Javier Brito slaughtered the Lions

The Braves catcher hit a pair of homers to close the campaign Margarita 5-2 win over Caracas

CARACAS .-

Two homers by Javier Brito in the second and eighth innings respectively were enough to drive a 5-2 victory by the Braves of Margarita over the Lions of Caracas, at the University Stadium in the capital of Venezuela. It was the last game for both teams in a gray 2011-2012 season in which both teams were eliminated from post season. Leones took the early lead on RBIs by Stephen Vogt and Jesus Aguilar at the end of the second inning. However, with the score 2-0 the show began in particularly by Brito, who hit his first home run off starter Ronald Uviedo. He repeated the dose in the eighth but his victim was a reliever, Wilse Palacios. The winning pitcher was starter, Angel Marquez (2-2) in 5.0 performance and the loss went to Yoimer Camacho (0-1).

Sport

Miguel Tejada will play tonight with the Cibao Eagles

Shortstop Miguel Tejada said he will play in the role of designated hitter with the Cibao Eagles tonight when they visit the Licey Tigers at Quisqueya Stadium.

At 1:30 pm, Dominican Baseball League announced that they received the contract for Tejada, one of the architects of the golden age of the Eagles in the period of dominance exercised with this team in the league between 1996 and 2008.

Tejada confirmed with Grandes de ESPN.

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Youman, Aguilas blank Tigres in playoffs

Former Major League southpaw scatters six hits over six innings

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 6, Licey 0

Former Major Leaguer Shane Youman scattered six hits over six innings for his league-leading sixth win as the Aguilas improved to 3-1 in the round-robin playoffs. Free agent Miguel Tejada and Tigers farmhand Audy Ciriaco each drove in two runs and Giants Minor Leaguer Juan Perez went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored for Cibaenas. Nationals farmhand Jhonatan Solano had two of Licey's six hits.

Escogido at Gigantes, postponed
Shane Youman attended Spring Training with the Phillies in 2008 after two seasons with the Pirates. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 4, Zulia 1, 1st game

Minor League veteran Yohan Pino tossed 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for his fifth victory as the Tigres won the opener of their doubleheader. Former Major Leaguer Hector Gimenez put the game out of reach with a two-run homer in the sixth inning after Guillermo Rodriguez hit a go-ahead solo shot in the fourth. Yankees prospect Jose Pirela had two hits and drove in the lone run for Zulia.

Aragua 3, Zulia 0, 2nd game

Former big leaguer Seth Etherton hit two batters over four otherwise perfect innings to lead the Tigres to a doubleheader sweep and their third straight win. Alex Romero had two hits, including a two-run triple, for Aragua, which also got a pair of hits from Mexican Leaguer Ramon Castro. The Aguilas have lost five in a row.

Margarita 5, Caracas 2

Former Padres farmhand Javier Brito homered twice and drove in four runs to power the Bravos past the Leones, who have dropped five straight. Angel Marquez gave up a pair of unearned runs on six hits over five innings to get the victory, while Rays prospect Stephen Vogt went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Caracas.

Caribes 5, Lara 4, 12 innings

Former Major Leaguer Luis Ugueto had two hits and stole home in the bottom of the 12th inning as the Caribes outlasted the Cardenales. Niuman Romero went 3-for-6 with a two-run homer and two runs scored for Anzoategui, which got a solo shot from suspended Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo. Blue Jays infielder Luis Valbuena slugged a two-run homer off the bench for Lara.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Ponce 5, Caguas 2

Major League veteran Robinson Cancel capped a five-run sixth inning with a two-run single as the Leones won their third straight. Dodgers infielder Ivan De Jesus went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Rangers prospect Kevin Torres reached base three times and scored a run for Ponce. Phillies newcomer Lou Montañez doubled, singled and drove in both runs for Caguas, which has lost three in a row.

Mayaguez 6, Carolina 4

Former Mets outfielder Jesus Feliciano fell a homer shy of the cycle, drove in two runs and scored once as the Indios topped the last-place Gigantes. Fellow Major League veteran Randy Ruiz also had three hits and contributed an RBI for Mayaguez, while Hiram Bocachica homered, doubled and drove in three runs in a losing cause.

Mexican Pacific League

Los Mochis 3, Culiacan 2

Dodgers newcomer Alberto Castillo struck out five over 2 2/3 innings of one-hit relief as the Cañeros held off the slumping Tomateros. Saul Soto went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Los Mochis, while Sergio Castelum had two hits, including a solo homer, for Culiacan.

Hermosillo 7, Mazatlan 3

Dodgers outfielder Trent Oeltjen had two hits, including a solo homer, as the Naranjeros erased an early three-run deficit en route to their fourth straight win. Cardinals prospect Mark Hamilton also had two hits and scored a run for Hermosillo, while former Major Leaguer Ruben Rivera delivered a two-run triple in the Venados' three-run first inning.

Mexicali 9, Guasave 2

Former Dodgers farmhand Jesus Rodriguez allowed a run on two hits and struck out six over five innings as the first-half champions cruised past the Algodoñeros. Jorge Guzman came within a triple of the cycle, drove in four runs and scored twice for Mexicali, which got two hits, an RBI and a run scored from Major League veteran Chris Roberson.

Navojoa 8, Obregon 6

Former Braves Minor Leaguer Matt Esquivel, Christian Zazueta and Rolando Acosta smacked solo homers to power the Mayos past the Yaquis. Adan Muñoz contributed three hits and an RBI for Navojoa, while former Minor Leaguer Jose Luis Sandoval doubled twice and drove in three runs for Obregon.

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Puerto Rico Winter League

•Joseph Colon (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR. After a solid outing in relief on Thursday night, Colon was back to his old ways on Friday night allowing 2 runs in just 0.1 innings. His totals in 8 games this offseason are not pretty: 7.0 IP, 16 H, 7 BB, 14 R (13 ER).

Venezuela Winter League

•Jesus Aguilar (1B, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-3, BB. Aguilar breaks out of his mini two game 0-for-8 funk by getting on base twice in four plate appearances. The power has certainly been of interest this offseason, but of bigger note continues to be his improved walk rate with 21 walks in 128 at bats (1 BB per 6 AB). He had 46 walks in 462 regular season at bats (1 BB per 10 AB).

•Eric Berger (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Berger polished off a solid offseason showing with a shutout inning of relief. He is on his way home just in time for New Year’s and has to be excited about the promise of 2012 after a nice 2011 where he rebounded and had a nice 2011 regular season and offseason.

•Jose Lopez (3B, Cardenales de Lara): 1-for-5, RBI. Lopez now has a 6-game hitting streak though is just 9-for-26 (.346) during the stretch. He continues to be the everyday third baseman for this Lara team.

Carribeans clinch playoffs

The Carribeans of Anzoategui clinched and sealed the playoffs with a dramatic victory over Lara Cardinals 5-4 in extra innings and it was a perfect theft of home executed by Luis Ugueto in the twelfth inning. The Carribeans avoided the elimination round and avoided extra sudden death playoff games that could have been the case if the Cardinals won. The victory went to reliever Pedro Rodriguez, who has a 4-1 record and losing the game was Cesar Jimenez. There was no save situation. In the game, the fourth batter for the tribe, Eliezer Alfonzo, hit a long homer to tie the thriller in the seventh. The homer was his number 95th of his career in the league, making him third on the career list, behind Robert Perez (111) and Antonio Armas (97), respectively .

Guests are ready for the Round Robin

The Lottery will be tomorrow at 10 am

CARACAS .-

With the agony inflicted on the Lara Cardinales by the Anzoategui Caribbeans 5-4 in extra innings in Puerto La Cruz, the 5 teams are now set to fight for the title of our national pastime. The La Guaira Tiburones, Anzoantegui Caribbeans, Magallanes Navigantes, Zulia Eagles, and Aragua Tigers is the order in which the teams will choose from the lottery to be held tomorrow at 10:00 am at the headquarters of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. The meeting also approved the schedule of Round Robin, but estimates the beginning is on 2 January in Caracas and Puerto La Cruz.

Tigers took the broom to Eagles

Aragua defeated 4-1 and 3-0 Zulia in Ottawa to clinch the round robin

The second game today was a combination of great pitching by the Tigers and timely hits for the offense during the Eagles 3-0 win over the cats. Alex Romero was the offensive hero with a two-run triple. Starter Seth Etherton had a no-hitter over four innings and combined with Wilfredo Ledezma, Eduardo Sanchez, Jose Mijares (winner) and Victor Moreno (save) shutout the raptors. The loser was the young Arcenio Leon (2-1).

Caracas Leones not left with a lot to think about this season

Josh Kroeger's injury in early July was a bad omen for Caracas. The MVP of last season injured his right knee in the U.S., while celebrating a victory for the New Orleans Zephyrs. That marked the beginning of an ordeal that ended Thursday in the worst way possible: with the elimination at the hands of its archrival, the Magallanes Navigators.

What led to the Lions elimination? How did a team that won 118 games in the last three years, and that was in each of the last three years a leader or co-leader in the standings end a season so poorly?

There are many answers, that the best is perhaps the one that was given by the team's president, Luis Avila, in the middle of the season, when he said that there could be a perfect storm. "It is too early to list all the factors behind the problem" said the executive via email. "But a failure can have a positive result. And the results are nothing more than that: a failure. "

Caracas started before this season, a rebuilding process for the team. Carlos Maldonado, Jose Castillo, Jackson Melian and Gustavo Chacin, four players who were instrumental in the conquest of the last three years (since 09-10), left the team. The responsibility was then in the hands of young people. And this is not a topic of conversation if not for the injuries caused to fall upon them a responsibility they had ever had.

The first step was forced by circumstances to use Ramon Cabrera as the starting catcher due to the late incorporation of Jose Lobaton and subsequent fracture of Jesus Sucre, who was to be the second catcher. The most important position was held by Ramon Cabrera, a prospect that, while a batting champion in the United States, has not played above Class A.

The injuries continued to undermine the team, and forced at times to overuse the bullpen. That crisis was combined with an unexpected shortage on offensive that forced the dismissal of hitting coach, Brian McCarn, and made ​​the fans miss Castillo, Melian and Maldonado, although the trio had one of their worst seasons in the league.

"The offense was the determining factor in the results," manager Rick Sweet analyzed. "Because it's not easy being a pitcher when your margin for error is minimal." Sweet assumed the reins when the situation was untenable. Tim Teufel had to wade through all the vicissitudes that Avila talked about "a perfect storm". The players also were unhappy with the way Teufel ran the team.

The new strategist Sweet calmed the cave, but the offense never recovered. Part of the reason was the absence of a legitimate leadoff hitter because Jarrod Dyson's injury forced Teufel to experiment in that position, and Corey Wimberly, the option of management was not a hit. In addition, opponents took advantage of the absence of protection for Jesus Guzman who continually saw bad pitches to the point walks, hits, and total offense suffered.

The six-game winning streak in mid-December gave everyone hope that they did not have before, but that was not enough. This version of the Lions, was challenged on offensive, it was very vulnerable. Even minimal disadvantage looked huge.

No matter if you have the best bullpen in the league, a label that was imposed on the team before the season started with the presence of pieces from the likes of Franklin Morales, Henry Rodriguez and Edgmer Escalona. The major leaguers are not infallible. And with benefits so short due to a drought offensive, the possibility of losing was always high.

"We are disappointed," lamented Rick Sweet, that during his tenure he led the team to a 16-17 record. "Today we talked about it with Ives (Hernandez, general manager) and the other members of the organization. Mostly we talked about the future of the organization and what needs to be done to prevent this next year.

We have players to prevent this from happening again. " Rick Sweet spoke again and again about next season. Sweet held a meeting yesterday with the high command of the team to discuss what should be best for next season. "Because I think this team does not need a total reconstruction to be champion," said the manager. "With minimal changes we will be ready."

The manager said that after the conversation, all came to the conclusion that the team needs an experienced outfielder in the league, a receiver, also a veteran, to facilitate the transition process, because the team has several prospects at catcher, and definitely faster. "We have young players like Daniel Mayora, Carlos Rivero and Jesus Aguilar, but we needed more power production," reviewed the helmsman.

"Because Jesus Guzman finished the season well, but he is a born slugger. And that's one of our shortcomings. " Sweet reiterated his desire to come to Caracas to lead the team next season, but management has not yet made ​​a decision. "He's a possibility, but will not confirm whether or not he will return immediately," said team president, Luis Avila.

"Failure can not have positive results. And the results are nothing more than that: a failure " AVILA LUIS DEL CARACAS PRESIDENT OF LIONS

Yorvit Torrealba appeal was not accepted by the League

Caracas, December 30 (Special) .-

The penalty of 66-game suspension on Yorvit Torrealba has not changed, after League president, José Grasso Vecchio, confirmed through his Twitter account that the board ratified the initial decision.

"The League Board ratified the sanction to Yorvit Torrealba," were the words of Grasso Vecchio about the sanction of the receiver.

The catcher of the Leones del Caracas decided to appeal the penalty imposed by the body after the main attack Darius Rivero Jr. during a meeting held on 23 December between Caracas and Caribes of Anzoategui.

Torrealba emphasized in his press conference Monday that the suspension had been too severe and the situation had to be assessed. "No punishment seems fair to me, because here (in the league) have been many significant acts of violence and punishment has been minimal. For this reason and by the Players Association decided to appeal the decision. Obviously, I hope the League will reconsider its ruling. I know that my reaction was inappropriate and I accept a punishment, just seems a little exaggerated".

The League overcame the appeal and the suspension still stands.

Dominican Baseball

Miguel Tejada with a good debut in the Eagles victory

Friday December 30 2011.-

Miguel Tejada had an auspicious debut in the game that the Eagles won against the Tigers last night at Licey by a score of 6-0 at Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo.

Tejada hit two doubles and drove the same number of runs for the Aguilas the team ranked second in the roun robin tournament still lead by the Escogido Leones.

During the game the Eagles had eleven hits against the Tigers 6 hits. The Eagles made one mistake and Licey two.

The game between Leones and the Gigantes in Cibao was rained out.

FRANCISCO LIRIANO

Impact Sports

Francisco Liriano Will Throw in the Dominican

Written by: FRANKLIN MIRABAL

Finally, Francisco Liriano with throw for the Escogido Leones in the playoffs.

Excellent choice!.

Liriano himself attributed his decline last year because he did not pitch in the winter.

The last time he pitched for Leones he did well in Minnesota.

I really think that players should play even in the final part of the baseball season during the winter to get their body in good condition for spring.

Of course, the old fan thinks of the past.

The days here of playing Juan Marichal, the Alou, Rico Carty, Mario Soto and Joaquin Andujar, among others.

But times have changed, and I'm not going to criticize.

Now there are cases like Liriano, and Ubaldo Jimenez, who see it to be necessary for them to throw in the winter, for their sake.

It will never be the same as training in Miami, not being involved taking the heat of the game, and facing live hitters in a game.

Glad that Liriano will pitch, and we'll see if they are better in the majors in 2012.

The same is expected of Ubaldo Jimenez, who is with the Licey.

Follow me on Twitter: @ Elreydelaradio.

Movement

Marmol downplays trade rumors


According to Jon Paul Morosi, of Foxsports.com portal, Marmol, along with reliever Kansas City, Joakim Soria, were involved in a triple change, which would involve, addition, the Boston Red Sox. "Right now I'm focused on preparing to play for Licey, but for now I have no exact date for my debut. For a trade I will accept it humbly. The Cubs team is a great organization that has given me the opportunity to be part of that family, "said the pitcher. reliever, 29. The team Cubs will pay the sum of seven million dollars for the coming Major League Baseball season and $ 9.8 million for the campaign of 2013. Last season, Marble rescued 34 games in 75 games. He pitched 74 innings, allowed 54 hits, 33 runs, 99 strikeouts, 48 transfers and 4.01 ERA. Also finished with a record of 2-6.

Teams took tenderloin in the lottery

Luis Jimenez of the Cardinals was the first choice of La Guaira Sharks. Yusmeiro Petit will wear Tigers uniform

CARACAS .-

Luis Jimenez will have another opportunity to continue his seasom in the uniform of the La Guaira Sharks after being selected as the first pick of all sharks in the Lottery.

The Caribbeans of Anzoategui decided to add an important bat quickly and chose the slugger also from Lara Cardinals José Celestino Lopez .

The Magallanes Navigantes did not lose the opportunity to strengthen their pitching staff and added Matt Klinker with their first choice.

The Zulia Aguilas managed to cover the departure of Freddy Galvis and selected one of the best shortstops league, Alcides Escobar.

Yusmeiro Petit , was selected as the first lottery pick of the Tigres de Aragua of Buddy Bailey .

The Lottery:

Sharks of La Guaira, Luis Jimenez, Armando Galarraga, Brian Sweeney, Jose Jimenez. They will replace: Jay Gibbons, Jon Link, Paolo Espino and Justin Friend.

Caribs of Anzoategui: Jose Celestino Lopez, Rene Reyes, Jose Castillo and Juan Rincon. They replace: Dave Sappelt, Stefan Gartrell, Manny Ayala and Wes Etheridge.

Magallanes Navigators: Matt Klinker, Orberá Moreno, Luis Ramirez. They replace: Brian's Hair and David Trahan.

Aguilas del Zulia: Alcides Escobar, Adalberto Mendez, Miguel Hernan, and Iribarren Socolovich. They replace: Colin Curtis, Ryan Reid, Matt Nevarez and Derek Blacksher.

Tigres de Aragua: Yusmeiro Petit, Johan Limonta, Romulo Sanchez and Justin Lehr. They replace: Jorge Vasquez, Peter Scott, Alberto Acosta and Anthony Gose.

CARACAS .-

The League announced the schedule of 16 days for the Round Robin of the ball in Venezuela. This phase will be played between January 2 and January 21. The top two teams will be invited into the grand final. The League champions move on to the Series del Caribe.

Here we leave the calendar; This is the round robin schedule

Lunes 2 de enero
Magallanes Vs Caribes en Puerto La Cruz 7:30 pm
Aragua Vs La Guaira en Caracas 7:30 pm

Martes 3 de enero
Magallanes Vs Caribes en Puerto La Cruz 7:30 pm
Zulia Vs La Guaira en Caracas 7:30 pm

Miércoles 4 de enero
Zulia Vs Caribes en Puerto La Cruz 7:30 pm
Aragua Vs Magallanes en Valencia 7:30 pm

Jueves 5 de enero
Zulia Vs Caribes en Puerto La Cruz 7:30 pm
La Guaira Vs Aragua en Maracay 7:30 pm

Viernes 6 de enero
Magallanes Vs La Guaira en Caracas 7:30 pm
Zulia Vs Aragua en Maracay 7:30 pm

Sábado 7 de enero
La Guaira Vs Aragua en Maracay 5:30 pm
Caribes Vs Magallanes en Valencia 5:30 pm

Domingo 8 de enero
Caribes Vs La Guaira en Caracas 1:00 pm
Magallanes Vs Zulia en Maracaibo 5:00 pm

Lunes 9 de enero
Caribes Vs Aragua en Maracay 7:30 pm
Magallanes Vs Zulia en Maracaibo 7:30 pm

Martes 10 de enero
Caribes Vs La Guaira en Caracas 7:30 pm
Aragua Vs Zulia en Maracaibo 7:30 pm

Miércoles 11 de enero
La Guaira Vs Magallanes en Valencia 7:30 pm
Aragua Vs Zulia en Maracaibo 7:30 pm

Jueves 12 de enero
La Guaira Vs Caribes en Puerto La Cruz 7:30 pm
Magallanes Vs Aragua en Maracay 7:30 pm

Viernes 13 de enero
La Guaira Vs Caribes en Puerto La Cruz 7:30 pm
Zulia Vs Magallanes en Valencia 7:30 pm

Sábado 14 de enero
Aragua Vs Caribes en Puerto La Cruz 6:00 pm
Zulia Vs Magallanes en Valencia 5:30 pm

Domingo 15 de enero
Aragua Vs Caribes en Puerto La Cruz 6:00 pm
Zulia Vs La Guaira en Caracas 1:00 pm

Lunes 16 de enero
Zulia Vs Aragua en Maracay 7:30 pm
La Guaira Vs Magallanes en Valencia 7:30 pm

Martes 17 de enero
Aragua Vs La Guaira en Caracas 7:30 pm
Caribes Vs Magallanes en Valencia 7:30 pm

Miércoles 18 de enero
Magallanes Vs La Guaira en Caracas 7:30 pm
Caribes Vs Zulia en Maracaibo 7:30 pm

Jueves 19 de enero
Magallanes Vs Aragua en Maracay 7:30 pm
Caribes vs Zulia en Maracaibo 7:30 pm

Viernes 20 de enero
Caribes Vs Aragua en Maracay 7:30 pm
La Guaira Vs Zulia en Maracaibo 7:30 pm

Sábado 21 de enero
Aragua Vs Magallanes en Valencia 7:30 pm
La Guaira Vs Zulia en Maracaibo 7:30 pm

Luis Blasini, "We reinforced with replacement"

The manager believes that the choices strengthened weaknesses as to the main problem of the team.

CARACAS .-

Pitching was the main weakness for the Magallanes Navigators. Their three lottery picks were pitchers. Luis Blasini , general manager of Magallanes , said he seeks to solve the main problem with the club. " We reinforced with relief, because we have had problems in innings 6 - 8 " , said "We reserved the fourth choice perhaps searching other leagues for setup pitchers. That pick is there, " he snapped. Magallanes took the lottery to replace pitchers Matt Klinker, Orberá Moreno and Luis Ramirez.

Elvis Andrus talks on possible participation in the round robin continues, Blasini said there would soon be news from the Rangers. " We are in talks with Texas to have Andrus. In the coming hours we will have answers " . "It is still possible to retain and Darwin Pérez José Altuve for round robin" , concluded the manager.
Elvis Andrus wants to play with the Navigators.

Looking at Aoki’s Case

By Patrick » 30 December 2011


After a little discussion about Norichika Aoki on an earlier post, I thought I’d break down the speedy outfielder’s case in a little more detail. Here’s what I’ve come up with.

The case for:

•Was among the best hitters in Japan from 2005-2010, four times hitting .340 or higher (via npb.or.jp/eng)
•Strong plate discipline mostly survived the new ball
•Continued to make contact in 2011, career low strikeouts
•Speed doesn’t slump
•Rangey in the field, led Japan’s center fielders with a 2.45 range factor in 2011 through July 20 (via Baseball Lab)

The case against:

•Performance decline in 2011 — from a career-best .358/.435/.509 to a career worst .292/.360/.358 (via Pro Yakyu Data Freak)
•No power with the new ball; perilous drop from 44 to 18 doubles from 2010 to 2011
•Weak throwing arm
•22.9% of his hits in 2011 were infield singles (according to Pro Yakyu Nuru Data Okiba)
•In 2011 he hit .382/.452/.520 in 115 plate appearances against Yokohama, padding his stats by bashing Japan’s worst pitching staff (also via Pro Yakyu Nuru Data Okiba)
•“Aoki’s plate discipline seems to have regressed” — me, August 5, 2011.

I’ve flip-flopped on Aoki as a prospect quite a bit this season, though I haven’t written much. I was extremely bearish early on, and had kind of written him off as a prospect, then I came around a bit to a more glass-half-full view. Now I’m backing off a bit a again. I think the specific numbers that I’ve keyed in on paint a rather negative picture.

I think Aoki has enough transferrable skills to be a useful MLB player, but there some real limitations to his game, most notably his lack of power. I still think my Juan Pierre comparison is not such a bad one, with the caveat that Aoki probably won’t get enough playing time to rack up 200 hits like Pierre was doing in his prime.