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2011 World Cup Final Stats

I was finally able to find the 2011 World Cup stats......better late than never I guess.
Taiwan’s Chen Chun-hsiu hits a home run against Japan during their Baseball World Cup Group A game in Panama City on Friday

........................Other than an eight-run outburst against Panama in their second game, Taiwan’s offense has scored only three runs in four games, well short of the lineup that averaged more than six runs per game in both the aforementioned tournaments.

“Facing tougher pitchers definitely has something to do with [poor hitting], but that does not explain how badly we’ve played lately; no discipline at the plate has really been the problem,” Taiwan skipper Chen Wei-cheng said after the game.

His troops have been fanned 21 times, while drawing only two walks in their last two games.

The lone bright spot of the game for Taiwan came in the top of the second when Chen Chun-hsiu (minor leaguer for the Cleveland Indians) led off the inning with a towering blast to left off Japan starter Naobumi Mitsuhashi to give his team a rare 1-0 lead. The run nipped a 14-inning scoreless streak for Taiwan, whose last run came in the third inning against the US on Wednesday..............

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Pena leads Licey offense with grand slam

Major League veteran goes deep for first time in five games

Dominican Winter League

Licey 10, Toros 9

Major League veteran Wily Mo Pena hit a grand slam in the first inning for the Tigres, going deep for the first time in five Winter League games as he increased his RBI total to seven. He belted seven long balls and drove in 15 runs in 39 games for the Mariners and D-backs this year. Teammate Juan Francisco (Reds) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, pushing his average to .333 through 23 contests. Braves outfielder Jose Constanza went 3-for-4 with three runs scored out of the leadoff spot for Este, while Rangers infielder Esteban German tallied two hits and scored twice.

Aguilas 4, Estrellas 0

After throwing six no-hit innings his last time out, former Major Leaguer Greg Smith allowed just four hits over six scoreless innings as he improved to 2-0. Former Ranger Joaquin Arias led the Cibaenas offense by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Orioles outfielder Felix Pie and D-backs farmhand Ed Rogers each recorded two hits for Oriente.
Wily Mo Pena launched seven homers and knocked in 15 runs in 39 Major League games in 2011. (Ben Margot/AP)

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 2, Ponce 0

Giants farmhand Johnny Monell plated what proved to be the winning run on a double in the ninth inning, then came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Royals prospect Rey Navarro. Criollos starter Joey Newby, who spent the 2011 season in the Dodgers system, allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings. Mexican Leaguer Eddy Ramos earned the win by tossing a perfect eighth, while Saul Rivera (Mexican League) pitched a scoreless ninth to tally his third save.

Mayaguez 6, Carolina 2

Former Major Leaguer Ruben Gotay went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two runs scored. Pirates farmhand Jeremy Farrell also contributed a solo shot, while former Mets outfielder Jesus Feliciano racked up three hits. Reliever Robert Manuel, who pitched in the Majors for Cincinnati and Boston, improved to 3-0 despite allowing one run on two hits in one inning.

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 7, Caracas 3

Hector Sanchez (Giants) and Jose Martinez (White sox) both recorded a pair of singles while driving in two runs. Nationals right-hander Shairon Martis allowed two hits in 3 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the win. Marwin Gonzalez (Cubs) went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run out of the leadoff spot for the Leones, raising his average to .357.

Lara 3, Magallanes 2

Former Major Leaguer Guillermo Quiroz recorded a single and two RBIs out of the No. 9 spot for the Cardenales. Luis Antonio Jimenez, a Mariners farmhand in 2011, went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, while Joe Thurston (Astros) also collected a pair of hits. Tigers prospect Argenis Diaz singled and drove in two for the Navegantes.

Gigantes 4, Escogido 1

Brewers prospect Wily Peralta allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings out of the bullpen to record his first win of the Winter Leagues. He fanned five without issuing a walk. Marlins Minor Leaguer Luke Montz doubled, singled and drove in one out of the cleanup spot for Cibao. Teammate Francisco Peguero (Giants) also recorded two hits.

Mexican Pacific League

Obregon 11, Hermosillo 3

Mexican Leaguer Barbaro Canizares collected three hits, including his ninth homer, and drove in three. Former Met Victor Diaz went deep for the eighth time, driving in two and scoring twice. Humberto Cota went yard for the Naranjeros, plating two of their three runs.

Mexicali 6, Mazatlan 5

Angels Minor Leaguer Gil Velazquez came through with a two-run, walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Aguilas the win. Teammate and Mexican Leaguer Issmael Salas homered, singled twice and drove in two, as did the Venados' Oswaldo Morejon. Minor League veteran Jon Weber also knocked in a pair, while Andrew Romine (Angels) scored twice.

Culiacan 4, Guasave 3

Mexican Leaguer Amaury Cazana hit a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the 12th. He also singled earlier in the game and scored three times. Teammates Maxwell Leon (Mexican League) and Jorge Vazquez also tallied two hits apiece. Marshall McDougall (Mexican League) went yard for Algodoneros, driving in three.

Navojoa 4, Mochis 3

Amadeo Zazueta (Rangers) smacked a pinch-hit, walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th to snap an 0-for-10 streak. Teammate Matt Young (Tigers) hit a two-run homer in the fifth. Mexican Leaguer Ramon Orantes went 3-for-5 with two RBIs for the Caneros, raising his average to .330.

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Dominican Republic Winter League

•Jerad Head (RF-1B, Tigres del Licey): 0-for-4, K. After two consecutive multi-hit games Head came up empty with an 0-for-4 effort last night. In his last 10 games he is hitting just .225/.238/.400.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 0-for-3, 1 BB. At least Valbuena is being consistent this fall in that he is not hitting but is getting on base via the walk. He is now down to .237 with the batting average, but thanks to his 19 walks which ranks 5th in the league he has a good .366 on-base percentage.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-4, K. Carrera’s numbers have steadily declined since a very hot start, but he is still hitting .300/.357/.483 in 15 games this fall.

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Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011

Big effort:

Fukuoka Softbank veteran Hitoshi Tamura (6), who had a fourth-inning home run among his three hits on Tuesday, gave the host Dragons trouble, for those on the field or watching in the dugout, throughout Game 3 of the Japan Series. KYODO

Hawks show mettle with Game 3 win

By JASON COSKREY Staff writer

NAGOYA —

After losses in the first two games of the Japan Series, Fukuoka Softbank Hawks captain Hiroki Kokubo told reporters, "we're not dead yet."

Tadashi Settsu

Kokubo was proven right when Hitoshi Tamura's bat finally sprang back to life.

Tamura broke out of a postseason slump with a two-run home run, and Tadashi Settsu gave the Hawks a solid start on the mound in a 4-2 win over the Chunichi Dragons in Game 3 of the Japan Series on Tuesday at Nagoya Dome.

"It's a relief to finally get a win, especially on the road," Hawks manager Koji Akiyama said. "This gives us confidence we can win here, and I think the momentum has shifted to our side."

The Dragons still lead the series 2-1. With Softbank's win, the road team has won all three games.

"I don't think we played badly tonight, and we still hold a two-games-to-one lead in the series," Dragons manager Hiromitsu Ochiai said. "I'm not worried. We're OK and we'll be back tomorrow."

Tamura was 3-for-4 with two RBIs after entering the contest with just three hits in the entire postseason.

"I felt really good tonight in the batter's box, very comfortable," Tamura said.

He recorded hits in his first three trips to the plate before striking out in his final at-bat.

"Today I just tried to set the table for the next batters," Tamura said. "Everybody was moving well, that gives us momentum."

Tamura wasn't the only one who righted the ship. Catcher Toru Hosokawa was 3-for-4 with a solo homer, while Kokubo finished 2-for-4. Nobuhiro Matsuda only managed one hit, but it was an RBI single in the first that gave the Hawks an early lead.

Softbank ended the game with 12 hits after recording 12 over the first two games.

"We couldn't come up with hits (in the first two games)," Kokubo said. "Honestly, I'm surprised. I think we surprised everyone."

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Dragons catcher Motonobu Tanishige, who went 0-for-3 to fall to 0-for-30 this postseason. Hirokazu Ibata and Masahiro Araki drove in runs for the Dragons, who were held to four hits.

Chunichi had trouble mounting a sustained attack against Settsu, who threw seven innings of one-run ball for the win.

Settsu allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked two. He took a one-hitter into the sixth before giving up three consecutive hits, including Ibata's RBI single.

Timely hit:

The Hawks' Nobuhiro Matsuda strokes a first-inning RBI single to center field in Game 3 of the Japan Series on Tuesday at Nagoya Dome. Fukuoka Softbank defeated the Chunichi Dragons 4-2. KYODO

"I knew if we didn't win today, we would be in a pickle," Settsu said. "So I just tried my best to keep us in the game and give us a chance to win."

Relievers Takehito Kanazawa and Masahiko Morifuku combined to work the eighth, and Brian Falkenborg pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

The Hawks' normal closer, Takahiro Mahara, who gave up go-ahead runs in the 10th inning in each of the first two games, did not pitch.

Dragons starter Maximo Nelson took the loss, allowing three runs — two earned — on nine hits over 5⅔ innings. He struck out seven and walked one but struggled with control issues.

"My pitches didn't run at all today," Nelson said. "My control wasn't good either. I entered the game with a mind-set to have a good performance, but it ended up being a regrettable outing."

He issued a one-out walk to Yuichi Honda in the first, and later saw the inning extended by an error charged to third baseman Masahiko Morino. The mistake proved costly as Matsuda hit a two-out single to center that drove in Honda.

"It was a relief," Matsuda said. "We wanted to get on the board first by any means."

Softbank center fielder Yuya Hasegawa led off the fourth with an infield hit, and Tamura added to the lead with his homer to left.

"I wasn't going to hesitate to swing if the pitch was hittable," Tamura said. "The ball flew so well, it actually surprised me. I think it was a perfect shot."

Chunichi pulled a run back on Ibata's hit in the sixth, but Hosokawa went deep in the eighth to make the score 4-1.

An error on Hawks first baseman Kenji Akashi allowed Atsushi Fujii to reach third to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Araki drove him in with a sacrifice fly.

Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday at Nagoya Dome.

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THE CLAXTON SHIELD

The Claxton Shield was the name of the premier baseball competition in Australia held between state-based teams, as well as the name of the trophy awarded to the champion team. From the summer of 1989–1990 until 2001–02, and again since 2010–11, the tournament was replaced by Australian Baseball League. The Claxton Shield, the physical trophy has remained the award for the winning teams. Though city-based teams have competed for the Claxton Shield in some seasons, the name engraved on the shield is that of the winning state.
Andrew Campbell #17
2B
Status: Active
Brisbane Bandits
Australian Baseball League
U.S. Affiliate: Cleveland Indians
Born: 18/02/1992, Age 19
Birthplace: Ipswich, Australia
Height: 183
Weight: 70
Bats: L
Throws: R
The Australian Baseball League got off the ground last week. Andrew Campbell, age 19, is affiliated with the Cleveland Indians and had his first pro season under his belt this summer playing in the Arizona League. Campbell is one of the younger players playing in the Australian Baseball League. More on Campbell later.

Experienced youngster Andrew Campbell is preparing for Queensland’s defence of its national under-18 title from next week in Geelong.

Young veteran set for mission

Jay Buchan | 1st January 2010

Andrew Campbell must learn to embrace his own split personalities. Representing Queensland in the national senior baseball competition, the Claxton Shield, Ipswich 17-year-old Campbell’s role has been to watch and learn as much as play. Yet, with the Queensland under-18s, who defend their national title in Geelong next week, he is considered a leader. Campbell has a big role to play in ensuring Queensland plays to its potential. Not just as short stop and possibly the lead off or number three hitter, but as one of the team’s most experienced players. He is one of only two in the team with Claxton Shield representation under his belt.

“They have picked a leadership team and I am one of the leaders,” Campbell explained yesterday from his family holiday at Rainbow Bay. “I just feel I’ve got some responsibility to look after the young guys and perform better.” The pressure is on.

While his selection for Queensland in the Claxton Shield this summer came as a welcome surprise, Campbell has been disappointed to learn he will not travel this year to the US where he is under contract with the Cleveland Indians. With the Indians falling on hard times, they have reduced the number of players they will bring to the US, meaning Campbell will probably have to wait until 2011.

“I was looking forward to it heaps,” he said. “I’m disappointed but it’s alright.”

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Andrew Campbell is heading to the Australian Baseball Academy.

Pride on the line for Muskets

Jay Buchan | 5th March 2010

Tonight marks the final weekend of the Brisbane Major League. Ipswich’s Musketeers are out of finals reckoning but there is still local pride on the line when they meet Wests at Tivoli tonight and Darra on Sunday. Wests sit one place above the Musketeers in the fourth and final play-off position. Even two wins for the Musketeers will not dislodge their opponents from the top four but it would affect their title aspirations.

“We still want to win because it’s Wests and we haven’t had a very good run against them,” Musketeers shortstop Andrew Campbell said.

It has been a season of mixed fortunes for Campbell. He has been one of the Musketeers’ best in their underperforming season and made his Queensland Claxton Shield debut this summer. While some of his team-mates look forward to a leisurely off-season, Campbell will prepare to attend the Australian Baseball Academy at the Gold Coast in May.

With a new Australian professional league starting next summer, he is determined to be part of it. Playing for Queensland this summer has him confident he can do it and more. “Playing in the bigger competition has made me more confident I can get to the US,” Campbell said. “It has made me feel more experienced. “I’m not a junior anymore.”

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Andrew Campbell

Ipswich player's historic feat

Jay Buchan | 6th August 2010

Andrew Campbell returned home this week having been to places no other Australian had gone before. Campbell was part of the Australian under-19 team that won a silver medal at the world junior baseball championships in Thunder Bay, Canada. “We were always going to try to get into the medal round,” the Yamanto-based player said. “But we never expected to get silver. “The best the Aussies have done before is fourth so it was a history-making achievement.”

There was disappointment however, that Australia couldn’t get past Chinese Taipei in the final. “We probably played our worst game in the final,” Campbell said. “Against Cuba and Korea we played errorless games. Against Chinese Taipei we made four errors. “If you make no errors you usually win.” So while they left with silver, Campbell and his team-mates felt they had proven they were a match for anyone. “I reckon we beat the two best teams in Cuba and Korea,” he said.

Campbell excelled throughout the tournament. Campbell now turns his attention to the upcoming domestic season where he hopes to be part of the Brisbane team in the new national competition.
After making his Claxton Shield debut for Queensland and impressing last summer, chances are he will. It could mean less time to dedicate to the Ipswich Musketeers but Campbell hopes to be playing for his home team as much as possible. “I’ll try to do both,” he said.

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Brisbane Bandits aiming for win

Jay Buchan And Chris Garry | 11th November 2011
The Brisbane Bandits will look to Ipswich’s Josh Roberts to lead the way when they begin their new Australian Baseball League campaign against Canberra.

IPSWICH’S two leading baseballers hope it is third time lucky for a national professional baseball league in Australia. The Brisbane Bandits, featuring Ipswich Musketeers Andrew Campbell and Josh Roberts, open their Australian Baseball League (ABL) season against the Perth Heat at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds tonight. Although Andrew Campbell is in the Bandits squad he has not been selected for the trip to Canberra. "I think he'll get plenty of opportunities," Roberts said. "He's just got to bide his time. "He's only 19."

Roberts expects to play right field this year while Campbell will play second base or short stop. Campbell has already proven that this new league will be great for Australia’s baseball fraternity.
The strong hitter has signed a deal with the Cleveland Indians in the Major Baseball League and will head to the USA once this ABL season finishes. “I think the MLB involvement is huge for the sport here,” Campbell said. “I was going to go to America a couple of years ago but it didn’t quite work out so I’m going to enjoy this season with the Bandits and then see if I can make an impact over there. “I love the game and I was never interested in playing cricket or anything,” Campbell said.

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ANDREW CAMPBELL

Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (DH, Brisbane Bandits): 1-for-3, 2B. The Australian Baseball League kicked off play a week ago and the Indians have one player in their farm system playing out there….Andrew Campbell. The 19-year old infielder is not a well known prospect as he has been in the Indians organization for almost 3 years since being signed in December of 2008, but he finally got a chance to play stateside this year at rookie level Arizona and played in 29 games and hit .265/.363/.306.

Here are the uninteresting stats for Andrew Campbell in Arizona this summer:

Impossible to line them up. Just know he hit 265, with 2 doubles and a triple in 113 plate appearances, walked 13 times and stole 5 bases in 7 tries.

As one of the articles indicated, the Indians fell upon some hard times when they drafted him. As a result, Campbell lost two years of development because the organization failed to bring him to the USA when they drafted him. It will be interesting to see how he fairs in the Australian League playing against competition that's a lot older.

I'm not making any evaluations or predictions, just posting what's going on during the off-season.

Caracas Lions fire their manager the American Tim Teufel

Valencia

(Danny Valdiviezo) .-

On policy differences, the Caracas Lions manager Tim Teufel was fired due to poor performance of the team in recent days. The position was filled by the new manager of the team, Carlos Lezcano, as it is assumed that he will have the opportunity to rescue the team for the remainder of the campaign. Caracas has a record of 12 wins and 16 lost, and is 5 games out of first place.

In winterball, some of these teams have short leashes on their managers and their players especially the teams who are expected to win. In winter ball Venezuela, Caracas and Magallanes are two team that are expected to win much like the Yankees or the Red Sox in the USA. In the Dominican, its the Aguilas and the Licey Tigers.

These teams play regular season baseball for only three month. There is a lot of emphasis on winning early because the regular season is so short. The playoffs are in January. The Caribbean series starts the first week in February.

The month of January is a playoff month. Teams will drop players along the way during the regular season who are not performing and will replace them as soon as possible in an attempt to keep upgrading. During the regular season, its a revolving door of players with teams trying to get the advantage on the competition. Rosters are normally squared away by the beginning of January.

During the playoffs, teams may be eliminated but the players could move on. Teams that keep advancing can choose up to five players from the teams that have been eliminated thus strengthening the teams that move on. The process repeats itself each time teams are eliminated. The advancing teams keep stacking the deck. By the time the Caribbean series rolls along, the champions from Mexico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico are represented by the best players these teams can offer.

The methods of choosing players from teams that have been eliminated is similar to a lottery with teams having the best records choosing first. Most teams will only choose one or two players electing to keep as much of their rosters in tact as much as possible. The weaker teams may choose more players if that's their wish. The methods used are basically a ploy to keep the playoff competitive.

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Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011

Hawks beat Dragons, extend series to at least six games

By JASON COSKREY Staff writer

NAGOYA —

The Japan Series has gone from a best-of-seven to a best-of-three.
Job duty:

Hawks starter D.J. Houlton fires a pitch in Game 4 of the Japan Series on Wednesday at Nagoya Dome. Fukuoka Sofbank beat the Chunichi Dragons 2-1.

Hiroki Kokubo's RBI single in the first inning and reliever Masahiko Morifuku's Herculean effort in the sixth helped the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks hold off the Chunichi Dragons for a 2-1 victory in Game 4 of the Japan Series on Wednesday at Nagoya Dome.

"This was a really tough game," Hawks manager Koji Akiyama said. "We had just enough to get by and hang on for the win."

Softbank's win evens the series at 2-2 and means the teams will play a sixth game on Saturday in Fukuoka. The silver lining for Chunichi is that the road team has wonevery game thus far.

"We lost again tonight, but the series is still tied at two games apiece," Dragons manager Hiromitsu Ochiai said. "We'll be OK and will try to get the last two wins needed for the championship.

Hawks starter D.J. Houlton began the sixth with a 2-1 lead, but gave up a single to Masahiko Morino and a double to Tony Blanco before walking Kazuhiro Wada to load the bases with none out.

The left-handed Morifuku was brought in to pitch and Ochiai sent in righty Masaaki Koike to pinch hit for the left-handed hitting Kei Nomoto. The move put three consecutive right-handed hitters in Morifuku's path.

"I knew it was a tight jam, but I had the confidence I could get us out of it," Morifuku said. "I followed (catcher Toru) Hosokawa's lead and just threw the pitches he called. I felt a lot better after getting the first out on a strikeout."

Morifuku responded to the challenge by striking out Koike. He gave up a flyball to shallow left against the next batter, Ryosuke Hirata, but Seiichi Uchikawa made the catch after a long run to hold the runners. Morifuku then retired Motonobu Tanishige to end the threat.

"I had a lot of confidence in Morifuku, that he could get us out of the bases-load, no-out situation," Akiyama said. "He was brilliant."

The Hawks lefty remained in the game and threw a scoreless seventh.
Reason to smile:

The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks beat the Chunichi Dragons for the second straight day, winning 2-1 on Wednesday at Nagoya Dome. KYODO PHOTO

Houlton, working on 28 days' rest after not pitching in the Climax Series, earned the win in his first Japan Series appearance. He threw five-plus innings, allowing one run on five hits. Houlton walked five, possibly a byproduct of the long layoff, and struck out two.

Dragons starter Yudai Kawai was charged with the loss after allowing two runs — one earned — on five hits.

He found himself in trouble early on, giving up a hit to Munenori Kawasaki to start the game. Kawasaki went to third on a one-out hit by Uchikawa. Kokubo followed with an RBI single to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

"We wanted to take advantage of the momentum from yesterday and get on the board first," Kokubo said. "I'm happy we were able to turn our first chance into a run."

A ground ball hit by Nobuhiro Matsuda should've ended the inning, but shortstop Masahiro Araki threw the ball away trying to complete the double play, which allowed another run to score.

Hirata singled to lead off the fifth and advanced on Tanishige's sacrifice bunt. Pinch hitter Takahiro Saeki drew a walk to put runners on first and second.

Araki atoned for his earlier mistake with an RBI single to make the score 2-1. Hirokazu Ibata worked the count to 3-2 before striking out looking as Hosokawa threw out Hirata, who was running on the play, at third to end the threat.

"I stepped to the plate thinking of setting the table for the following batters," Araki said. "We ended up scoring one run as a result, so I was relieved."

Game 5 is schedule for Thursday in Nagoya.

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RONEROS SE DESPRENDEN DE LOS DIABLICOS
Japanese Toru Murata, Roneros starter won the victory, while Jose Monegro, the first of six pitchers for the Devils took the loss.

Collectively the Roneros connected 9 hits on offense. Blake Smith, had three hits, including two doubles scored a run and drove in another.

Also contributing to the triumph for the Roneros was Xavier Quiroz, who collected two hits including a homer and drove in two runs and Buck Britton hit a triple and scored two runs.

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What a difference a game makes!

Paolo got bombed in his debut last week but bounces back with a gem this week.

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Tiburones' Espino dominates for first win

Indians farmhand surrenders one hit over six scoreless frames

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 13, Magallanes 2

Right-handed Indians prospect Paolo Espino took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a leadoff double for the Tiburones. Espino also struck out four and walked one over six shutout innings to earn his first win. Eduardo Escobar (White Sox) went yard and scored twice while Luis Rodriguez (Mariners) slugged a solo homer. Royals prospect Mario Lisson hit a two-run blast for the Navegantes.

Lara 7, Margarita 0

Veteran infielder Jose Lopez (Marlins) was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for the Cardenales. Astros farmhand Joe Thurston reached base three times and scored a pair of runs while Mariners prospect Johan Limonta tripled and drove in a run. Eric Young (Rockies) singled to extend his hitting streak to five games for the Bravos.
Paolo Espino was 8-1 with a 2.77 ERA in 34 Minor League outings in 2011. (Will Bentzel/MiLB.com)

Zulia 5, Anzoategui 2

Cubs prospect Austin Bibens-Dirkx improved to 3-2 after allowing a run on four hits while striking out four over 5 1/3 innings for the Aguilas. Ernesto Mejia (Braves) doubled home three runs and Blue Jays prospect Darin Mastroianni was 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Mike Wilson (Mariners) slugged a solo homer for the Caribes.

Aragua 3, Caracas 1

Thad Weber (Tigers) allowed two hits and fanned three over five shutout innings, but didn't factor into the decision for the Leones. Veteran Minor Leaguer Vinny Rottino reached base twice and drove in a run and Yohan Pino tossed two perfect innings of relief to notch his first save for the Tigres, winners of eight straight games.

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 3, Cibaenas 2

Brandon Belt (Giants) smacked a solo homer and a double for the Leones. Royals catcher Brayan Pena went yard and Kansas City's Everett Teaford struck out six and allowed a run over six innings. Dodgers farmhand Elian Herrera was 1-for-3 with an RBI in the losing effort.

Oriente 1, Licey 0

Veteran Major Leaguer Ramon Ortiz tossed four no-hit innings and former Major Leaguer Francisco Rosario took the bid into the seventh before allowing a two-out single. Brad Davis (Marlins) drove in the game's only run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Manauris Baez (Royals) struck out seven and allowed three hits over six scoreless innings for the Tigres.

Este 1, Cibao 0 (11 innings)

Pirates prospect Matt Hague had two hits, including a walk-off double, for the Toros. Fernando Abad (Astros) struck out five over five scoreless innings and Braves farmhand Jose Constanza reached base twice and scored the winning run. Brewers prospect Erick Almonte singled twice to raise his average to .326 for the Gigantes.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 9, Mayaguez 3

Former big leaguer Edgard Clemente slugged a three-run homer to pace the Criollos. Twins farmhand Aaron Bates was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored while 13-time Gold Glove catcher Ivan Rodriguez had two hits and drove in a run. Jesus Feliciano (Mets) slugged a solo homer for the Indios.

Ponce 5, Carolina 2

Twins prospect Angel Morales slugged a two-run homer and scored twice to pace the Leones. No. 3 Reds prospect Billy Hamilton had two hits and drove in two runs, while former Major Leaguer Juan Padilla improved to 3-0 after allowing two hits over two scoreless innings. Mariners farmhand Daniel Carroll slugged a solo homer for the Gigantes.

Mexican Pacific League

Culiacan 8, Guasave 3

Yankees farmhand Jorge Vazquez was 4-for-5 with two homers and three RBIs for the first-place Tomateros. Veteran shortstop Luis Cruz homered and drove in three runs and Tyler Graham also went yard. Veteran Mexican Leaguer Jose Rodriguez slugged a three-run homer for the Algodoneros.

Navojoa 2, Mochis 1 (10 innings)

Former Southern League All-Star Steve Moss hit a solo homer for the Mayos. Tigers farmhand Matt Young had two hits to extend his hitting streak to four games while former Reds Minor Leaguer Rolando Acosta was 2-for-5 with a run scored. Cardinals prospect Jermaine Curtis was 1-for-3 and is batting .350 for the Caneros.

Obregon 16, Hermosillo 8

Veteran infielder Alfredo Amezaga was 3-for-5 with two homers, four RBIs and three runs scored for the Yaquis. Former Braves farmhand Barbaro Canizares homered twice and fell a triple shy of the cycle and Victor Diaz went yard. Cardinals prospect Mark Hamilton reached base three times and scored twice for the Naranjeros.

Mexicali 12, Mazatlan 5

Former Major Leaguer Jorge Campillo earned his fourth win after allowing two runs on two hits over five innings for the Aguilas, who have won five straight. Former Dodgers prospect Roman Pena drove in two and Issmael Salas slugged a three-run homer and scored twice. Former Angels farmhand Jose Orozco homered and scored three times for the Venados.

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Dominican Republic Winter League

•Jerad Head (1B, Tigres del Licey): 0-for-4, 2 K. Head has mostly played right field for his Licey team, but has played some first base. His ability to play almost any position on the field is his greatest asset.

Puerto Rico Winter League

•Giovanni Soto (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 K. Soto gave up a walk and hit to the three batters he faced, and one of them ended up coming around to score. That run was the first he has allowed in 4 outing this fall (4.0 innings).

Venezuelan Winter League

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 0-for-3. Carrera is now just 4-for-21 in his last 7 games, though in 16 games this fall he is still hitting a healthy .286/.342/.460.

•Paolo Espino (SP, Tiburones de la Guaira): 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Espino’s second start this fall, and a complete 180 from his first start when he went 2.0 innings and allowed 6 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk. Assuming he is not rostered tomorrow by the Indians he could be pitching for scouts for other teams as a possible Rule 5 draft pick.

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 1-for-4, 2B, RBI. Valbuena continues to have a ho-hum fall and has not done anything in Venezuela or in the big leagues this year to warrant keeping him around with the Indians for much longer.

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Nationals won't rush Ramos back to action

In light of abduction, catcher will stay sidelined until next week

WASHINGTON --

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos is not expected to play for Tigres de Aragua of the Venezuelan Winter League until next week, his PR person, Marfa Mata, said on Twitter.

Ramos' return to the field will come two weeks after he was kidnapped in the suburban neighborhood of Santa Ines in Venezuela. As many as 11 people have been arrested in connection with the abduction of Ramos, who was rescued two days after his capture.

"It's going to be interesting to see him back there," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told MLB Network. "I'm sure he is going to be happy to be back doing what he loves doing."

Rizzo didn't rule out Ramos taking an early physical exam in Washington, D.C., after winter ball comes to an end.

"We want him to take a full physical and see where we are at," Rizzo told ESPN 980 AM. "We are going to get him in here as soon as we can. To do that, we'll sit here, discuss it and have him talk to a few people that are fully equipped to talk to people in these types of situations, because it was a high-stress environment. We want to make sure that he is physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to handle it and deal with it."

Ramos is expected to be an integral part of the Nationals for years to come. In 2011, his first full big league season, Ramos became Washington's everyday starter behind the plate, hitting .267 with 15 home runs -- a Nats record for a backstop -- and 52 RBIs.

Ramos finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year Award voting, which was announced on Monday afternoon.

"Wilson deserved to be No. 4," teammate Danny Espinosa said. "To hit as well as he did in a prime defensive position, I think he had an awesome year."