<

Panama

It's Over

The Roneros had to finish out a tense 9th inning. The Diablos had two on and one out but failed to score. The Roneros win a tight one 4-3 and take a 2 games to none lead on the Diablos. Some excellent relief work saves Steve Wright from picking up a loss in this one. I'm guessing that Danny Salazar gets the next start on Friday night.

Post game interview with the Roneros manager Einar Diaz. After all these years, Einar still looks the same. A little chunkier maybe but still looking good.

<

Venezuela

It's all over in Caracas. The Leones go on to defeat Aragua 5-1. Asdrubal ended up going 3-4 with a double and 3 runs scored. Nice debut, y'a think?

<

Dominican

Aguilas Cibaenas .-

It is reported that Johnny Cueto is seeking permission from the Cincinnati Reds to start pitching for the Aguilas. Fausto Carmona is scheduled to debut on December 15th. The Licey Tigers are expecting Ubaldo Jimenez and Erwin Santana. The two arch rivals are gearing up for a season ending run and a meeting in the playoffs. Should be fun.

<

Dominican

Estrellas:

Argenis Reyes has been the hot both with the bat and glove. He has hit in nine of the last ten games, had at least two hits in three of the last four games.

Cabrera Leads Lions in the win over Tigers

Leones with two straight wins in the ninth week of competition remains in seventh place and within three games of qualifying for the playoffs.

A. Cabrera made his debut with the trio of hits and a run scored.

Thursday December 8, 2011 12:12 AM

Caracas .-
Caracas Lions played their game number 46 of the campaign and managed to realize victory number 20 against theTigres de Aragua, by a score of 5 runs for 1. The start of the game was delayed a half hour due to bad conditions on the ground caused by heavy rainfall that occurred in the city of Caracas. The Silver Bat American Leaguer, Asdrubal Cabrera, made his first appearance of the season with a performance at the plate almost perfect 3-4 and 3 runs scored. The Lions managed to bunch three-runs in the first inning, which allowed them to overtake the Bengalis who in the inning led by a run. Lasting Milledge, said goodbye to the Lions but before leaving was 1-4 with a strikeout. Jay Jackson (3-1), had a good job on the mound and got the victory while the defeat is credited to Scot Drucker (4-2).

<

Japan

TOKYO, Dec. 6 (21:52) Kyodo

The Seibu Lions will officially accept the posting bid for
shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima on Wednesday morning, the Pacific League
team announced Tuesday.

The Lions have not divulged the posting fee, but had indicated
that they were prepared to accept. Major League Baseball said at
least one club bid for the sweet-hitting Seibu captain.

The San Francisco Giants reportedly made a bid, and the New York
Mets, who will have a vacancy at shortstop after Jose Reyes agreed to
a deal with the Florida Marlins, have also been mentioned as a
possible destination for the 29-year-old Nakajima.

The bid winner has 30 days to work out a deal with Nakajima, who
batted .297 with 16 homers and 100 RBIs this season.


Yankees win bid to negotiate with Nakajima

TOKYO, Dec. 7 Kyodo

The New York Yankees have won the rights to negotiate with
Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, who was posted by the Seibu
Lions after playing 10 years for the Pacific League club, an article
on the official Major League Baseball website said Wednesday.

The Yankees have not formally addressed the transaction, the
article said, but added it is believed that they have interest in the
right-hand-hitting Nakajima as a backup to captain Derek Jeter.

The article quoted CBSSports.com as reporting that New York's
winning bid was about $2 million. The Yankees have 30 days to work
out a deal with Nakajima, who batted .297 with 16 homers and 100 RBIs
in the 2011 season.

<

Columbia

Giovanny Urshella was 1-4 with a double and a run scored. Giovanny is hitting a paltry .204 with 7 hits in 34 at bats 2 of which have been doubles to go with 1 triple.

<

Australia

Andrew Campbell is hitting a meager .118 for his Brisbane Bandits.

<

Venezuela

Luke Scott directs sports clinics

Valencia, December 7

The grandeliga for the Baltimore Orioles' Luke Scott arrived in Venezuela to continue his sports and social assistance which he has been doing for several years throughout the country in conjunction with the Magallanes Foundation of Carabobo, the Ladies Committee of Magallanes, and the Ivan Arteaga Foundation.

Scott is paying a visit in the country to run small clinics for players and continue his social work in hospitals and was accompanied by his representative in Venezuela, Ivonne Gonzalez the secretary general of Reporters in Carabobo. The stadium and minor baseball school to be built at the headquarters will be named for Luke Scott.

Luke said: "I come also to enjoy the Caracas-Magallanes game this Sunday in the center field bleachers of Jose Bernardo Perez stadium to share thoughts with all fans of the Navegantes." (Scott was a member of the Navegantes for several years)

Scott said he is waiting for arbitration with the team of the Baltimore Orioles and has not reach an agreement with the Orioles and is possible to be declared a free agent.

Representative Ivonne Gonzalez said the help of sports kits has been positive and will seek to deepen the resolve of sport in the country, not only in Carabobo, but also in Cojedes and the central coast.

Gonzalez said that the delivery of sporting paraphenalia will continue despite the problems they have had in the nationalization of the containers and the high price placed by the authorities of the ports.

For his part Scott will also officiate an afternoon of baseball to children of the Notitarde Foundation next week.

The grandeliga said he had offers to play in Venezuela with several teams but this year he comes to enjoy Magallanes baseball, the fans and also to bring his message of peace to every corner of the country.

"Youth have to fight for their dreams, believe in God and make firm and concrete goals, with much discipline," he said.

<

Puerto Rico
Ponce shakes up their staff

The Ponce Lions gave a jolt to their squad of players on Monday by releasing two players, switching to another, and activating three others, two Cuban pitchers.

Frankie Thon, general manager of the Lions, said he released the infielder Sergio Miranda and Joseph Colon right-hander, and traded Maldonado to the Carolina Giants for a player to be named later.

Thon said that closer Fernando Cabrera will be activated on Tuesday and will occupy the space of Joseph Colon, while infielder Helder Velazquez will take the spot vacated by Miranda and Henry Ramos will return to the active roster.

<

Casilla's hot bat carries Gigantes to victory

Twins infielder records sixth multi-hit performance in last 10 games

Dominican Winter League

Cibao 6, Oriente 3

The Twins' Alexi Casilla continued to swing the bat well Wednesday, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. He fell a homer short of the cycle as he recorded his sixth multi-hit performance in his last 10 games. The 27-year-old infielder is batting .350 with 18 runs scored in 22 contests. Phillies shortstop Wilson Valdez also had a strong day, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Mat Gamel (Brewers) came through with a two-run single for the Estrellas, while Felix Pie (Orioles) plated their only other run on a double. Padres prospect Jose De Paula notched his first win in five appearances, striking out two over two scoreless frames.

Licey 4, Cibaenas 0

Former Major Leaguer Ramon Ortiz tossed six shutout innings, striking out two while yielding just four hits and without walking a batter. He improved to 1-2 and lowered his ERA to 2.04 in four starts. Yamaico Navarro, who played 22 games with the Royals and Red Sox last season, collected two hits and two RBIs. Reds prospect Juan Francisco also recorded a pair of hits, including a double, while Nationals catcher Jhonatan Solano was the only player the leave the park.
Alexi Casilla batted .260 with 15 steals and 52 runs scored in 97 games for the Twins last season. (Jim Mone/AP)

Escogido 9, Este 6


Twins farmhand Pedro Florimon Jr. collected three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored out of the No. 9 spot, while Athletics farmhand Josh Donaldson went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Astros infielder Diory Hernandez led the way for the Toros, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Former Major Leaguer Scott Kazmir made his first start of the season for the Leones, but surrendered four runs on two hits while recording just one out. Mariners farmhand Jonathan Arias earned the win by tossing a scoreless sixth inning.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Mayaguez 9, Carolina 2

Astros infielder Angel Sanchez went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored, raising his average to .279. Jesus Feliciano (Mets), Martin Maldonado (Brewers) and Raymond Kruml (Yankees) knocked in two runs apiece, combining for 11 total bases. Mexican Leaguer Hiram Bocachica knocked in both runs for the Gigantes, going 2-for-4 with a double. Dodgers prospect Michael Antonini earned the win after allowing two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Caguas 6, Ponce 2

Marlins farmhand Jorge Padilla doubled and knocked in two runs out of the cleanup spot, while Mexican Leaguer Carlos Rivero smacked a pair of doubles. Reds farmhand Jorge Jimenez had the strongest day for the Leones, going 3-for-5 with a run scored. Antoan Richardson (Braves) drove in both of Ponce's runs. Criollos starter Luis Cruz (Astros) allowed two runs on eight hits over five innings, while reliever Teruaki Yoshikawa earned the win after tossing a scoreless inning.

Venezuelan Winter League

Anzoategui 3, La Guaira 0

Former Marlin Renyel Pinto continued his season-long dominance, allowing just four hits over 7 1/3 shutout innings. He struck out five and walked four as he lowered his ERA to 1.41 in nine starts. Former Athletics Minor Leaguer on Hunton pitched a perfect ninth en route to his 14th save. Luis Nunez (Yankees), Mike Wilson (Mariners) and Niuman Romero (Phillies) all hit solo homers for the Caribes to knock in the only runs of the game.

Caracas 5, Aragua 1

The Indians' Asdrubal Cabrera made a splash in his debut for the Leones, as he went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. The Cardinals' Adron Chambers also enjoyed a strong performance at the plate, doubling and tripling out of the leadoff spot while scoring a run. Cubs prospect Jay Jackson improved to 3-2 after limiting the Tigres to just one run on three hits in six innings. He fanned two and walked two.

Mexican Pacific League

Hermosillo 4, Mazatlan 1

Major League veteran Jorge Cantu went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored out of the cleanup spot for the Naranjeros. Mexican Leaguer Jesse Gutierrez was the only player to go deep in the game, driving in two. Padres prospect Juan Oramas (3-1) surrendered just one run on three hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out nine and walking two.

Obregon 4, Navojoa 1

Royals farmhand Luis Mendoza gave up just one unearned run on eight hits over five innings, fanning two and without a walk as he improved to 2-0. Mexican Leaguers Sergio Contreras and Agustin Murillo both went yard for the Yaquis, while Carlos Valencia (Mexican League) went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Luis Ayala, who pitched for the Yankees last season, allowed one baserunner over the final 1 2/3 frames en route to his sixth save.

Guasave 7, Mochis 2

Former Dodgers Minor Leaguer Gabriel Gutierrez plated three runs, while teammate Mario Valenzuela (Mexican League) smacked a homer and a double. Sergio Mora (Mexican League) earned the win after yielding two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked three. Astros farmhand Casey Fien allowed one hit over the final 1 1/3 innings for the Algodoneros, fanning three as he recorded his first save.

Culiacan 7, Mexicali 4

Yankees farmhand Jorge Vazquez doubled and drove in three, upping his RBI total to 55 in 44 games, while Mexican Leaguer Amaury Cazana homered, drove in two and scored twice. Mets prospect Xorge Carrillo came through with a pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth for the Aguilas, but the comeback attempt stalled after that. Culiacan starter Alejandro Armenta allowed two runs -- none earned -- on five hits over seven innings, striking out five.

<

<

Colombia Winter League

•Giovanny Urshela (3B, Cartagena Tigres): 1-for-4, R, 2B. Urshela continues to play every day in Colombia and has not done much yet in 9 games hitting just .206 (7-for-34).

Venezuelan Winter League

•Asdrubal Cabrera (DH, Leones de Caracas): 3-for-4, 3 R, 2B. Cabrera makes his debut in Venezuela in strong fashion scoring 3 runs and getting 3 hits. He is not expected to play much winter ball action, maybe 2-3 weeks, but is off to a great start playing ball in his home country.

Roneros RULE AT HOME TO PUT THE FINAL AT 2-0


Angel Chavez hit two-run homer in the first inning and with effective work from Franquelis Osoria reliever, allowed to achieve a victory Roneros 4 runs to 3 over the Azuero Devils at the home Stadium of Omar Torrijos, for the representative team Chiriqui and Veraguas take advantage of two wins with no defeats in the finals of the League of Professional Baseball Panama Movil Cup.

Thursday December 8, in celebration of Mother's Day, provides the day off and will restart on Friday December 9 starting at 7 pm at Rico Cedeño Stadium, the stronghold of the Devils, where they have scheduled the next three challenges, including the fifth game, if necessary in the four game series.

Chavez with three RBIs led the attack for the Roneros, who had nine hits, like the Devils, who also rang up nine hits, but committed two errors, fundamental to the success of the Chiriqui and Veraguas Roneros.

Steven Wright started the game for the Roneros but left the game trailing 3-2 after four innings of work. Wright gave up 7 hits.

That's the kind of pitching Wright has generally delivered in summer ball.

I've been following winterball for over 10 years now. Generally speaking, the way these players perform during the winter in the Latin countries will parallel the way they perform during the summers in the US.

One thing that Wright has going for him right now is that knuckle ball. There were several occasion last night where that ball was head high and when it crossed the plate it was at the knees. He was mixing his pitches pretty well throwing the fastball, curve, and slider usually after falling behind in the count with that knuckle ball. Too bad that Panama has such a short season. It would be nice if Wright could get about five or six more starts. Maybe one of the other winter ball teams might pick him up. He's worth the risk in my opinion.

<

Panama

Results From Game 2 Of Championship Series Roneros Leads Series 2-0