On Saturday, 9 March 2024, the Boston Red Sox faced off against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first of two exhibition games played at the Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo. The ball park had been upgraded to Major League standards with regards to the infield, the pitching mound, and the area around home plate.
Dominican fans filled the stadium to watch the MLB games with many Dominican players in action. Enmanuel Valdez hit a home run in the sixth inning, and the losing pitcher was also a Dominican, Yoniel Curet. Curiously, Curet, who only pitched two innings, and gave up two hits, one earned run, and no bases on balls, also struck out six batters. Rafael Devers, the All Star third baseman for the Sox went 1-3, and Jose Siri, also a Dominican, went 1-3 for Tamba Bay.
Cedanne Rafaela, from Curacao was outstanding as he hit 1-3 and drove in 2 runs.
Unfortunately for the fans, the rising Dominican pitching star, Brayan Bello, who recently signed a US$55 million, six-year contract with Boston, did not pitch in this series. Bello was in town, and available to talk to reporters.
On Sunday, 10 March, the ballpark was again full of enthusiastic fans. Tampa Bay Rays led the game until half way a grand slam put the Red Sox 7-5 ahead. Tampa scored another run, and the game ended 7-6 with the second win for the Boston Red Sox.
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Diario Libre
MLB
11 March 2024