Winter League Playoffs 2020-2021: LIDOM Round-Up

From the desk: FANATICO DEL BEISBOL DE INVIERNO

⚾   JAN. 3, 2021   ⚾

LIDOM Liga de Beisbol Profesional de la Republica Dominicana

• BOXSCORE 1/3/2021: Cibao 4; Orientale 3

On Sunday, Los Gigantes del Cibao took a two games to none lead in their series against Los Estrellas Orientales.  Fernando Tatis Jr. homered in the first inning to give Orientale a prompt 1-0 lead.  Undeterred, Gigantes right fielder Moises Sierra led off the top of the second with a double and scored on a double-play.  Cibao then took a 2-1 lead in the third on left fielder Jose Siri's two-out home run to left.  Los Estrellas second baseman and Mets farmhand Gustavo Nuñez singled home the tying run in the fourth.  In the top of the seventh, Jose Siri connected on his second home run of the game, and first baseman Ronald Guzman tripled and scored, giving Cibao a 4-2 lead.  Los Estrellas rallied for a run in the ninth, but Ryan Kussmaul was able to secure the save.  Los Estrellas designated hitter Robinson Cano was 2 for 4, with a double. 

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• BOXSCORE 1/3/2021: Este 2; Cibaeñas 0

Los Toros del Este outlasted Los Aguilas Cibaeñas to take a two games to none lead in their semifinal series.  Aguilas starter Carlos Martinez allowed no runs on just two hits and two walks with six strikeouts through six innings pitched.  Los Toros starter Raúl Valdés through five innings yielded no runs on three hits, and no walks with four strikeouts.  Both exited with no decisions.  Los Aguilas rallied for a run in the eighth, but not before Los Toros designated hitter Yasiel Puig (from the dugout) is ejected from the game.  When play resumes, Cibaeñas scores on consecutive hits from Juan Lagares and Melky Cabrera.  In the bottom half of the eighth, Los Toros immediately load the bases.  Left fielder Miguel Andujar's sacrifice fly to center plates the tying run.  Shortstop Jorge Mateo then scores the go-ahead run on a force play at second.  Southpaw Fernando Abad pitches a scoreless ninth for the save.  Right-hander Jairo Asencio earned the win in relief. 

⚾  JAN. 4, 2021  ⚾

• BOXSCORE 1/4/2021: Cibaeñas 3; Este 1
• SERIES: Toros del Este lead Aguilas del Cibaeñas; 2-1

Los Aguilas de Cibaeñas claim their first victory in game three.  Facing Los Toros del Este starter  Jenrry Mejia in the bottom of the first, Melky Cabrera, Mets farmhand second baseman Robel García, and first baseman Rangel Ravelo, each drove in a run apiece.  Cibaeñas starter Yoanner Negrín allowed just one hit and four walks with six strikeouts through six scoreless innings for the win.  Southpaw Gregory Soto picked up the save.  Right fielder Yasiel Puig drove in Los Toros' lone run of the game with a double in the eighth, and Miguel Andujar went hitless in three at-bats.

 

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• BOXSCORE 1/4/2021: Cibao 3; Orientale 2 (10-innings)
• SERIES: Gigantes del Cibao lead Estrellas del Orientales; 2-1

Los Gigantes del Cibao strike first.   Shortstop Oneil Cruz's home run off major league veteran Ervin Santana in the second inning lasted through the seventh.  That is, until Robinson Cano's two-run home run in the top of the eighth gave Los Estrellas Orientales a 2-1 lead over Los Gigantes.   In the bottom half of the eighth, Cibao center fielder Jose Siri hit a home run (his third of the series) to send this game into extra innings.   Facing Matt Pobereyko in the home tenth, Gigantes' second baseman Abiatal Avelino draws a lead-off walk and promptly steals second.   Jose Siri follows with his third hit of the game, driving home Avelino with the game-winning run.   Right-hander Domingo Tapia earns the victory.