Valdez defines the victory of the Estrellas Orientales with a historic Grand Slam

SANTO DOMINGO. – Infielder Enmanuel Valdez once again etched his name in the history of the Estrellas Orientales by hitting a sensational grand slam in the ninth inning, sealing the 6-5 victory over the Leones del Escogido, in the continuation of the 2025-26 season of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM), dedicated to Juan Marichal for the Banreservas Cup.

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Valdez, used as a pinch hitter, hit the fifth grand slam of the season and the second of his career in LIDOM, becoming the number 44 hitter to achieve the feat with the Estrellas and just the fifth to do it on two occasions, according to the Record Book of Félix García. The hit, against a four-seam fastball from Jimmy Cordero with a 1-0 count, traveled 396 feet to center-right field, driving in Magneuris Sierra, Junior Pérez, and Vidal Bruján, and turning the scoreboard around with one out in the ninth. The hit registered an exit time of 4.9 seconds. The 26-year-old player, a native of San Juan de la Maguana, had already hit the club’s last grand slam on November 26, 2024, also in the ninth inning, against Ángel Chivili, in a 4-1 victory over the Gigantes del Cibao in San Francisco de Macorís.

Historical Record

With his second grand slam, Valdez equals figures like Ricardo Carty (1966), Rafael Batista (1974-1977), Henry Mercedes (2000-2001) and Joel Guzmán (2005).
Rafael Batista holds the record for most grand slams in the history of the Estrellas with three, while Tony Batista is the historical leader of LIDOM with four, between Águilas and Escogido.

Pitching

The Cuban opener Norge Ruiz had a dominant outing for the Estrellas, pitching 5.2 innings with one run, one hit, and one walk, facing 18 batters. Enoli Paredes (G, 1-0) worked the eighth without runs, while Patrick Wigel (S, 2) struck out one of the three batters he faced to seal the victory. By the Escogido, Jimmy Cordero (P, 1-1) took the loss after allowing three hits and the decisive home run.

Featured Offense

Estrellas Orientales:

Ismael Munguía: 5-3, one run
Jos Lester: 5-1, one RBI
Robinson Canó: 4-1, double and run
Magneuris Sierra: 1-1, run
Vidal Bruján: 4-1, run
Enmanuel Valdez: 1-1, HR, 4 RBI, 1 run
Raimel Tapia: 1-1, RBI

Leones del Escogido:

Junior Lake: 4-1, scored and walk
Erik González: 4-1, scored and walk
Héctor Rodríguez: 3-0, scored and two walks
Yamaico Navarro: 4-2, two RBIs
Elier Hernández: 4-1, double and RBI
José Marmolejos: 1-0, three walks and scored

Context of the Rivalry

This was the fourth consecutive matchup between both teams since Wednesday, leaving the particular series 2-2 in that stretch and 4-4 in the season. Historically, the Escogido maintains a 505-475 advantage.