Right-hander Ervin Santana threw five one-round innings and David Thompson hit two two-score RBI doubles for the Tigres del Licey to beat the Estrellas Orientales 7-2 last night at Tetelo Vargas Stadium.
For the Tigers it was their fifth win in a row and their 15th of the season against 14 losses. It was also the third blue victory against the Stars to even the series between the two 3-3. On their side, the Orientales put their record at 17-12 and still remain in first place in the contest.
The victory corresponded to veteran pitcher Ervin Santana (1-1) by throwing five innings of a career, three hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He was relieved in the sixth by Jonathan Aro, who worked without a problem. Génesis Cabrera worked the seventh blank. Jean Carlos Mejia accepted a lap in the eighth and was relieved by Aaron Barrett. González Germen pitched the ninth.
Lost reliever Matt Pobereyko (0-4) by giving up two touchdowns in the sixth and only being able to get one out. Starter Andy Otero pitched well in five innings, allowing one round, with five hits, two walks and five strikeouts.
The Orientals stepped on the rubber first in the second inning off Ervin Santana when Jeremy Peña hit a double play with the bases loaded as the third runner scored.
The Tigers tied the game at the top of the fourth inning against starter Andy Otero. Aristides Aquino received four bad balls opening the episode. Michael De La Cruz struck out swinging. Yermín Mercedes also fanned the breeze. Aquino stole middle and doubled down David Thompson’s right field.
They charged back in the sixth by taking control of the game by crafting two stripes. Aquino returned to negotiate a transfer before the shipments of Matt Pobereyko, who entered to pitch in the inning to replace Otero.
Batting De La Cruz, Aquino moved to third base on a wild pitch. De La Cruz hit an RBI single to center. Mercedes flied out to center. Thompson again fired producer tubey for the third round indigo.
But the Bengali offensive party did not end there, since in the ninth, Jorge Bonifacio shot an RBI double with three more scores to put the game on one side, 6-2. Then Mercedes dispatched hit producer.
For the Blues, David Thompson hit two doubles and drove in two runs; Jorge Bonifacio hit a three-lap double RBI; Michael De La Cruz hit two hits and drove a lap; Dawel Lugo hit double and single; Emilio Bonifacio, and Chris Owings had a hit. Aristides Aquino scored twice by negotiating two walks.
For the Stars, Socrates Brito connected 4-4, including two doubles, Gustavo Núñez and Jeremy Peña hit a hit for the six unstoppable of the Stars.
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