The Leones del Escogido moved within a single victory of a back-to-back championship and their 18th historic crown after outlasting the Toros del Este 4-3 in an 11-inning marathon at Francisco A. Micheli Stadium in La Romana on Monday, 26 January 2026. With this victory, the Leones have a 3-1 lead in the Lidom Final Series, a seven game series.
The game was tied at the close of the ninth inning. With runners on first and second and one out, Erik González hit a sharp grounder to shortstop that appeared to be a textbook double-play ball. However, a throwing error by second baseman Rafael Lantigua allowed Michael De la Cruz to cross the plate, securing the go-ahead run for the visitors.
The drama had peaked earlier in the ninth when De la Cruz lined an RBI single off Joe Corbett to score Raimel Tapia, briefly giving the reigning Caribbean champions the lead. The “Orange Dynasty” fought back in the bottom half of the frame, however, forcing the contest into extras.
A back-and-forth battle
The Toros struck first in the opening inning against starter Travis Lakins. Sergio Alcántara doubled to center, moved to third on a Rudy Martin bunt, and scored via an Eric Filia RBI single to right.
The Leones responded immediately in the second. Alcides Escobar launched a two-run home run over the left-field wall off Aaron Leasher to seize the lead. The see-saw battle continued into the fifth when Eloy Jiménez singled to right, driving in Martin to tie the game at 2–2.
The series now shifts back to Santo Domingo. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal, with first pitch set for 7:15pm.
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Lidom
Listin Diario
27 January 2026