Winter League Baseball: Cuba Crowns New Champion; Dominican League Finals Underway

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

CUBA

Serie Nacional de Beisbol Cuba

FOUNDED 1961

CAMPEONES SERIE NACIONAL/58th EDITION

Lenadores de Las Tunas

Las Tunas defeat Leopardos de Villa Clara; 4-1

I - LTU 13; VCL 6

II - LTU 8; VCL 4

III - VCL 9; LTU 4

IV - LTU 7; VCL 5

V - LTU 8; VCL 4

• Club Founded 1977
• Translation: Los Lenadores = the Lumberjacks/Woodcutters.
• Las Tunas play in Group C of the circuit's Eastern League.
• This is the club's first ever Serie Nacional championship.
• Las Tunas now enlist traditional reinforcements from within the league en route to this year's 2019 Caribbean Serie being hosted by Venezuela.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Liga Beisbol Profesional Republica Dominicana

Founded 1951

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

TOROS del ESTE

 vs. 

ESTRELLAS de ORIENTALES

Estrellas lead series 2-0

I - Estrellas 13; Toros 1

II - Estrellas 6; Toros 1

Game Three - 1/19

Game Four - 1/21

Game Five - 1/22

Game Six - 1/23*

Game Seven - 1/25*

Game Eight - 1/26*

Game Nine - 1/27*

1/18 - Game Two:  Before exiting on the winning side of a 4-1 game, Orientales starter Nestor Cortes pitches six scoreless innings of three-hit ball, with two walks and three strikeouts.  Five relievers join to pitch the final three frames, surrendering one earned run on three hits and a walk, with four strikeouts.  Roman Mendez struck out the side to close out the ninth.  Paolo Espino took the loss for los Toros, having allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks through five innings, despite striking out nine.  Touted shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was 1 for 2, with an RBI and two runs scores for los Estrellas.  Former Mets and los Toros designated hitter Jordany Valdespin went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.

Both teams are in search of their third ever LIDOM championship.

• Los Toros: 1994-1995; 2010-1011
• Estrellas: 1953-1954; 1967-1968 (won championship in 1936, prior to LIDOM)
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