Santo Domingo.— The
Águilas Cibaeñas continued to set the pace in the
2025-2026 LIDOM season by defeating the
Leones del Escogido 5-2 this Tuesday at the
Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium, in the first game of a double header corresponding to the regular season.
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With the triumph, the yellows raised their record to
30-13, consolidating themselves at the
top of the championship, with a balance of
16-5 as locals and
14-8 on the road. The defeat left the Lions in last place, with a record of
19-25.
Party Decision
The victory went to “Jhordany Mézquita (3-0)”, while “Génesis Cabrera (1-1)” took the loss. “Burch Smith” earned his “sixth save” of the campaign.
Game Development
The Eagles broke the ice in the fifth inning when
Alfredo Reyes singled to center field, advanced to third on a throwing error by the pitcher on a pickoff attempt at first, and scored thanks to a wild pitch.
The Lions quickly tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a
solo home run by Jonatan Guzmán, but the Cibao team took definitive control with a
four-run rally in the seventh inning.
After walks to
Webster Rivas and
Alfredo Reyes,
Leody Taveras hit the tie-breaking hit. Then, with the bases loaded,
Jerar Encarnación and
Alberto Rodríguez drove in runs with consecutive singles, while
Robert Moore closed out the production with a ground ball to shortstop that brought in the fifth run.
The Scarletts scored in the eighth against
Richard Rodríguez, when
Erick González scored from first base after a double by
Yainer Díaz, to leave the final score 5-2.
Initiators
The Aguilucho opener
Jorge Tavárez had a solid performance by pitching
five innings of one run, allowing four hits, giving two walks and striking out two, leaving without a decision.
For the Lions, the Cuban
Norge Ruiz pitched
four scoreless innings, with three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.
Relay
The Eagles’ bullpen was composed of
José Cuás,
Jhordany Mézquita,
Junior Fernández,
Richard Rodríguez and
Burch Smith, while the Lions were relieved by
Hansel Marcelino,
Aneurys Zabala,
Génesis Cabrera,
Diógenes Almengó,
Carlos Teller and
Héctor Neris.
Offensive Highlights
For the Eagles,
Alberto Rodríguez led the attack by batting
5-3, with a triple and an RBI.
Robert Moore went
3-2, with an RBI, while
Leody Taveras and
Jerar Encarnación each contributed an RBI.
For the Leones,
Jonatan Guzmán hit a home run and a single, with one run batted in;
Yainer Díaz batted
4-2, with a double and an RBI; and
Erick González added two hits.
Next Match
Right-handed pitcher
Luis Patiño will be the starting pitcher for the
Águilas Cibaeñas in the second game of the doubleheader.
With the triumph, the yellows raised their record to 30-13, consolidating themselves at the top of the championship, with a balance of 16-5 as locals and 14-8 on the road. The defeat left the Lions in last place, with a record of 19-25.
