The Toros del Este managed a hard-fought victory, 5-3, over the Gigantes Del Cibao in the Julian Javier Stadium in San Francisco de Macoris yesterday evening, Wednesday 14 January 2015. Brian Burgamy connected a key two-run hit that guided the Toros to victory in the continuation of the Round Robin phase of the Dominican professional baseball tournament. The Toros literally pulled out a victory as they scored four runs in the top half of the ninth-inning. Burgamy was accompanied by Matt Hague who hit a two-run homerun in the ninth-inning, which defined the game in favor of the team from La Romana. Despite the loss, the Gigantes at 10-5 maintain their first place position and are guaranteed a spot in the final playoff series.
In last night’s other game, Esmil Rogers pitched very well and the Estrellas Orientales clinched at least a tie for the second spot in the final playoff series as they defeated the Aguilas Cibaenas by a score of 4-2. Despite losing the regular series matchup six games to four, the Estrellas have won five straight games over the Aguilas in the Round Robin semifinal series. As a result of last night’s game the Aguilas will need a miracle to make the final playoff: they have to win their next three games and the Estrellas have to lose their next three games in order to have a tie that requires a single playoff game. Therefore it appears that the two Macoris will be the scenes for the Championship Series in San Francisco and San Pedro.
Standings
Team
W-L
Avg.
GAMES BEHIND
GIGANTES (x)
10 – 5
.667
—
ESTRELLAS
9 – 6
.600
1.0
AGUILAS
6 – 9
.400
4.0
TOROS (y)
5 – 10
.333
5.0
x: guaranteed a spot in championship series
y: eliminated from final series
Tonight’s games, Thursday 15 January 2015:
Estadio Cibao, Santiago, 7:30 pm – Toros del Este (E. Villanueva) vs. Aguilas Cibaenas (Nick Greenwood)
Estadio Tetelo Vargas, San Pedro de Macoris – Gigantes del Cibao (Rafael Perez) vs. Estrellas Orientales (Ramon Ortiz)
For more on upcoming events, see http://dr1.com/calendar