Toros del Este defeat Leones and tie for first place in the Round Robin

SANTO DOMINGO.– Jeimer Candelario drove in two runs, Eloy Jiménez produced again with the bat, and left-hander Aaron Leasher led a solid pitching performance to guide the Toros del Este to a 3-1 victory over the Leones del Escogido, in a game played this Monday at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium.

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Jiménez extended his streak of consecutive games with a hit to five and also maintains a streak of five consecutive games driving in at least one run. With 13 RBIs, he leads the department in the current All Against All. For his part, Candelario recorded his second multi-hit game in the Round Robin and raised his total RBIs in this phase to four. In the mound, Leasher threw 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, giving a walk and striking out four batters. He was the third starter for the Toros to complete at least four innings in this stage. The bullpen completed the task with 4.1 innings of one run, three hits, two walks and three strikeouts, including two by Joe Corbett. Jimmy Yacabonis was credited with the win, while Corbett earned his third save after pitching for the third consecutive day. The loss went to Radhames Liz, who allowed three runs in 2.2 innings. With this triumph, the Bulls improve their record to 6-2, tie for first place in the standings with the Lions and achieve their third consecutive victory, as well as their fifth in their last six matches.

The races

The Bulls took control of the game in the third inning. Eloy Jiménez opened the scoring with a single to left field that drove in Gilberto Celestino. Later, Jeimer Candelario hit a single to center with the bases loaded, driving in Yairo Muñoz and Jiménez himself to extend the lead to 3-0. The Lions’ only run came in the seventh inning, when Pedro Severino received a walk with the bases loaded.

Offensive Highlights

For the Bulls, Jeimer Candelario went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk; Eloy Jiménez went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored; Yairo Muñoz finished 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk; Gilberto Celestino scored a run, and Bryan de la Cruz had two hits, received two walks, and scored one. For the Leones, Erik González went 2-for-4, while Elier Hernández scored a run. The Toros rest this Tuesday and return to action on Wednesday, January 7, when they visit the Águilas Cibaeñas at the Cibao Stadium.