The Round Robin of the Dominican Winter Professional Baseball Championship renewed action yesterday evening, Wednesday, after taking a night off on Tuesday, 12 January 2016.
With the Tigres del Licey safely ensconced in first place at 12 and 1, the other three teams are vying for the single remaining spot in the Final Series. This 18-game semi-final portion of the tournament has been all-Licey, which took a 12-game winning streak -something close to historic – into last night’s action. Playing the Toros del Este in the venerable Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Licey faced Brian Evans who ruined their winning streak by pitching very good baseball. He was supported by Irvin Falu who hit a homerun as the Toros del Este beat Licey 3-0. Evans, who has won two starts in this round robin event gave up two hits in six innings along with one base on balls and three strikeouts as the Toros broke the Licey winning streak at 12 victories. Outfielder Abraham Almonte went 2 for 4 and produced one RBI as Falu produced the other runs with a homerun with a man on base.
Over in San Pedro de Macoris, Carlos Peguero and Moises Sierra connected big homeruns and the Leones del Escogido beat the Estrellas Orientales by a score of 5-2. Peguero went 2-3 with a homerun and two RBIs. Sierra was 1-4 as the Leones won their second straight game.
As a result of last night’s game the Leones and Toros are tied for the second spot and the Estrellas fall into last place with a 4-10 record. And the Leones are at 6-8, and both teams are six games behind the highflying Tigres del Licey.
The vital second spot for the final best of nine series will be decided over the next four nights. Tonight the Toros del Este will play the Leones del Escogido in the Estadio Quisqueya and the Tigres del Licey will visit San Pedro de Macoris and play the Estrellas Orientales in the Estadio Tetelo Vargas.
The winner of the tournament then will represent the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series that opens at the Quisqueya Stadium on 1 February 2016. Teams from Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the DR will compete for the regional title from 1-7 February.
For game schedules, see http://www.lidom.com
