DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Newcomer Nelson Figueroa pitched seven shutout innings and the Cibaeñas Eagles blanked the Licey Tigers, 5-0, on Sunday in action from the Dominican Winter League.

Figueroa (1-0) picked up his first win in a dazzling seven-inning outing in front of more than 20,000 hometown fans that included seven strikeouts. The Eagles tagged Licey starter Matt Wright for three runs in the opening frame in a contest that saw Cleveland Indians shortstop Johnny Peralta make his debut for Cibaeñas.

Felix Fermín’s squad improved to 17-13 with the win while league front-runner, Licey, fell to 19-12.

LEON 6, STARS 4

Dioris Hernández drove in a pair of runs and Carlos Gómez tripled and added an RBI to help lead fifth-place Escogido past Oriente at the Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo.

Edward Valdez (1-3) earned his first victory of the season while Japanese hurler Sougi Nagamine was charged with the setback.

BULLS 7, GIANTS 4

Rafael García tossed five strong innings and Este disposed of Cibao at Francisco Micheli Stadium.

The Bulls (18-12) got a solid performance from Garcia (3-1) who was dominant the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. Julio Mañón registered the last four outs to notch the save while Cibao starter Samuel Lacure was tagged with the loss.

Skipper Dean Theanor’s victorious squad was led at the plate by Douglas Deeds and Esteban Germán.

Tags: Dominican Republic