Phipps, Estrellas blast way past Toros
Reds prospect connects on second homer of the season, plates four in rout

11/12/12 11:32 PM ET


Denis Phipps hit 15 homers and drove in 45 runs in 92 games for Triple-A Louisville. (Louisville Bats)


Dominican Winter League

Oriente 15, Este 6

Reds prospect Denis Phipps homered and drove in four runs as the Estrellas scored a season-high 15 runs.

Phipps, who hit 17 homers in 97 Minor League games in 2012, helped Oriente jump out to a 7-0 lead in the second inning with a bases-loaded walk. In the fourth, the 27-year-old outfielder hit a three-run blast, his second of the winter.

Alex Valdez, a former Nationals prospect, went yard and had four RBIs while Padres prospect Daniel Robertson reached base four times and scored three runs out of the leadoff spot for the Estrellas, who moved into sole possession of second place with the win.

Athletics farmhand Bruce Billings improved to 2-2 after allowing three runs -- two earned -- on six hits over five innings for Oriente.

Mets prospect Jefry Marte slugged a three-run homer for the Toros, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped.

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Dominican Winter League

•Jose Ramirez (2B, Toros del Este): 1-for-2. Ramirez was removed from the game in the bottom of the 5thinning, though it is not known for certain yet if it was due to injury or if Toros simply cleared the bench since they were down 12-1 at the time (the latter seems very likely since a lot of regulars were removed at that point as well). Even though he only had two at bats, he recorded a single and now has hits in 11 of the 12 games he has played this offseason.

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrellas de Oriente): 1-for-4, R, K. Diaz is really getting a lot of playing time and gaining a lot of much needed experience this offseason. This is already his 19th game and he has racked up 51 at bats, and he is on pace to get somewhere right around 100 at bats. For a player with a questionable Major League future because of his bat, this can only help him.

By Tony Lastoria

Perez helps Cardenales end losing streak

Twins outfield prospect collects three hits, three RBIs in 9-1 romp

11/14/12 1:26 AM ET
Venezuelan Winter League

Lara 9, Margarita 1

Twins prospect Jairo Perez went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored as the Cardenales snapped a six-game losing streak. Luis Jimenez (Mariners) drove in two runs and Cubs infielder Luis Valbuena doubled twice, walked and scored twice for Lara. Minor League veteran Javier Brito collected three hits and drove in the Bravos' lone run.

Caracas 7, Zulia 3

Pirates newcomer Darren Ford had four hits, including a bunt single in a four-run ninth inning that carried the Leones past the Aguilas. Ford, Josh Kroeger and Giants farmhand Daniel Mayora drove in two runs apiece for Caracas, while Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for Zulia.

Magallanes 3, Aragua 2, 14 innings

Royals farmhand Mario Lisson walked, stole second and third and scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the 14th inning as the first-place Navegantes outlasted the Tigres. Former Major Leaguer Juan Rincon struck out four over three scoreless innings to get the win, while Astros Minor Leaguer Jose Martinez had two hits and an RBI for Aragua.

Caribes 2, La Guaira 1, 15 innings

Minor League veteran Luis Nuñez singled home Yankees prospect Jose Gil in the 15th inning as the Caribes ended the Tiburones' four-game winning streak. Angels prospect Jairo Diaz allowed two hits over three scoreless innings to get the victory, while Cubs prospect Eduardo Figueroa yielded one hit over five shutout frames for La Guaira.

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 6, Toros 0

Cubs right-hander Michael Bowden allowed three hits over five innings for his first win of the season as the first-place Aguilas blanked the Toros. Former Marlins Minor Leaguer Juan Carlos Perez had two hits, including a solo homer, and Omar Luna scored twice for Cibaeñas, while Ricardo Nanita had two of Este's eight hits.

Gigantes 2, Licey 1, 10 innings

Mets farmhand Rafael Fernandez and Twins infielder Alexi Casilla drew back-to-back bases-loaded walks in the 10th inning as the Gigantes climbed back to the .500 mark. Jose De Paula (Padres) yielded three hits over four scoreless innings for Cibao, while Rangers prospect Leonys Martin had two hits, including his third homer, for Licey.

Estrellas 3, Escogido 1

Cubs prospect Nelson Perez homered in the ninth inning to put the finishing touches on the Estrellas' victory over the Leones. Angels prospect Luis Jimenez went 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored for Oriente, while Red Sox Minor Leaguer Steven Wright allowed a run on three hits over six innings for Escogido.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 13, Carolina 4

Carlos Rivera slugged a three-run homer and Rey Navarro also contributed three RBIs in the first-place Criollos' third straight win. Andy Gonzalez and Edgardo Baez also went deep and former Major Leaguer Jorge Padilla was 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored for Caguas. Cardinals prospect Anthony Garcia and Marlins farmhand Ben Lasater each drove in two runs for Carolina.

Ponce 2, Santurce 1

Twins prospect Angel Morales led off the bottom of the eighth inning with his second homer of the season as the Leones pulled out their third straight win. Royals prospect Christian Colon singled, stole a base and scored for Ponce, while ex-big leaguer Luis Figueroa accounted for three of the Cangrejeros' six hits.

Mayaguez at Manati, postponed

Mexican Pacific League

Mexicali 10, Obregon 1

Former Royals farmhand Edgar Osuna struck out nine over six shutout innings as the Aguilas cruised to their fourth straight victory. Issmael Salas went 2-for-3 with a walk, his eighth homer and four RBIs for Mexicali, while Christian Villanueva homered for Obregon, which had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Navojoa 1, Culiacan 0

Former Braves farmhand Matt Esquivel homered with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Mayos snapped a four-game losing streak. Hector Velazquez struck out eight and allowed two hits over six scoreless frames for Navojoa, while Marlon Byrd went 3-for-4 in a losing effort.

Guasave 5, Mazatlan 0

Twins prospect Chris Colabello went 3-for-4 and scored twice to lead the Algodoñeros past the last-place Venados. Juan Delgadillo allowed two hits over seven innings for his third win and Ivan Araujo homered, tripled, drove in three runs and scored twice for Guasave. Former Phillies farmhand Brian Burgamy had one of Mazatlan's three hits.

Hermosillo 5, Los Mochis 4

Braves prospect Todd Cunningham went 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI as the Naranjeros held off the Cañeros. Luis Borges collected four hits, an RBI and a run scored for Hermosillo, while Cardinals prospect Jermaine Curtis was 4-for-5 with a run scored to extend his hitting streak to seven games for Los Mochis.

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Dominican Winter League

•Tim Fedroff (LF, Aguilas Cibaenas): 0-for-4, R, BB, K. Fedroff has not had a very good showing so far this offseason in the Dominican hitting just .239 in 19 games and 18 strikeouts in 71 at bats. He had a very good season at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus this season, but will it be enough to get him rostered next week?

•Jose Ramirez (2B, Toros del Este): 1-for-4. Ramirez now has a hit in 12 of his 13 games played this fall, but his average dropped to .381 because of the single hit on the night. He is the talk of the offseason for the Indians thanks to his good showing at such a young age where not only is he racking up the hits, but he also has a very nice walk-to-strikeout ratio with 8 walks to just 6 strikeouts in 42 at bats.

•Juan Diaz (Estrelles de Oriente): 0-for-3, K. Diaz continues to play solid defense but offers up little offense to speak of. He’s depth for the Indians at shortstop, but they better hope they never have to rely on him for an extended period of time because his bat is not cut out to be in the lineup every day in the big leagues. He just does not make enough consistent contact, have much power, and does not walk very much.

Venezuela Winter League

•Gregorio Petit (SS, Leones del Caracas): 2-for-4, 3 R, 2B. This was arguably Petit’s best game this fall as he got on base twice and scored three runs. Even with the good showing he is still hitting .229 in 16 games, and has yet to record an RBI.

•Hector Rondon (RP, Leones del Caracas): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Rondon actually got the win in middle relief, and once again had another solid outing. This is his 8th straight appearance where he has not allowed a run and over that span has logged 7.2 innings and yielded 2 hits and 1 walk, though only has 2 strikeouts.

Manny homers on first pitch in Aguilas' debut

Twelve-time Major League All-Star connects in second inning of 3-2 loss

11/15/12 1:53 AM ET
Manny Ramirez had not played since a 17-game stint in the Pacific Coast League from May 19-June 14. (Jamie Harms/MiLB.com)

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 3, Aguilas 2

Manny Ramirez delighted a sellout crowd by homering on the first pitch he saw in his winter ball debut, but the Aguilas were edged by the last-place Leones. Fellow former Major Leaguer Daniel Cabrera allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings for Escogido, which got a two-run shot from Mauro Gomez (Red Sox) and snapped a six-game losing streak. Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan also went deep for Cibaeñas.

Toros 9, Gigantes 2

Matt McBride (Rockies) went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored as the Toros avoided a third straight loss. Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco tripled, doubled and also drove in three runs for Este, while Robinzon Diaz homered and drove in both runs for the Gigantes.

Estrellas 7, Licey 5

Former Minor Leaguer Alex Valdez homered, drove in two runs and scored twice as the Estrellas grabbed sole possession of first place. Phillies infielder Michael Martinez also had a pair of RBIs for Oriente, while Pirates newcomer Anderson Hernandez doubled twice, scored twice and drove in a run for Licey.

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 15, La Guaira 10

Oswaldo Arcia, the Twins' No. 5 prospect, homered and drove in five runs for the last-place Tigres. Former Major Leaguer Guillermo Rodriguez added three hits and four RBIs for Aragua, while Alex Romero tripled twice, scored four times and drove in three runs. Dodgers prospect Alex Castellanos and former Rays farmhand Cesar Suarez homered for the Tiburones.

Margarita 9, Lara 8

Former Nationals farmhand Frank Diaz capped a three-hit, five-RBI night with a bases-loaded triple in the eighth inning as the Bravos ended a three-game losing streak. Phillies prospect Cesar Hernandez chipped in a pair of RBIs for Margarita, while Luis Jimenez drove in three runs for the Cardenales.

Magallanes 3, Caribes 2, 11 innings

Mariners prospect Francisco Martinez drew a one-out walk in the 11th inning and scored the winning run on an error for the first-place Navegantes. Chris Nowak drilled a two-run homer for Magallanes, while Luis Nuñez went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Caribes.

Caracas 7, Zulia 6

Rays farmhand Henry Wrigley went 4-for-4 and capped a three-RBI night with a two-run single in the eighth inning as the Leones rallied for their third straight win. Astros infielder Marwin Gonzalez collected three doubles, an RBI and a run scored for Caracas, while the Aguilas got a two-run homer from Braves prospect Evan Gattis.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Ponce 8, Caguas 6

Rangers prospect Michael Bianucci went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, three RBIs and a run scored, leading the Leones to their third straight win. Dodgers prospect Jonathan Garcia drove in two runs for Ponce, while Roberto Peña and Roberto Ortiz slugged pinch homers for the Criollos.

Carolina 4, Mayaguez 3, 10 innings

Padres prospect Reymond Fuentes drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 10th inning, pushing the Gigantes past the Indios. Rene Garcia (Astros) had two hits and two RBIs for Carolina, while Twins prospect Daniel Ortiz was 4-for-4 with a two-run homer for Mayaguez.

Santurce at Manati, postponed

Mexican Pacific League

Guasave 5, Mazatlan 4

Jesus Cota delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to give the first-place Algodoñeros their third win in a row. Zelous Wheeler (Orioles) and Jose Rodriguez homered for Guasave, while Mario Santana went 3-for-4 with a solo shot for the Venados.

Mexicali 3, Obregon 1

Nationals farmhand Jeff Mandel gave up a run on three hits over six innings, helping the Aguilas record their fifth straight victory. A's newcomer Luke Montz went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a run scored for Mexicali, while Major League veteran Alfredo Amezaga scored the Yaquis' lone run.

Navojoa 10, Culiacan 8

Former Orioles farmhand Kraig Binick went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and three runs scored as the Mayos handed the Tomateros their fifth straight loss. Jose Chavez had two hits, including a three-run blast, for Navojoa, while former Tigers Minor Leaguer Maxwell Leon and Emmanuel Valdez drove in three runs apiece for Culiacan.

Los Mochis 11, Hermosillo 9, 10 innings

Former Major Leaguer Alexis Gomez capped a three-hit, three-RBI night with a two-run single in the 10th inning as the Cañeros outlasted the Naranjeros. Cardinals prospect Jermaine Curtis extended his hitting streak to eight games for Los Mochis, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. Former Reds farmhand Jesse Gutierrez homered twice and drove in three runs in a losing effort.

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Dominican Winter League


•Jose Ramirez (2B, Toros del Este): 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI. Ramirez has now had at least one hit in all but one game he has played this offseason, and this is already his 6th multi-hit game out of 13 games he has recorded an official at bat. Just 2 of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases.

•Manny Ramirez (DH, Aguilas Cibaenas): 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB. Yep, that’s exactly who you think it is. The “Baby Bull” made his winter ball debut and homered in his first at bat. His days in the big leagues may be over and his reputation tarnished with all the PED stuff, but I’d still love it if the Indians signed him to a minor league deal and if nothing else he simply retired as an Indian.

Puerto Rico Winter League

•Rob Bryson (RP, Criollos de Caguas): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Bryson is off to an interesting start this winter. In 3 appearances he has yet to allow a run and has only allowed 1 hit and has 5 strikeouts in 3.1 innings; however, he has allowed 5 walks so he has certainly been pitching on the wild side. There is no doubt he has the talent and the stuff, but the lack of consistency and the walks continue to be a concern and his one major flaw.

•Roberto Perez (C, Indios de Mayaguez): 1-for-4, R, K. Perez is the regular catcher for his Mayaguez team, so he should get a considerable amount of playing time this offseason. Coming off a season in which he hit .212/.336/.293, he has a lot to really hone in on offensively this fall and the rest of his offseason going into spring training next year.

•Giovanni Soto (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR. This is one I am scratching my head on. The Indians shut Soto down the final three or four weeks of the season because he reached his innings threshold for the season, yet, he is pitching winter ball? I know he may log only 10-12 innings this fall, but I just don’t get it.

•Matt Langwell (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Langwell is a personal favorite of mine as I feel he has largely gone unnoticed as a relief pitching prospect because he has been overshadowed by so many other high end arms with higher draft pedigree and/or better stuff, but he keeps outperforming almost everyone. He reminds me a little of Frank Herrmann as a guy that has to overcome the odds to get a big league chance, and I think if he keeps doing what he is doing he is going to get at least a cup of coffee this coming season in the big leagues, be it with the Indians or another team if he is traded or lost in the Rule 5 Draft.


By Tony Lastoria

Cuban Offensive Explosion Wraps Up Taiwan’s Thunder Series Action

by Peter C. Bjarkman

November 13, 2012

Normally hefty Cuban bats have often underperformed in recent international events, causing a good deal of frustration and some widespread carping among loyal Antillean fans back home in the baseball-mad Caribbean nation. The first two games of the current Taiwan-Cuba exhibition matches seemed to be no exception, with the Cuban League all-stars being held to a mere pair of runs in the first two outings and largely stymied by a talented corps of polished CPBL professional pitchers. Yet all that changed quite suddenly on Tuesday evening at Taichung’s Intercontinental Stadium as the so-far rather tame “Thunder Series” finally lived up to its advanced billing. Before the dust had settled, the two clubs had combined for 28 base hits and a total of 21 runs during an offensive outburst that was not only highly entertaining but also totally uncharacteristic of so many recent face-offs between this pair of long-time international rivals.

Cuban sluggers did most of the damage, abusing eight CPBL hurlers for 16 safeties that included a trio of homers, three doubles and a lone triple. The final 14-7 scoreboard count gave the visiting Cubans not only the deciding rubber match but also an overall 16 to 9 margin in runs plated during the series. Tuesday’s surprising slugfest was actually close through six innings with the hosts actually holding a 6-5 edge entering the seventh frame. But Cuba rang up two scores in both the seventh and eighth and then five more tallies in the visitor’s ninth to eventually turn a tense nail biter into a clear-cut one-sided rout.


Alfredo Despaigne was Thunder Series MVP with crucial homers in final two games.

Industriales right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne worked the first four frames and struggled with control as 31 of his 69 total pitches fell outside the strike zone; Cuba’s Despaigne eventually left the scene with his club trailing 3-2. After token relief appearances by Yoanni Year, Norberto González and Pablo Fernández, southpaw Leandro Martínez entered in the sixth inning to finally squelch a further three-run Taipei uprising; Martínez then worked the seventh and benefitted from the first of Cuba’s three late-inning rallies to earn the rubber match victory. Vladimir García and Darien Núñez split the final two-inning pitching chores for the victors.

Cuban manager Victor Mesa opened the series finale with a revamped offensive lineup and would eventually utilize his entire bench of position players with the lone exceptions of regular catcher Ariel Pestano and star designated hitter Frederich Cepeda. The shakeup batting order included Yordan Manduley at shortstop, Yurisbel Gracial in center field, Alexander Malleta at first base, Yasmani Torres in right field, Yulexis La Rosa behind the plate, José Miguel Fernández at second, and veteran Michel Enríquez inheriting the designated hitter assignment. Lefty-swinging Malleta responded with one of Cuba’s three long balls, and second sacker Fernández contributed a pair of hits and also a pair of RBIs. Entering the game as Gracial’s center field replacement at the midpoint, Rusney Castillo also smacked out a couple of safeties, including a two-run homer in the ninth. But the big blow was Alfredo Despaigne’s three-run shot off Liao Wen Yang in the fifth frame, the Granma stallion’s second round tripper of the series. Cuban League home run record holder Despaigne would account for six runs batted home before the night was over.

Cuba now moves on to Japan for a pair of games with the Japanese League All-Stars in Sapporo (Friday) and Fukuoka (Sunday) that should provide a far greater challenge for Cuban sluggers. Manager Mesa and technical director Jorge Fuentes have to be fairly satisfied with the overall results in Taiwan, especially the staff pitching that yielded only two runs (both in the same inning) across the first two contests. Cuba played errorless ball in the pair of tight opening contests but did commit three boots (by Odrisamer Despaigne, Gracial and Malleta) during the lopsided finale. Alfredo Despaigne was awarded an MVP prize by the host press in each of the final two contests and was clearly the star performer of the short series. Pitching is always difficult to assess when managers take advantage of “friendly series” tune-up games to test the majority of their hurlers in each of three straight outings for one inning or less. In the entire series Cuba’s Freddy Asiel Alvarez (game two) was the only hurler to log a normal starting assignment of six-plus innings. Nonetheless, the Cuban bullpen did a most effective job off closing down the opposition in the late innings when all three games were still very much on the line. It will be most interesting to see if this same pattern will now be maintained against the more seasoned and savvy batsmen comprising the Japanese starting lineup.

Braves' Mejia plates five runs in Zulia win

Aguilas' first baseman smacks seventh-inning homer two weeks later

11/16/12 2:23 AM ET
Ernesto Mejia hit .296 with 24 homers and 92 RBIs for Triple-A Gwinnett this season. (Kevin Hill/MiLB.com)

Venezuelan Winter League

Zulia 7, Caribes 0

Braves first baseman Ernesto Mejia homered and drove in five runs in the completion of a game suspended Oct. 31, going 3-for-4 to ensure a split in the impromptu doubleheader with Anzoategui. Mejia is hitting .316 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 28 games in Venezuela. Wilfredo Boscan (Rangers) scattered three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over five scoreless innings for the win.

Caribes 4, Zulia 2

Anzoategui took the regularly scheduled half of the twin bill with Luis Durango (Royals) leading the way from the top spot in the lineup, going 2-for-5 with an RBI. Jake Goebbert (Astros) also provided a pair of hits, an RBI and a run. Former Cincinnati pitcher Ramon A. Ramirez held Zulia to two runs over eight innings for the victory.

Lara 11, La Guaira 4

Gabriel Noriega (Mariners) doubled and plated three runs while Tyson Gillies (Phillies) reached safely three times, going 2-for-5 with an RBI, a walk and a run scored for the Cardenales. Darin Ruf (Phillies) went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs and Salvador Perez (Royals) plated three runs as designated hitter in the loss.

Caracas 7, Magallanes 6

Josh Kroeger (Braves) was 3-for-5 with a two-run walk-off homer to give the Leones the victory in the ninth. The Angels' Darwin Perez spurred the Navegantes from the leadoff spot, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk.

Mexican Pacific League

Obregon 11, Mexicali 3

Major League veteran Alfredo Amezaga fell a homer short of the cycle, driving in two runs and scoring twice while former Braves farmhand Barbaro Canizares went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and Carlos Valencia plated four. Former A's starter Bobby Cramer scattered just a run on one hit and three walks over six innings for the victory.

Mazatlan 4, Guasave 2

Jay Jackson (Cubs) held the Algodoneros to two runs on four hits and two walks while fanning six over five innings for the win. Mendy Lopez, Jesse Castillo and Heber Gomez all homered for the Venados. Zelous Wheeler (Orioles) hit his sixth homer of the season in the loss.

Los Mochis 9, Hermosillo 0

Jermaine Curtis (Cardinals) smacked a three-run homer while Saul Soto added a solo homer to power the Caneros. Pedro Luis Lazo threw seven innings to anchor the shutout. Gameday box score



Abel Martinez hit a pinch-hit, two-run double in the seventh to push the Mayos past the Tomateros. Cory Aldridge (Angels) went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs for the losing side. Gameday box score

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 8, Toros 2

No. 5 Angels prospect Kole Calhoun went 2-for-5 with an RBI and Deibinson Romero (Twins) delivered a 3-for-4 outing with a triple and four RBIs. Reds prospect Daniel Corcino started for the Leones, allowing two runs in 3 2/3 frames. Ricardo Nanita (Blue Jays) doubled in a run for the Toros.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Carolina 10, Ponce 6

Gigantes leadoff man Reymond Fuentes (Padres) doubled, plated two runs and scored once while Jobduan Morales (Houston) and Jorge Jimenez drove in a pair of runs apiece. Dickie Thon (Blue Jays) paced the Leones, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run.

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Dominican Winter League

•Jose Ramirez (2B): 0-for-1, 1 BB, 1 SAC. Ramirez went hitless for only the second time in his last 14 games, but he still found a way to get on base with a walk. There may not be much pop in Ramirez's bat (.042 ISO in the Winter League, .111 ISO in the regular season), but his performance this year and this offseason has certainly put him on the map.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Gregorio Petit (SS): 0-for-4, 1 SO. As has been written here before, there is little chance that Petit is brought back in 2013. Hopefully he is able to latch on with another team, though he will need better nights than this to accomplish that.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 SB. Carrera made his offseason debut last night and did some typical Carrera things: reaching and then stealing bases. This offseason/Spring Training will be huge for the 25-year old, as he attempts to solidify himself as a real major league option.

Gomes helps Brazil to upset win in WBC qualifier

By Tony Lastoria

November 16, 2012

Indians catcher Yan Gomes went 2-for-4 to help lead his Brazil team to a 3-2 win over Panama last night in the opening of pool play in a World Baseball Classic qualifier in Panama. Indians right-handed pitcher Paolo Espino started for Panama and went 2.2 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and no walks and struck out three.

With the win, on Saturday Brazil will play the winner of tonight’s Nicaragua and Colombia matchup. A win in that contest would put Brazil in the pool final on Monday.

In other pool play, former Indian outfielder Johnny Damon – who is playing for Thailand - went 1-for-3 with a walk and left three runners on base in Thailand’s 8-2 loss to the Phillipines.

Right-handed pitcher Sung-Wei Tseng - another former Indian - pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Chinese Taipei’s 10-0 win over New Zealand.

Aguilas' Tejada ends mini-slump, drives in four

Cardinals' top prospect Taveras chips in two RBIs in 9-2 romp over Leones

11/17/12 1:11 AM ET
Miguel Tejada returned to the Orioles organization in 2012 and hit .259 at Triple-A Norfolk. (Ken Jancef/MiLB.com)

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 9, Escogido 2

Former American League MVP Miguel Tejada doubled, singled and drove in four runs to lead the Aguilas rolled past the last-place Leones. Manny Ramirez singled twice and scored twice in his second game for Cibaeñas, which got two RBIs apiece from Cardinals top prospect Oscar Taveras and Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan. Mauro Gomez (Red Sox) went 2-for-4 and scored a run for Escogido.

Toros 7, Gigantes 6

Eugenio Velez, who spent the season with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate, homered, drove in two runs and scored twice as the Toros held off the Gigantes. Willis Otañez also went deep for Este, while Twins infielder Alexi Casilla went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, an RBI and a run scored for Cibao.

Estrellas 3, Licey 2

Padres prospect Daniel Robertson delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to give the first-place Estrellas their fourth straight win. Felix Pie, who spent the season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, was 3-for-4 with a double for Oriente. Braves infielder Juan Francisco supplied the Tigres' offense with his third and fourth homers.

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 6, Caracas 0

Former Major Leaguer Ken Ray struck out seven and allowed four hits over six innings as the Tigres ended the Leones' four-game winning streak. Alex Romero and Rangers farmhand Yangervis Solarte drove in two runs apiece for Aragua, while former Mets Minor Leaguer Angel Calero pitched four innings of scoreless relief for Caracas.

La Guaira 7, Lara 5, 12 innings

Alex Cabrera delivered a two-run double in the top of the 12th inning as the Tiburones outlasted the Cardenales to snap a three-game losing streak. Former Dodgers farmhand C.J. Retherford homered, doubled twice and also had a pair of RBIs for La Guaira, while Cubs infielder Luis Valbuena went 2-for-4 with a two-run triple and two walks for Lara.

Magallanes 1, Margarita 0

Astros farmhand Sergio Perez struck out four over five innings and combined with three relievers on a five-hitter for the first-place Navegantes. Former Major Leaguer Eliezer Alfonzo went 2-for-3 and drove in the game's lone run with a single in the first. Cubs outfielder Dave Sappelt doubled and walked for the Bravos.

Zulia 3, Caribes 1

Minor League veteran Dwayne Pollok allowed a run on four hits over seven innings, helping the Aguilas halt a three-game slide. Sandy Leon (Nationals) and Jose Flores (Giants) hit back-to-back RBI singles in the second for Zulia, while Luis Nuñez singled home Gorkys Hernandez (Marlins) with the Caribes' only run.

Mexican Pacific League

Mexicali 8, Mazatlan 1

Rafael Diaz gave up a run on three hits over six innings as the Aguilas shut down the Venados. Former Angels farmhand Ricky Alvarez drove in three runs and Jorge Guzman went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and two runs scored for Mexicali. Oswaldo Morejon had two hits and drove in Mazatlan's lone run.

Culiacan 9, Guasave 5

Yankees prospect Ronnier Mustelier went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and five RBIs as the Tomateros snapped a six-game losing streak. Former Yankees infielder Ramiro Peña was 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored for Culiacan, while Twins prospect Chris Colabello collected three hits, including an RBI single, for the Algodoñeeros.

Los Mochis 4, Navojoa 3

Major League veteran Jason Botts hit a solo homer, singled and scored twice as the Cañeros rallied for their third win in a row. Saul Soto capped the comeback with an RBI single in the eighth for Los Mochis, while Wes Bankston and Matt Esquivel homered for the Mayos.

Hermosillo 9, Obregon 2

Braves prospect Todd Cunningham went 3-for-5 with an RBI to lead an 18-hit attack as the Naranjeros avoided a third straight loss. Former Reds farmhand Jesse Gutierrez also had three hits, including his league-leading 12th homer, and scored twice for Hermosillo. Carlos Valencia singled twice and scored a run in a losing effort.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 7, Carolina 3

Andy Gonzalez homered, drove in three runs and scored twice for the first-place Criollos. Rey Navarro (Royals), Aaron Bates and Carlos Rivera each chipped in two hits and an RBI for Caguas, while Padres slugger Kyle Blanks doubled twice, drove in a run and scored once for Carolina.

Manati 9, Ponce 4

Keiji Nakahara homered twice and drove in four runs, powering the Atenienses to their second win of the season. Edwin Maysonet (Cubs) and Ivan De Jesus (Red Sox) contributed two RBIs apiece for Manati, while Rangers catching prospect Jorge Alfaro supplied all of the Leones' offense with a pair of two-run homers.

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Venezuelan Winter League

•Gregorio Petit (SS, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-3. To Petit’s credit, he has actually performed quite well as of late. In his last five games, he has gone 6-for-17, and he has gone 14-for-58 overall in 19 games.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-4, 1 K. This was Carrera’s second game played in the VWL, and it looked eerily similar to his game on Thursday. Overall, Carrera has now combined to go 2-for-8 in his first two games.

Dominican Winter League

•Manny Ramirez (DH, Aguilas Cibaenas): 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K. Yep. Good ole Man Ram was at it again. In two games in the DWL, he has now gone 3-for-7 with one home run, two walks and a strikeout. I realize I am probably in the minority, but for nostalgia alone, I would love to see Manny back in Cleveland. Well, one can wish, right?

[ me 2 ]

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrellas de Oriente): 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 K. It’s unfortunate, but Diaz has really had an up-and-down campaign in winter ball. In 21 games, he has gone 12-for-57. He has had a few bright spots, but the most part, it’s really been somewhat of a struggle for the switch-hitter.

•Jose Ramirez (2B, Toros del Este): 1-for-4, 1 RBI. Would it be an Around the Farm if Ramirez did not record a hit? Ramirez only collected one hit on Friday, but it came a day after he went 0-for-0 at the plate, so his modest hit streak remains intact and was extended to five games. It’s the second streak that Ramirez has recorded so far in the DWL as he went on an eight-game hit streak earlier this season.

Puerto Rican Winter League

•Giovanni Soto (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 1 IP, 2 K. You have to love the dominant performance form Soto especially considering his first two outings in the PWL were less than stellar. Soto got out all three batters he pitched to en route to a perfect inning of relief.

Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (LF, Brisbane Bandits): 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB. Just about everything seemed to go right for Campbell in Friday’s ABL game. It was actually Campbell’s second straight multi-hit performance, and he has now gone 4-for-12 in four games. He struggled with the AZL Indians and Single-A Mahoning Valley this past season, so it’s encouraging to see him have some early success.

World Baseball Classic Qualifiers

•Giovanny Urshela (3B, Colombia): 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 HR,1 RBI. The 20-year-old Urshela had a brilliant 2012 campaign with High-A Carolina, and his performance on Friday was also a brilliant one. His Columbia squad won 8-1 over Nicaragua, and Urshela was a big reason as he launched a solo shot in the contest.

Perez homers twice in Tiburones' loss

Royals catcher drives in four before Parra hits two-run walk-off shot

11/18/12 10:56 PM ET
Perez's walk-off home run00:01:059/15/12: Salvador Perez drills a clutch walk-off home run off the left-field foul pole to send the Royals home winners in the ninth inning

Venezuelan Winter League

Zulia 9, La Guaira 7

Royals catcher Salvador Perez homered twice and drove in four runs, but D-backs outfielder Gerardo Parra hit a two-run walk-off shot in the ninth inning to give the Aguilas their third straight win. Ernesto Mejia (Braves) also smacked a two-run blast and Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis went 3-for-5 with an RBI for Zulia. Phillies prospect Darin Ruf slugged his league-leading 11th homer for the Tiburones.

Magallanes 5, Margarita 1

Astros infielder Jose Altuve went 4-for-5 with a two-run double to lead the first-place Navegantes to their third consecutive victory. Former Major Leaguer Gustavo Chacin allowed four hits over seven innings for his second win, while Phillies prospect Edgar Duran scored the Bravos' lone run.

Caracas 6, Caribes 5

Pirates newcomer Darren Ford collected three hits and scored three times, including the go-ahead run on Luis Rodriguez's eighth-inning sacrifice fly, for the Leones. Rodriguez, who spent the season with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, finished with three hits, while Jake Goebbert (Astros) doubled twice and drove in a pair of runs for the Caribes.

Aragua 5, Lara 0

A's prospect Carlos Hernandez allowed two hits and struck out five over 5 1/3 innings for his first winter ball win as the last-place Tigres blanked the Cardenales. Yangervis Solarte, who spent the season with the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, ripped a two-run homer and Hector Gimenez added a solo shot for Aragua. Lara's Jose Lopez walked twice.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Manati 7, Mayaguez 1

D-backs catching prospect Michael Perez homered for the second straight game and scored twice, leading the last-place Atenienses past the Indios. Former Cardinals farmhand Tyler Herron gave up a run on five hits over six innings for Manati, while Dodgers newcomer Angel Sanchez went 2-for-4 and scored Mayaguez's only run.

Carolina 3, Ponce 1

Former Twins Minor Leaguer Deinys Suarez allowed an unearned run on two hits over six innings as the Gigantes handed the Leones their fourth straight loss. Pedro Valdes went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for Carolina, while Dodgers prospect Jesmuel Valentin walked twice and scored the lone run for Ponce.

Santurce 8, Caguas 6

Leadoff man Fehlandt Lentini went 4-for-5 with a homer, four RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Cangrejeros to their second straight win. Minor League veteran Sergio Miranda added two hits and three RBIs for Santurce, while Major League veteran Ramon Castro homered twice and drove in five runs for Caguas.

Mexican Pacific League

Navojoa 8, Los Mochis 5

Wes Bankston's two-run double capped a four-run sixth inning as the Mayos ended the Cañeros' four-game winning streak. Former Indians farmhand Jose Chavez also had a pair of RBIs and Minor League veteran Steve Moss went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored for Navojoa. Saul Soto homered, doubled and drove in all five runs for Los Mochis.

Culiacan 5, Guasave 4

Marlon Byrd and Tigers farmhand Ben Guez homered in a three-run first inning that lifted the Tomateros into a first-place tie with the Algodoñeros. Cesar Tapia added a solo shot in the seventh and Francisco Campos yielded a run on three hits over five innings for his third win. Jose Rodriguez extended his RBI streak to 12 games with a solo homer for Guasave.

Obregon 6, Hermosillo 3

Iker Franco went 3-for-3 and homered for the third time in his last four games, helping the Yaquis double up the Naranjeros. Major League veteran Alfredo Amezaga singled twice and scored a run for Obregon, while Hermosillo got three hits from Braves prospect Todd Cunningham.

Mazatlan 5, Mexicali 1

Twins prospect Anthony Slama struck out two in a perfect ninth inning, putting the finishing touches on the Venados' victory over the Aguilas. Former Phillies farmhand Brian Burgamy and Ivan Terrazas each drove in two runs, while Oswaldo Morejon went 3-for-4 with a run scored for Mazatlan. Former Minor Leaguer Jon Weber doubled home Mexicali's only run.

Dominican Winter League

Licey at Aguilas, postponed

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Venezuelan Winter League

•Ezequiel Carrera (LF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K: Carrera continues to shellack winter league pitching with his second straight two-hit ballgame, as he now has hits in all four games he has played thus far for Magallanes. As I mentioned yesterday, Carrera lacks the upside of a full-time major leaguer, but there’s no doubt he’ll be in play for the fourth outfielder slot, or as a fill-in at some point.

•Eric Berger (SP, Bravos de Margarita): (L, 0-4) 5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R/1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K: Well, if ever you wanted to make a case that wins and losses didn’t mean a thing, this would be that case. Berger has been outstanding as a starter for Margarita. Berger has only given up eight earned runs in his 24 2/3 innings. Berger is a career minor leaguer that can start or relieve, but it’s good to see him pitching so well.

•Gregorio Petit (SS, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 K: Petit rebounded from his oh-fer on Saturday with a hit and a run. He’s hitting a respectable .273 over his last ten ballgames.
Puerto Rican Winter League

•Giovanni Soto (Gigantes de Carolina): (H, 1) 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K: Soto has misleading numbers so far this year, as he only has one appearance of his four in which he’s given up runs. Over his last two relief outings, Soto has only given up one hit in two innings of work, while striking out four. Soto is behind only Danny Salazar in the upper minors right now with regards to major league potential. The only question right now for the lefty is whether or not he can make it through a season healthy, and if his style can carry over to the bigs.

•Matt Langwell (Gigantes de Carolina): (S,1) 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB: Langwell has been an extremely productive minor league pitcher for the Indians, and that has carried over to the Winter Leagues, as the big righty hasn’t given up a run in his three appearances thusfar. Over 4 1/3 innings, Langwell has given up two hits and a walk, but only struck out one. He just gets the job done, and I have to believe he’ll see time in the big leagues this year.

World Baseball Classic Qualifiers•Giovanny Urshela (3B, Colombia): 1-for-4, 2 BI, 1 2B, 1 K: Urshela hit a laser to left field that nearly got out of the stadium, with Columbia trailing 9-5, driving in two runs and keeping his team in the game as they fought to stave off elimination against the home town team, Panama. It wasn’t to be, but Urshela proved that he could play with some major league quality players. This is another step in his development.

By Jim Pete

Two Japanese Defeats Produce a Sour Taste After Cuba’s Asian Tour

by Peter C. Bjarkman

November 18, 2012


Team Cuba just can’t seem to get over the hump against top-level Japanese hurlers. That fact was driven home on Sunday afternoon in Sapporo by a second straight nail-biting defeat (this time by a 3-1 count) at the hands of the pitching-rich Samurai squad. The dual losses on Japanese soil left Cuba’s brief Asian tour with a final ledger of two up and three down. It has also seemingly provided plenty of negatives to fuel the fires of Cuba’s always heated street-corner baseball debates. Fans in Havana and everywhere else across the island will now once again likely have a true field day lamenting the failures of the once-invincible national team. And there will also inevitably be another cascade of press prognostications projecting still more disasters looming on the horizon once the Red Machine returns to Fukuoka’s Yahoo Dome in early March for the opening round of Major League Baseball’s much-anticipated World Baseball Classic III.

But also not to be overlooked or entirely discounted are some rather noteworthy plusses for the Cuban side that also transpired during a world wind tour in which Victor Mesa’s “pre-selection” team captured two of three matches from an equally talented squad of Taiwanese pro league all-stars and then battling the defending WBC champion Japanese straight to the wire in two contests that were simply too close to offer very many easy assessments. There didn’t seem to be any outcome here that would automatically tip the scales in favor of the Nippon squad for the more vital upcoming matches next spring. It is still far too early to count the Cubans entirely out of the next edition of baseball’s only true World Series.

Ginjiro Sumitani’s homer provided the only earned run in Fukuoka.

Both contests in the Japan-Cuba series were extremely tight and either game in the end might have had a far different outcome with only a slightly different bounce of the ball. While the Cubans managed only a trio of harmless singles in the opener (a 2-0 defeat) they did hang in the game until the very end, thanks mainly to some solid relief hurling by Leandro Martínez, Ismel Jiménez and Norberto González; the only earned run in the opener came on the solo homer struck off Yadier Pedroso by catcher Ginjiro Sumitani. Game 2 marched through seven full frames as a scoreless deadlock before the Japanese eventually parleyed a pair of clutch triples struck off Ismel Jiménez (Shota Dohbayashi in the eighth) and off Odrismer Despaigne (Takahiro Okada in the ninth) into their narrow winning margin. The only three Samurai scores in the nightcap were brought home by a sacrifice fly, a wild pitch (gifted by Despaigne in the eighth) and Katsuya Kukunaka’s ninth-inning infield roller.

The brightest spot of Japanese series for the Cubans – indeed the true “plus side” of the entire Asian tour – was the solid pitching of an often maligned Cuban mound staff that was hit hard only once in five games – and that one apparent lapse quite fortuitously came during the 14-7 lopsided victory that marked the final Taiwan match. Ace starter Freddie Asiel Alvarez was especially impressive with two straight six-inning shutout stints, and Leandro Martínez (3 Games, 5.1 IP, 23 Batters Faces, 6 Hits, 1 Run, 0 ER, 6 Ks, 0 BB, 0.00 ERA) may well have emerged as the new southpaw bullpen weapon (and thus as a much-needed reinforcement for aging Norberto González). Of course it might be a bit hard to get a true line on the Cuban pitching, given manager Mesa’s irksome penchant in these exhibition games for changing his bullpen replacements nearly every inning and on a few occasions after almost every batter. In the Sunday finale Mesa used eight hurlers over the final three frames, five in the two-run eighth-inning uprising alone.

No one wants to argue that the Japanese did not make a resounding statement by again twice shutting down the potent Cuban batting order. But neither of these games were blowouts and the margin of difference between the squads was hardly overwhelming. Yes, the Japanese owned the composite scoreboard by a 5-1 count after the games this weekend in Fukuoka and Sapporo. But Cuba did outhit the hosts in Game 2 and the overall batting average margin for the set of games was only .220 (Japan) to .187 (Cuba) in the pitching-dominated series. Obviously Japan did in the end hold a decisive 9-3 edge in extra base knocks, and admittedly Cuba was only able to muster a single tally thanks to Yulieski Gourriel’s eleventh-hour homer. But the real difference in this series did not lie in the fact that Japanese pitchers held widely superior numbers to those of the Cubans (actually they did not); Japan also did not outslug the visitors by any decisive margin. The main difference instead was simply that the Japanese managed to bunch clutch hits together once their handful of genuine scoring opportunities arose. The Cubans – continuing a disturbing pattern seen in recent international outings, such as in the 2011 World Cup finals versus the Dutch – simply could not produce the one or two necessary big blows that might have easily turned the series completely around in their favor.

In Game 2 in Sapporo Victor Mesa’s club outhit the victorious Japanese by a pair of safeties but at the same time rang up eleven strikeouts against the savvy host hurlers. In the final frame a double by José Dariel Abreu brought the tying run to the plate yet was wasted when pinch hitters Ariel Pestano and Yurisbel Gracial went down hacking harmlessly against closer Shun Yamaguchi (owner of 108 saves in the last four Japanese Central League seasons). It is hardly a positive development that each of the top eight starters in the Cuban lineup struck out at least once during the final crucial game; nor is it encouraging that the Cuban artillery only awoke impressively on a single occasion (Game 3 in Taiwan) during the entire Asian junket. But perhaps this was more the simple result of psychological preparation and lack of seasoning than it was a matter of raw talent. I have argued repeatedly that much of the problem lies in the difficulty that top Cuban hitters have adjusting to the better international pitching talent during short series – especially after facing mediocre Cuban hurlers all season long in the domestic league back home. It might be a difficult problem for Mesa to solve between now and March; but it only takes one clutch WBC performance by several frontline Cuban veterans (e.g., remember Freddie Cepeda against Venezuela in 2006 or against Mexico in 2009) for the story to suddenly change rather dramatically.

Kenji Otonari was one of the corps of Japanese pitchers who seemed to have Cuba’s number.

At this point the Cuba-Japan series across recent seasons has to be put in a somewhat better perspective than some in the Cuban press will likely now want to give. The series of late has not exactly been the one-sided affair that some might make it out to be. In an excellent analysis penned after the Samurai Series opener, my colleague Ray Otero called attention to the apparent fact that top-level Japanese pitches had recently run up a string of 31 straight scoreless innings against the Cuban lineup – a string that would be run to 38 frames before Gourriel’s solo shot off Japanese reliever Hideaki Wakui. What Ray used for his calculation were the final four innings of the August 13, 2008 preliminary round game at the Beijing Olympics, the pair of 6-0 and 5-0 shutouts in Petco Park (March 2009) that eliminated Team Cuba from the second round of WBC II, and the Fukuoka Dome whitewashing last Friday. Certainly the pair of WBC shutdowns at the hands of top Japanese aces Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hisashi Iwakuma (along with several adept relievers) was a distinct embarrassment. Nonetheless, the string of which Ray writes is something of a distortion since it narrowly assumes what might be considered as Cuba’s games against “top level pitchers” – it is all a matter here of which games one might chose to include in the list.

First of all, remember that in the first game of the string that Ray cites, the opener at the Beijing Olympics, Cuba was actually the winner (by a 4-2 count) and not the loser of that contest. Sure enough the Cubans didn’t score in the final four frames versus the tandem of Tanaka, Naruse and Fujikawa; but they did ring up four tallies against Japan phenom Yu Darvish, now an ace hurler with the American League Texas Rangers and arguably Japan’s best arm in Beijing. And then between the two disastrous WBC II matches in San Diego and the current series there were also two all-too-easily forgotten games played between a Cuba B squad (featuring such regulars as Alexei Bell, Rudy Reyes and Eriel Sánchez) and a Japanese club at the July 2010 Haarlem Baseball Week. In the first match Cuba dominated 6-0, tallying all the runs (5 of them earned) against starter Yudai Ohno who lasted a full 7.1 innings. Freddy Alvarez (with one inning of relief from Norberto González) hurled the shutout. The second meeting between the same clubs in Haarlem featured a rematch between Ohno and Alvarez and this time the Japanese ace came out on top 4-2; but again Cuba plated two runs and banged 7 hits against right-hander starter Yudai Ohno.

Now granted, this was a Cuba B team playing a somewhat less-potent Japanese lineup in a second-level tournament. So why do I say that the Haarlem results seem to disqualify Ray’s claim of a 38-inning shutout streak? I can make the claim simply because the Cubans (with a lineup that had current team members Bell and catcher Yulexis La Rosa in the batting order) scored eight times in two games against Chunichi Dragons star Yudai Ohno, also a current member of the pitching staff that just faced Cuba on the present tour. If Ohno (who pitched two-thirds of an inning in Friday’s opener) is one of Japan’s front line pitchers at the moment, he also was one of their best young arms two summers ago in Haarlem. It is also worth mentioning here that the disappointing Japanese team at the 2011 World Cup in Panama won only two games and did not make it into the second round (and thus did not face the Cubans). Admittedly that team didn’t feature any of the pitchers on this week’s roster; put the hurlers in Panama were apparently of high enough quality for Japan’s brain trust to use them during the final World Cup event. One wonders how effective those Japanese pitchers might have been against a Cuban club that made it into the Gold Medal Game in Panama City.

I am certainly not disputing Ray’s well-taken point that the Cubans have not performed exceptionally well against the best Japanese arms in recent years. Without a shadow of a doubt there must be some solid improvement in clutch hitting on the part of Despaigne, Cepeda, Gourriel and company before the crucial March rematches in Fukuoka (WBC Round I) and perhaps Tokyo (WBC Round II). My only point here is that the difference between these teams (especially regarding Cuban batters versus Japan’s pitchers) may not be quite as wide as any claim about a 38-inning scoreless streak might suggest. Victor Mesa and his staff now have their work cut out for them. But if this recent Asian tour admittedly did prove once again what we have long known – that the Cubans are no longer invincible or even perhaps world tournament frontrunners – it certainly also may have demonstrated that Team Cuba nonetheless remains highly competitive. A series victory over talented Taiwanese pro all-stars and a pair of agonizingly close losses to the two-time World Classic champions is far from any reason for pushing the panic button.

WoW! Many unexpected developments in the qualifying rounds as well as these exhibition games.

Tue, Nov 20, 2012 - Page 19　

Taiwan dismiss Kiwis 9-0, clinch WBC Qualifier

By Paul Huang / Contributing reporter

Shutting out New Zealand in a 9-0 final at the Sinjhuang Baseball Stadium, Taiwan clinched the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in New Taipei City on Sunday night to earn a place in the first round of play in Pool B of the 2013 World Baseball Classic in Taichung in March next year.

It was the third straight shutout win for the hosts in this year’s competition after they had cruised past the Kiwis in their first meeting by a 10-0 margin on Thursday and followed up with a 16-0 victory over the Philippines on Friday.

Chang Chien-ming’s bases-clearing three-run double off New Zealand reliever Andrew Marck highlighted a six-run fourth as the home team took a 7-0 lead through the fourth after managing to plate only one run over the first three frames against New Zealand starter John Holdzkom.

Taiwan had a chance to put the game away in the seventh under the mercy rule, but failed to score their 10th run on two different attempts as the Kiwis held their ground to stretch it to a full nine innings. It was a moral victory for the visitors considering that Taiwan had won their two previous games by the mercy rule.

Starter Yang Yao-hsun was credited with the win for his two-hit effort over four scoreless innings. His counterpart Holdzkom was tagged with the loss for three solid innings before faltering against the hosts in the fourth.

Brazil-Panama to decide final spot in Classic

By Alex Espinoza / Special to MLB.com | 11/19/2012 9:25 AM ET

Brazil advances to final; Daniel Missaki gets Luis Martinez to fly out, advancing Brazil to the qualifier final with a 7-1 win over Colombia

PANAMA CITY, Panama --

No one needs to tell Panama how good Brazil can be. The Panamanian team experienced it first-hand on Thursday night, when Brazil shocked the baseball world with a 3-2 win against the host country in the opener of the Panama World Baseball Classic qualifier.

But the stakes are higher this time around, as the two teams will meet for an 8 p.m. ET matchup on Monday night for the right to play in the 2013 Classic. Fans can watch a free, live stream of the game at worldbaseballclassic.com.

Brazil has come a long way in 2012. In May, Yan Gomes, the national team's catcher and No. 3 hitter, became the first Brazilian-born player to make his MLB debut. Now, the country has beaten Panama on that team's home turf and defeated Colombia, 7-1, on Saturday to reach the qualifier final.

"I'm very proud of the team. They're playing with a lot of confidence," Brazil manager Barry Larkin said after Saturday's victory. "The plan is to win. We're in position to win, but we haven't won anything yet. We need to be focused at all times, and we know that we have one more game, and we know that we have to win if we want to win it all."

While Brazil watched on Sunday, Panama engaged in the most entertaining game of the qualifier thus far, claiming a 9-7 victory over Colombia in a back-and-forth affair. If Panama manager Roberto Kelly had any hair on his head, it probably would have turned gray.

Kelly saw his team's early 6-0 lead trimmed to 6-4. Then, a 9-4 lead turned into a 9-7 nail-biter in the late stages of an elimination game that also featured two ejections and the liveliest crowd of the tournament.

"It was stressful, because we would score, and they would come right back," Kelly said afterwards. "They weren't giving in. They were going to go to the last out. It was fun, obviously, because we won the game, but during the game there was no fun about it."

Panama and Brazil engaged in a tightly contested showdown in the tournament opener, which illustrated the quality pitching for both sides. But the pitching situations have changed greatly since Thursday night for the two teams.

By winning its first two games, Brazil got to rest its staff on Sunday, which is paramount given the World Baseball Classic's pitch-count restrictions. Larkin will be without the services of his previous two starters, Oscar Nakaoshi and Andre Rienzo, meaning he will have 11 pitchers at his disposal.

Kelly, meanwhile, will have just eight available pitchers, as Alberto Acosta, Euclides Bethancourt, Manny Corpas, Paolo Espino and Eliecer Navarro are all ineligible to take the mound. But Kelly still has the benefit of a powerful lineup that includes Phillies All-Star catcher Carlos Ruiz, Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada,free-agent slugger Carlos Lee and Ruben Rivera, all of whom have contributed greatly to the team's past two victories.

"Brazil is a tough team," Kelly said. "[It is] a team that is really good at small ball, taking advantage of their opportunities and pitching well. It's a tough match-up."

Chinese Taipei earns spot in 2013 Classic

By Debby Wu / Special to MLB.com | 11/18/12 11:11 AM ET

XINZHUANG, Taiwan --

Chinese Taipei finally found out what it was like to play nine innings in a World Baseball Classic qualifier.

After breezing through its first two games by a combined 26-0, Chinese Taipei fell just short of a third straight mercy-rule win Sunday, but a 9-0 rout of New Zealand in the qualifier finale was enough to secure a spot in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Not even a five-hour rain delay could slow down a Chinese Taipei team that was obviously on a mission after failing to earn a win during the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Their losses to South Korea and China in that tourney were called a "national shame" by the local press.

Now, they have earned the opportunity to restore their name and return to public favor, team captain Cheng-Min Peng beamed after the game.

"I am very happy to win the qualifier," he said. "I attended the 2009 tournament, and now made it through the qualifier. I am very glad that the team will be back again for the regular World Baseball Classic competition.

"Our upcoming competitors will be much tougher, and we will try to ... be at our best for the next round."

Manager Chang-Heng Hsieh said that he will try to enlist Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen and former Yankees and National starter Chien-Ming Wang for March's first round to boost the team's chances.

Chinese Taipei will play host to Korea, Australia and the Netherlands when the group meets at the Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in the central Taiwanese city of Taichung in March.

Chinese Taipei's triumphant journey was further aided by superior efforts from former Mariners third-base prospect Yung-Chi Chen and right fielder Chien-Ming Chang. Chen collected six RBIs with two doubles and two singles in the tournament, hitting .444. Chang also drove in six runs with two doubles and four singles.

Not to be out done by the offense, Chinese Taipei's pitching staff did not concede a single run in the qualifier.

In Sunday's finale against New Zealand, shortstop Chih-Sheng Lin's critical leadoff hits in the second and the fourth paved the way for scoring rallies, and Chang's three-run double in the fourth helped seal the victory. Chang contributed another run in the seventh with a single.

Lefty Yao-Hsun Yang of Japan's professional club Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks used an overpowering slider and fastball to notch four scoreless innings, striking out five and giving up only two hits.

During the long rain delay, Kiwi players danced to the Korean pop tune of "Gangnam Style" to entertain thousands of fans, and they threw balls to the crowd as a reward for their patient wait.

The two teams played three very tight innings in the beginning, with both starters pitching well. But Chinese Taipei struck first with a single tally in the second vs. Kiwi hurler John Holdzkom, With two on, Holdzkom suffered from a bout of wildness, hitting third baseman Yung-Chi Chen with a pitch to load the bases. Designated hitter Yi-Chuan Lin then grounded into a double-play that pushed the first run across the plate.

Holdzkom's fastball began to fail him in the bottom of the fourth. Lin stroked a leadoff double to the center, stole third and scored on a single from Chen. A steal, wild pitch, and walk later, Holdzkom was replaced by Andrew Marck, who immediately surrendered a single, two walks and a run.

With one out and bases full, Chang lined a three-run double to the left field that essentially put the game out of reach.

The game turned nasty for a brief moment when Kiwi reliever Lincoln Holdzkom hit Cheng-Min Peng on the top of his head with his pitch right after New Zealand allowed two runs with a single and a throwing error in the bottom of the seventh. Both Lincoln Holdzkom and New Zealand manager Andy Skeels were ejected from the game, as Peng was already hit once in the left shoulder by reliever Riki Paewai in the fourth and both benches had been warned.

Despite two tough losses against Chinese Taipei, previously unranked New Zealand still had much to be proud of for their showing in the qualifier. They upset a Philippines squad loaded with Minor Leaguers by a 10-6 score, and they trounced the Johnny Damon-led Thailand team, 12-2.

Glad to see Urshela hitting. His defense has always been rated too notch. He hit better this summer than ever before and his second half was much better than his first half. BA notes he needs to do a better job drawing walks. He's much more consistant a defender than Ronnie Rodriguez and since RRod will be shoved off SS by Lindor these two could be our contenders for 3rd base. Then of course there is also the question of where Paulino winds up. Someone will be in the OF. BA projects that to be Kipnis with Paulino at 3rd and RonnieRod at 2nd.

We have a lot of promising diamond guys, Civ. We need to balance them off with some legitimate power hitters. Other than Santana, we have no one who strikes fear into pitcher's hearts. Of course, I don't think pitchers worry too much about Santana, they can just pitch around him.