Although he did not factor in the decision Odrisamer Despaigne tossed 5⅔ innings of five-hit, two-run ball to do his part in the Toros del Este’s 3-2 win over the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League Finals. The Cuban right-hander also fanned seven and the series is now 2-1 in favor of the Leones.
Cuban-American Jimmy Yacabonis also got in on the action for the Toros by closing out the sixth inning. In ⅓ of an inning of work the hurler allowed a hit by no runs in his outing. The righty now sports a 3.18 run average in the championship series.
In México Orlando Martínez belted a three-run third inning homerun in three trips to the plate, his second of the playoffs during Culiacán’s 8-6 loss to Jalisco. Martínez hit .296 for the series, but Jalisco swept the Tomateros to crown themselves champions of the Liga ARCO. Both teams will compete in the upcoming Serie del Caribe in Jalisco. For the Charros it is their fourth league title in the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico.