Spanish
SANTO DOMINGO.– The Leones del Escogido secured their classification to the Dominican baseball Final Series this Friday for the second year in a row, after defeating the Gigantes del Cibao 7-3 at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium, a result that guarantees them the first place in the Round Robin.
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With the victory, the Scarlet team improved their record to 12-5, securing the advantage of starting the final as locals. However, they must complete the schedule this Saturday against the Águilas Cibaeñas (10-7), who remain tied with the Toros del Este in the fight for the second ticket to the championship series. From the mound, Radhamés Liz was key by throwing 4.1 scoreless innings, with three strikeouts and one walk, although he left without a decision. The Lions opened the scoring in the second inning, when Elih Villanueva loaded the bases and walked Michael De la Cruz, allowing the home team's first run. The scarlet offensive broke out in the fifth inning. Jorge Mateo received a walk and Alcides Escobar reached base on an error by second baseman Eddinson Paulino. Both scored on a double by Erik González to left field. Subsequently, with Reymin Guduan on the mound, a wild pitch allowed González to advance to third and score on a groundout by Junior Lake to the shortstop. The Giants reacted with two runs in the sixth against Efraín Contreras and added one more in the eighth against Aneurys Zabala. However, the Lions extended the lead in that same inning with a solo home run by Yamaico Navarro to left field against Enmanuel Mejía, a hit of 393 feet and 102 miles per hour of exit velocity. In the eighth, Jorge Mateo also stood out, who hit a single to center field to drive in two additional runs, securing the scarlet victory. The victory went to Kenny Hernández (1-0), who worked two-thirds of an inning scoreless. The loss fell on Elih Villanueva (0-1). Stephen Nogosek was credited with the save (2), pitching four outs, with two strikeouts, although he allowed a run. For the Lions' offense, Erik González went 1-4, with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored; Yamaico Navarro, 2-3, with a home run, one RBI, one run scored, one walk, and one stolen base; Junior Lake, 1-4, with one RBI, one run scored, and three stolen bases, and Jorge Mateo, 1-3, with two RBIs, one run scored, one walk, and one stolen base. For the Giants, Edwin Espinal went 4-3, with a double and a run scored, while Leury García hit 4-2, with a double and one RBI. The game between Leones del Escogido and Águilas Cibaeñas, corresponding to the last date of the Round Robin, is scheduled for this Saturday at 4:00 in the afternoon at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium.
