Bryan De La Cruz hit a home run with the bases loaded, the bullpen shone again and the Toros del Este swept the second mini-series to the Águilas Cibaeñas with a score of 8-4, in a game held at the Cibao Stadium.
It was the first home run in De La Cruz’s career in Dominican baseball. With the victory, the Toros (6-6), extended their streak to 4 victories, equaled the series against Águilas (2-2) and improved their record on the road (3-3). While the Eagles (7-5) now fall to (4-2) at home.
The Romans’ offense had hit double figures for the third time this season.
The Bullpen pitched 6 innings of 2 earned runs, one walk and 9 strikeouts. Overall, the Toros’ pitching limited the Aguilucha offense to hitting 12-2 with runners in scoring position and forced them to leave 11 runners on the bases. In the mini-series, the bullfighting relay pitched 12 innings of 2 earned runs, 2 walks and 13 strikeouts.
Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez could only resist 2 innings of 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. He was followed by relievers Jorge Martínez (1-0, 6.23), claiming the victory after throwing 2 1/3 innings of a hit, an earned run, a bowling and 3 strikeouts. They also launched Luis Ledó, Joel Inoa, José José, Tim Peterson, Fernando Abad and Jenrry Mejía.
Joe Van Meter (0-1, 5.79) took the loss after throwing just 2 1/3 innings of 4 hits, 4 earned runs, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.
THE RACES:
The Eagles took command of the game in the same first inning, when Melky Cabrera shot a double with a teammate on board, in a hit that the left fielder missed in the lights.
In the opening of the third inning, Bryan De La Cruz hit a bases loaded home run that turned the score 4-1 in favor of the visitors.
The Eagles scored their second run of the game at the close of the third inning, when Cristopher Morel scored from third base on a deflected pitch from starter Cristophen Sánchez.
Vidal Bruján scored the fifth bullfighting career from third base with a deflected pitch from reliever Wendolyn Bautista.
At the close of the fifth and with runners in the corners, Zoilo Almonte hit a single that produced the third run Aguilucha.
In the top of the sixth, Beau Taylor reached third from second on a wild pitch from reliever Joan Adón and scored on a deflected shot.
At the close of the sixth and with a running runner, Cristopher Morel hit a single that produced the fourth run eagle.
In the opening of the seventh and with a runner in second, Abraham Almonte hit a single that produced the visitors’ eighth run.
For the Bulls, Vidal Bruján 5-1 with 2 runs and one RBI, Bryan De La Cruz 3-1 with one run and 4 RBIs and Rodolfo Castro 4-2. For the Eagles, Melky Cabrera 5-4 with a run scored and an RBI, Zoilo Almonte 4-1 and Cristopher Morel 4-3.
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