Carmona blows away Leones in playoff win

Indians right-hander strikes out nine, allows one hit in 5 2/3 innings

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 3, Escogido 2

Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona struck out nine and allowed two runs on one hit over 5 2/3 innings as the Aguilas edged the first-place Leones in the round-robin playoffs. A's outfielder Brandon Moss put Cibaeñas ahead for good with a two-run double in the first and Joaquin Arias added a sacrifice fly. Reds prospect Denis Phipps doubled and scored a run for Escogido.

Licey 3, Gigantes 2, 10 innings

Ronny Paulino went 3-for-3 with an RBI as the Tigres outlasted the Gigantes. Fellow Major League veteran Luis Matos drew a bases-loaded walk in the 10th to give Licey a 7-8 record in round-robin play. Twins infielder Alexi Casilla had two hits, an RBI and a run scored for Cibao.
Fausto Carmona went 7-15 with a 5.25 ERA and 109 strikeouts over 188 2/3 innings in 32 games last year. (Paul Spinelli/Getty Images)

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 16, Zulia 5

Luis Antonio Jimenez, former Major Leaguer Gregor Blanco and Japanese League veteran Alex Cabrera each homered twice to power the Tiburones past the winless Aguilas. Jimenez drove in five runs, while Blanco scored five times to help La Guaira improve to 7-4 in the round-robin playoffs. Giants prospect Jose Flores and Eduardo Perez smacked two-run shots for Zulia (0-11).

Aragua 5, Caribes 3

Rangers Minor Leaguer Luis Hernandez lifted a go-ahead sacrifice fly in a four-run ninth inning as the Tigres stunned the Caribes in the round-robin playoffs. Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos had two hits and scored a run for Aragua, while former Major Leaguer Niuman Romero went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in a losing cause.

Mexican Pacific League

Obregon 5, Mexicali 1
Cubs prospect Marco Carrillo allowed a run on three hits over six innings as the Yaquis shut down the Aguilas to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 semifinal series. Mets farmhand Corey Wimberly had two hits and scored twice out of the leadoff spot and former Major Leaguer Karim Garcia drove in two runs for Obregon. Humberto Cota accounted for Mexicali's offense with his third postseason homer.

Guasave 2, Culiacan 1

Brad Snyder went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer that powered the Algodoñeros to a 3-1 lead in their best-of-7 semifinal series. Former Reds farmhand James Avery struck out six over five innings and combined with three relievers on a four-hitter for Guasave. One night after hitting three homers and driving in seven runs, Cory Aldridge had an RBI forceout for the Tomateros.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 4, Mayaguez 0

Brewers infielder Andy Gonzalez drove in three runs out of the ninth spot in the lineup and former Major Leaguer Jorge Padilla homered as the Criollos squared the best-of-9 Championship Series at 1-1. Jose Rosario, who pitched at three Minor League levels last year, allowed three hits and struck out five over five innings for Caguas. Big league veteran Jesus Feliciano was 2-for-3 with a double for Mayaguez, which got five solid innings from Brewers Minor Leaguer Hiram Burgos.

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Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (LF, Brisbane Bandits): 1-for-4. That is now 3 games in a row Campbell has gotten a hit and now 14 of his last 15 games that he has had at least one hit in a game. In his last 3 games he is 6-for-12 with 4 runs scored, 1 walk and no strikeouts.

•Ryan Battaglia (C, Brisbane Bandits): 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI. Battaglia pounded his first homer out in the ABL, and now 4 of his 6 hits have gone for extra bases. He is only hitting .222, but thanks to the extra base hits he has a .720 OPS.

Dominican Republic Winter League

•Fausto Carmona (SP, Aguilas Cibaenas): 5.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 9 K, 0 HR. Carmona picked up the win for his Aguilas team in the playoffs with his best performance by far this offseason. Not only did he rack up 9 strikeouts, but he also got 9 groundballs to boot. He has been inconsistent this offseason pitching in the Dominican Republic, so hopefully he can build on this performance.

•Eric Berger (RP, Gigantes del Cibao): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Berger with another good outing and he has now pitched in 4 playoff games in the Dominican Republic and been near perfect. In those 4 games he has pitched a total of 3.0 innings and allowed no runs, 1 hit, no walks, and has 4 strikeouts.

Tigers rallied over the Caribbeans to take top spot in the Venezuelan Round Robin

The Aragua fabricated a cluster of four runs against the Caribbeans in the ninth and won their fifth straight win

PUERTO LA CRUZ .-

Nothing is more dangerous than the Aragua Tigers in January. This was demonstrated last night when they defeated the Caribes of Anzoategui, 5 by 3, after rallying for four runs in the ninth inning. The Tigers came into this two game set hoping to take home a win but in fact swept the two game series and as a result claimed first place from the Caribes.

The tigers attacked mercilessly closer Jon Hunton, who could not get a single out in the last inning. The assault against Hunton started when Johan Limonta walked, Wilson Ramos singled and Jose Garcia pinch ran for Wilson Ramos. Yangervis Solarte reached on force attempt and Johan Limonta scored. Jose Garcia to 3rd. Jorge Cortes walked. Yangervis Solarte to 2nd. Lester Oliveros relieved Jon Hunton.
Ruben Rivera grounded out and Jose Garcia scored. Yangervis Solarte to 3rd. Jorge Cortes to 2nd.
Luis Hernandez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Gorkys Hernandez. Yangervis Solarte scored. Jorge Cortes scored on a throwing error by center fielder Gorkys Hernandez. Yohan Pino picked up his third save of the postseason.
Tigers rallied in the 9th match / AVS Photo Photo Report
Ramon Castro slides into the third / Photo AVS Photo Report
Gorkys Hernandez returns to first base / AVS Photo Photo Report
Brayan Villareal threw 7 innings / Photo AVS Photo Report
Gustavo Molina hit solo homer in the party / AVS Photo Photo Report

Licey Wins in Dramatic Fashion and is Approaching the Finals

Almost at the end. A victory today by Licey combined with a defeat of the Giants, immediately would guarantee a spot in the finals for the Tigers.

On a night where the offensive could not produce for Licey, patience was the best companion for the Tigers in his hopes of victory.

The Puerto Rican Luis Matos received a walk with the bases loaded in the tenth inning and the Tigers defeated 3-2 the Gigantes del Cibao in the battle for a spot in the finals.

The former shortstop Jerry Gil pitched in relief with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the tenth inning struckout the young Arismendy Alcantara, before facing Matos to define the Licey win and broke a two-game losing streak.

The defeat went to Roman Colon (0-2) gave up two walks and let the run on base that won the game.

In the third inning, John Matulia hit an RBI single for the first run of the game. An inning later, Alexi Casilla's basehit put the game at 2-0 against American Jake Stevens.

But Licey responded in the bottom of the inning when Erick Aybar led off with a single and immediately after, Ronny Paulino hit an RBI double that brought the game at 2-1.

In the seventh, Jonathan Solano homered off reliever Juan Perez, to even the score.

The victory went to Victor Marte (1-1).

For Licey, Ronny Paulino was 3-3 with a double and an rbi while Erick Aybar was 2-5 with a run scored.

For the Giants, Alexi Casilla, Robinzon Diaz and Wilson Valdez each with two hits apiece.

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Fausto Carmona found the road to victory yesterday.

Carmona awakes and the Eagles do not give up

The righty threw five-plus innings and only gave up one run

SANTIAGO.

Fausto Carmona took control over the pitching while Brandon Moss, Elian Herrera, and Miguel Tejada took control on offense, so that the Cibao Eagles beat 3 by 2 runs the Lions of the Escogido.

Carmona (1-2) worked 5.2, allowed one hit, two runs, one unearned, one walk, 9 strikeouts and a wild pitch, in scoring the win.

He was followed on the mound by Manauris Baez (6), Wilkin Arias (8), Juan Sandoval (8) and Miguel Batista, picked up the save (4).

The defeat went to Nelson Figueroa (1-2) who threw 5.2 innings, 8 hits , three runs, gave up a walk and struck out two. He was followed in relief by Eury de la Rosa (6), Runelvis Hernandez (6), Nelson Payano (8).

Brandon Moss led the Eagles with a double and single and two RBIs. Elian Herrera and Miguel Tejada had two hits each for the Eagles. Carlos Gomez, Jesse Gutierrez and Joaquin Arias each had one hit.

Denis Phipps led the Lions with a double.

After three weeks of being absent from the lineup, Giovanny Urshela's role has gone from being a starter to reserve status according to the team roster. I guess the demotion could be seen coming.
KT = Total strikeouts, KS - Strikeouts swinging, KL= Strikeouts looking

Games this evening from Venezuela
LaGuaira is visiting at Magallanes
Zulia is at Aragua

Guess it doesn't get much closer than this.

Each team with 2 games left to play which includes this evenings slate.
Escogido has clinched their spot for the league championship series.

The battle is on for the last remaining spot between Licey, Aguilas, and Gigantes.

The Aguilas are visiting their arch rivals Licey in the capital
Escogido is in Cibao to take on the Gigantes.

Good stuff.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Game 1: Mayaguez 10, Caguas 1
Indios de Mayaguez lead series 1-0
Game 2: Caguas 4, Mayaguez 0
Series tied 1-1
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.

No game scheduled for this evening

MEXICO SEMI-FINALS

Game 1: Guasave 4, Culiacan 3
Algodoneros de Guasave lead series 1-0
Game 2: Guasave 4, Culiacan 1
Algodoneros de Guasave lead series 2-0
Game 3: Culiacan 17, Guasave 5
Algodoneros de Guasave lead series 2-1
Game 4: Culiacan 1, Guasave 2
Algodoneros de Guasave lead series 3-1
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
Aguilas de Mexicali lead series 1-0
Game 2: Obregon 4, Mexicali 3
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: Mexicali 2, Obregon 3
Yaquis de Obregon lead series 2-1
Game 4: Mexicali 1, Obregon 5
Yaquis de Obregon lead series 3-1
Game 5: 01/16 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/18 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/19 7:30 p.m.

Culiacan is at Guasave this evening
Mexicali is at Obregon

Obregon and Guasave can punch their tickets to the dance with wins tonight

MEXICO

Obregon jumped off to a 4-0 lead in the first against Mexicali.

Culiacan and Guasave are scoreless after 1.

DOMINICAN

Escogido leads the Gigantes 8-3 in the 9th.

The Aguilas won their game 3-1 in Santa Domingo.

VENEZUELA

Magallanes leads La Guaira 7-1 in the 6th.

Zulia threatening to break their 0-11 disaster leads Aragua 6-2 in the 8th. WoW!

PUERTO RICO

IDLE

The Aguilas and the Tigers are tied for the second and last qualifying spot for the championship series. The Aguilas and Tigers have been battling one another since 1936. There is no love lost between these two teams.

This series is similar to an Indian - Yankee matchup. The fans don't like each other very much. The Licey team comes from a larger market while the Cibaenas are more of a smaller market team. I guess if there was a difference it would be the parity the Aguilas and the Tigers share which makes their games exciting on the field and tense for the fans in the stands.

Licey has 22 league titles and 10 Caribbean series titles but have been around nearly 20 years longer than the Eagles. They were founded in 1907. The Eagles have totaled 20 league titles and 5 Caribbean Series titles. The were founded in 1936. The Aguilas and the Tigers have gone up against each other for the league championship series 18 times. The Licey Tigers have the advantage 10-8.

My two favorite winter ball teams are the Aguilas from the Dominican and the Caracas Leones from Venezuela, mainly because these two teams sign up more Indian players to contracts than do the other teams in the other leagues. Very few Indians play in Mexico. Not many play in Puerto Rico but more than in Mexico.

The best rivalries as mentioned are the Aguilas/Licey from the Dominican and the Caracas Leones/Magallanes Navigantes from Venezuela. Both matchups are intense both on the field and in the stands. These two team always attract very large and boisterous fans. Lot of flag waving, great "ballerinas", and plenty of noise makers and make shift bands. Always a lot of fun watching these teams play.

Anderson Hernandez is out in the first inning
The lefty Raul Valdes during his brilliant pitching time last night against the Tigers

Raul Valdes guides the Eagles to victory

With the win, the Eagles all tied for second with the Tigers

Santo Domingo .-

The Cuban lefty Raul Valdes threw a masterpiece for nine innings to lead the Cibao Eagles to an important 3-1 victory over the Tigers of Licey last night at Quisqueya Stadium in the penultimate round of the "Round Robin" tournament fall and winter baseball Dominican.

Valdez covered the full path and surrendered only five hits and one run with three strikeouts for the win (1-1).

For the Tigers the loss goes to Robinson Tejeda (1-1), who replaced Ryan Rowland Smith U.S., allowing three hits and a walk in 2.1 innings of work.

The victory allowed the Eagles (8-9) to tie with the Tigers (8-9) for the all the important second qualifier.

Licey took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on consecutive singles by Michael Martinez and Erick Anderson Hernandez, followed by an RBI double to Erick Aybar.

The Eagles evened the score 1-1 early in the third when Brandon Moss singled and brought home Elian Herrera.

The Eagles took a 2-1 advantage in the fifth on an RBI hit by Elian Herrera. The Eagles scored an insurance run at the beginning of the ninth when Carlos Gomez grounded out to second and brought home Juan Carlos Perez.

For the Eagles, Elian Herrera went 2-4 and drove in one, followed by Brandon Moss, 2-3, with an RBI. For Licey Erick Aybar, 1-4, double, produced the only run for the Tigers.

Perez powers way to Navegantes victory

Angels shortstop prospect homers, drives in four for Magallanes

Venezuelan Winter League

Magallanes 9, La Guaira 1

Angels prospect Darwin Perez slugged a solo homer and hit a bases-clearing double as the Navegantes pulled to within two games of second place in Venezuelan round-robin play Monday. Matt Klinker (Reds) earned the win after allowing a run on eight hits while fanning four over six innings, and Royals farmhand Mario Lisson scored a pair of runs. Luis Antonio Jimenez (Mariners) contributed the Tiburones' lone run with a homer.

Zulia 6, Aragua 2

Former Major Leaguer Tony Alvarez slugged a first-inning grand slam to give the Aguilas their first win of the round-robin playoffs. Alvarez finished with three hits and Dodgers farmhand Eduardo Perez scored twice while driving in a run. Edgardo Alfonzo, a Major League All-Star in 1999, drove in his eighth run of the playoffs for the Tigres, who are tied for first.
Darwin Perez batted .257 with 51 RBIs and 23 stolen bases for Double-A Arkansas in 2011. (James Garner/MiLB.com)

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 8, Cibao 2

Mauro Gomez, who spent the 2011 season playing for Atlanta's Triple-A club, was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs for the first-place Leones. Tigers prospect Andy Dirks scored three runs and big league veteran Fernando Tatis collected two RBIs. Mets prospect Jeurys Familia allowed three hits and struck out two over two shutout innings of relief for the Gigantes.

Cibaenas 3, Licey 1

Raul Valdes, recently signed by the Phillies, went the distance, allowing a run on five hits while fanning three for the Aguilas. Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, while Elian Herrera (Dodgers) had two hits and scored a run. Angels shortstop Erick Aybar doubled home a run for the Tigres.

Mexican Pacific League

Culiacan 8, Guasave 3

Former Major Leaguer Cory Aldridge slugged a pair of homers and plated three runs to help the Tomateros force a Game 6 in their semifinal series. Third baseman Marshall McDougall went deep twice and Yankees infielder Ramiro Pena slugged a two-run homer. Jose Rodriguez hit an RBI single for the Algodoneros.

Obregon 10, Mexicali 3

Former Braves farmhand Barbaro Canizares slugged a three-run homer as the Yaquis scored seven times in the first inning to clinch a trip to the Mexican Pacific League Finals. Corey Wimberley (Mets) got the scoring started with a leadoff homer and Carlos Valencia went yard. Yankees farmhand Pat Venditte allowed a hit over two scoreless innings of relief for the Aguilas.

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Dominican Republic Winter League

•Robinson Tejeda (RP, Tigres del Licey): 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K. Tejeda was the tough luck loser as the one run he allowed in the 5th inning put his Licey team down 2-1 and they eventually lost 3-1. He has now made a total of 8 appearances this offseason and in 16.1 innings has allowed 14 runs (12 earned) on 13 hits, 13 walks, and has 15 strikeouts. The high amount of walks and ineffectiveness are a carry over from a poor 2011 where he posted a 6.14 ERA in 9 appearances with the Royals and battled right shoulder inflammation for most of the year.

TICKET TO WIN - YAQUIS with a beating qualify for the FINALS

CD. Obregon, Sonora. January 16, 2012 (LMP.mx / Alpha Communications) -

The Yaquis of Ciudad Obregon became the first guest to the championship series of the season 2011-2012 Mexican Pacific League. A deadly rally of seven runs in the first inning was used to project the squad to a 10-3 win over the Mexicali Eagles.

The Yaquis, champions of the Mexican Pacific League will be waiting for their opponent when the series between the Algodoneros Guasave and Tomateros of Culiacan concludes.

The fight for the pennant of winter ball starts on Saturday January 21.

In that first inning, loser Marco Duarte (0-2) could not get out of the inning and gave up six runs.

The attack began with a home run from Corey Wimberly. After Alfredo Amezaga singled and Karim Garcia got hit by a pitched ball, Cañizarez Barbarian homered good for three runs.

Duarte then gave up a single to Doug Clark and walked Iker Franco. After Duarte was replaced, Carlos Valencia homered for another three runs making it a 7 to 0 ballgame.

The Yaquis tied a playoff record by hitting three homers in one inning which was held by the Colts of Tijuana in 1991 and Hermosillo Naranjeros in 2010.

The home side added three more runs in the second inning when Doug Clark singled and Ilker Franco hit a two run homer. Carlos Valencia walked and with two out, Sergio Contreras doubled home the third run of the inning making it a 10-1 ballgame.

In pitching, the winner was Rolando Valdez (1-0) who did enough to take the victory working five complete innings for four hits, one run, three walks and a strikeout.

Then came Rafael Rodriguez, Oswaldo Martinez, Hugo Castellanos, Cesar Carrillo and left-hander Luis Ignacio Ayala to end the game.

The Eagles scored in the second thanks to sacrifice fly by Roman Pena and added two in the sixth with a two run homer by run by Jorge Guzman following a Geronimo Gil double.

After Delgado, four relievers combined to hang six zeros on the Eagles and eliminated the Tomateros season.

Josh Roberts comes in after his second home run on Sunday (Charles Knight / SMP Images)


Last chance for Bandits to get to playoffs

Brisbane heads to Adelaide for Round 11 looking to get beyond the regular season


It's the last chance weekend for five teams in the Australian Baseball League, as the competition heats up for Round 11.

The only safe team is the 'Alcohol Think Again' Perth Heat, as they secured their playoff spot two weekends ago. The Brisbane Bandits may sit in sixth place in the standings but they remain in the race for the post-season after taking their most recent series against Melbourne.

The Bandits rode a successful weekend from their pitching staff and several timely offensive outbursts right back into the hunt for the Claxton Shield. While the league named both Josh Roberts and Brad Dutton as runners-up for Player of the Week Awards for Round 10, acknowledgement should also be given to starting pitchers Ryan Searle and Sean Jarrett, as well as Alex Maestri for his relief performance.

Roberts, team captain, ABL All-Star and MVP of the Bandits in the ABL's inaugural season last year, hit .473 (9-for-19) over the weekend against the Aces with two home runs, a double, six runs scored and five runs driven in. The right fielder leads the team in virtually every offensive category, along with ranking among the league leaders in average (.313), doubles (14), total bases (85) and RBI (29).

Second baseman Dutton batted .368 (7-for-19) in the series against the 'Jet Courier' Melbourne Aces with a home run, two doubles, three runs scored and seven RBI. His four home runs on the season have already doubled his total from last year, and he hit his first ABL grand slam in the Sunday afternoon matchup.

Searle made the start on Friday threw just the fourth complete game in the league this season. The Cubs prospect needed just 95 pitches to get through his nine innings of work, allowing only three runs on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts, for his second victory of the year. In four starts this season, the right-hander has completed 25 innings, allowing just 16 hits and eight walks, while striking out 25 batters.

After spending the entire beginning of the season in the bullpen for Brisbane, Jarrett made his first start on Saturday night. The American righty found success in his new role, shutting down Melbourne's lineup for six scoreless innings before even allowing a runner beyond first base. He completed his line after six frames plus three batters, giving up three runs on just three hits. He walked one and fanned five on the night, and the Bandits will be looking for him to continue his success against the Bite batters in the next round.

Brisbane's Italian ace, Maestri, came out of the bullpen in relief to finish out Sunday's game. After an uncharacteristically short outing in his start to open the series on Wednesday, the right-hander had plenty left in the tank for the afternoon matchup. The Italian Stallion completed four shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out five. He also earned his first save of the season. Maestri is currently second in the league with a 2.91 ERA, 58 2/3 innings pitched and 52 strikeouts.

The Bandits need a successful weekend in Adelaide to continue playing beyond the regular season. Heading into Round 11, Sydney (19-21) sits in second place in the standings, with Adelaide (18-22), Canberra and the Aces all tied for the third spot with the same record. Brisbane sits only two games out of the second position.

If teams remain tied at the end of the year, tie-breakers first go to their head-to-head series to determine who moves on. If they still remain tied, their series versus the first-place Heat will be compared for a determination.