Leones del Escogido are crowned champions of the Dominican Baseball
Posted by: Manuel Azcona ( mazcona1952@hotmail.com )
The meeting between the teams takes place at the Estadio Quisqueya, in this capital, low rainfall, maximum attendance of fans, and strict police security measure before the euphoria of the fans of both teams.
The Eagles have the pitcher Raul Valdes on the mound, while Jordan Norberto starts for the Leones. Both are lefties.
The first ball of the game, which began almost at 5:30 pm, was launched by the former mayor of New York (USA), William Rudolph Giuliani.
The Lions become the Series champions of Dominican winter ball, thanks to the run that was batted in by Andy Dirks, who broke a 5-5 tie in the 9th inning to propel the Lions to a 6-5 victory over the Eagles.
In the first inning of the Eagles' ninth game against the Lions fans were on their feet assisting the Leones in a packed house at the Estadio Quisqueya.
However, immediately began the second inning, Hector Luna homered to give the Aguilas their first run.
After Miguel Tejada hit another homer off of Jordan Norberto to complete the second run for the Eagles.
Meanwhile, in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Joaquin Arias, Elian Herrera scored the third Aguilas run.
In the fourth inning Norberto was replaced by Aneury Rodriguez.
The fourth run of the Eagles was a double by Francisco Pena that scored Miguel Tejada, who walked.
The Lions got their first run in the fourth inning with a hit by Jose Constanza that scored Wilkin Castillo.
However, in the seventh inning, Mauro Gomez homered to give Leones their second run.
Meanwhile, the fifth and sixth innings ended scoreless.
After being silenced for six innings, the Lions awoke against the Eagles bullpen. Wilkins Arias replaces Angel Castro on the mound. Ivan De Jesus pinch hit for Julio Borbon. Ivan De Jesus singled.
Freddy Guzman ran for Ivan De Jesus. Pedro Florimon singled. Freddy Guzman to 2nd. Miguel Batista, the Eagles closer replaces Wilkins Arias. ose Constanza grounds into a force out. Freddy Guzman to 3rd. Pedro Florimon out at 2nd. Jose Constanza to 1st. Pablo Ozuna singled. Freddy Guzman scored. Jose Constanza to 3rd. Andy Dirks out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Elian Herrera. Jose Constanza scored the tieing run. [Note: that was a short flyball to left. Constanza made a gutsy move by tagging up and caught Herrera completely by surprise. When Herrera caught the ball he hesitated, saw Constanza tag up but was in no position to get anything of the throw. Call it heads up or call it a dumb play but it worked.], Pablo Ozuna to 2nd on the throw. Miguel Batista intentionally walked Mauro Gomez. Julio Lugo reached on force attempt, throwing error by shortstop Pedro Ciriaco. Pablo Ozuna scored. Mauro Gomez to 3rd. Julio Lugo to 2nd. Miguel Batista intentionally walked Wilkin Castillo. Fernando Tatis flied out to end the inning.
The Aguilas entered the ninth inning trailing by a run. The first time they trailed the entire game. Fernando Rodney was on the mound to close out the game. Hector Luna and Miguel Tejada started the inning off by grounding out. On a close play at first, Miguel Tejada got into a heated argument with the umpire, bumped into the umpire and got tossed out of the game. Jesse Gutierrez, with two out, 3-2 count was down to his last bullet but tagged a Fernando Rodney pitch well over the fence in left. Gutierrez knew that the ball was gone. That blast tied the game at 5-5.
This series had been tough on the Eagle bullpen. They had a hard time getting out late in the game. This home half of the ninth was no exception. Freddy Guzman singled to lead off the inning. With Pedro Florimon batting, Freddy Guzman stole second base. Pedro Florimon flied out to left fielder Elian Herrera. Miguel Batista intentionally walked Jose Constanza. Pablo Ozuna grounded into a force out, fielded by shortstop Pedro Ciriaco. Freddy Guzman to 3rd. Jose Constanza out at 2nd. Pablo Ozuna to 1st. Edward Paredes replaced Miguel Batista in a lefty against lefty matchup. Andy Dirks singled on a ground ball to center fielder Carlos Gomez. Freddy Guzman scored. Pablo Ozuna to 2nd. End of ball game. Final Leones 6 Eagles 5.