Giovanny Urshela Continues To Perform For The Eagles of Zulia

The offensive production of Maracaibo's Giovanny Urshela continues for the Eagles of Zulia. The Colombian slugger drove in four runs in a 6-3 win against the Magallanes Navigators for the sweep in the two-game series at Luis Aparicio "El Grande" Stadium.

The Eagles won their fourth straight game to gain a foothold in the top of the standings with a 22-11 mark while the Navigators fell to 15-17.

One day after his walkoff hit, Urshela tormented the Navigators pitching again. This time it was Jeremy kehrt who was bombed.

After Mike Tauchman and Jose Pirela opened the game with two hits. The Colombian third baseman followed with a shot, a two run double, to center. An RBI base hit by Wilson García and a triple by Trayvon Robinson added to the Eagles who managed their second straight sweep.

Urshela put the fifth Eagles run on the board in the fifth inning with a double batting in Tauchman and then put the finishing touch on his inspired day with a homer that crashed into the middle of the stands in left field. That was the third homer in the season for the Carthaginian, who has 19 RBI in 21 games this season.

The 2017 World Baseball Classic schedule
means baseball is closer than you think

The Dominican Republic celebates after defeating Puerto Rico to win the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Baseball has only been gone for two weeks, but I know that you miss it. But more baseball is closer than you think! The tournament schedule has been released for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, which means that we get a three week jump on real live baseball.

The WBC features three rounds, and Round 1 begins with four pools: A, B, C and D. Each pool contains four teams and plays in a different location. The whole shebang kicks off with Pool A on March 6 in Seoul, South Korea at the Gocheok Sky Dome. Israel is appearing in the WBC main tournament for the first time ever, and they’ll take on host team Korea on March 6 at 7 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET). On March 7 the other two teams in Pool A, Chinese Taipei and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will play their first games.

Pool B will play their games in Tokyo, Japan, and they start with Cuba taking on the host team (and two-time champion) Japan on March 7 at 7 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) at the Tokyo Dome. March 8 features match-ups between the other two Pool B teams: China vs. Cuba at noon local time (10 p.m. ET on March 7) and Australia vs. Japan at 7 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET).

If you’re looking for the United States, Pool C is where you’ll find them. In fact the U.S. is the host team, with all of Pool C’s games being played at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. Pool C kicks off on March 9 with a 6 p.m. ET game between Canada and the Dominican Republic (who are the defending champions). March 10 is when the US enters the fray, facing Colombia at 6 p.m. ET.

Jalisco, Mexico is hosting Pool D, which begins on March 9 at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET) with a game between Italy and Mexico. Venezuela and Puerto Rico, the other teams in Pool D, play each other on March 10 at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET).

After all the games are played in each pool (you can find the full schedule here), including possible play-in games to determine the winners, we move on to Round 2. The winners from Round 1 will be grouped into Pool E (playing in Tokyo) and Pool F (playing at Petco Park in San Diego), and play their games between March 12 and March 19. The championship round, which is a three-game series, will be played March 20-22 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

This isn’t just a baseball battle between different countries. It will actually feature MLB players taking the field for their countries. Felix Hernandez will pitch for Venezuela, and Japanese phenom Shohei Otani (who isn’t an MLB player but might be in 2018) will pitch for Japan. The Baltimore Orioles are sending four players to the WBC on four different teams: Jonathan Schoop will play for the Netherlands, Manny Machado will play for the Dominican Republic, Hyun Soo Kim will play for South Korea and Adam Jones will play for the United States. The U.S. team is already full of stars, Jones included. Max Scherzer and Chris Archer have already committed to pitching for the Americans in the WBC, Jonathan Lucroy will catch and Nolan Arenado will presumably hit the crap out of a bunch of baseballs. And that’s just for starters. As teams finalize their rosters, more big names are likely to be announced.

It’s still four months away, but the WBC will give us a chance to see some of our favorite baseball players before the MLB season begins. And after a long offseason, getting baseball even one second early is a tremendous gift.

11/17/16
3B: Rodriguez, Ro (1, Valdez, E)
2B: Urshela 2 (11, Kehrt, Franco, E); Aguilar (2, Castillo, Y)
HR: Urshela (3, 7th inning off Eregua, 0 on, 1 out)
TB: Urshela 8
RBI: Urshela 4 (19)
E: Rodriguez, Ro 2 (9, throw, fielding);

Giovanny Urshela

Zulia Bottom of the 1st
Mike Tauchman singles on a sharp line drive to catcher Robinson Chirinos, deflected by pitcher Jeremy Kehrt.
Jose Pirela singles on a ground ball to left fielder Frank Diaz. Mike Tauchman to 2nd.
Giovanny Urshela doubles (10) on a line drive to center fielder Endy Chavez. Mike Tauchman scores. Jose Pirela scores.
Reynaldo Rodriguez grounds out, second baseman Jose Martinez to first baseman Josmil Pinto. Giovanny Urshela to 3rd.
Jesus Flores lines out sharply to shortstop Ronny Cedeno.
Wilson Garcia doubles (5) on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Mario Lisson. Giovanny Urshela scores.
With Trayvon Robinson batting, passed ball by Robinson Chirinos, Wilson Garcia to 3rd.
Trayvon Robinson triples (1) on a sharp line drive to right fielder Mario Lisson. Wilson Garcia scores.
Pitching Change: Jose Castillo replaces Jeremy Kehrt.
Ali Castillo flies out to right fielder Mario Lisson.

Zulia Bottom of the 2nd
Jonathan Herrera doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Frank Diaz.
Mike Tauchman singles on a fly ball to left fielder Frank Diaz. Jonathan Herrera to 3rd.
With Jose Pirela batting, Mike Tauchman caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Robinson Chirinos to second baseman Jose Martinez.
Jose Pirela grounds out softly, shortstop Ronny Cedeno to first baseman Josmil Pinto.
Giovanny Urshela flies out to center fielder Endy Chavez.

Zulia Bottom of the 4th
Pitching Change: Enderson Franco replaces Jose Castillo.
Ali Castillo called out on strikes.
Jonathan Herrera flies out to center fielder Endy Chavez.
Mike Tauchman walks.
Jose Pirela singles on a line drive to center fielder Endy Chavez. Mike Tauchman to 2nd.
Giovanny Urshela doubles (11) on a line drive to right fielder Mario Lisson. Mike Tauchman scores. Jose Pirela out at home on the throw, right fielder Mario Lisson to shortstop Ronny Cedeno to catcher Robinson Chirinos.

Zulia Bottom of the 7th
Pitching Change: Greyfer Eregua replaces Luis Martinez.
Jose Pirela grounds out, third baseman Adonis Garcia to first baseman Josmil Pinto.
Giovanny Urshela homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.
Reynaldo Rodriguez strikes out swinging.
Jesus Flores lines out sharply, pitcher Greyfer Eregua to first baseman Josmil Pinto.

11/17/16

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Mesa Solar Sox

Bradley Zimmer (CF): 2-3, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB – After slowing down a bit in the middle of the AFL season, Zimmer has picked it up to finish strong. The center fielder now has five hits in his last three games (12 at-bats) and has picked up seven RBI and two homers in that span.

Greg Allen (RF): 0-5 – Allen has struggled over his last 10 games, hitting .171 (6-for-35) with two runs, four walks and six strikeouts. He has stolen six bags in that span, however, and swiped 12 in 14 attempts during the AFL season. He’s batting .269 in 22 games with a .380 OBP.

Eric Haase (C): 0-4 – Haase started just his fifth game this AFL season on Thursday and went hitless for the second time. In 18 at-bats, the backstop has collected five hits and has walked once to five K’s. The 25-year-old hit .208 in 63 games with the Akron RubberDucks this summer.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE

Giovanny Urshela (Aguilas del Zulia, 3B): 3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, HR (3), 4 RBI – Urshela just keeps on hitting. The third baseman has been on fire this whole offseason, but particularly as of late. He’s now got three straight multi-hit games, with seven total hits and eight RBI in that span. For the offseason, Urshela is hitting .367 (33-for-90) with three homers and 19 RBI, but the fact that he still only has two walks is a concern.

Jesus Aguilar (Leones del Caracas, DH): 1-2, R, RBI, 2 BB – Aguilar continues to show positive signs of improvement with plate discipline this offseason. It’s not often that you will see a stat line for Aguilar that features multiple walks without a strikeout, but that’s now happened twice in his last six games. For the offseason, he’s walked 11 times to just nine K’s in 45 at-bats.

Yonathan Mendoza (Cardenales de Lara, PH): 0-1 – Mendoza saw his first Venezuelan Winter League action since Nov. 5. He still only has one start this offseason and has only registered eight at-bats in nine games, and he’s picked up two hits, two runs and two walks thus far.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE

Francisco Mejia (Estrellas Orientales, C): 1-3, K – In his ninth game of the offseason, the backstop picked up his fifth hit through 22 at-bats (.182). He’s struck out seven times and no walks, and he hasn’t scored a run but has driven one in.

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, 3B): 2-3, R, 3B – Rodriguez picked up his third multi-hit game in his last nine contests. He’s got three homers and nine eight RBI through 63 at-bats, but he has walked just twice to 15 strikeouts.

11/15/16 WED

Wonder why Yandy Diaz hasn't been in the lineup the past 3 day...........


Caribes Bottom of the 7th

Rafael Ortega pops out to catcher Ramon Cabrera in foul territory.
Pitching Change: Armando Rodriguez replaces Felix Carvallo.
Orlando Arcia grounds out, pitcher Armando Rodriguez to first baseman Jesus Aguilar.
Pitching Change: Jim Patterson replaces Armando Rodriguez.
Rene Reyes walks.
Pitching Change: Jose Ascanio replaces Jim Patterson.
Denis Phipps walks. Rene Reyes to 2nd.
Tomas Telis triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Yandy Diaz. Rene Reyes scores. Denis Phipps scores.
Balbino Fuenmayor singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Felix Perez. Tomas Telis scores.
Pitching Change: Franklin Morales replaces Jose Ascanio.

Leones del Caracas center fielder Yandy Diaz left the game due to an injured leg.

Defensive Substitution: Jesus Galindo replaces center fielder Yandy Diaz, batting 5th, playing center field.

Alexi Amarista walks. Balbino Fuenmayor to 2nd.
Niuman Romero strikes out swinging.

11/18/16
RBI: Choice (12); Rodriguez, Ro 2 (10); Urshela (20)
2-out RBI: Rodriguez, Ro

San Diego's Manny Margot

Winter leagues roundup Top Prospects

Dominican Republic

• Manny Margot, OF, Padres -- The Padres' No. 2 prospect (No. 26 overall) excelled as a 21-year-old in Triple-A (.304/.351/.426) before getting a taste of the Major Leagues in September, when he batted .243 with five extra-base hits over 10 games with the Padres. While his .256 average and .635 OPS in 21 games for Torros del Este doesn't exactly jump off the page, Margot has swung the bat well of late, collecting at least one hit in four straight games including his first winter league homer. Overall, he ranks fourth in the circuit with 22 hits and owns a share of second place with five stolen bases.

• Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Phillies -- The Phillies' No. 12 prospect has gotten off to a strong start for Gigantes del Ciabo, hitting .258/.355/.470 with 14 RBIs across his first 18 games. Meanwhile, after connecting on 38 home runs during the regular season, Hoskins has gone deep four times in his last seven games to move into a tie atop the circuit's leaderboard with Dylan Cozens (Phillies' No. 7), Hoskins' teammate at Double-A Reading and the only player to out-homer him (40) in 2016.

• Gabby Guerrero, OF, D-backs -- Coming off an age-22 campaign that saw him hit .234/.281/.383 in 126 games between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno, Guerrero, Arizona's No. 11 prospect, has hit safely in each of his seven games for Torros del Este, during which he's produced a .407 average and five RBIs.

• Rowdy Tellez, 1B, Blue Jays -- After battling injuries early in his career, the Blue Jays' No. 9 prospect came into his own this year as a 21-year-old in Double-A by setting career highs in most offensive categories, including home runs (23), doubles (29), slugging (.530), OPS (.917) and RBIs (81). Tellez already gone deep twice in 12 games, to go along with a .265 average, while playing for Estrellas Orientales.

• Dylan Cozens, OF, Phillies -- Cozens led the Minor Leagues with 40 home runs during the regular season, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Phillies' No. 6 prospect is currently pacing the DWL with four homers through his first 16 games for Aguilas Cibaenas.

• Jairo Labourt, LHP, Tigers -- Labourt struggled as a starter to begin the season, posting a 7.48 ERA over 12 starts. The Tigers' No. 13 prospect fared much better after a midseason shift to the bullpen, where he recorded a 3.07 ERA and held hitters to a .189 average over 44 innings spanning 18 appearances. The 22-year-old left-hander is making even greater strides as a reliever, and he's allowed one earned run in five appearances for Gigantes del Cibao.

Mexico

• Joey Wendle, 2B, Athletics -- The A's No. 28 prospect held his own in the big leagues last season, hitting .260 with a pair of extra-base hits and 11 runs scored in 28 games. Now, after logging 153 regular-season games between the Minors and Majors, the 26-year-old second baseman is getting even more work this offseason with Yaquis de Obregon in Mexico, for whom he's hit .309/.348/.528 with 17 extra-base hits -- including three home runs -- and 21 RBIs in 31 games.

Puerto Rico

• Jorge Lopez, RHP, Brewers -- Lopez, Milwaukee's' No. 13 prospect, reached the big leagues as a 22 year old in 2015 but took a considerable step back this season as he received a mid-season demotion to Double-A Biloxi after going 1-7 with a 6.81 ERA and a 66-55 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 16 starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs. The right-hander was able to finish his season on a positive note, however, posting a 2.49 ERA with 24 strikeouts and five walks over his final four starts in the Southern League, and he's built on that success in Puerto Rico by allowing just one earned run on four hits in his three starts for Indios de Mayaguez.

Venezuela

• Carlos Tocci, OF, Phillies -- Tocci, 21, received his first taste of winter ball last offseason, when he hit .333 in 11 games for Tigres de Aragua. Back with Aragua once again this year, the Phillies' No. 22 prospect has hit .351/.415/.405 over his last 10 games to lift his overall average to .316 through 31 games.

• Raudel Lazo, LHP, Marlins -- Miami's No. 25 prospect recorded a 2.68 ERA in 42 appearances across three Minor League levels only to be designated for assignment when rosters expanded on Sept. 1. The 27-year-old lefty has been solid so far with his eight scoreless appearances out the bullpen for Aragua.

• Ariel Jurado, RHP, Rangers -- Jurado made quick work of the hitter-friendly California League to earn a mid-season promotion to Double-A Frisco at age 20. The Rangers' No. 6 prospect more than held his own at the more advanced level, posting a 3.30 ERA in 43 2/3 innings over eight appearances (six starts). It's been more of the same for the right-hander so far in the Venezuela Winter League, where he owns a 3.00 ERA through five starts for Navegantes del Magallanes.

Phenoms pack today's AFL championship game

Contest will be broadcast on MLB Network and MLB.com today at 3 p.m. ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --

After the wildest regular season in Arizona Fall League history, the Mesa Solar Sox and Surprise Saguaros will meet in a one-game playoff for the championship.

Five of the AFL's six teams remained in contention for a division title on the final day of the regular season on Thursday.

Surprise (17-14-1) nearly squandered a two-game lead with three to play in the West Division before rallying for a 4-2 victory of the Salt River Rafters in their season finale.

Mesa and Surprise square off at Scottsdale Stadium at 3 p.m. ET today, with the game broadcast live on MLB Network and MLB.com. It's the first playoff appearance for both clubs since the 2013 championship game, when Mookie Betts drove in a run in a 2-0 Saguaros victory. The Solar Sox last won the AFL title in 2003.

• Fall League championship game starting lineups

Surprise Saguaros

SS: Nick Gordon (MIN)
2B: Mauricio Dubon (BOS)
LF: Eric Wood (PIT)
1B: Ryan O'Hearn (KC)
DH: Mitch Garver (MIN)
C: Jose Trevino (TEX)
3B: Mauricio Ramos (KC)
RF: Scott Heineman (TEX)
CF: Tanner English (MIN)
SP: Eric Stout (KC)

@ Mesa Solar Sox

2B: Franklin Barreto (OAK)
RF: Greg Allen (CLE)
LF: Ian Happ (CHC)
3B: Brian Anderson (MIA)
CF: Bradley Zimmer (CLE)
1B: Juan Kelly (TOR)
DH: Eloy Jimenez (CHC)
C: Danny Jansen (TOR)
SS: Yu-Cheng Chang (CLE)
SP: Dylan Covey (OAK)

"We are all pretty stoked about playing in the championship," Saguaros outfielder Tanner English (Twins) said. "This is a tough league and to be able to play in this game is a pretty cool opportunity. We are going to go out there, continue to do what we've been doing, have some fun and see if we can win this thing."

The Rafters were three outs from eliminating Mesa (16-15-1) in the East on Tuesday before the Solar Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the 11th. Salt River dropped its last two games, allowing Mesa to win the East by a half-game with a 6-6 tie against the Scottsdale Scorpions on Thursday.

"It would be awesome to win a championship at any level, from A ball to the World Series," Solar Sox outfielder Bradley Zimmer (Indians top prospect) said. "We've had a lot of fun working with the coaches and the staff, getting used to seeing each other every day. It would be fun to finish it off with a ring."

Mesa easily led the Fall League with a 3.38 ERA and will begin the game with Dylan Covey (A's No. 20) followed by Frankie Montas (A's No. 10) on the mound. Surprise, which finished last in ERA at 4.99, counters with a surprise starter in Royals left-handed reliever Eric Stout.

Covey and Montas worked the first eight innings of the third no-hitter in league history on Nov. 1. Covey went 4-0 during the Fall League season, despite a 4.74 ERA. Montas, who can top 100 mph with his fastball, allowed just one earned run in 17 Fall League innings (0.53 ERA). He allowed just seven hits but walked eight and only struck out nine.

Stout will not only be making his first start of the Fall League, but his first start of the year. He made 42 relief appearances during the regular season and has started just two games over three Minor League seasons since being drafted in the 13th round out of Butler in 2014. Stout pitched in nine games for Surprise, posting a 2.77 ERA with six walks and 13 strikeouts in 13 innings.

The Solar Sox ranked second in the league in scoring (5.03 runs per game) while pacing the AFL in home runs (25), stolen bases (44), on-base percentage (.340) and slugging (.395). Their deep lineup includes three of the league's best prospects in second baseman Ian Happ (Cubs top prospect), outfielder Eloy Jimenez (Cubs No. 2) and Zimmer, as well as the home run leader (Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson, with five) and steals champ (Indians outfielder Greg Allen, with 12).

Shortstop Nick Gordon (Twins' No. 2) and outfielder Eric Wood (Pirates), who topped the league with 20 RBIs, are the most productive hitters in a Saguaros lineup that placed fifth in scoring (4.53 runs per game). Catcher Mitch Garver (Twins No. 24) finished second in the AFL with four homers and erased 41 percent of the basestealers who tested him.

Below is a list of players on championship game rosters who rank on MLBPipeline's overall Top 100 Prospects or on one of our organization Top 30 Prospects lists:

Mesa Top 100 Prospects

2B Ian Happ, Cubs (No. 21)
OF Eloy Jimenez, Cubs (No. 23)
OF Bradley Zimmer, Indians (No. 25)
SS/2B Franklin Barreto, Athletics (No. 42)
OF Anthony Alford, Blue Jays (No. 86)

Mesa Organization Top 30 Prospects

OF Greg Allen (Indians' No. 19)
3B/1B Brian Anderson (Marlins' No. 4)
C/1B Victor Caratini (Cubs' No. 15)
SS Yu-Cheng Chang (Indians' No. 9)
RHP Dylan Covey (A's No. 20)
LHP Jarlin Garcia (Marlins' No. 3)
C Danny Jansen (Blue Jays' No. 30)
RHP Frankie Montas (A's No. 10)
3B Yairo Munoz (A's No. 7)
2B Max Schrock (A's No. 21)

Surprise Top 100 Prospects

SS Nick Gordon, Twins (No. 47)
RHP Michael Kopech, Red Sox (No. 67)
LHP Stephen Gonsalves, Twins (No. 85)

Surprise Organization Top 30 Prospects

LHP Trey Ball (Red Sox's No. 14)
LHP Jalen Beeks (Red Sox's No. 29)
SS/OF Mauricio Dubon (Red Sox's No. 12)
C Mitch Garver (Twins' No. 24)
2B Andy Ibanez (Rangers' No. 2)
LHP Mason Melotakis (Twins' No. 19)
1B Ryan O'Hearn (Royals' No. 7)
RHP Edgar Santana (Pirates' No. 29)
2B Corey Toups (Royals' No. 30)
C Jose Trevino (Rangers' No. 20)

Aguadilla Sharks Return To The Field

The league ensured that all will receive their salaries on or before next Tuesday.

Aguadilla will return to the diamond tomorrow, Saturday, to welcome the Carolina Giants in the stadium Luis A. "Canena" Marquez, as agreed today at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the League of Professional Baseball Roberto Clemente.
The conclave, which was represented by the Professional Players Association of Puerto Rico with its president, Yamil Benitez and legal counsel Hector Benitez was on hiatus until next Monday, November 21, at 10:45 am.

That day Israel Roldan will also appear before the administrator of Aguadilla to give explanations about the delay in payments.

Related

Sharks do not play for nonpayment

"They reached an agreement, we were given some guarantees and we will play," confirmed Yamil Benitez to Primera Hora not wanting to give details of what was discussed at the meeting.

According to a press release sent by the league organization, the Sharks players will receive the money owed, which includes salary and dietas- on or before next Tuesday. the Board of Directors also gave the president of the winter league, Hector Rivera Cruz, "the powers necessary to fulfill the commitment to pay."

The players of Aguadilla decided not to play on Wednesday against the Indians of Mayaguez due to delayed payment of wages and, as a result, the game was forfeited in favor of Mayaguez to leave the franchise record at 1-13 thus far this tournament.

11/18/16

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

Giovanny Urshela (Aguilas del Zulia, 3B) - 1-5, 1 RBI - Urshela drove in his 20th run of the season and is now batting .358/.364/.568 in 23 games.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, 1B-SS) - 1-5, 2 RBI - Ronny-Rod put up a stat line almost identical to Gio's and increased his slash line to .324/.338/.588 with 10 RBI in 18 games.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE (LMP)

Michael Choice (Charros de Jalisco, RF) - 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB - Choice ends a three game hitless streak in a game marked more by solid plate discipline than a hot bat.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
MESA SOLAR SOX CHAMPIONS 6-1 WIN OVER SURPRISE SAGUEROS

BASERUNNING
CS: Chang (1, 2nd base by McCain/Trevino).
PO: Chang (1st base by McCain).

Arizona Fall League Nov. 19, 2016
Championship Game
Happ's homers support Covey as Mesa takes Fall League title

Cubs' No. 1 prospect goes deep from both sides of plate in AFL championship game

By Mike Rosenbaum / MLB.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --

A pair of home runs from Cubs No. 1 prospect Ian Happ backed a strong effort by Dylan Covey on the mound as the Mesa Solar Sox won the Arizona Fall League title Saturday with a 6-1 win over the Surprise Saguaros at Scottsdale Stadium.

Happ, No. 21 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 100 Prospects list, homered from both sides of the plate, hitting a two-run homer from the left side in the third inning and then connecting on a right-handed solo shot in the seventh. He finished the game 4-for-4, with three runs scored and three RBIs.

The Solar Sox (16-15-1) boasted the top offense in this year's Fall League, pacing the circuit in home runs (25), stolen bases (44), on-base percentage (.340) and slugging (.395) while ranking second in the circuit in scoring (5.03 runs per game).

Unsurprisingly, it was Mesa's high-octane offense, led by Happ, which powered the AFL East champions to a league title.

Marlins No. 4 prospect Brian Anderson, whose five home runs during the regular season paced the Fall League, provided the Solar Sox with an early lead as he delivered a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning, depositing the first pitch he saw from Surprise starter Eric Stout over the wall in left field.
After that, it was all Happ. He added to Mesa's lead in the bottom of the third with his two-run shot to right-center field off of Pirates righty Alex McRae, and then tacked on another run with his fourth Fall League homer, a towering shot to the opposite field, in the bottom of the seventh.

Covey was at the heart of the Solar Sox's combined no-hitter against Surprise on Nov. 1, when he tossed the first five innings before handing off the ball to a pair of relievers. On Saturday, the A's No. 20 prospect hurled four perfect inning before issuing a walk and kept the Saguaros out of the hit column for 4 1/3 frames. He ultimately allowed one earned run in five innings, tallying three strikeouts and six ground-ball outs while throwing 35 of his 59 pitches for strikes.

A's No. 10 prospect Frankie Montas -- who also contributed in Mesa's aforementioned no-hitter -- fired three dominant innings in relief of Covey, as he allowed one hit and struck out five.

BOX SCORE

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp ... n_msswin_1



2016 AFL STATISTICAL LEADERS

BATTING

AVG: Gleyber Torres - .403
HR: Brian Anderson - 5
RBI: Eric Wood - 20
R: Bradley Zimmer - 25
SB: 2 players tied at 12

PITCHING

W: Austin Gomber - 5
SO: Austin Gomber - 33
ERA: 2 players tied at 0.00
SV: 2 players tied at 5
IP: Austin Gomber - 33.2

[ GEESH! Not Like The Cubs Don't Have Enough Talent. I'd Say Manny Ramirez Is Doing A Fantastic Job Tutoriing Those Young Hitters! ]

Taiwan and Japan baseball legends to play for charity

By Jason Pan / Staff reporter

Successfully organizing the game shows that Taiwanese and Japanese baseball have a close relationship, Lin said, adding that the event could even help foster friendlier ties between the two nations.

Baseball heroes and legends are to be in action at the Taichung Intercontinental Stadium this afternoon, with world home run king Sadaharu Oh leading a star-studded roster for the Taiwan-Japan Baseball Legends game.

Taiwanese pitcher Kuo Yuan-chi, who played for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan, is to start on the mound for the hosts, with Masumi Kuwata, the former pitching great who had a 21-year career with the Yomiuri Giants, starting for Japan.

Oh and his Japanese all-star teammates on Friday arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to a warm welcome from Taiwanese sports officials and fans, many of whom clamored for an opportunity to get an autograph.

Oh said it would be the first time he puts on the Yomiuri Giants uniform in Taiwan since a spring training camp in then-Taichung City in 1968.

Proceeds from the game, sponsored by Hua Nan Bank and co-organized by the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association and Japanese professional league officials, are to go to charity organizations.

It was not easy to get so many legendary Japanese players to come to Taiwan, requiring three years of negotiation and behind-the-scenes preparation to bring the project to fruition, association secretary-general Richard Lin said.

“We are grateful to Japanese officials and the Yomiuri Giants for helping to make this happen,” Lin said.

“The Giants have good ties with Taiwan; their farm teams have conducted training camps and played in competitions here this year, and they plan to return next year,” he added.

11/19/16

Yandy Diaz Back In Action
3B: Pantoja (1, Takagi)
RBI: Pantoja (1)
E: Pantoja (2, throw)
DP: (Pantoja-Lopez, Jac-Gotay); 2 (Chacin-Petit, G-Aguilar; Irvine-Petit, G-Aguilar).