Spanish
SANTIAGO. – A bases-loaded triple by young Alberto Rodríguez gave the Águilas Cibaeñas a 4-3 victory over the Gigantes del Cibao this Wednesday, in the inaugural game of the 2025-2026 autumn-winter baseball tournament, held at the Cibao stadium.
The Eagles' offense was led by Rayner Delgado, who doubled and singled; Aderlin Rodríguez, with two hits; Alberto Rodríguez, with his decisive triple; and Stewart Berroa and Ángel Genao, with one hit each. For the Giants, Carlos Franco shone with a home run; Kevin Gutiérrez hit a double; and Gary Sánchez, Cooper Johnson and Carlos Jorge each connected a single.
How the runs were scored
The Águilas Cibaeñas (1-0) will travel this Thursday to La Romana to face the Toros del Este at the Francisco Micheli stadium, on the second day of action of the LIDOM 2025-2026 championship.
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Rodríguez, who did not start in the lineup, was sent as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning by manager Luis “Pipe” Urueta, and responded spectacularly by clearing the bases with a three-run triple, which turned the scoreboard in favor of the Águilas. The Cibao team maintained control of the game until the end to seal their first victory of the season. The winning pitcher was José Cuás (1-0), while the loss fell to Raymind Guduan (0-1). Hunter Bigge (1) was credited with the save. At 7:31 PM, the Aguiluchos' opener Devin Smeltzer made the first official pitch of the championship, working 4.2 innings of one run, four hits, two strikeouts and one walk, leaving without a decision. The "Aguilucho" relay was completed by José Cuás (5th), Junior Fernández (7th), Richard Rodríguez (8th) and Hunter Bigge (9th), who contained the visitors' attack. For the Giants, Emilio Vargas had a solid 4.2 scoreless innings, with six strikeouts and two walks. He was followed by Benoni Robles, Guduan, Joel César, Birling, Scott Engler and Wilkin Ramos.The Eagles' offense was led by Rayner Delgado, who doubled and singled; Aderlin Rodríguez, with two hits; Alberto Rodríguez, with his decisive triple; and Stewart Berroa and Ángel Genao, with one hit each. For the Giants, Carlos Franco shone with a home run; Kevin Gutiérrez hit a double; and Gary Sánchez, Cooper Johnson and Carlos Jorge each connected a single.
How the runs were scored
- Giants (5th inning): Wilmer Difó negotiated a walk, advanced on Cooper Johnson's hit, reached third on Julio Carrera's groundout and scored on Carlos Jorge's single.
- Eagles (6th inning): With two outs, Aderlin Rodríguez hit a single, Emmanuel Rodríguez received a walk and Juan Lagares reached base on a wild pitch. Alberto Rodríguez came in as a pinch hitter and hit a bases-clearing triple, then scored on Rayner Delgado's single.
- Giants (8th inning): Kevin Gutiérrez received a walk and pinch hitter Carlos Franco hit a two-run home run, closing the score to 4-3.
The Águilas Cibaeñas (1-0) will travel this Thursday to La Romana to face the Toros del Este at the Francisco Micheli stadium, on the second day of action of the LIDOM 2025-2026 championship.
