Photo by Ed Delany, MMN
Liga de Beisbol Profesional de la Republica Dominicana (LIDOM)
Leones del Escogido 3, Gigantes del Cibao 1
In his fourth season as a member of the Leones, Mets right handed pitcher Franklyn Kilome finally secured his first victory in the league. Kilome had previously made six starts in the LIDOM during the 2017-2018 season, losing four of them with two no-decisions. He was slated to be a full-time member of the team’s rotation the following year but ended up missing both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons after sustaining a UCL injury during pre-season camp that October.
Kilome entered the game in the top of the fifth inning and retired five of the seven batters he faced during inning and two-thirds of work despite rainy conditions. He generated three fly-outs, two ground-outs, while allowing a single up the middle to Carlos Paulino and a full-count walk to Texas Rangers first baseman Ronald Guzman. Velocity readings were not available but Kilome did end up throwing a total of twenty-six pitches of which fourteen were for strikes.
Estrellas Orientales 2, Aguilas Cibaenas 1
After an excellent opening day appearance, second baseman Robel Garcia had his second rough night in a row at the plate for the Aguilas with a 0-for-4 day at the plate with three strikeouts. Former Met, Nabil Crismatt dominated during his five innings of work allowing no runs on four hits while striking out four earning the win for the Estrellas. Another former Met, Matt Pobereyko, also tossed a scoreless inning of work with two strikeouts getting his first hold of the season in support of Crismatt.
Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP)
Charros de Jalisco 12, Venados de Mazatlan 10
Making his first appearance since being deactivated on October 27th, right-handed starter Francisco Rios struggled with his command allowing five runs to score on four hits, two walks, and a wild pitch in only an inning and two-thirds of work.
Algodoneros de Guasave 5, Caneros de Los Mochis 3
Before the game, the Caneros announced that Cardinals catcher and opening day starter, Carlos Soto, was being deactivated by the team retroactive to November 6th which was the date the LMP temporarily shut down due to COVID-19 spread. This opens up more playing time for Mets minor league catcher Juan Uriarte who had been getting consistent playing time earlier in the LMP season when Soto sustained an injury that kept him out of action for almost two weeks.
Against the Algodoneros last night, Uriarte went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Defensively, he allowed one stolen base and threw out another. In his fifth year with the club so far, Uriarte is producing a career best .280 AVG/.753 OPS with one home run and four runs batted in.
