Leones threatening to move within one win from the championship.......Aguilas in trouble trailing 5-2 heading into the ninth inning. Lorenzo Barcelo threw a 1-0 shutout at Leones in his last outing needed to do the same this time around. The Aguilas offense is not a very good one. It was a team built on speed. Any power on the team would be expected only from Brandon Moss now that Yoenis Cespedes has turned his attentions to free agency.

Gimenez, Tigres close in on championship

Major League veteran collects four RBIs in win over Tiburones

Venezuelan Winter League
Former Major Leaguer Hector Gimenez doubled, singled and drove in four runs to help the Tigres climb within one win of their sixth championship in nine years. Former Cardinals farmhand Jose Martinez went 4-for-5 with an RBI and fell a homer shy of the cycle for Aragua, which took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 Finals. Big league veteran Yusmeiro Petit improved to 4-0 in the postseason after limiting the Tiburones to a run on four hits over five innings. Giants prospect Hector Sanchez tripled and scored La Guaira's lone run.
Hector Gimenez hit .286 with 11 homers and 54 RBIs for the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate last season. (Tony Farlow/MiLB.com)

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 5, Aguilas 2

Former Major Leaguer Fernando Tatis drove in two runs as the Leones halted a three-game losing streak and grabbed a 4-3 lead in the best-of-9 Championship Series. Indians newcomer Julio Lugo had two hits, including a go-ahead RBI single in the fifth inning for Escogido, which needs one win to claim its second title in three years. Minor League veteran Kris Johnson was credited with the victory after tossing 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief. Dodgers prospect Elian Herrera had two hits and scored a run for the Aguilas.

Julio Lugo has been playing very well in the playoffs.

The lions travel to Santiago this Sunday.

FINAL SERIES

The Lions can win the crown today in Santiago

Large screen installed in the Quisqueya Stadium Santo Domingo to celebrate if they win.

The Leones Escogido will broadcast on the giant screen at Quisqueya Stadium, the eighth game of the finals to be held this Sunday from 5:00 in the afternoon in the park Cibao, Santiago City. The information was provided by Jose Miguel Bonetti, group executive vice president of Escogido, who noted that the tickets for the game will be free.

Bonetti said that "we know that a lot of Leones fans would like to travel to Santiago to support the team, but as there are limitations on the purchase of tickets, we will provide an opportunity to see the game and have all facilities available as of a normal game. "

"There will be food and beverage service, security and health services will be operating as in any game," he said.

Escogido is leading 4-3 in the series scheduled to the best of 9 games.

That means Escogido with a victory will be crowned Dominican baseball champions for the second time in the last 3 years.

SERIES ENDS MONDAY IF A GAME NINE IS NECESSARY

Felix Fermin warns not to celebrate before preparing for today

Sure of victory on Sunday with Lorenzo Barcelo on the mound. Barcelo shut out the Lions 1-0 in his last game.

The manager of the Cibao Eagles sent a clear message to the fans, players and officials of the Leones Escogido. The series does not end today, it is Monday.

This Sunday we play the eighth game of the series, with one-game lead for the Lions who won last night at the Estadio Quisqueya.

Today the game is transferred to the Cibao Stadium, known as Death Valley, with the Lions goal to be crowned champions there.

The manager of the Eagles spoke to El Nacional, after the defeat of his team 5-2 in front of the Lions home field which dominates the finals 4-3.

Fermin said he is confident everybody will work hard this afternoon to extend the series with Barceló pitching.

"Tomorrow (today) in Santiago with the hope and the decision to tie the series. We are all hoping to stop the Lions and play the decisive clash on Monday. "

He said he is proud of the work the team has done, but still not pleased, "When we win the crown, I am totally pleased."

Fermin said his team never gives up and demonstrated that against the Licey Tigers when the team eliminated them to advance to the Final Series.

He did not elaborate on whether to change his lineup for the game this afternoon, saying you have to wait to find out the health of the captain and third baseman Hector Luna.

CROWN FOR A GAME

Lions devoured the Cibao Eagles

The match ended 5-2 in favor of the Lions in a match played at the Estadio Quisqueya.

Leones Escogido regained their lead in the Final Series.

Fernando Tatis drove in two runs and the Leones Escogido were placed at a championship game away with their 5-2 victory a Final Series game held on Saturday at Quisqueya Stadium.

The southpaw Kris Johnson scored the victory with 2.2 scoreless innings with three hits allowed. Johnson entered the third inning to replace starter, Edward Valdez, who permitted two unearned runs in the first inning and said goodbye after 2.1 innings of four hits allowed.

The young Ramon Garcia struck out all three opponents he faced in the sixth, Nelson Payano put up zeros in the seventh and eighth and Fernando Rodney threw a smooth ninth for his third save of the final.

The loss fell to reliever TJ Pena, facing two batters in the fifth inning which became runs.

The Eagles took advantage on an error by right fielder Andy Dirks and an RBI single by Miguel Tejada to take advantage in the first inning.

The Lions scored one in the second on a single by Julio Lugo, who later scored on Tatis grounder and came back to score in the third on RBI hit by Dirks.

In the fifth, the Lions scored two runs. Lugo had an RBI single that gave the lead to the Lions.

Caribbean Baseball

Tigers take lead in Venezuelan baseball finals

The two teams clash today at Jose Perez Colmenares Stadium in Maracay.

Caracas, Jan 28 (Prensa Latina)

Aragua Tigers took the lead in the yard to defeat La Guaira Sharks 7-1 in the university stadium in this city.

With this result the Tigers will go home with a favorable lead in the series 3-2, and leave with the possibilities for winning the series in only six games.

Yusmeiro Petit was the winning pitcher who kept his domination over the Sharks in the playoffs and only allowed one run in five innings, while the loser was Les Walrond who allowed ten hits and three runs.

Edgardo Alfonzo homered for the Tigers and drove in two runs and Hector Gimenez drove in four . Both were instrumental in putting their team in a favorable position to get their ninth championship.

The two teams clash today at the Estadio Jose Perez Colmenares in Maracay, Aragua state, with a possible match between Yorman Bazardo for the Tigers and Matt Klinker for the Sharks.
Hector Sanchez scored after hitting a triple
Les Walrond started for the sharks
Yusmeiro Petit did the same for the Tigers
Miguel Rojas with great throw to complete the double play
Tigers score in the first inning
Gregor Blanco could not catch the ball
Edgardo Alfonzo homered
Gregor Blanco taking his turn at bat
Wilson Ramos failed with the bat
Olmedo Rayner turns the double play

Wilson Ramos applies the tricks of the trade from his teachers

Ramos is praised by Tigers pitchers attributing part of their success to him in the finals

CARACAS .-

Wilson Ramos had always been a diamond in the rough. His talent was recognized by the scouts placing him among the top 100 prospects in the minor leagues from 2009 to 2011 after winning the award for "Defensive Player" of the farms of the Minnesota Twins in 2008. His abilities were undeniable, his future, brilliant in theory, but for that future to materialize, role models the likes of Alex Delgado, Raul Chavez and Ivan Rodriguez were involved in polishing the mechanics of this catching gem. "I have worked with those guys and they gave me many tools to implement," said the catcher.

Ramos has been praised by Seth Etherton and Yusmeiro Petit for having been instrumental in the good performances they have had in the finals against the the La Guaira Tiburones. Both have given up only two earned runs in 11.1 innings with nine strikeouts and five walks and claim that their battery mate is responsible. "I've worked with Ramos for three years and definitely I can see he has improved.

This past season in the majors with Ivan Rodriguez his ability to defend the plate has improved. He emphasized that even though many do not believe in the role of catchers and the effectiveness of the pitchers, communication is crucial to this relationship. "If there is good communication and the receiver knows what he does things just flow like they're doing now."

The effectiveness of the pitching for Buddy Bailey in the playoffs has been very good. Against the Magallanes Navigantes the team ERA was 2.68. In this series the Tigers Etherton and Petit were 2.00, in 27 innings with 23 strikeouts and nine walks issued.

"Ramos is not quite the equal of Henry Blanco " confessed Yusmeiro Petit, who is used to working with Blanco when pitching for the Margarita Bravos. Petit came to the Tigers from the Bravos as a reinforcement player. Henry Blanco is one of the best defensive catchers in recent times in the majors.

Petit believes that Wilson Ramos is responsible for the improvement that has been experienced by the Bengali pitching this season because at the end of the 2010-2011 season the Tiger pitching staff ended with an ERA of 5.40. "I think they were tired. This year, no. This year, I know not why, but the staff is fresh and throwing a lot better, "he said.

Petit's main advice for Ramos "Listen to Ivan, be the leader in the game and guide your pitchers. " So far, Ramos has followed exactly the commandment of his famous mentor and possibly immortal, Ivan Rodriguez.

[Since his abduction, Ramos is playing well and evidently has shrugged off the trauma experienced during the events that transpired over the first half of this season.]

The decline of titles by the Aragua Tigers strikes at the box office

In their first game of the finals in 25 years, the Sharks did not fill the stadium

CARACAS .-

After a 25 years absence from the finals it was foreseeable that the University would be filled to capacity. In practice it was not.

Paid attendance into the first day of the finals was only 11,316 of the more than 20,000 that can fit into the seats of the University Stadium. Since the first day, attendance was on the rise as the success of the team improved. Maracay fans are expected to fill the stadium today and tomorrow if the seventh game is necessary. Jose Antonio Herrera, vice president preferred to be cautious waiting for the box office results of yesterday's game. "Let's wait and see what happens today with the box office before making comments about it, "he snapped.

Bazardo pitches Tigres to another title

Former Major Leaguer shuts out Tiburones for five innings

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 3, La Guaira 1

Former Major Leaguer Yorman Bazardo struck out four over five shutout innings and combined with three relievers on a four-hitter as the Tigres captured their sixth championship in nine years. One night after driving in four runs, Hector Gimenez went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Aragua, which won the best-of-7 Finals, 4-2, to earn a spot in the Caribbean Series. Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos and big league veteran Edgardo Alfonzo drove in the Tigres' other runs, while Cesar Suarez had two hits and scored the only run for La Guaira. Box score
Yorman Bazardo was 1-0 with a 4.80 ERA in four games for the Twins during Spring Training last year. (Dave Martin/AP)

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 9, Escogido 2

A's outfielder Brandon Moss went 2-for-3 with his league-leading eighth postseason homer, two RBIs and a pair of walks to help the Aguilas force a decisive ninth game in the Championship Series. Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez added a two-run blast and Dodgers prospect Elian Herrera chipped in three hits and scored four times for Cibaeñas. Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks drove in both runs and Rangers outfielder Julio Borbon was 3-for-4 with a run scored for Escogido, which hosts Game 9 on Monday.

NINTH GAME FORCED

The Eagles beat up the Lions in the Valley of Death

The game ended 9-2 in favor of the Aguilas.

The Eagles triumph and tie the series 4-4.

The Cibao Eagles beat the Lions 9-2 in a match played at home in front of a full Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic to the north. The victory tied the series at four games each and the ninth and deciding game will be played Monday at the Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo.

Since the Eagles announced their star relief pitcher Raul Valdez was to pitch in a starting role the Eagles have played the best baseball in recent years.

The series was 4-3 in favor of the Lions, who with a win would have been crowned champions of Beísbolñ of the Dominican Republic.

The offense of the Eagles began when Brandon Moss broke a tie with a solo homer, Carlos Gomez hit a two-run homer.

After the victory at the stadium Cibao, the championship will be decided on Monday at Quisqueya Stadium in the ninth game scheduled to start at 5:00 pm.

The Lions scored one in the first, combining a single by Jose Constanza and a triple by Andy Dirks.

The Eagles responded with two runs in the end of that same inning. Elian Herrera walked.
Carlos Gomez was called out on strikes. Joaquin Arias singled, Elian Herrera to 3rd.
Brandon Moss singled, Elian Herrera scored, Joaquin Arias to 2nd. Miguel Tejada was hit by a pitch, Joaquin Arias to 3rd. Brandon Moss to 2nd. Jesse Gutierrez struck out swinging. Juan Perez was hit by a pitch, Joaquin Arias scored, Brandon Moss to 3rd, Miguel Tejada to 2nd. Francisco Pena flied out to end the inning.

In the third, Leones tied the game with two out when Julio Borbon doubled and scored on Andy Dirks base hit.

Moss hit his home run off Liriano opening the Aguilas third and the Eagles regained the lead.

The Eagles added to the lead in the fourth. With two out, Elian Herrera reaches on throwing error by pitcher Francisco Liriano. Carlos Gomez homered and Elian Herrera scored

The Eagles expanded their lead to 6-2 in the sixth. Elian Herrera singled with one out. Carlos Gomez was called out on strikes. With Joaquin Arias batting, Elian Herrera stole second base. Joaquin Arias singled. Elian Herrera scored.

In the home half of the seventh, with two outs, the Eagles would finish the scoring adding three more runs. Francisco Pena singled, With Pedro Ciriaco batting, Francisco Pena stole second base.
Pedro Ciriaco doubled. Francisco Pena scores. Elian Herrera singled. Pedro Ciriaco scored. Elian Herrera advances to 3rd, on throwing error by center fielder Jose Constanza. With Carlos Gomez batting, wild pitch by Jonathan Arias. Elian Herrera scored. Carlos Gomez flies out to center fielder Jose Constanza ending the inning and the game.

In the eighth an incident took place when both benches cleared after a pitching violations took place. Escogido Leones pitcher Jonathan Arias ejected by HP umpire Christopher Vines for throwing at Joaquin Arias. Yonata Ortega replaced Jonathan Arias. Joaquin Arias lined out to second baseman Julio Lugo.
Brandon Moss strikes out swinging. Escogido Leones pitcher Yonata Ortega ejected by HP umpire Christopher Vines for throwing at Miguel Tejada. Henry Rodriguez replaced Yonata Ortega. Miguel Tejada flied out to left fielder Julio Borbon.

Liriano had another difficult game with five runs, three earned, at the rate of six hits, a walk, two hit batters and four strikeouts in 3.2 innings.

The veteran Lorenzo Barcelo battled for 4.2 innings in his second start of the series, after a work of eight shutout innings in the fourth game. The Barcelo allowed two runs, six hits, one walk and one strikeout.

The left-hander Edward Paredes retired the only man he faced in the fifth. The righty Angel Castro worker 1.2 shutout innings with two hits allowed and scored the win.

In the deciding game are posted righty Aneury Rodriguez for the Leones and for the Aguilas Raul Valdes.
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WoW! This will be Raul Valdez's fourth game in ten days. That's crazy! Don't tell me these games are meaningless. Luckily, they don't have unions in Latin baseball.

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The death of Rosman Garcia inspired some Tigers left everything on the field

CARACAS .-

The Tigers had to overcome injuries, Rosman Garcia's death earlier in the season, and star Wilson Ramos difficult experiences when he was a kidnapping victim. The most regrettable thing that happened exactly one month ago when pitcher Rosman Garcia was killed in a traffic accident. It was the season finale. The Tigers' dugout did not give up and together set out to win the title in honor of Rosman Garcia. The mission is fully met and the number 47 will always be in uniform and remembered by all members of the Tigers.

The finals 2011-2012 was presented as a classic confrontation between pitching and hitting. The struggle between two styles: the offensive of La Guaira and the Aragua pitching. And the Tigers , after the game on Sunday had their prayers answered when the arms would be imposed on the bats.

The whole Aragua pitching staff neutralized the La Guaira bats this Saturday at the University Park. Buddy Bailey's troops, and especially their pitchers, routed 7-1 a victory that conquered La Guaira, in the fifth game of the finals.

Yusmeiro Petit re-established himself as the executioner of La Guaira. Petit, who was overlooked by the management of La Guaria in the draft of replacements dominated the bats of the Sharks for the first five innings and paved the way for the triumph of Aragua. Petit only allowed one run and when he left the game, his team was ahead 3-1.

This difference was sufficient for the bullpen of Aragua, which was once again yesterday as dominant as it was expected to be. The bullpen took over the next four innings for Petit without allowing any runs and secured a victory that closed the season with the crown for Aragua again at home.

THE FINAL BATTLE FOR THE CROWN

Deathmatch between Lions and the Eagle today at the Quisqueya

The party is set to begin at 5:00 pm.

The battle will be the same depending on the flight of the eagle, the contrary, in the field, without the sound of eagles bats, the lion will devour.

This evening there is no tomorrow for the Lions and the Eagles. The deathmatch is agreed at the Estadio Quisqueya. The Leones has the advantage of the terrain, The Eagles of their star pitcher. Both teams play in the final game of Baseball Championship crown Dominican Republic.

The Lions, owners of the house, announced their starter Aneury Rodriguez and the Eagles the Cuban Raul Valdes, who has gained full control of the Lions in the games that he has faced in this series.

The series comes to the ninth game on a day that there were those who thought it was easy for Leones. The pitcher Aneury Rodriguez, comes from the Toros del Este which was disqualified and was drafted by the Lions as a reinforcement player, but this afternoon has the responsibility to start the battle. He had two starts for the Leones in the round robin, finishing with a 1-0 mark and 1.93 ERA.

During the regular season with the Toros, 2-8 and had a record average of 2.48 ERA in 8 games, 7 as a starter.

The Eagles have the lefty Raul Valdes, who had improved to 1-1 in the round robin with an ERA of 1.80 and an ERA of 4.4 during the regular round with an ERA of 5.19.