Eloy Jiménez and timely pitching lead Toros' victory over Gigantes

SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS.– With a timely offensive led by Eloy Jiménez and effective work from the mound, the Toros del Este defeated 3-1 the Gigantes del Cibao, this Saturday at the Julián Javier Stadium, in the continuation of the Round Robin of the 2025-2026 Dominican Baseball League tournament.

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Jiménez was key in the bullfighting victory by connecting a two-run double, extending to three consecutive games his streak of driving in runs and adding hits in five of the six games played in this semifinal phase. The opener Jaime Barria had a solid performance of 4.2 innings, allowing one run, three hits, conceding two walks and striking out five batters, leaving without a decision. The Toros’ relief pitching was decisive in limiting the Gigantes’ offense, which batted 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leaving 11 men on base, while the taurine pitching totaled 12 strikeouts. The victory went to “Yaramil Hiraldo (1-0)”, who pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. “Joe Corbett” was credited with the save (2), and the loss fell on “Daniel Mengden (0-1)”. With the triumph, the Toros placed their record at 4-2, maintaining an advantage in second place of the Todos Contra Todos, while the Gigantes descended to 0-6.

Annotations

The Bulls took the lead in the first inning, when Gilberto Celestino opened with a double to left field and scored on another double by Eloy Jiménez to center field. The Giants tied the score in the bottom of the first inning with a “fielder’s choice” by Francisco Mejía, which allowed Gustavo Núñez to score. In the third inning, with the bases loaded, Jiménez was hit by a pitch that forced the go-ahead run. The third run came in the sixth inning, when Jeimer Candelario scored after a ground ball to first base by Gilberto Celestino, extending the lead to 3-1.

Batting Highlights

For the Toros, Eloy Jiménez hit 4-1, with a double and two RBIs; Gilberto Celestino, 4-1, with a double, one RBI and two runs; Francisco Urbáez went 3-1 with a walk, and Jeimer Candelario received two bases and scored a run. For the Giants, Francisco Mejía hit a double and drove in a run, while Gustavo Núñez went 3-2, with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base.

Next commitment

The Toros del Este will once again receive the Gigantes del Cibao this Sunday, January 4, at 5:00 p.m., at the Francisco A. Micheli Stadium in La Romana.