked 5 2/3 dominant innings, allowing just one hit with no earned runs and striking out three for Licey.
In the first, Cristhian Adames jumped on a pitch and sent a drive to center field for his seventh double of the season, clearing the way for Gustavo Núñez and Cal Stevenson to give Licey a 2-0 lead.