Escogido Leones confirm as Dominican Pro Baseball League Champions
Escogido Leones defeated Toros del Este 4-1 in the best-of-seven Championship Series to become Dominican Baseball League (LIDOM) champions for the 18th time. It was also back-to-back titles for the Leones after they beat Licey Tigres last year.
In the deciding Game Five on Tuesday, Escogido won a thriller, 1-0, on home soil at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium in Santo Domingo.
Hector Rodriguez led off the bottom of the first with a single off veteran left-hander Enny Romero. The Leones centre fielder advanced on a base hit and scored on consecutive groundouts. It would be the game's only run.
Eight pitchers limited the Toros to five hits and four walks. Starter Grant Gavin left in the fourth. The Toros had their best scoring chance in the top of the sixth. Eloy Jimenez led off with a triple off reliever Derek West, then Eric Filia lined out to left field, West struck out Yairo Muñoz and left for Jefry Yan. The 29-year-old lefty struck out Eddie Rosario on three pitches to end the inning and earn the win.
Matt Foster pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
The night before, at the Francisco Micheli Stadium in La Romana, Escogido needed two extra innings to win. Erik Gonzalez grounded to shortstop in the top of the 11th, and Michael De La Cruz scored the go-ahead run. Right-hander Aneurys Zabala pitched the 10th and earned the win. Right-hander Alex Colomè pitched a perfect 11th for the save.
Championship Series results
21.1 Leones-Toros 7-6
22.1 Toros-Leones 4-7
25.1 Leones-Toros 2-3
26.1 Toros-Leones 3-4
27.1 Leones-Toros 1-0
"It was a team effort," commented Escogido manager Ramon Santiago. "I want to thank [General Manager] Carlos Peña and [Owner] José Miguel Bonetti. Thank you to Alex Cintron, who managed this team before me, and to my coaching staff. I cannot mention everybody, but they did a hell of a job. The players worked hard every day, they did a fantastic job, and this win is all theirs."
Venezuelan veteran third baseman Alcides Escobar earned MVP honours.
Escobar, 39, who played 1,552 games over 13 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons (2008-2022) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals and Washington Nationals, joined Escogido midseason.
"I would have never imagined I could end up being the MVP, given the talent in the league and on our team," Escobar commented. "I'm super happy, I thank God for this. And I want to thank Escogido for bringing me here and allowing me to help the team win."
Escobar added, "We had a clear goal, we wanted a championship. Everybody was on the same page, and the environment was truly positive.
Escobar has played shortstop for most of his career but won MVP honours as a third baseman. "I have played third base before, in particular in Venezuela. As I landed here, I took some ground balls at third, and I felt great."