SANTIAGO.– Backed by a solid opening by Óscar De la Cruz and a timely offensive of 11 unstoppable hits, the Águilas Cibaeñas defeated this Saturday 4-1 the Leones del Escogido at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium, putting an end to the capitalinos’ undefeated streak in the 2025-2026 semifinal series of the Dominican Baseball League.
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De la Cruz was the dominant figure of the night by pitching
six scoreless innings, allowing only
two hits, with
one walk and
four strikeouts. The right-hander held a no-hitter until the fifth inning and showed great control and efficiency, facing only
20 batters, two more than the minimum.
The yellow offense attacked the rival pitching early with a rally of
three runs in the first inning.
Leody Taveras opened the inning by drawing a walk, stole second base and scored on a run-scoring single by
Ezequiel Durán. Then, after a hit by
Aderlín Rodríguez,
Jonathan Clase hit a run-producing single; an error by the right fielder on the play allowed Rodríguez to score the third run of the inning, knocking out the starting pitcher
José Urquidy.
The Eagles extended their lead in the
third inning, when
Cristhian Adames received a walk, stole second, and scored on a single to left field by
Aderlín Rodríguez, making the score 4-0.
The Lions avoided the shutout in the
eighth inning, when
José Marmolejos hit a double and scored on a run-scoring single by
Franchy Cordero, for the final 4-1.
With the victory, the Eagles improved their record to 3-3, achieving their second consecutive triumph and approaching the second place of the Round Robin, occupied by the Toros del Este (3-2). The Lions, despite the defeat, remain at the top with a record of 5-1.
The win went to
Óscar De la Cruz (1-0), the loss to
José Urquidy (0-1) and the save to
Burch Smith.
Featured Pitching
After De la Cruz’s departure,
Jonathan Hernández worked a scoreless inning in the seventh.
Carlos Belén allowed a run in the eighth, was relieved by
Andrew Pérez, who stifled a threat with bases loaded and one out, and
Burch Smith retired the ninth without incident to seal the victory.
For the Leones, Urquidy allowed three runs (one unearned) and three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. The relief was handled by Patrick Halligan, Grant Gavin, Jefry Yan, Alexander Colomé, Héctor Neris, Aneurys Zabala, Carlos Teller and Stephen Nogosek.
Offensive Summary
Aderlín Rodríguez led the Aguilas offense by batting
5-4, with
one RBI and one run scored.
Ezequiel Durán and
Jonathan Clase went
3-1, with one RBI each.
Cristhian Adames, Leody Taveras, and Steward Berroa contributed a hit.
For the Leones,
Raimel Tapia hit
4-3;
José Marmolejos connected a double;
Franchy Cordero drove in a run and
Jorge Mateo singled.
Productive Return
In his first game back with the Eagles, shortstop
Geraldo Perdomo hit
two hits in four at-bats, immediately showing his offensive impact.
Luxury Defense
Cristhian Adames shined in the infield with several high-level defensive plays, including a spectacular backhanded catch on a hit by
Jonathan Guzmán, completing the out with a precise throw to first base.
Next Match
The
Águilas Cibaeñas will receive this
Sunday again the
Leones del Escogido at the
Cibao Stadium, in a match scheduled to start at
4:00 p.m.
