Carlos Martínez pitched cash for six innings to lead the Águilas Cibaeñas to a 6-1 victory over the Toros del Este at the Francisco Micheli stadium, in La Romana and, incidentally, win their third private series.
The Águilas (27-11) consolidated themselves as leaders of the fall-winter baseball tournament in the Dominican Republic, taking a 2.5-game lead over their closest rivals, Tigres del Licey (23-12). They have won particular series against Estrellas, Leones and last night against Toros.
Yesterday’s results left Toros (15-22) and Estrellas (15-22) tied for fourth with both teams remaining 13 games. The most that one of these teams can reach is 28 wins, so the magic number for the Eagles to qualify is two (2).
“El Tsunami” Martínez (4-2), who claimed his fourth victory, worked in 6.0 innings of a career, three hits, gave away three transfers, struck out six and left his ERA at 3.83 and whip 1.35.
The eaglet bats made themselves felt in La Romana with 10 hits, in addition to taking advantage of the lousy defense of the hosts who made two costly errors starting the actions.
In the first and second innings, the Eagles managed to score runs, both unearned against starter Nick Tropeano. It was the bullfighting relay that the eaglets managed to attack, producing four laps in the seventh, driven by a double by Wilmer Difó, a single by Aneury Tavárez, a sacrifice fly by Ronny Rodríguez and a double by Andretty Cordero.
Martínez was relieved by Junior Fernández (7), Frank Germán (8) and Richard Rodríguez (9).
Tropeano (0-1) opened for the Bulls, who took the loss, throwing 3.0 innings of three hits and two runs, both unearned, so his ERA remains at 0.00 and his whip 1.50. He was relieved by Deivy Méndez (4), Wandisson Charles (5), Andre Scrubb (6), Jasseel De La Cruz (7), Edgar García (7), Jenrry Mejía (8) and Euclides Leyer (9).
On offense, Tavarez stood out 5-3 for the Eagles, with two RBIs and one scored; Lamb 4-3, with one scored; He went 4-2, a double and two RBIs and one run scored; and Torres 4-1.
For the Bulls, Bruján one hit and one RBI, Jesús Sánchez, Yamaico Navarro and David Bañuelos had one hit each.
how they scored
The eaglets scored a return in the same first inning against Tropeano’s shipments. Cade Gotta walked, reached third on the pitcher’s two-base error and scored on Tavárez’s single.
In the second episode, the Cibaeños returned to the attack with another run, equally undeserved. Ezequiel Durán reached on error by shortstop Bruján, moved to second on a groundout by shortstop Joe Hudson and scored on an RBI single connected by Difó to center field.
The Bulls made their run in the fifth inning off starter Martinez. Wendell Rijo hit a harmless grounder by the pitcher who threw poorly to first base for a two-base error, Enmanuel Valdez walked and Bañuelos singled to third baseman to load the bases. Brujan drove the run with a hit to left field. In that inning the eaglet defense made two outs on the rubber.
The Águilas attacked in the seventh against Jasseel De La Cruz, who allowed a single from Torres to the center, a double to the center of Difó that drove Torres. After a sacrifice touch from Gotta, Víctor Robles received a transfer and Tavarez drove Difó with a single to the left field. Robles and Tavarez execute a double steal to move to third and second, Rodríguez followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to drive Robles. Cordero doubled to center field to drive in Rodríguez, but was tagged out trying to reach third.
play today
The Eagles receive the Toros del Este at 7:35 p.m. this Tuesday at the Cibao stadium.