Erick Almonte excelled in the Giants' victory against the Eagles anoche.archivo

January 12, 2012, 8:54 PM

Los Gigantes defeat del Cibao Eagles


Santo Domingo. -

The Cibao Giants defeated the Cibao Eagles 6-4 in a round robin match, held at Cibao Stadium in Santiago.

With the win, the Giants put the Eagles against the wall in the "Round Robin".

This was victory number six for the Giants with seven losses, three games behind the first position occupied by the Lions of Escogido and one behind the Licey Tigers in second place.

The visitors were first to score with two in the second inning.

The Eagles retaliated in the bottom of that inning and managed to tie the game.

The Giants returned to the charge in the fifth inning when Juan Delgadillo attacked the starter and the Giants went on to score four runs. Delgadillo worked four and two thirds, allowing five hits, four runs, walked one and struck out five, in a losing cause.

The Eagles scored in the seventh inning with two runs off reliever Roman Colon.

For the winners the best on the offensive were Erick Almonte, with two hits in four at-bats, Robinson Diaz had two singles in four visits to the plate and Alexi Casilla a hit in three at bats, a run scored and an RBI, while Elian Herrera and Joaquin Arias stood out for the Eagles. Eric Berger won and the save went to Juan Pérez Delgadillo

Ruiz plates four as Indios take semifinals

Former Major Leaguer homers, improves playoff average to .389

Puerto Rican Winter League

Mayaguez 4, Ponce 1

Former Major Leaguer Randy Ruiz provided all the offense for the Indios, homering and knocking in all four of the team's runs Thursday as Mayaguez won the fifth and deciding game of the series. Ruiz is batting .389 in the playoffs. Marlins farmhand Jeff Dominguez also put together a strong performance, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Mexican Leaguer Hiram Bocachica collected the only RBI for the Leones, plating Jose Castro (Reds) with a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Mayaguez starter and former Major Leaguer Jon Huber tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings, and reliever Ryan Kussmaul (White Sox) earned the win with a scoreless frame of his own.
Randy Ruiz hit .272 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs in 68 Major League games with the Twins and Blue Jays. (Jim Bryant/AP)

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 6, Magallanes 0

Former Major Leaguer Yusmeiro Petit (2-0) allowed just three hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out five, as Aragua improved to 6-3 in the playoffs. Jonel Pacheco (formerly of the Pirates), Johan Limonta (Mariners) and Luis Hernandez (Rangers) all went deep for the Tigres, combining to drive in all six runs. Mexican Leaguer Luis Landaeta turned in the only multi-hit day for the Navegantes, singling twice.

Anzoategui 7, La Guaira 4 (10 innings)

Yankees catcher Gustavo Molina smacked a three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to give the Caribes their eighth win in nine postseason games. Indians infielder Jose Lopez also drove in three. Former Major Leaguer Oscar Salazar left the park and plated a pair for the Tiburones, giving him four long balls and 12 RBIs in nine playoff contests.

Dominican Winter League

Cibao 6, Cibaenas 4

Brewers farmhand Erick Almonte went 2-for-3 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base, while seven relievers combined to hold the Aguilas scoreless over the final seven innings. Major League veteran Miguel Tejada was the only player to go deep in the game, launching a solo shot in the second. Making his Dominican debut for Cibaenas, Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and was hit by a pitch as the designated hitter. The Gigantes improved to 6-7 in the playoffs, while the Aguilas fell to 4-9.

Mexican Pacific League

Guasave 4, Culiacan 1

Mexican Leaguer Walter Silva yielded just two hits over seven shutout innings, fanning seven without issuing a walk. Former Major Leaguer Daryle Ward, Tony Thomas (Red Sox) and Jose Rodriguez (Royals) all homered for the Algodoneros, driving in a combined four runs. Jeff Frazier, who played in the Nationals system last year, knocked in the lone run for the Tomateros. Guasave now leads the series, 2-0.

Obregon 4, Mexicali 3

Mexican Leaguer Doug Clark collected three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs for the Yaquis. Barbaro Canizares (Mexican League) and Corey Wimberly (Mets) also recorded three-hit games, combining for three doubles and two runs scored. Humberto Cota (Mexican League) led the Aguilas' effort by going 2-for-2 with a homer and three RBIs.

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Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (LF, Brisbane Bandits): 0-for-3, K. With his 0-fer at the plate Campbell’s modest 11-game hitting streak came to an end. He has had a solid showing the ABL hitting .270 with a .735 OPS, and has 10 walks to only 9 strikeouts in 63 at bats.

•Mitch Nilsson (C, Brisbane Bandits): 1-for-3, R, 2B, K. Nilsson has not hit well in the ABL as he is only hitting .200 in 45 at bats, but 4 of his 9 hits have gone for extra bases and he has 7 walks so he is showing some power and patience at the plate.

Dominican Republic Winter League

•Eric Berger (RP, Gigantes del Cibao): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Berger was the vulture last night as he got a win in relief. He has also now faced 8 batters and allowed just 1 batter to reach base in 3 games in the DWL with 2.2 shutout innings of relief.

Venezuela Winter League

•Jose Lopez (3B, Caribes de Anzoategui): 1-for-5, 3 RBI. Lopez only managed one hit, but he made the most of it and had a productive day with an RBI groundout in the 1st inning and a two-run RBI single in the 5th inning

EAGLES .- Miguel Tejada got homer 28 lifetime in semifinal series, extending his own record in that regard ... The rotation will continue today with Barrett Browning, Lorenzo Barcelo Saturday, and Fausto Carmona, on Sunday ...

TIGERS .- First baseman Carlos Pena is training in the park Quisqueya. The Cleveland Indians are interested in his services ...

Renyel Pinto chosen Pitcher of the Year

Caribbean left-hander scored 23 out of 45 possible votes for first place and won a close battle the Austin American-Dirkx Bibens

CARACAS .-

The pitcher of the Caribes of Anzoategui , Renyel Pinto , was named today as winner of "Carrao" Bracho Pitcher of the Year award for 2011-2012 season professional baseball Venezuela . The left-hander, who served as the ace of the Caribes for most of the campaign, defeated in a close vote, the American of the Aguilas del Zulia Austin Bibens-Dirkx , who finished second. Pinto, who turns 30 in July, scored 23 out of 45 possible votes for first place, while also receiving 16 votes for the second and 6 for third for a total of 169 points.

For his part, Biben-Dirkx was credited with 20 first place votes, 20 more for the second and 5 for the third thereby totaling 165 points, only 4 less than the winner.

Pinto, who became the third pitcher of the Caribesto get the award ( Alex Herrera 2007-2008 and Andrew Baldwin 2010 - 2011), had a flawless season in which he had a 6-1 record with 2.43 ERA in 13 starts for the Indians, where he reached 77.2 innings of work in which he struck out 72 and walked 32.

Céspedes Yoenis play in the Dominican

ORLANDO -

While waiting to be declared a free agent to sign with a major league team, the Cuban outfielder Céspedes Yoenis will join the Cibao Eagles of the Dominican Republic winter ball. Céspedes is scheduled to make his professional debut on Thursday against the Gigantes del Cibao, Luichy Sanchez of the baseball operations office of the Eagles said. A source connected to the player reported that Céspedes initially will serve as the designated hitter. Cespedes, who is close to receiving his letter of temporary residence in the Dominican Republic,which is the highest requirement in the long process of getting free agency in baseball in the United States.

Cespedes is joining the Eagles in a really critical time for the popular club in the north of the island. The Eagles (4-8) have lost six of their last seven games to fall into last place in the semifinal round robin tournament quisqueyana. The eagles need to win their last six games to secure a spot in the final series.

Among the players who have never played in the major leagues, Cespedes, 26, is the most coveted hitter by American teams. The slugger batted at least .323 right in his last four seasons and set the record for home runs - with 33 in the 2010-11 season - in the National Series in Cuba, before escaping Cuba to the Dominican Republic to pursue the dream of playing in the majors.

Céspedes has been assessed by all organizations and industry speculation is that the contract could exceed $ 30 billion that his countryman Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds received in January 2010.

Not a great debut by the big slugger. Cespedes struckout his first three at bats.

Searle's complete game keeps Bandits pushing

Starter fourth ABLer to toss complete game in 2011/12

BRISBANE, 13 January -

Ryan Searle stunned the 'Jet Courier' Melbourne Aces and Brad Dutton led the Bandits with three RBI on the night as Brisbane took the third game of the five-game set at the RNA Showgrounds in Round Ten of Australian Baseball League action on Friday night.

Searle (2-1) threw just the fourth complete game in the ABL this season, getting through his nine innings with help from the Bandits potent offense. Andrew Campbell led the charge with three hits on the night, and Dutton and Sutherland combined to drive in five of Brisbane's runs. Josh Roberts added a 1-for-3 night, taking over the league lead in doubles with 14, and added to his team-leading total with his 27th RBI.

The Bandits were the first on the board in the third. Matt Roxburgh walked to open the frame and moved to third on a single from Ryan Battaglia. He came around on an RBI-single from Campbell. Dutton plated two more with his fifth double of the season, giving the Bandits a three-run advantage.

Brisbane (15-23) added to its total in the fifth. Battaglia led off the inning with a double, followed by a Campbell single. A fielding error by Aces second baseman Brad Harman allowed Battaglia to score and put runners on first and third with one out. Dutton drove in his third run of the night with an RBI-single, and that was the end of the night for Melbourne's starter Kevin Reese, taken out in favour of Andrew Mann.

Mann didn't fare much better as he gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Sutherland. The two-out, two-run shot was his fourth of the season and put the home team up 7-0.

Reese (1-2) went 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits, with one walk and one strikeout. Mann completed 1 1/3, giving up one earned run on two hits with a walk and a strikeout, and relieved by Markus Solbach.

The Aces (18-20) appeared to figure Searle out in the seventh. Brad Harman opened up the inning with a homer, his 11th of the year. After allowing a single to Justin Huber, next batter Elliot Biddle hit his eighth long ball of the season. The Bandits escaped the inning without any further damage, bringing the score to 7-3.

That's how the game would end, as Brisbane's right-hander shut down Melbourne's offense once again for the final two frames. Searle's line shows him going nine innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

With the win, the Bandits remain in sixth place, needing to do further damage in the remaining seven games in order to move beyond the regular season. Elsewhere in the playoff race, Melbourne moved into a tie for the second position in the standings with Adelaide (18-20). Canberra (17-20) dropped to fourth with a loss to Perth (28-9), and the Blue Sox (17-21) sit in fifth after their lost to the Bite.

Brisbane Bandits BATTING
2B: Roberts (14, Reese), Dutton, B (5, Reese), Battaglia (3, Reese).
HR: Sutherland (4, 5th inning off Mann, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Campbell, A 3; Roberts 2; Dutton, B 3; Sutherland 4; Dutton, W; Battaglia 3.
RBI: Campbell, A (7), Dutton, B 3 (17), Roberts (27), Sutherland 2 (25).

Final series will be a brawl

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Karla Pacheco Alvarez / First Time

The Final Round of professional baseball Puerto Rico begins tonight in Caguas, has a special pique: smells like revenge and has become a personal challenge.

The Mayaguez Indians beat the Caguas Creoles in the championship series of the season 2009 - 2010 and for the past week the directors of both teams have been engaged in a power struggle since early in the season.

The Creoles seem to be the favorites even though during the regular season both teams were 7-7 and Caguas had nine days of inactivity.

To the general manager of the Caguas, Frankie Higgingbotham this series will be marked by pitching and defense.

"We tied for the regular season, but in the playoffs it does not matter. This series will be determined by pitching and defense, and in that line we are more equipped than them, "said Higginbotham.

Caguas was the team that made the fewest errors with 23, while Mayagüez made 43.

In addition to its defense, the biggest weakness of Mayaguez lies in the instability of its rotation. One point that was exposed in the series against Ponce when only two starters were consistent: Jon Huber and Bobby Livingston.

But to the end, Mayaguez will not have to face Huber in the series. Huber has a torn rotator cuff in his right arm

Now, Mayagüez needs to start the series with Livingston, waiting for the righty Hiram Burgos to again demonstrate the strength and consistency of two years ago.

In Caguas the opposite happens. From the beginning of the season the Creoles have a set rotation will only be changed in the postseason before the recruitment of several reinforcements.

The team was reinforced with players like the Giants starter Carolina, Matt DeSalvo, and left-handed relievers in Ponce, Joe Testa and Sergio Espinosa and pitchers Claudio Galva, Jose Rosario, Felix Romero and Mike Loree.

So, the rotation for Caguas will be made by DeSalvo, Rosario, Luis Cruz and Loree.

On the other hand, the Indians' offense has the biggest question because one of its pillars, Randy Ruiz, had to leave Thursday's game after experiencing discomfort in his right leg.

The first baseman is being tested every day and is expected to play tonight.

The Indians outfielder Miguel "Mickey" Negron, asked fans for a vote of confidence for the tribe after claiming that games are won on the diamond and not on paper.

"I played 11 seasons with Caguas and I can say now that the team is no better now than it was at any other time. To us Caguas does not intimidate. We have made the postseason with a core of players who know how to win, "said Negron.

"To us we were underestimated and we showed that games are won on the playing field."he said.

The challenge is ready, just need to break the action at 7:15 pm in the stadium Yldefonso Sola Morales

MEXICO SEMI-FINALS

Game 1: Guasave 4, Culiacan 3
Game 2: Guasave 4, Culiacan 1
Algodoneros de Guasave lead series 2-0
Game 3: 01/14 7:00 p.m.
Game 4: 01/15 6:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/16 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/18 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/19 7:30 p.m.

Game 1: Obregon 3, Mexicali 4
Game 2: Obregon 4, Mexicali 3
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: 01/14 6:00 p.m.
Game 4: 01/15 5:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/16 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/18 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/19 7:30 p.m.

VENEZUELA ROUND ROBIN
DOMINICAN ROUND ROBIN
PUERTO RICO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Final: Mayaguez vs. Caguas
Game 1: 01/14 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: 01/15 3:00 p.m.
Game 3: 01/17 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: 01/18 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: 01/20 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/21 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/22 3:00 p.m.
Game 8: 01/24 7:30 p.m.
Game 9: 01/25 7:30 p.m.

Julio Cesar Franco will manage baseball in Mexico

The announcement was made by executives of Mexican League.

The Julio Franco was announced in Mexico as leader of the Club Pericos de Puebla, the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), which will start in March.

Franco was presented at a press conference by Rafael Moreno Valle Sanchez, head of the Board of the club, reports Notimex-

Mexican manager replaces Franco Alfonso "Houston" Jimenez, who led the Green team to a Final Series and two postseasons, with numbers of 181 wins and 135 losses.

Franco, who was born on August 23, 1958, Dominican Republic, played in his professional time as an infielder and designated hitter and has the major league record in 2007, being the oldest active slugger at 49 years of age.

During his tenure with Major League Baseball, Julio Franco was called three-times to the All-Stars 1989 and 1990, was the Most Valuable Player in 1991. He won the trophy Silver Slugger five times in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1994.

The new manager of Pericos is the leading hitter of all time, between Dominican-born players on major league circuit. Franco debuted on April 23, 1982, as a shortstop with the Philadelphia Phillies.

On May 2, 2008, Franco announced his retirement from baseball, where he played for the club Tigres de Quintana Roo in the LMB.

January 13, 2012, 2:46 PM

Yoenis Cespedes cites six teams interested in his services

Written by: DIONISIO SOLDEVILA

SANTO DOMINGO, (AP) .-

The Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes said Friday that six major league teams remain in the bidding for his services once officially become a free agent. "There are six teams that have more interest in me. They are the Miami Marlins ... Cubs (Cubs) and the White Sox, Orioles, Detroit and the Indians," said Cespedes told The Associated Press.

There are reports that Cespedes could receive more than $ 50 million when he is signed in free agency and would be ready to play from the beginning of the 2012 season. Cespedes, 27, debuted Thursday as professional winter baseball from the Dominican Republic with the Cibao Eagles and went 0-3 with three strikeouts.

Céspedes's debut came as a surprise to Dominican baseball but one of the representatives of Cuba, Edgar Mercedes, is team manager of the city of Santiago, about 150 kilometers from the Dominican capital.

"I decided to help the Eagles. I will try to do my best. The Eagles opened the door and I want to help," he said. The Cuban justified his poor performance in the first game and attributed the bad results to a real long time with no action only workouts.

"I had 10 months without playing ball at night, my eyesight was not good, but things will get better later," he said. Céspedes's debut came with six games left in the semifinals of the Dominican winter baseball with the Eagles team 4-9 and in the basement. It is expected that the mighty slugger will see action in the coming games.

Despite the bad start, Céspedes hopefully will have good results in subsequent encounters. "Trust Yoenis Céspedes. My motto is to win and win," he said

Wilson Valdez

A triumph for the Giants tie Licey Tigers for second

The Cibao Giants are not willing to surrender and a sacrifice fly by Wilson Valdez began the struggle to qualify for the finals more interesting.

With the game tied 2-2 in the ninth inning with a man on third and another at first, Valdez sacrifice fly to left batted in Pedro Feliz with the winning run to give the Giants their second straight victory and tied them with Licey in second position in the fight for a spot in the league championship series of the Dominican Republic.

Third baseman Feliz homered in the fifth inning to get the first run home for the Giants.

Feliz was also involved in the second run for the Giants with a sacrifice fly that became part of a double play made possible by bad base running of Brad Nelson, but scored Wilson Betemit.

The win went to reliever Rhiner Cruz (2-0) by getting one out in the eighth, while Don Juan Perez dominated three strikeouts in the ninth for his fourth save.

Licey had an auspicious debut by shortstop Erick Aybar, who received his permission to play in the country, and doubled and tripled in his performance.

The loss went to Jairo Asencio (0-1) by allowing one hit and one unearned run with a walk and two strikeouts.

For the Giants, Pedro Feliz hit 2-3, with a homer and two RBIs, Wilson Valdez was 1-2 with an RBI.

Licey's, Aybar, was 2-4, double, triple and two RBIs, Carlos Triunfel and Yordanny Valdespino, a double each in the losing cause.

Ubaldo Jimenez

Cleveland general manager said Ubaldo Jimenez was limited to one game with the Licey

According to general manager of the Cleveland Indians, Chris Antonetti, Ubaldo Jimenez was limited to a single game with Licey in the Dominican Republic.

To a large extent, it was the flu.

In his only start allowed 3 runs, 3 hits and 2 walks in 2.1 innings.

Now Jimenez is concentrating on preparing his body, and the Indians expect to see improvement in his mechanics en route to having a good season in 2012.

"I've used most of the offseason to focus on conditioning which the Indians hope will Lead to improved mechanics moving forward" said Jimenez. The 27-year-old right-hander went with a 4.68 ERA 10-13 and 180/78 strikeout to walks ratio over 188.1 innings between the Rockies and Indians last season.

ERICK AYBAR

PERMISSION TO PLAY.

Shortstop Erick Aybar, was given permission by his organization of the Anaheim Angels, to wear the uniform of the Licey Tigers in the Dominican winter baseball league.

Aybar, 27, batted .279 with 10 homers and 59 RBIs last season with the Angels. The Dominican has not played at home since the 2009-10 season when he reached the semifinales. Erick is on the roster tonight and in the lineup.

The shortstop said his lawyers had negotiated a contract extension for several seasons with the Angels, but has not yet reached an agreement definitivo. Aybar comes from a campaign where he won the Gold Glove as a shortstop and managed to establish himself as a regular of the Angels.

Too late to say that Manny is claimed

Find it difficult to become a humble person

BY Alden Gonzalez MLB.com Miami

Manny Ramirez may actually be sincere. Maybe now you realize how much he has tarnished his career by his follies, his attitude and, ultimately, his positive tests for banned substances. Sure, it's a career that would have been a Hall of Fame caliber.

He may be a new man. But here's a tip: If you want people to believe all that, it is right to refer to himself in the third person.

"I want to show people that Manny could change, I could do the right thing and show people I could still play," Ramirez told ESPN's Pedro Gomez. "I do not want to leave the game the way I did. I also want to show my children that if they make a mistake, do not have to give up, but come back and fix it, and if you go, you have to go the right way. "In case anyone has forgotten it, Ramirez is a free agent now. In April last year after testing positive for banned substances for the second time in his career, the slugger opted for retirement rather than comply with a suspension of 100 games.

Now Ramirez wants to return. To accommodate this, Major League Baseball agreed to: the suspension has been reduced to 50 games. Manny can be signed to participate in spring training.

And, while serving the suspension, he can practice with the team that signs him while away from the field and the clubhouse by the time they open the doors to the public arena.

Now, some six weeks before the start of training, the obvious question is: Do you risk some team with Manny? Or better yet: Manny deserves another chance? Some of the images in his report to ESPN Manny teaches exercising in a pool with some elderly ladies. In another moment, a sad Ramirez expressed remorse for the domestic assault charge against him about five months after his sudden retirement from baseball. In my eyes he looks like a sorry Manny.

I think anyone who walked in his shoes - no matter the level of selfishness displayed above, would become more humble, willing to accept a dramatic change to please others if someone takes a chance.