Dominican Republic Winter League Playoff Update

The winter leagues round robin playoffs are off and running late in this December month.  We covered game 1 of the Dominican Republic League and now we’ll go over game 2 and game 3.

Aguilas Cibaenas (the team Joey Terdoslavich is now playing for) was defeated on Friday night by Tigres del Licey 3-2.  Leones del Escogido was defeated by Gigantes del Cibao 2-0.  That led to the matchup of Cibaenas versus Escogido Saturday.

Escogido (31-19) tied for the best record in the league with Cibaenas throughout the winter season.  Their roster is filled with MLB prospects as well as MLB talent – Atlanta Braves Jose Constanza, Pittsburgh Pirate prospect Gregory Polanco, Pittsburgh Pirate Starling Marte, Cleveland Indians Carlos Santana and Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Alfredo Marte.

Saturday

Escogido got started early as Alfredo Marte doubled to drive in Polanco in the 1st inning.  Later in the same inning, Jorge Polanco reached on an error by shortstop Joaquin Arias as Santana and Alfredo Marte would score.  Then in the 2nd inning Polanco singled scoring Pedro Florimon and Starling Marte grounded out to score Constanza.  A 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 2nd inning for Escogido.

Jul 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Joey Terdoslavich (25) celebrates with left fielder Jose Constanza (13) after scoring a run in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Bottom of the 2nd inning, Terdoslavich leads off with a single to center field.  Later in the inning with two outs, Audry Perez singled in Terdo to make the game 5-1.

Escogido would tack on another run in the top of the 3rd inning as Wilkin Castillo singled and Marte would score again.  6-1

No additional runs were scored in this game, Aguilas would go down 6-1 leading to a 0-2 record.  Terdoslavich went 2-3 with a double and run scored as well as a walk.  Constanza went 1-5 with a run scored.  Alfredo Marte went 4-5

The other game with Gigantes del Cibao and Licey, Gigantes (22-28) took the victory 4-2.  The Marlins’ Marcell Ozuna gave the Gigantes a 3-0 lead with his two run home run but then Ex-Brave Juan Francisco hit a two run home run for Licey but wasn’t enough.  Gigantes is now 2-0 in the round robin.

Sunday

Aguilas was able to get on the board early and first but not before some silliness.  Top of the 2nd inning, Zoilo Almonte reached on a infield error by first basemen Carlos Santana.  Terdoslavich then walked.  First Almonte gets picked off and then Terdoslavich is picked off trying to steal.  Later Francisco Pena doubles to drive in two runs.

Mar 21, 2013; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder Desin Hood (1) dives back to first base as Atlanta Braves first baseman Joey Terdoslavich (73) waits for the throw during the eighth inning at Champion Stadium. Atlanta defeated Washington 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

In the bottom of the 2nd inning and bottom of the 3rd inning, Escogido was able to put up five runs as they regained the lead 5-2.

Joey T got things going again as he singled to start the top of the 4th inning.  Two singles later by Juan Perez and Pena, the Aguilas have bases loaded.  A walk drives in Terdoslavich to make the game 5-3 but that was the only run they were able to place on the board during that inning.

Top of the 6th inning, game still sitting at 5-3, Aguilas puts up two runs to tie the game 5-5.

Then in the top of the 8th inning, Zollo Almonte doubles on a line drive to center field which scored both Rafael Ynoa and Hector Luna making the game 7-5 in favor of Aguilas.

Aguilas would go on to close the game out 7-5 and improve their playoff record to 1-2.

Terdoslavich went 2-4 with a run scored and a walk.  For the playoffs he is batting .364.

In the Licey versus Gigantes match up, Licey added a run in both the 2nd inning and the 5th inning to take a 2-0 lead and hold onto it for the game.  Anderson Hernandez belted two solo home runs for Licey.

Aguilas will now take on Licey Monday at 7:30PM AST.