I'm anxious to watch Wright this spring Civ. That is a very good knuckler if he can keep good command of it.

<

Caracas

The Leones and Zulia were scoreless heading into the Leones top of the 9th. The scored three times. Asdrubal racks up another o-fer but did walk once, got hit by a pitch, and scored in the 9th. Jesus Aguilar came up big in a pinch hitting role with an rbi single. (He's got to get more playing time). That pinch hit gets Jesus back to the .300 mark.

Top of the Caracas 9th:

Pitcher Change: Matt Nevarez replaces Diego Moreno.

Adron Chambers walks.
With Marwin Gonzalez batting, Adron Chambers steals (2) 2nd base.
Marwin Gonzalez strikes out swinging.
Asdrubal Cabrera hit by pitch.
Justin Ruggiano reaches on catcher interference by Juan Apodaca.
Adron Chambers to 3rd. Asdrubal Cabrera to 2nd. Justin Ruggiano to 1st.

Pitcher Change: Jose Escalona replaces Matt Nevarez

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jesus Aguilar replaces Stephen Vogt.

Jesus Aguilar singles on a line drive to center fielder Gerardo Parra
deflected by second baseman Eider Torres.
Adron Chambers scores. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd. Justin Ruggiano to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Corey Wimberly replaces Jesus Aguilar.

Pitcher Change: Deivis Mavarez replaces Jose Escalona.

Jesus Guzman walks. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Justin Ruggiano to 3rd. Corey Wimberly to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Manuel Olivares replaces Deivis Mavarez.

Raul Padron hit by pitch.
Justin Ruggiano scores. Corey Wimberly to 3rd. Jesus Guzman to 2nd.
Carlos Rivero pops out to shortstop Freddy Galvis.
Leonardo Gil strikes out swinging.

Leones hangs on to defeat Zulia 3-0.

<

Margarita

Rob Bryson pitched a perfect inning in relief for Margarita. Bryson lowers his ERA to (2.79).

Magallanes

Ezekiel Carrera (.264) was 1-3 with a walk for Magallanes. The Caribes win in 10, 1-0. Big loss for Magallanes and a huge win for Leones. The lions are trying to catch Magallanes for the fifth place and final playoff spot. I believe the Lions trail the Navigators by 2 1/2 games now. Aragua lost tonight 3-0 so Leones picks up a game on the Tigers. The Indian connection has been working the past few games.

Roneros Blew Away the Diablos 11-4 and Take a 3 games to 0 Lead In the Best of 4 Championship Series

Paulo Orlando hit two homers and drove in five runs to lead a 10 hit attack and gave the Chiriqui and Veraguas Roneros their third victory in the final series of the Panamanian championship. The Roneros beat the Devils 11-4 in a match conducted at Rico Cedeño Stadium in Chitre.

The Roneros produced seven runs in the top of the seventh inning to overcome a disadvantage of two runs. The home team took the lead in the lower third when Mycal Jones, Daniel Gonzales and Andrew Lambo hit consecutive singles loading the bases. Concepcion Rodriguez then produced the first run with a sacrifice fly to center to put the Diablos on the board 1 by 0. In the fifth the Devils returned to the charge when Mycal Jones walked, advanced to second on Daniel Gonzalez's sacrifice, stole third base and scored with Andrew Lambo RBI single to take a 2 to 0 lead.

The Roneros got one more run on Xavier Quirós RBI single in the eighth inning and closed with three more in the ninth on the second homer of the game by Brazilian Orlando.

The Devils picked up their final run in the bottom of ninth on a solo home run by Andrew Lambo.

For the Roneros, the offensive player of the game was Paulo Orlando with two homers in four at-bats and five RBI. For the Devils, Andrew Lambo was 4-5 with a homer, a double, and two RBIs. Damaso Espino was 3-4 with two doubles and one rbi. Lambo and Espino combined for 7 of the Diablos 9 hits.

Elicer Navarro won the match and the loser was Jose Monegro.

(Note: Danny Salazar did not pitch in this ballgame)

<

Toros

Edinson Volquez said he would not be debut tomorrow, but on Sunday the 18th, after the All-Star break. That day the Toros clash against the Leones set for Quisqueya Stadium home of the Leones.

Leones

General manager Moises Alou threw in the towel with regard to the possibility of playing with the receiver Carlos Santana and shortstop Starlin Castro ... "The last shot we have left in the room is Ramon Santiago," said Moises, adding that the rest of the regular season will go with the players they have now

The December 20

SANTO DOMINGO.-

Attention Licey Tigers fans: there is a change of plans regarding the debut of Ubaldo Jimenez. The star pitcher will be debuting on Tuesday December 20 against the Aguilas Cibaenas rather than the 15th as scheduled.

The information was confirmed through the twitter account of the player himself, who said he will debut that date in order to prolong his stay with the team.

Jimenez has already expressed his desire to play in the Dominican League in order that it will allow him to get in better shape for spring training, speed his recovery and achieve consistent mechanics.

Last season with Colorado and Cleveland was 10-13. Ubaldo recorded and averaged 4.68 ERA in 32 starts. He pitched 188 innings giving up 186 hits, 98 earned runs, 78 walks and 180 strikeouts.

<
<
Start the great party cibaeña

After two years without qualifying for the Round Robin, the Aguilas Cibaenas, tonight became the first team to go to the semifinals by defeating the Toros del Este, by a score of 2-0. When the last out by the Toros, a grounder to Eury Perez and into the hands of Omar Luna was completed, the celebration started right there. The Aguilas Cibaenas have 20 Dominican professional baseball crowns.

Felix Fermin leaves the team for two year and the Aguilas fail to make the playoffs. He returns and they are partying in the streets. Playoff baseball is a beautiful thang.

To top it off, Fausto Carmona and Edwin Encarnacion are on the way.

Edwin Encarnacion, third base and designated hitter began training and will debut with the Aguilas Cibaenas in the coming days. Encarnation is in the major leagues playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. He said he is in proper condition and expects to contribute greatly to the success of the Aguilas.

<

Melian busts out of slump in Bravos win

Outfielder smacks first two homers of winter, drives in five runs

Venezuelan Winter League

Margarita 13, La Guaira 6

Former Minor Leaguer Jackson Melian enjoyed a breakout game on Friday, going 2-for-5 with two homers and five RBIs. Coming into the contest, the 31-year-old outfielder had recorded just three RBIs and had not gone deep once in 23 games. Wilmer Flores (Mets) and Henry Blanco (D-Backs) also put together strong efforts, combining to go 8-for-10 with a double, four RBIs and three runs scored. Meanwhile, Mexican Leaguers Rene Reyes and Jose Castillo both hit solo shots for the Bravos. Fellow Mexican Leaguer Cesar Suarez led the way for the Tiburones, going 2-for-4 with a homer, an RBI and two runs scored. Anthony Claggett, who pitched in the Pirates organization last year, picked up the win after giving up one run on four hits in 3 1/3 innings of relief.

Anzoategui 1, Magallanes 0 (10 innings)

Luis Nunez, who played for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in 2011, came through with a walk-off homer in the 10th to break the scoreless tie. Navegantes starter Jesus Sanchez (Brewers) allowed just five hits over five scoreless innings, striking out four and walking one. He was outdone by Caribes starter Andrew Baldwin, who yielded five hits over 7 2/3 shutout frames. The 29-year-old right-hander, who pitched in the Twins organization last year, lowered his ERA to 1.67 in 10 starts. Former Minor Leaguer Jon Hunton recorded the win after contributing 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
Jackson Melian was batting .161 with no homers and three RBIs in 23 games before Friday. (Will Bentzel/MiLB.com)

Lara 3, Aragua 0

Mets farmhand Brian Sweeney gave up just one hit over six shutout frames, striking out seven as he improved to 2-0. Astros infielder Oswaldo Navarro had the strongest day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs for the Cardenales. Five Lara relievers combined to yield just two hits over the final three frames, anchored by former Yankees farmhand Romulo Sanchez, who retired all three batters he faced en route to his first save.

Caracas 3, Zulia 0

Leones starter Thad Weber (Tigers) allowed six hits over six scoreless innings, while Aguilas hurler Austin Bibens-Dirkx (Cubs) yielded just three base knocks over seven frames. Neither factored into the decision. Jesus Aguilar (Indians), Jesus Guzman (Padres) and Raul Padron (Indians) each drove in one run in the top of the ninth before Major League veteran Franklin Morales tallied his second save with a perfect bottom of the frame. Mexican Leaguer Darwin Cubillan was credited with the win after tossing a scoreless eighth.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Ponce 6, Mayaguez 1

Astros farmhand Robinson Cancel smacked a two-run double and drew a bases-loaded walk, while Major League veteran Mike Aviles collected two singles, two walks and a run scored in four plate appearances. Angel Sanchez (Astros) was the only player to enjoy a multi-hit game for the Indios, going 2-for-4 and scoring the team's lone run. Leones starter Yadel Marti (Athletics) yielded one run on six hits in six innings, lowering his ERA to 2.39 in seven starts. Reliever Joe Testa (Nationals) picked up the win by tossing a perfect seventh.

Caguas 0, Carolina 0 (suspended after 1/3 of an inning)

Dominican Winter League

Cibaenas 2, Este 0

Former Minor Leaguer Shane Youman continued his dominant run in the Dominican, allowing just three hits and two walks over seven shutout innings. He struck out five as he lowered his ERA to 0.77 and improved to 4-1 in six starts. Omar Luna (Rays) and Juan Perez (Giants) were the only members of the Aguilas to get on base twice in the game, with each driving in one run. Luna also swiped his first two bases of the season. Major League veteran Esteban German led the Toros by singling and drawing three walks.

Escogido 3, Oriente 1

Nationals prospect Eury Perez went 2-for-4 with two RBIs out of the leadoff spot for the Leones, while teammate Pedro Florimon Jr. (Twins) drove in their only other run. Former Major Leaguer Jorge Sosa delivered six strong innings, surrendering just one run on four hits as he recorded his second win in nine attempts. He struck out five without issuing a walk. Angels reliever Fernando Rodney closed the door in the ninth, striking out one in a perfect frame to notch his second save.

Licey @ Cibao, postponed

Mexican Pacific League

Hermosillo 7, Navojoa 5

Dodgers farmhand Trent Oeltjen went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, while former Major Leaguer Karim Garcia and Mexican Leaguer Ramon Rios also went yard. The No. 3-7 hitters in the Mayos lineup all drove in one run, led by Steve Moss (Mexican League), who collected two hits and two runs as he raised his average to .370. Miguel Ruiz (Mexican League) tallied his third win after surrendering just two hits in 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Guasave 4, Culiacan 3

Mexican Leaguer Jose Rodriguez hit a walk-off sacrifice fly after homering earlier in the contest, while fellow Mexican Leaguer Japhet Amador also left the park and drove in two. Luis Cruz (Dodgers) enjoyed the best night at the plate for the Tomateros, going 4-for-5 with a homer, a double, an RBI and a run scored. He fell a triple shy of the cycle. Yankees infielder Ramiro Pena knocked in the team's other two runs on a roundtripper in the fifth. Sean Gleason (Orioles) picked up the win by allowing two hits and striking out three over two shutout innings of relief.

Obregon 4, Los Mochis 2

Former Minor Leaguer Barbaro Canizares homered and drove in three, reaching base in four of five plate appearances thanks to three walks. Major League veteran Alfredo Amezaga, meanwhile, collected a double, two singles, an RBI and a run scored. Former Major Leaguer Randy Keisler allowed two runs on four hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings, improving to 6-3.

Mazatlan 3, Mexicali 0

Venados starter and Red Sox farmhand Miguel Gonzalez yielded only two hits in six shutout innings, striking out eight and walking one. He improved to 3-0 and lowered his ERA from 6.17 to 3.57 with the outing. Mexican Leaguer Miguel Ojeda led the Mazatlan offense by going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Issmael Salas (Mexican League) was the only Aguilas player to get on base more than once, recording two singles in three at-bats.

<

<

Australian Baseball League

•Mitch Nilsson (C, Brisbane Bandits): 1-for-3, 2 R, 2B, BB, K. Even though he has been with the team for over a month, Nilsson has only played in 4 games in the ABL. As an inexperienced 20-year old low level prospect, that is what happens. He is now 2-for-12 at the plate this offseason.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Asdrubal Cabrera (DH, Leones del Caracas): 0-for-2, R, BB. After a hot start in his first game piling up 3 hits, Cabrera is now 0-for-6 in his last 2 games. He is 3-for-10 overall in 3 games with 1 walks and has yet to strike out.

•Jesus Aguilar (PH, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-1, RBI. Asdrubal Cabrera is getting a firsthand look at the potential future first baseman of the Indians, Jesus Aguilar. Aguilar has a ways to go still before he is big league ready, but he’s just having a dandy of an offseason so far.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-3, BB. A nice job by Carrera as the leadoff guy getting on base 2 times. He is having a solid showing in Venezuela as he leads the league in triples (5) and is second in stolen bases (10).

•Rob Bryson (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Bryson pitched for the first time in 10 days and had a good outing. In 13 appearances this fall in Venezuela he has a nice 2.79 ERA, though in 9.2 innings he has allowed 10 hits, 2 homers and 8 walks.

JESUS AGUILAR

MARACAIBO Caracas .-

The Leones needed at least a split in Maracaibo and they did. After a drought that lasted for 17 innings in the series against the Aguilas, the metropolitans had not stepped on the rubber once, they did three times and dropped Zulia by a score of 3-0. Jesús Aguilar lead the lion revolt. In the ninth inning with the bases loaded, manager Rick Sweet called upon his rookie to pinch hit for Stephen Vogt . The Maracay fired a line drive that could not be control by the second baseman Eider Torres. A ticket to Jesus Guzman and an rbi by Raul Padron finished off the other two-run against the Aguilas.

<

Aguilar Propels Leones To Victory

Saturday December 10, 2011 12:00 AM

The Caracas Leones got win number 21 on the season, defeating the Aguilas of Zulia 3runs to 0, at a meeting held at Luis Aparicio Stadium in Maracaibo. The rookie Jesus Aguilar, came on as a pinch hitter with the game tied at 0-0 in ninth and singled to center with the bases loaded, breaking the tie that was held by both teams throughout the game, thanks to the pitching duel between Thad Weber and Austin Bibens. Darwin Cubillan won, Matt Nevarez lost, the save went to Franklin Morales.

<


by RAFAEL TEJERA

Caracas was the recipient of the American League champions and shortstop who won the Silver Slugger Award. Nothing less. With those credentials, is there anything else? But for Yorvit Torrealba and Asdrubal Cabrera it still may not be enough to reach the playoffs. In addition, every effort shall be made.

Willfully, the two top named major leaguers expected this season, the Caracas teammates expressed their level of commitment to the team. Especially now, in these peak times. Asdrubal Cabrera, who was the best offensive shortstop in the American League debuted this season was assigned by manager Rick Sweet as a designated hitter and bat third, even though he was practicing in the field. "This was the goal I had since last year," said Cabrera, who in July was ranked in the All-Star game. "Because I feel that last season I was in debt to the fans of the team. And so I promised I would play this year. "

Yorvit Torrealba, another major leaguer of hierarchy that has been on the offensive formation of Caracas, was listed as the designated hitter of the team. Even though the initial plan was to defend the team's position occasionally as a receiver. "While the team keeps winning, I'll keep playing behind the plate," said the catcher for the Texas Rangers, who has shown a willingness to challenge the extreme fatigue clause placed on him by the Rangers because he defended more than 100 innings over the limits established under the Winterball Agreement. "I'm still missing a few days to be 100%, but it must be done because of the team's situation. If I have to catch every day, every day I catch. "

The manager Rick Sweet has welcomed the willingness of both. Torrealba is not only a catcher of Major League Baseball, but he came at a critical time, because the injury of Jose Lobaton and Jesus Sucre has limited the team's options. And he has made ​​a difference since he arrived.

Cabrera is to provide an offense that is a luxury for the entire league, and especially for us because so many have had problems in that department. "Here I am fulfilling my word," said the shortstop, who insisted on several occasions with the management of the Cleveland Indians to give him permission (who at first had refused that permission). "And I hope that my joining the team is to make positive things happen."

Torrealba, has the same level of commitment with his teammate. Torrealba, in the plan of Caracas, was to be the designated hitter and second catcher but things change occasionally. "We have to keep fighting while we have opportunity." With the talent and the level of commitment that both of us have, the alignment of Caracas can afford to have two of the most senior major leaguers in the league. And that excites Rick Sweet, that despite the tremendous undertaking that confronts him, usually repeated: "Do not discard the Caracas".

Games are just starting and Leones has a 1-0 lead over the Tiburones of La Guaira. Jesus Aguilar doubled and scored in the bottom of the second but the Tiburones answered with one in the top of the third. Cabrera has one plate appearance and walked.