Rays' Caminero hits epic go-ahead homer in Dominican Winter League Game 7 win

Tie ballgame, ninth inning, Game 7. It's an opportunity kids dream about growing up. And for Junior Caminero on Monday night, the moment matched the fantasy.

As Caminero's Leones des Escogido matched up with Tigres de Licey in Game 7 of the LIDOM championship — the preeminent winter league in the Dominican Republic — the 21-year-old provided an epic swing and perhaps an even better celebration that proved to be the difference in a 6-5 win.

Facing off against former major leaguer Jairo Asencio in the top of the ninth, Caminero launched a 1-0 sinker 454 feet over the towering wall and off the scoreboard in centre field to give Escogido the lead.

As the ball bounced back onto the field, Caminero and his teammates engaged in one of the most electric home run trots of all time, with the third baseman taking almost a full minute to round the bases.

Licey was pushing for a three-peat in the series, and used an epic Game 6 comeback to force a Game 7, but Houston Astros reliever Rafael Montero was able to escape a jam in the bottom of the ninth to seal the title for Escogido.

Caminero's homer wasn't the only time in the game that he tested the wall in dead-centre, as earlier in the contest, he demolished a 442-foot double that hit just below the yellow line. He ended the championship-clinching game by going 4-for-5 with three extra-base hits and three runs scored.

The burgeoning Tampa Bay Rays star could be one of MLB's breakout stars in 2025, if his LIDOM performance is any indication. Entering Monday, Caminero was 49-for-117 (.418) with 13 doubles, three triples, four homers and 24 RBIs across 31 regular- and post-season games.

Joining Caminero and Montero on the championship-winning Escogido squad were manager Albert Pujols, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Steward Berroa, Game 7 starter Johnny Cueto — wearing No. 100 — and longtime big leaguer Jean Segura.

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