While the North East prepared for a snowstorm, there were actual baseball games being played in the world. Some highlights from LIDOM action below:
Aguilas Cibaenas (2) vs. Gigantes del Cibao (11)
This was a rather one-sided affair as the Gigantes left their footprint all over this ballgame.
Gigantes del Cibao
Ronald Guzman (TEX) continued mashing the ball as he led the way with a four-hit performance including two that left the yard. That brings Guzman’s total to a league leading four long balls this LIDOM season. As it stands right now, Guzman is the odd man out in a revamped Texas Rangers offense. After acquiring Nate Lowe from Tampa Bay, the Rangers have two corner stone pieces manning the corners of the infield for the foreseeable future. There is a possibility we see Guzman get some time as the DH, but with the addition of David Dahl and his checkered medical past, we may see the young slugger from Colorado be slotted in the DH position more often than not.
The all-time LIDOM home run king was back for more on Tuesday night. 33 year-old Juan Francisco also put a charge into two baseballs last night in the Dominican Republic, adding onto the performance set forth by Guzman. While Francisco is not playing for a starting job when he gets back to the US, it still feels good to get off the schneid that has been Francisco’s entire LIDOM campaign.
Oneil Cruz (PIT, #78 on our top 500 dynasty rankings) further provided a spark for the Gigantes with two more base hits. The 22-year old Pirates prospect has put together a nice winter ball season after a difficult start to his off-season that included a tragic motor vehicle accident. The shortstop has hit at a .280 clip, but has been too much of a free swinger. The youngster has struck out seven times thus far without drawing a walk.
Gabriel Ynoa got the start for the Gigantes and was impressive. The right-hander picked up the win after allowing just three hits and one run over his five innings of work.
Aguilas Cibaenas
There were not many noteworthy offensive performances for the Cibaenas in this one. The only multi-hit game came from centerfielder, Juan Carlos Perez, who also accounted for the only extra-base-hit for the Cibaenas.
The Cibaenas’s pitching was even worse as it started with Yoanner Negrin allowing seven hits and four runs to open the game and did not get much better.
Estrellas Orientales (1) vs. Toros del Este (5)
It was another slow offensive performance for the Estrellas Orientales last night as they were only able to muster five hits and scratch across one run in their 5-1 loss.
Estrellas Orientales
Lewin Diaz (MIA) was quiet again taking an 0-for-3, dropping his average to .157 on the LIDOM season. The Marlins were hoping their young slugger could take the time in the DR this winter to get himself right as his expectations are slowly rising within the organization.
Another notable prospect, Jeremy Pena (HOU), who has very quietly had a very impressive LIDOM campaign, took an 0-for-3 last night, as well dropping his average to a still respectable .277.
Orientales pitchers were outdueled by Pablo Espino and the Toros. The Orientales fell behind early as Edwin Uceta and Domingo Robles surrendered three runs in their combined five innings to start the ball game.
Toros del Este
Rueben Sosa strung together a multi-hit game out of the leadoff spot that included a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored.
Yamaico Navarro added a three-hit performance out of the three hole and drove in one of the Toros’s five runs. Navarro has had an impressive LIDOM campaign, hitting at a .317 clip thus far.
Miguel Andujar (NYY) added an RBI of his own in his 1-for-4 night at the dish.
Pablo Espino was brilliant in his six innings only allowing two base runners and blanking the Orientales offense. Espino has been lights out this winter pitching to a 2.55 ERA and .77 WHIP in 24.2 innings of work.
Leones del Escogido (4) vs. Tigres del Licey (0) - 10 innings
Leones del Escogido
It took the Leones 10 innings to scratch out this victory, but they sealed the deal with a four spot in the top of the 10th.
Vlad Guerrero Jr. (TOR) has been on a tear since joining in on the LIDOM action. The young Blue Jays slugger has been swinging the bat at a .375 clip, including his 2-for-5 night at the plate last night. Vlad Jr. laced an extra-base-hit last night that drove in three runs in the top of the 10th inning to clinch the Leones’s victory. The big adjustment for Vlad coming into the 2021 season is elevating the ball more consistently. His exit velocity has never been in question, but Vlad has often struggled early in his career due to his lack of ability to lift the baseball. Here is a look at Vladdy lacing a ball in LIDOM play earlier this year.
Estevan Florial (NYY) tacked on three more hits to his LIDOM resume last night and came around on Guerrero Jr’s game winning double in the 10th.
David Kubiak was impressive on the bump for the Leones fanning seven and shutting out the Tigres for 5.2 last night.
The bullpen shined after Kubiak departed, contributing 4.1 hitless innings in relief.
Tigres del Licey
Not much to report here offensively as the Tigres only mustered three hits across 10 innings of baseball.
Those three hits were sprinkled in among 12 strikeouts.
The base knocks came from Erick Mejia, Anderson Tejada, and Pablo Reyes.
Albert Abreu was brilliant in his six innings of work allowing only three base-hits and fanning five, holding the Leones scoreless in his start. Despite his 0-2 record, Abreu has been stellar thus far allowing only two runs in 16.1 innings of work and fanning 19. Opponents have only been able to manage six hits against the right hander this season.