Caguas Creoles ensure postseason

Ponce escaped the shutout in the ninth and final inning

SAN JUAN .-

Caguas Creoles, champions, became the first team to secure their playoff series classification of the Professional Baseball League in Puerto Rico by defeating the Ponce Lions 4-2. The Creoles claimed the match in the first inning after a double play, the veteran Alex Cora scored to put the match 1-0. Then, Edgardo Baez hit a two-run homer to left field, extending the score 3-0, assuring Efrain Nieves starter a good lead and then a win. The fourth run of the Creoles came in the eighth inning thanks to an RBI single by Padilla, batting in Luis 'Wicho' Figueroa. Ponce escaped the shutout in the ninth and final episode . Caguas improved their mark to 22-15, while Ponce is now 18-18 and maintained the second position with a two game lead over the Indians of Mayagüez.

Juan Francisco

Juan Francisco left the Licey team today and not because of an injury. He picked up his belongings and left. The reasons are unknown.

Tigers third baseman, Juan Francisco left yesterday's game due to a problem in his left leg.

Francisco apparently suffered a sprained left knee while chasing a foul fly in the first inning.

In the short term, was replaced by Irvin Joel Guzman, who went on to play in right field. The Colombian Jolbert Cabrera was inserted at third base.

Marmol throws bullpen.

Prior to yesterday's game against the Lions in Quisqueya Stadium, closer Carlos Marmol threw bullpen and said he felt good after his workout, the team reported.

According to Licey's broadcaster, Marble already has permission to launch in the country and is expected in the coming days to be integrated into the troops of the Licey Tigers.

Marmol has not pitched in the country for three years after having become closer of the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball.

ROUND ROBIN

Andy Dirks decided triumph of the Lions over the Tigers

Lions beat the Tigers 9-4 in round robin beginning

Andy Dirks responded in a timely manner with an RBI hit in the seventh inning to lead the Lions to a convincing Chosen 9-4 victory over the Tigers of Licey in the first game of round robin play held in the park Quisqueya animated befor a large crowd.

The LIons picked up their first win in the series that seeks to bring the two best teams in the final for the cup BHD.

At first the game seemed to be a great duel between Jordan Norberto starter for the Lions, who worked 5.2 innings on three runs and just two hits and Ramon Ortiz, for Licey, who had a 5.1-innings, but 4 entries , seven hits, three strikeouts and one walk. Both starters had no-decisions.

The relief pitching of the Lions held the offensive of the blue down from the seventh inning, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts. Reliever Jose Cabrera (1-0) scored the win, while closer Christian Martinez (0-1) took the loss.

AGUILAS .-

The team returned a "sweep" of the main prizes. Yesterday Shane Youman won Apollo Productions Award (best pitcher), Joaquin Arias (MVP), Wilin Rosario (Rookie of the Year) and Felix Fermin (Manager of the Year) ...

For Fermin it was his second award ... Carlos Gomez was not on the roster yesterday because it is addressing health problems suffered by one of his daughters ... Youman had problems with the flight back to the country so he was moved in the rotation.

Now the order will be Fausto Carmona in the capital today against the Lions of the Chosen, Raul Valdez morning before the Licey Tigers in the Cibao Stadium and Youman on Friday in Santo Domingo against the Tigers ...

Brandon Moss, who made his debut yesterday as the sixth batter and right fielder, was tested quickly with a pair of "line drives" fielded very well. A few days ago which was signed by the Oakland Athletics ...

Colombia Winter League

•Giovanny Urshela (3B, Cartagena Tigres): 0-for-1. Urshela sat for the first time in a long time and was a late game replacement.

Puerto Rico Winter League

•Roberto Perez (C, Indios de Mayaguez): 0-for-0, BB. The playing time has been very limited for Perez out in Puerto Rico as he has played in just 5 games even though he has been with the team for about 5 weeks. He is only 2-for-11 in those 5 games, but surprise, surprise….he has 5 walks.

Venezuela Winter League

•Jose Lopez (3B, Cardenales de Lara): 2-for-4. Lopez racked up his 3rd multi-hit game in his last 4 games, and is now hitting .385 with 2 HR, 10 RBI and 1.006 OPS in his last 10 games. In 41 games this offseason he is hitting .316 with a .848 OPS.

Leones and Aguilas scoreless after 2 but Fausto gave up a basehit with a runner on second and two out in the bottom of the third. Leones leads after 3 complete innings 1-0.

A leadoff basehit, bottom of fourth, runner thrown out at second on an attempted sacrifice, a stolen base, a wild pitch on a 3-2 pitch, runners on the corners, one out, sac fly, strikeout. Fausto struggling. Looks like this is the end of the line for Carmona. 4 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs (earned), 2 walks, 2 wild pitches, and 3 strikeout. End of 4, Leones 2 and the Aguilas 0.

Caracas Leones in a must win situation trails the Aragua Tigers 1-0. That game in the 5th. Asdrubal has a double in two trips with a strikeout. Jesus Aguilas is 0-2 and Raul Padron is 0-2 with a pair of strikeouts.

Aguilas scored 4 in the top of the 5th. The big hit was a Hector Luna double. Fausto is off the hook in this one. Middle of 5 Agulias 4 Leones 2.

Caracas took the lead over Aragua 2-1 in the bottom of the 5th. The big hit in that inning was a Corey Wimberly double driving in a run and later scoring. End of 5, 2-1 Leones.

Aguilas dropped their ballgame 5-4 while the Caracas Leones said good by to their playoff hopes by going down 6-3. Cabrera was 2-4, Jesus Aguilar was 0-4, and Raul Padron was 1-4.

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Lisson's two-homer effort leads Magallanes

Minor League home run king LaHair also goes deep to beat Zulia

Venezuelan Winter League

Magallanes 12, Zulia 4

Royals prospect Mario Lisson posted his second two-homer game of the week, driving in three runs in the blowout win. Byran LaHair, a Cubs infielder who led Minor League Baseball with 38 homers in 2011, slugged his 15th homer of the winter in the seventh inning. Starter Jose Sanchez went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits for his second win, while Zulia's Freddy Ballestas lasted three frames in suffering his first loss. Arizona's Gerardo Parra and Atlanta's Ernesto Mejia drove in runs for the Aguilas, who were out-hit 16-8.

Aragua 6, Caracas 3

Former National League All-Star Edgardo Alfonzo hit his fifth homer in the eighth to cap a five-run comeback for Aragua. Former Nationals farmhand Ramon Castro had a pair of RBIs in the win, while Padres third baseman Jesus Guzman knocked in a run for Caracas. Right-hander Yohan Pino, who played for the Blue Jays and Indians' organizations last summer, struck out five over two scoreless frames for his 12th hold in the win.
Mario Lisson has four home runs and eight RBIs in his last four games in Venezuela. (John Owens/Naturals)

Margarita 1, La Guaria 0

Rangers infielder Alberto Gonzalez singled home Phillies outfielder Derrick Mitchell in the sixth inning for the game's lone run. Dodgers outfielder Jay Gibbons went hitless and is now 1-for-17 since joining La Guaria. Former Major Leaguer Yusmeiro Petit got the win, striking out four around three hits over 1 1/3 innings.

Dominican Winter League

Licey 6, Gigantes 4 (13 innings)

Christian Marrero's go-ahead grand slam in the 13th inning sent Licey to its first win of the round-robin playoffs. Marrero, a Southern League All-Star for Double-A Birmingham (White Sox) in 2011, also doubled. Robinzon Diaz, Erick Almonte and Wilson Valdez had RBIs for Gigantes. Julio DePaula took the loss, serving up the slam, while Yhency Brazoban got the win despite allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Escogido 5, Aguilas 4

Braves first baseman Mauro Gomez hit his first homer in the seventh and Jose Cabrera retired one batter to pick up his first win as Escogido improved to 2-0 in round-robin play. Cleveland's Fausto Carmona got the start for Aguilas (1-1) and allowed two runs on five hits and a pair of walks over four innings. He struck out three. Hector Luna had four hits and knocked in one of Aguilas' runs.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Mayaguez 11, Caguas 6

Former White Sox Minor Leaguer Miguel Negron slugged a fifth-inning grand slam and big league veteran Ruben Gotay added a two-run shot in the third, his second, in the victory. Marlins outfielder Jorge Padilla had three RBIs for Caguas.

Carolina 2, Ponce 1 (11 innings)

Miami's Jobduan Morales singled home former Marlin Ozzie Martinez (White Sox) for the go-ahead run in the 11th inning to beat Ponce. Reds first baseman Neftali Soto knocked home the Leones' lone run. Former Major Leaguer Matt DeSalvo started for Carolina and allowed an unearned run on four hits over seven frames but did not factor into the decision. Yadel Marti held Carolina to a pair of hits over 6 1/3 frames for Ponce before Marlins righty Peter Andrelczyk took the loss in the 11th. Longtime big leaguer Alex Cintron was ejected in the seventh.

Mexican Pacific League

Los Mochis 2, Culiacan 0
Los Mochis scored a pair of runs in the eighth on an error and wild pitch -- Jamie Johnson scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by catcher Ali Solis -- in a game that had eight total hits. Former Major Leaguer Dan Serafini, the Twins' first-round pick in 1992, started for Mochis and struck out seven over six frames, allowing just five hits. Former Mets starter Oliver Perez (Nationals) recorded two outs and was charged with his second loss.

Hermosillo 1, Mazatlan 0

Former big leaguer Humberto Cota's 11th home run in the seventh inning was enough to beat Mazatlan. Hermosillo starter Edgar Gonzalez went seven innings for his fourth win and Sandy Nin recorded the final four outs for his 14th save. Walter Silva (4-6) took the loss despite holding the Naranjeros to one run on seven hits over 7 1/3 frames.

Guasave 3, Mexicali 2

Jose Rodriguez's one-out walk-off homer off Thomas Melgarejo, his 10th of the winter, gave reliever Alan Guerrero his fifth win for Guasave. Issmael Salas homered in the second for Mexicali, his 12th. Oscar Rivera started for Mexicali and was charged with one run on six hits over five frames.

Navojoa 6, Obregon 5

Javier Colina and Rolando Acosta homered and Hugo Gutierrez (2-2), Ehren Wassermann and Leonardo Gonzalez combined to record the final 10 outs to seal Navojoa's win. Carlos Valencia went deep for Obregon and Rolando Valdez allowed six runs on 10 hits over five innings to fall to 5-2.

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Colombia Winter League

•Giovanny Urshela (3B, Cartagena Tigres): 1-for-4. Another typical night for Urshela with just one hit and no extra base hits, but he was quite busy in the field at third base as he had 1 putout, 6 assists, and was involved in 1 double play.

Dominican Republic Winter League

•Fausto Carmona (RP, Aguilas Cibaenas): 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 HR. Not nearly as good an outing as Carmona had in his first one back on December 20th (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K), but a quality one nonetheless. That said, he was walking on the edge all night and was lucky to have only given up 2 runs considered he allowed 7 baserunners and had 2 wild pitches in 4.0 innings.

Venezuela Winter League

•Asdrubal Cabrera (SS, Leones del Caracas): 2-for-4, 2B, K. Cabrera is starting to heat up. After a rough stretch following a 3-for-4 opener where he was just 3-for-29 the next 9 games. Since then he is now 8-for-23 (.348) in his last 6 games, which is not blazing hot but considering where he was is much better.

•Jesus Aguilar (1B, Leones del Caracas): 0-for-4, K. Aguilar proves he is human with an 0-fer. The hitless night dropped his batting average under .300 to .290 in Venezuela, but he still has a nice .370 on-base percentage and .516 slugging percentage.

EDGARDO ALFONZO

Tigers leave the Lions in intensive care

The Tigers handed Caracas their 33rd defeat of the year and as a result are all alone in fifth place

CARACAS Caracas .-

The Tigers rallied and the results are likely to see them advancing to the playoffs this season. After yesterday's defeat against the Aragua Tigers the Lions are on life support. With the help of 13 strikeouts and an offense that managed to cover absences of Hector Gimenez and Ronny Cedeno, The Bengalis endorsed defeat number 33 of the year against Caracas by winning 6 runs to 3 leaving the Lions with a miracle to survive.

The Tigers, closed the last month with poor offensive production (3.7 runs per game in that period) were able to open the scoring in the third inning thanks to an error by Daniel Mayora with men on third and second. "That moment was especially good for us. We scored first, "said the manager Buddy Bailey who before the game decided to give a jolt to the lineup with Anthony Gose sitting and Wilson Ramos inserted into the lineup.

The Panamanian Alberto Acosta, in his fourth outing with the Bengali shone in the first four innings, in the fifth however, the Caracas offensive took the lead thanks to an RBI double by Corey Wimberley and an RBI single by Jesus Guzman. Then, and contrary to the custom of Aragua, Bailey Boys responded immediately. A two out walk to Edgardo Alfonzo, a Yangervis Solarte basehit, and a Ramon Castro 2 rbi double allowed Aragua to regain the lead.

In the eighth, and after Yohan Pino put the nail in the coffin with a brilliant relief job against Caracas going two innings with no walks and five strikeouts, Edgardo Alfonzo would dress the undertaker. With the paddings empty, the warrior of the road (.346 AVG and .813 OPS on the road) hit his fifth homer of the year and his second against the Lions in two days turned out to be the executioner. In the ninth drove in another run with a single to throw dirt on the lions who needed to win both remaining games and wait for the Cardinals and Tigers to lose as the Lions are fighting them and highly unlikely that they can now force a triple tie for fifth place.

In the Central Regional Highway

Pitcher Rosman Garcia died in traffic accident

The reliever for Aragua Tigers was in a private vehicle at the time of occurrence of the fatal event.

Rosman Garcia, played with Texas Ranger

Thursday December 29, 2011 12:56 AM

Caracas .-

The pitcher for the Tigres de Aragua, Rosman Garcia, died at dawn on Thursday in a traffic accident in the center to regional highway at kilometer 24 through Valencia, said the team's media manager, Manuel Rodriguez. Garcia, a native of Maracay, 32, was in a private vehicle when the fatal accident occured on his way to Ottawa after playing last night against the Lions in Caracas. In 16 appearances with the cats left this season mark of 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in 38 innings. The right-hander debuted in the majors in 2003 with the Texas Rangers, an organization with which he played until 2004, leaving with 1-2 record in 50 games.