César Valdez provided a solid opening and Aguilas Cibaeñas from the Dominican Republic endured a late reaction from local Tomateros de Culiacán to win 4-2 and get their second victory in the tournament.
Valdez (1-0) dominated the Mexicans’ offense for six brilliant innings, to win a game in which he allowed only two shots and shot six. The loss went to the owner Héctor Velázquez (0-1) after allowing a run and four shots in 4 innings 2/3.
“I always have a good mentality, I came out with the strategy of quickly attacking the attacking zone and then using my breaking ground,” said the Dominican starter after the match. today we managed to do the job “.
The Eagles opened the scoring in the third half when Melky Cabrera individually, advanced to the second base with unstoppable star Robinson Cano and scored on a single by Ronald Guzmán RBI.
The Dominicans scored another with a Junior Lake RBI double in the sixth inning, reaching the plateau with a round of home Juan Lagares – who took her out of the park for the second day in a row – in the seventh and top of the ninth, Melky Cabrera hit a single RBI to take a 4-0 lead.
Tomateros de Culiacán reacted in the background of the last episode, when Jesse Castillo and Julián León tied the RBI singles to get closer to the scoreboard, but the relief Jhan Martínez dominated the striker Juan Carlos Gamboa with a ground ball to end the game .
“The merit for them is that they managed to get all four races and to have an advantage in the last half. “I am proud and satisfied with my players for their effort, they did not stop fighting until the last game,” said Mexican manager Benjamin Gil. We have three difficult games left. Here they are all champion teams and every game is difficult “.
Tomateros will face Criollos de Puerto Rico on Tuesday, also 1-1. In turn, Águilas Cibaeñas, with a record of 2-0, will face the Federales de Chiriquí from Panama, who also won their first two commitments.
“You have to recognize Panama, which won the first two games. But we need to stay focused to get results. Tomorrow a team will go 3-0 and will go to the semifinals and we hope to be new “, said the manager of the Dominican Republic, Félix Fermín.