Estrellas Orientales debut with a 7-3 victory over the Toros

SAN PEDRO DE MACORÍS. – The Estrellas Orientales started on the right foot the 2025-2026 season of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) by defeating 7-3 the Toros del Este, in the inaugural game held at the Tetelo Vargas Stadium, in a tournament dedicated to the Cooperstown Immortal Juan Marichal.

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The Petromacorisano team had a solid mound performance by Esmil Rogers (1-0, 3.60 ERA), who pitched five innings with two runs, one walk, and six strikeouts, while Patrick Weigel earned his first save of the season. The loss fell to the left-hander Matt Dermody (0-1, 18.00 ERA), punished with six runs and six hits in three innings of work. The green offensive was commanded by Rodolfo Castro, who hit a home run and drove in five runs, and Josh Lester, who contributed a home run, a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Raimel Tapia also shone with the bat by going 2-3 with two runs scored. For the Toros del Este, the young prospect Felnin Celestén had a memorable debut in the LIDOM by hitting his first home run in the league, in addition to driving in two runs and scoring one. Gilberto Celestino and Yairo Muñoz each had two hits, while Félix Reyes drove in one with a double. The races came early for the Stars, who took control of the game with a three-run homer by Rodolfo Castro in the third inning, followed by a solo home run by Josh Lester. The greens extended their lead with an RBI single by Castro and a run-scoring double by Lester in the eighth inning. The Toros scored with a double by Félix Reyes that brought Gilberto Celestino to the plate, a solo home run by Celestín in the fifth inning and a sacrifice fly by Celestín himself in the seventh that allowed Marco Luciano to score.

Inaugural Act

Prior to the start of the game, an emotional inaugural ceremony was held, led by Senator of San Pedro de Macorís, Aracelys Villanueva, who made the honorary pitch. The godmothers Davianny Castro (Toros del Este) and Jazmín Rodríguez (Estrellas Orientales) performed the traditional exchange of flowers, accompanied by executives from both franchises.

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Next commitment

The Estrellas Orientales (1-0) travel this Thursday to La Romana, where they will face the Toros del Este (0-1) at 7:30 at night at the Francisco A. Micheli Stadium, in a match that marks the debut of the taurinos before their fans.