Jorge Bonifacio’s Triple Delivers Águilas’ 500th Win Over Licey
Jorge Bonifacio's three-run triple helped Águilas Cibaeñas beat Tigres del Licey 9-5 on October 25, securing their 500th head-to-head win.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 1 min read 
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Jorge Bonifacio cleared the bases with a seventh-inning triple as Águilas Cibaeñas beat Tigres del Licey 9-5 on Sunday, October 25, earning their 500th head-to-head victory in one of Dominican winter baseball’s defining rivalries.
The milestone came at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal, where Águilas erased a 2-0 deficit and split the teams’ first two meetings of the 2026-27 LIDOM season. Licey still leads the all-time series 502-500, according to the league’s official account.
Bonifacio puts the game beyond Licey’s reach
For five innings, Licey starter Albert Abreu controlled the game, allowing one hit and striking out eight while protecting a two-run lead. Águilas finally broke through against the bullpen in the sixth.
Raynel Delgado’s two-run single pushed Águilas ahead 3-2, and Christopher Morel followed with another run-scoring hit. The four-run inning turned a quiet afternoon into a comeback, but Bonifacio delivered the decisive blow one inning later.
With the bases loaded in the seventh, the 33-year-old outfielder drove a triple into right field to bring home three runs and extend the lead to 7-2. Licey trimmed the deficit to two by the eighth, but Águilas added two insurance runs in the ninth to secure the 9-5 final.
Bonifacio finished with three RBIs and a run scored. His early-season line stands at .462 with two home runs and seven RBIs through six games, according to LIDOM.
A historic rivalry, even with Águilas still chasing form
Águilas starter Jhordany Mezquita allowed two runs in four innings, and Raúl Brito earned the win in relief. For Licey, Gustavo Núñez went 5-for-5, while Jesús Madé drove in three runs.
The result gave Águilas only their second win in seven games, leaving them at 2-5 despite the rivalry milestone. Licey fell to 5-3. The victory does not erase Águilas’ uneven start, but it gives the club a meaningful result against its oldest rival — and a round-number landmark in a series dating back to 1951.
Águilas are scheduled to host Estrellas Orientales on Monday, October 26, in a makeup game at Estadio Cibao.
