Emerging Wilkin Castillo fired a single that towed the first run and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. seconded him with a double producer of three for the Lions of the Chosen to rise with the pitching duel in Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over their eternal rivals Licey Tigers, in a clash that was decided in the tenth entry in the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium.
El Escogido achieved its 14th victory in the championship dedicated to the memory of José Manuel Fernández, with 12 setbacks, and is in second place in the standings in a technical tie with the Águilas Cibaeñas (13-11). While the Licey suffered its fourth defeat in a row and sank to last place in the table, with a sheet of 8-13.
With an out on the board, Castillo hit emerging line in front of left-hander Frank Garcés a line for the central meadow that towed Joseph Rosa, who had previously received a ball base against the right Dany Jimenez and managed to advance to the anteroom by a single by Estevan Florial, his third hit of the night.
With the first score of the game on the board, the Lions continued to attack the blues when Cesar Puello baptized Franchy Cordero and managed to catch by mistake of intermediary Anderson Tejeda to fill the bases.
After receiver Brett Sullivan missed the line at the hands of Tejeda, Guerrero Junior fired his bat with the bases filled against the right wall that also gave the Reds the “City Champ” 4-2.
Right-hander David Kubiak started the duel for the Chosen One and threw for five episodes and two thirds of pure dominance, allowing three hits, with two mushrooms and seven strikeouts.
The red bullpen completed the mission without allowing it to reach its neighbors.
Right-hander Rhiner Cruz continued to make the last out of the sixth, then right-back Andrés Núñez shone with two solid innings from two strikeouts and closeer Steven Wilson (2-0) scored the victory by throwing the ninth of perfect shape with a fan.
Right-hander Samuel Adames secured the lead by closing the tenth with a point to Pablo Reyes, even though Tejeda got the start by a fielding error by Gregory Polanco and then Michael de la Cruz tied a ticket.
On the other hand, the prospect of the Yankees, Albert Abreu, shone for the Licey exhibiting by far the best performance of a blue pitcher in the entire tournament. The right completed a joy of six innings with just three hits allowed, with one base per ball and five strikeouts.
Also they marched past in the assembly by the blue ones: Lisalverto Bonilla, with a chapter of a hit and two ponches; Kent Emanuel with two episodes of an unstoppable and two strikeouts; Dany Jiménez (1-1), who suffered the defeat by conceding two laps – one deserved – in a third inning of a hit and a ticket. Left-hander Garcés made just one out and went on to score two runs, and finally, right-back Robinson Leyer allowed a double from Vladdy Junior, but closed with a point against Polanco.
For the Chosen One, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 5-2, a double with three pushes; Wilkin Castle 1-1, one driven; Estevan Florial 4-3, one scored.
For the Licey hit the only hits of the game Pablo Reyes, Erick Mejia and Anderson Tejeda.