DR and Puerto Rico Battle to Draw
After the Dominican Republic won four of the first six Island games, the 12 teams played again and each league won three. So after two days the series stands at 7-5, the Dominican Ruplic reigns supreme.
Brayan Pena (Braves) got four at bats and hit three homeruns, all solo shots to lead the Gigantes to a 6-3 win over Arecibo. Pena walked in his other at bat. Antonio Perez got his second start of the Dominican season and hit a solo shot. It will be interesting to see if some team will sign him to ressurect his career. Gigantes stayed atop of the Dominican league with the win.
Escogido came back from a 3-0 deficit to score three in the eighth and one in the eleventh to squeak out the victory. Argenis Reyes (Mets) got the game winning single in the bottom of the eleventh inning to bring the victory. Fernando Rodney (Tigers) pitched one inning of shutout relief. It was his first appearance for the Dominicans.
Estrellas bombed Mayaguez 8-0, led by five Leones pitchers throwing goose eggs. Jerome Williams (Athletics) celebrated his major league signing by getting raked for 6 runs in three innings of work. Pablo Ozuna, Jovanny Rosario and Juan Richardson (Royals) each drove in two runs for Estrellas.
Caguas got a big seven run seventh to overcome Licey 12-9. Raul Casanova hit a 2-run homer and drove in four total, as well as scoring four runs to lead the offense. Eric Aybar (angels) raked four hits for the losing Licey team who continues to struggle with pitching, allowing double figures in runs again.
Giancarlo Alvarado (Angels) tossed eight shutout innings to lead Ponce over the Azucareros 3-0. Carlos Rivera hit a 2-run homerun to provide all the offense Ponce needed. For Alvarado, that is his third win of the season.
Julio Borbon (Rangers) hit a 2-run homerun for Aguilas to tie the game at three. In the bottom of the ninth Jose Valenin got a bouncing infield single in front of the plate to win it for Santurce 4-3. Victor Diaz went deep for Aguilas in a losing cause for his fifteenth homerun. His closest pursuer only has 9.