Águilas Cibaeñas win an epic Dominican Winter League baseball crown
The Águilas Cibaeñas achieved what seemed impossible: rebound from a 1-3 to beat the Gigantes del Cibao in the seventh game of the Final Series to win the crown of the 2020-21 winter baseball tournament.
Juan Lagares, Johan Camargo, and Luis Juárez each hit home runs to lead the Eagles’ offense in a 7-4 win over the Giants, in a game held at the Julián Javier Stadium.
With 22 crowns, the Águilas equaled their archrivals Tigres del Licey at the top of the championships held in the Dominican League.
On the offensive side of the champions, Camargo added a double; Lagares drove in two and Jonathan Villar a double and two RBIs, to be the best on offense of the new Dominican baseball champions.
Kelvin Gutiérrez stood out for the Giants, with a home run and single, one run scored and two RBIs; José Sirí, double and single, with an RBI; Abiatal Avelino, triple and single; Ronald Guzmán, a single and an RBI; Carlos Paulino and Richard Ureña, an uncool.
For the Eagles, left-hander Andy Otero started, who pitched four innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, two walks, and four strikeouts. He was followed by right-hander Luis Castillo (2-0), who pitched two scoreless innings, with four strikeouts, to claim the victory.
Subsequently, left-hander, Gregory Soto pitched two innings, allowing Gutierrez one run per homer, two walks, and two strikeouts. Neftalí Féliz started the ninth inning, but after one out he was attacked with triple and double.
In that situation, manager Félix Fermín brought in left-handed Darío Álvarez, who got the final two outs for the save.
Chris Ellis started for the Giants, who pitched six innings, with two hits, both homers, two runs, one walk, and two strikeouts. He was followed by Willy Peralta, who threw a third, allowing a home run and two runs, charging with the loss. Then Miguel del Pozo, Gabriel Arias and José Cisnero.
The races
At the start of the third inning, the Águilas opened the score 1-0 by homerun by Johan Camargo against Giants starter Chris Ellis.
At the end of the fifth inning, the Giants took control 2-1 off Eagles starter Andy Otero, who allowed singles followed by Abiatal Avelino, José Sirí, and Ronald Guzmán, who pushed Avelino.
Right-hander Luis Castillo replaced Otero and allowed Kelvin Gutiérrez sacrifice fly to tow José Sirí.
In the opening of the sixth inning, the Águilas matched Juan Lagares’ two runs per solo homer.
In the seventh, the Aguilas led 7-2 in a five-run rally, starting with a Luis Juárez home run-off reliever Willy Peralta, who replaced Chris Ellis. Peralta then awarded Francisco Peña a free ticket to first base.
Left-handed Miguel del Pozo came in for Peralta, allowing Johan Camargo a double. Juan Carlos Pérez was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Jonathan Villar hit an RBI double from Peña and Camargo. Ramón Torres followed with Perez’s RBI single. Juan Lagares hit a ground ball to “force-out,” which allowed Villar to score.
At the end of the eighth, the Giants approached Kelvin Gutierrez 3-7 on a homerun to left-hander Gregory Soto. In the ninth, the Giants attacked Naftalí Féliz after one out, with a triple by Avelino and a double by José Siri to get closer to 4-7.
Historical
The Aguilas became the second team to rebound from a 1-3 deficit in the Final Series.
Félix Fermín expanded to six won crowns, being the most winning manager in history. He won in the years 2000-01; 02-03; 04-05; 06-07; 07-08 and 2020-21.