Left-back César Valdez launched five solid innings that led Gigantes del Cibao to an easy 5-1 victory over Águilas Cibaeñas at the start of the final series of the Dominican professional baseball tournament for the Banco BHD León Cup on Monday.
Valdez allowed just two hits and faced 18 hits, one run allowed and three hits to secure the Giants’ 1-0 win in the agreed-upon final series for the best of seven games.
Imported Joe Van Meter was the defeated pitcher that was blown up by strong local artillery in a one-and-two-third half, with three runs and six shots allowed.
The Giants’ relief was effective in three innings in the arms of Yerry de los Santos, Miguel del Pozo, Ryan Kussmaul and José Rafael Díaz who did not allow any runs, two shots and three shots.
The Giants scored two laps at the end of the first half after a single outing, Ronald Guzmán hit a double in the center, Kelvin Gutiérrez followed with a shrapnel on the right field, Juan Francisco led in Guzmán with a single in the center, Moisés Sierra negotiated a ticket completing the bases and Peter OBrien led Gutierrez on a sacrifice flight in the left field.
At the end of the second half, the Giants got a comeback with shots followed by José Siri and Ronald Guzmán and Kevin Gutiérrez led in Siri with only one field on the left.
In the third half, the Eagles scored their first career with a solo homer through Francisco Peña’s left meadow fence.
The Giants scored a new round in the fourth half, with a double to the left of Ronald Guzmán, who sent it simply to the center Kelvin Gutiérrez.
The Giants scored the fifth round in the eighth round on the feet of Moisés Sierra who negotiated a walk, advanced to second place on a wild field, Peter OBrien was hit, Oneil Cruz hit, Carlos Paulino hit the right field filling the bases and Abiatal Avelino drove towards Sierra with a shrapnel to his left.
The best players for the giants were Ronald Guzmán two doubles and one hit, Kelvin Gutiérrez three hits, Carlos Paulino two wireless and José Siri, Abiatal Avelino Juan Francisco one hit each.
For eagles Francisco Peña was the most prominent with a home, Luis Valenzuela a triple and Melky Cabrera and Juan Lagares one.