Kevin Alcántara’s Home Run Powers Licey Comeback Against Águilas

The Tigres del Licey rallied from an early setback to defeat the Águilas Cibaeñas 8-6 on Monday, November 9, at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo, extending their winning streak to three games in the 2026-27 Dominican winter baseball season.

Kevin Alcántara provided the decisive offensive contribution with his fourth home run of the campaign, a two-run drive that capped a four-run fifth inning and helped the capital-based team maintain its position among the league leaders.

Alcántara delivers the decisive blow

The outfielder connected against Águilas reliever Raúl Brito with two outs, sending a curveball an estimated 375 feet over the left-field wall, according to the Tigres’ official account. The home run brought home Cristhian Adames and extended Licey’s advantage to 7-3.

Alcántara, 24, raised his batting average to .321. Through 16 games, he had recorded 17 hits, four doubles, four home runs, 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 53 official at-bats.

The fourth homer also placed him alongside José Marmolejos at the top of the tournament’s home run standings at that point in the season.

Licey builds an early lead before Águilas respond

The Tigres took control in the opening innings. Sergio Alcántara scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first after reaching base on a single and taking advantage of a throwing error by Águilas starter Jhordany Mezquita.

Licey added two more runs in the second. Francisco Mejía drove in Kevin Alcántara with a double, then scored himself after advancing to third and taking advantage of a wild pitch. The home team led 3-0.

The Águilas began their comeback in the fourth inning, scoring twice against reliever Alexander Cornielle. Raynel Delgado delivered a run-scoring single, followed by another RBI hit from Dayan Frías that brought the visitors within one.

The Cibaeños tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth after an error by third baseman Ronny Mauricio allowed a runner to score. Licey responded immediately with its four-run rally, highlighted by Kevin Alcántara’s home run.

Dayan Frías keeps the game close

The Águilas refused to go quietly. In the sixth inning, Raynel Delgado and Eddys Leonard reached base before Dayan Frías cleared them with a triple, cutting Licey’s lead to 7-5.

Frías later scored on a groundout, bringing the visitors within one run at 7-6. He finished 2-for-4 with a triple, one run scored and three RBIs, while Delgado went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

Licey restored its two-run cushion in the bottom half of the inning. Yamal Encarnación singled to bring home Mel Rojas Jr., who had advanced into scoring position following a defensive error and a wild pitch.

Otañez earns the win as Mejía records another save

Michel Otañez (1-0) earned the victory after retiring all three batters he faced in the sixth inning. Erick Mejía (1-1) took the loss after allowing three hits and three earned runs while recording two outs in the sixth.

Jean Carlos Mejía closed the game for Licey, recording his sixth save of the season. The right-hander reached 28 career saves in Dominican professional baseball, tying Jesús Colomé, Alberto Reyes and Félix Rodríguez in that statistical category.

Luis Gil started for the Tigres and worked three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk. Jhordany Mezquita recorded only four outs for the Águilas, giving up four hits and three runs, one of them earned.

Licey remains tied for first place

The victory improved the Tigres to 13-6, leaving them tied with the Leones del Escogido for first place in the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). The Águilas fell to 6-12 and remained at the bottom of the standings after Monday’s games.

The result also brought the season series between the traditional rivals to a 2-2 tie. Licey retained a narrow advantage in their all-time head-to-head record, 503 wins to 501, according to the league.

The teams are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, November 11, at Estadio Cibao in Santiago, with the game set for 7:30 p.m.

For Licey, the latest win combined timely hitting with a strong finish from the bullpen. Alcántara’s home run supplied the turning point, while Otañez and Mejía helped preserve a result that keeps the Tigres in the race for the top position in the 2026-27 championship.