Depending on how often you check the box scores, Wednesday night’s LIDOM action may have provided you with something you have never seen before. No, I’m not talking about a Victor Robles walk — but if you’re wondering, he has four in 42 plate appearances, which is roughly three percent higher than his last two seasons — but I digress.
Toros del Este (2) vs Aguilas Cibaenas (4)
TOROS DEL ESTE
If you are one of those people that are skeptical of Vidal Brujan (TB), hopefully his performance over the last couple weeks has opened your eyes. After his 2-for-4 showing on Wednesday, he raised his OBP to .439 while adding a stolen base. He leads the league with seven steals in 14 games.
After starting the winter with five hits in four games — four of which were for extra bases (2 doubles, 2 home runs) — there’s reason to be optimistic about Gary Sanchez (NYY). The power has always been there, that’s nice, but there’s something else that you should keep an eye on. The slugging backstop has five walks while striking out six times — that’s a BB% that is 10% higher than the career-best 18% walk rate posted in 2018.
After being released by the Pirates organization on June 9, Pedro Vasquez finds himself looking for a team to play for in 2021. The 25-year-old righty pitched 2.2 innings on Wednesday, maintaining a flawless zero hits and zero walks allowed streak that covers a total of 4.2 innings.
AGUILAS CIBAENAS
Juan Lagares (FA) went 2-for-4 on the night, driving in a run while totaling five bases (2B, 3B). He’s another guy that’s looking for a place to play in the upcoming season.
The 1-through-6 hitters for Aguilas all recorded base hits. The grouping of Victor Robles (WAS), Lagares (FA), Johan Camargo (ATL), Rangel Ravelo (FA), Melky Cabrera (NYM), and John Nogowski (STL) combined to go 8-for-23 in the victory.
Gigantes del Cibao (0) vs Tigres del Licey (4)
GIGANTES DEL CIBAO
In a feat that could easily be classified as unheard of, los Gigantes left 30 men on base while bringing 34 men to the plate. The lead-off batter reached safely in five innings yet they were unable to muster a run.
The combination of Carlos Peguero and Steven Souza Jr went 1-for-9 while striking out seven times and leaving 11 runners on base.
Luis Marte last appeared in a professional game as a member of the Atlanta Braves organization. He’s looking for a new home in 2021 — his 2-for-3 with two doubles performance is a positive, however he’s whiffed seven times in his first 19 LIDOM at-bats.
TIGRES DEL LICEY
Erick Mejia (FA) is another available outfielder, whose .429 OBP has been impressive thus far. He went 4-for-4 on Wednesday, doubling and scoring a run.
Playing for los Tigres for the seventh consecutive season, Yermin Mercedes racked up a pair of hits, raising his OBP to .341 in 11 games.
Lisalverto Bonilla (FA) recorded the victory after throwing 1.2 innings of relief. He’s recorded eight outs over two appearances — seven of the eight outs have come via strikeout.
Leones del Escogido (3) vs Estrellas Orientales (4)
LEONES DEL ESCOGIDO
Playing third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr (TOR) went 2-for-4 with an RBI. His other two at-bats ended in strikeouts.
Franchy Cordero is off to a slow start with his bat, however his three walks provide solid explanation as to why he is batting from the lead-off spot.
Working his way through a loaded Tampa Bay Rays farm system, catcher Brett Sullivan launched his second home run in four games — he’s also scored a run in three of four contests.
ESTRELLAS ORIENTALES
Junior Lake and Lewin Diaz (MIA) hit first-inning home runs helping the team post an early 3-0 lead. After a four-year absence, Lake, who also added a stolen base on Wednesday night, is looking to make his way back to a big-league field.
Nabil Crismatt, over his three innings pitched, surrendered seven hits while allowing three earned runs and recording five strikeouts. He now has 17 strikeouts in 18 innings, posting a 1.50 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.