It took a while, much longer than the Dominican Republic faithful expected, but the result did not disappoint. Team DR blew out Nicaragua 13-6. What was thought to be a home game for Team DR turned into a competitive contest on the field for 5 innings and off the field as well. The fanbase for Team Nicaragua was as surprising as the early lead that the ball club got off to. Nicaragua knocked around a lackluster Christopher Sanchez. They touched him for 6 hits and 3 runs in 1.1 Innings of work. The game was tied until the Rays’ young phenom Junior Caminero hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 6th. The floodgates really opened in the bottom of the 8th when Team DR scored 6 runs, powered by a Julio Rodriguez’s (Mariners) homer and Oneil Cruz’s (Pirates), homer that reached the upper deck of the right field stands. While there were some tense early moments, once the party started on the field, it caught up with the party happening all over Loan Depot Park.
DR Captain Manny Machado flashed some vintage leather that will add to his Hall of Fame resume.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE PARTY (AND THE VIBES)
Two hours before the game in the Fan Zone outside the stadium, the Dominican and the Nigarugan fans were partying, dancing, drinking, and chanting. There was live music and flags, and whistles, you name it, it was going down. And it’s a vibe! If there was a surprise, it was how the Nigarugan fans equaled the Dominican fans at every turn. They are LOUD. They were dressed to the nines. They are OUTSIDE at every turn. It only felt like a home game after the Caminero homer. Until then, it was even money, even though there were more DR fans in the sold-out park. The final attendance was 35,127. A true sellout, and every one of them was partying.
Tonight’s game presented the best baseball environment I’ve ever seen in over 45 years of watching baseball live.
The game was beautiful, but it wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t jazz, nor was it a symphony. It felt like hip-hop, but more of the Public Enemy style, with Hank Shockley sampling just about everything to make it dope. I know this sounds stereotypical, but Reggaeton is fitting for tonight’s game.
See you tomorrow, MIA. You owe me nothing.
