Aguilas Walks Away With It Early In Win Over Licey At Citi Field

 

Tigres Del Licey, lined up along the third base line, and Aguilas, along the first base line, during the Dominican national anthem. Photo by Jason Schott.

On Sunday, the winner of the Titanes Del Caribe was decided early, as Aguilas Cibaenas put up seven runs in the first inning on their way to a 9-6 win over Tigres Del Licey at Citi Field on Sunday.

It is rare that the turning point happens in the first inning, but this was a case of that happening. 

Tigres had gotten a walk from Michael de la Cruz, and ex-Yankee Miguel Andujar came up with him on base and two out. Facing Aguilas starting pitcher Tyler Viza, Andujar took one to the warning track in right field, where Juan Carlos Perez tracked it down for the final out of the frame.

Miguel Andujar flying out to right field in the first inning. Photo by Jason Schott.

Adrian Rodriguez was on the mound for Tigres, and his afternoon began with allowing singles to Christopher Morel and he stole second before coming in to score on a single by Yadiel Hernandez.

Rodriguez proceeded to walk Elehuris Montero, Cesar Prieto, and Gilberto Celestino, the last of which forced in a run, and he was pulled from the game.

In came Luis Peralta, and he proceeded to walk Luis Valenzuela to force in another run, then hit Perez with a pitch with the bases loaded, and finally got an out when Carlos Paulino grounded into a force out, but another run came in that made it 5-0.

Yefri Perez, the ninth hitter in Aguilas lineup, singled to bring in Valenzuela to make it 6-0. Morel then walked to load the bases.

Luis Valenzuela greeted by the Aguilas mascot, an eagle, after he scored. Photo by Jason Schott.

Hernandez followed with a walk to bring in another run, as Paulino scored to make it 7-0, and that was all for Peralta.

Tigres turned to their third pitcher of the first inning, in Jesus Reyes, and he put out the fire. He struck out Montero and got Prieto to fly out to right field to end the long inning.