Cleveland Sports Forum

Game 1: Mayaguez 10, Caguas 1
Game 2: Caguas 4, Mayaguez 0
Game 3: Mayaguez 2, Caguas 0
Game 4: Caguas 4, Mayaguez 1
Game 5: Mayaguez 7, Caguas 4
Game 6: Caguas 5, Mayaguez 8

Indios de Mayaguez lead series 4-2

Game 7: 01/24 7:30 p.m.
Game 8: 01/25 7:30 p.m.
Game 9: 01/26 3:00 p.m.
W: Walter (1-1, 1.08)
L: Espinosa (0-1, 4.05)
S: Smit (1)
Sergio Miranda estuvo caliente en la ofensiva por los Indios con tres impulsadas. (Archivo / Primera Hora / Juan Luis Martinez)


Suspended the sixth game of the Final Series of Winter League In The Ninth Inning

Due to an electrical fault in the towers of the stadium Isidoro "Cholo" Garcia, the sixth game of the Final Series Winter League was suspended when the Indians dominated the Caguas Creoles, 8-4, at the top of the ninth inning.

At the time of stopping the action, the Creoles had the breath of life with men on first and third base with no outs when the mishap occurred.

The game will continue on Sunday from four in the afternoon in the park of the Indians.

The seventh game, scheduled for Sunday, will then be on Tuesday in Caguas.
The game last night between Creoles and Indians stopped at the top of the ninth inning because of a power outage in that facility. (END / Jose Rodriguez

They won 8-5 over the Caguas Creoles after the game was stopped in the ninth inning last night

Mayaguez Indians finally completed on the evening of Sunday a win 8-5 over the Caguas Creoles to move within one step of the championship in the Puerto Rican winter baseball.

The short day Sunday, before some 2,000 spectators in the stadium Isidoro 'Cholo' Garcia de Mayaguez was the conclusion of the game that last night was stopped at the top of the ninth inning because of a power outage in that facility.

At the time of suspension, Caguas had scored a run in their last at bat to get closer offensively 8-4, with two runners on base with no outs and Alex Cora at the plate, but the threat was dispelled as soon as the action resumed shortly after 17 hours of waiting. Mayagüez became first team to win at home in the first 11 postseason games of 2012.

To start the top of the ninth, Ramon Troncoso replaced Justin Thomas on the mound. Caguas' Lou Montanez got things going with a basehit. Edgard Clemente followed with a double as Lou Montanez scored on the play. Miguel Abreu pinch hit for A. J. Jimenez. Miguel Abreu singled and Edgard Clemente advanced to 3rd with no one out when the game was suspended. With the continuation of the game from the previous night, Kyle Smit replaced Ramon Troncoso and Alex Cora grounded into a double play, pitcher Kyle Smit to shortstop Irving Falu to first baseman Ruben Gotay. Andy Gonzalez singled batting in Edgard Clemente. Luis Figueroa popped out to third baseman Danny Gonzalez to end the game.

Caguas attacked early and scratched two runs in the first inning against Indians starter Hiram Burgos. The fans were silent when they saw the dominance of Jose Rosario from Caguas on the mound before an officially announced 8.899 spectators Saturday at La Sultana del Oeste. But surprisingly Rosario was replaced in the fifth inning, when he had allowed two hits and an unearned run with the Creoles ahead 3-1. Possibly, Rosario had a limit of pitches in the evening.

After Rosario departed with 4.1 innings of work. Mayagüez then struck for two runs to tie the game off of reliever Sergio Espinosa. During the inning Irving Falu hit a triple and drove in Jesus 'Motorita' Feliciano, and then scored on a basehit by Sergio Miranda encouraging his supporters in the stands.

In the sixth inning, Jeffrey Dominguez gave the Indians a 4-3 lead with tremendous homer over the fence in right field. And the local team followed in the seventh inning by scoring three addition runs.

Miranda was instrumental with two RBI triple to extend the lead to 6-3, scoring soon after with a sacrifice fly by Jose Julio Ruiz.

The eighth run of the Indians came in the eighth on a homer of Danny Gonzalez.

Bandits defeat Bite, fall just short of postseason

Sutherland's huge day at plate propels Bandits to victory

The Brisbane Bandits (20-25) ended their 2011-2012 ABL season with a 7-6 victory over the Adelaide Bite (20-25) on Sunday afternoon at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide, winning their 3rd of a 5-game series. Despite the victory, the Bandits fell just short in their valiant chase to the postseason.

Depending on the outcomes of Canberra Cavalry-Melbourne Aces and the Perth Heat-Sydney Blue Sox games later this afternoon, the Bandits could sit in a four-way tie for third place but fall short of playoff contention due to ABL tie-breaking procedure 13(b), which states: The Team with the higher winning percentage in head-to-head competition among the four tied Clubs during the ABL championship season shall be the higher finishing team. Unfortunately for Brisbane, their winning percentage against the other tied teams leaves them on the outside looking in.

On Sunday afternoon, Brisbane's offense continued their second half dominance and propelled them to a series victory over Adelaide. The Bandits got on the board in the second inning when first baseman David Sutherland launched a solo homerun to right field off Adelaide starter Pat Ahearne (0-2, 9.31 ERA).

After Adelaide tied the game in the bottom of the frame on a Ben Wigmore RBI single, the Bandits took the lead back in the third on back-to-back RBI singles by Brad Dutton (his 24th RBI on the year) and Sutherland.

The game remained at 3-1 until the fifth inning when Sutherland continued his monster afternoon at the plate by connecting on his second homerun of the contest, this one a two-run shot that put Brisbane ahead 5-1. Sutherland finished his day going 3 for 5 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's (he finished the season hitting .305 with 6 homeruns and 31 RBI's, tying Josh Roberts for team lead).

The Bandits relied on a committee of impressive pitchers in the fifth game of the series. 19-year-old Josh Warner made the start and pitched 3 innings, allowing only 1 run on 3 hits. Jon Durket (1 inning, 0 earned runs), Chris Mowday (3 innings, 1 earned run), Rhys Niit (1 innings, 2 earned runs) and Justin Erasmus (.2 innings, 1 earned run) combined to preserve the victory for Brisbane.

With the game sitting at 6-3 in the top of the ninth inning, Brisbane left fielder Matt Roxburgh connected on a solo home run (his 4th) to put Brisbane ahead by four runs. This would prove to be pivotal as Adelaide roared back in the bottom of the ninth, scoring 3 runs on homeruns by Stefan Welch (his 5th) and Calvin Anderson (his 11th). Erasmus was able to limit the barrage thereafter and end the game 7-6 in favor of Brisbane, most likely ending Adelaide's shot at the postseason.

Despite missing the playoffs, the Bandits season can be considered a success due to the fact they boast the youngest roster in the ABL with the least amount of imported help.
[Very impressive numbers for a couple of the youngest players in this newly formed Austalian Baseball League (ABL) which was formerly known as the "Claxton Shield" which was the premier competition in Australia held between state-based teams, as well as the name of the trophy awarded to the champion team. The name engraved on the shield is that of the winning state. The 2010–11 ABL season was won by the Perth Heat, but "West Australia 2011" was engraved.]

Cespedes' arrival hinges on residency process

New rules should make it easier for Cuban slugger to reach bigs

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 01/20/12 6:19 PM EST

With Spring Training right around the corner, several teams are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to bid on Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes. It's been almost 2 1/2 months since he burst onto the baseball scene with an entertaining training video promoting his first showcase in the Dominican Republic, but he still has not been declared a free agent by Major League Baseball. What's the hangup?

Under a new, simplified process established by President Barack Obama's administration in January 2011, any Cuban defector who wants to do business with an American company must first establish residency outside Cuba and the United States. Establishing residency in the Dominican can take up to three months once the paperwork has been submitted, a step that Cespedes -- currently playing for Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League -- has not yet completed.

Cespedes is represented by agent Adam Katz and is training with Edgar Mercedes while playing in the Dominican, where he hit his first home run earlier this week. Cespedes recently said the Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Orioles, Tigers, and Indians have expressed the most interest in signing him. He is expected to command a contract greater than the one received by Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who signed a six-year, $30.25 million deal with the Reds in January 2010.

In accordance with the new guidelines, Cuban players no longer have to wait three to six months to be unblocked by the U.S Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) after establishing residency outside of Cuba or the United States.

Prior to Jan. 28, 2011, any Cuban national who defected had to first establish residency, which could take months, and then apply to the OFAC for a license to be an unblocked individual. Until a player received the license, he was not free to sign. And an investigation by OFAC could take up to six months, meaning it could take six to nine months from defection to a free agency.

Now under the new rules, instead of having to request a specific license from OFAC for unblockage, there is a general license authorizing Major League teams to do business once permanent residency outside of Cuba (and not in the United States) was established, eliminating the requirement that the defector be processed by OFAC before they were declared free agents by Major League Baseball.

In short, establishing residency -- not being unblocked -- is the most important step for Cuban players like Cespedes trying to land jobs in the big leagues.

There were reports Cespedes would become a free agent at the end of December and later reports that he would become a free agent at the beginning of January. It has not happened. Katz, who has represented established Major League players from Cuba in the past, and Mercedes have respectfully declined to comment on the matter but remain confident their client will become a resident and continue the process.

When Cespedes will get his residency in the Dominican and become a free agent remains unclear, but what is clear is that the rules have changed and that Katz, who has not previously represented a Cuban defector prior to his reaching the Major Leagues, and his client have not completed the first major step to getting on the market.

No secret on my behalf, I would love to see Cespedes and Solar in an Indians uniform.

Magallanes with an early 2-0 lead over Anzoantegui in the third. Magallanes and La Guaria game to start at approximatly 9pm.

Game 1: Aguilas 2, Escogido 5
Game 2: Aguilas 1 Escogido 4
Leones del Escogido lead series 2-0

Game 3: 01/23 7:35 p.m.
Game 4: 01/24 7:35 p.m.
Game 5: 01/26 7:35 p.m.
Game 6: 01/27 7:35 p.m.
Game 7: 01/28 5:05 p.m.
Game 8: 01/29 5:05 p.m.
Game 9: 01/30 7:35 p.m.
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Juan Marichal reveals to Pablo Ozuna that he is his favorite player

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Juan Looks Like He Can Still Bring It On

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Manauri Báez, pitcher de las Águilas

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Manauri Gómez mashes a homer

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Elian Herrera tossed out at home

Lions beat the Eagles 4-1

SANTIAGO-

Having played nine innings, the Lions defeated the Cibao Eagles 4-1.

The Cibao Eagles scored a run on the conclusion of the third inning, to tie the game against the Lions in the final series of winter baseball tournament, which is dedicated to Reynaldo, Papy-Bison. The game took place in the Cibao of the city park

The first run of the game was due to first baseman Mauro Gomez's homer for the Lions leading off the top of the second inning.

In the top of the fourth, with one out, Mauro Gomez single. Denis Phipps followed with a basehit. Mauro Gomez to 2nd. Julio Lugo doubled, Mauro Gomez scored, but Denis Phipps was thrown out at home on the throw from left fielder Elian Herrera to catcher Francisco Pena.

Leones got the insurance runs they needed in the top of the eighth. With one out, Andy Dirks walked.
Mauro Gomez struck out. Denis Phipps doubled batting in Andy Dirks. Melky Mesa pinch ran for Andy Dirks. Julio Lugo doubled home Melky Mesa.

Starter and game winner for the Leones was Nelson Figueroa (2-2) going 6.1 innings, 7 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. Fernando Rodney picked up his fourth save of the post season, pitched a perfect ninth with a pair of strikeouts.

Aguilas starter and loser was Manauris Baez (L, 1-1) 4.0 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, and 2 walks.

Magallanes defeated the Caribes 6-5 in their first game.

Magallanes trails La Guaira 4-1 in the second inning.

WoW! What a weekend for baseball fans in Venezuela.

Magallanes and La Guaira go for it all in the second game of the day

[This will never happen in major league baseball. The players would be crying to their union if they had to play a pressure packed, go-for-it-all double header within two and one half hours of each other as these Magallanes Navigantes have to do this evening. WoW]
Magallanes victorious over the Caribes - Seek to catch Shark this evening

The Navigantes over the Caribes 6-5 in 11 innings take on the Sharks for the last berth

CARACAS .-

In a game that went eleven innings in the first of two games played by the Magallanes Navigators this evening defeated 6-5 the Caribes of Anzoategui at the University Stadium in Caracas.

Now, the Magallanes team must prepare for game two led by Carlos Garcia will face off in approximately two hours the La Guaira Sharks to define who will be the rival of the Aragua Tigers in the finals of the 2011-12 season.

With the game in favor of the Magallanes 5-2, a homer by Eliezer Alfonzo off of reliever Lino Urdaneta in the eighth inning, tied the score at five to the pleasure of fans of the Caribes. Already in extra innings Caribes with closer Jon Hunton on the mound, Alberto Callaspo singled. Darwin Perez sacrificed Callaspo to second. William Bergolla doubled home Callaspo to put the Navigators on top 6-5.

With Jean Machi on the mound to close the game, Rene Reyes led off the inning with a double. That was all for Machi as he was replaced by Winston Abreu who came in to shut the door on the Caribes.
Jose Lopez struck out swinging. Luis Ugueto and Niuman Romero both grounded to put an end to a game filled with emotion.

Andres Blanco led the Navigantes attack with three hits and two rbi. Adonis Garcia and Luis Landaeta chipped in with two hits each. William Bergolla had a double and Landaeta a triple.

Alexi Amarista, Eliezier Alfonso, Rene Reyes, and Luis Ugueto each had a pair of hits for the Caribes. Reyes doubled and Alfonzo picked up his second homer of the playoffs.

Navigantes Dan Serafini started, pitched 5.1 innings, gave up 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts.

Renyel Pinto started for the Caribes, only pitched 2 innings, gave up 4 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Winston Abreu pitched a perfect 11th to pick up his first save in the playoffs.


W: Machi (1-0, 9.00)
L: Hunton (1-3, 4.91)
S: Abreu (1)



CARACAS .-

A time to start the game between Magallanes Navigators against La Guaira Sharks to define the passing to the finals and put an end to these 2011-12 playoff games.

Game 1: Guasave 2, Obregon 3
Game 2: Guasave 5 Obregon 6
Yaquis de Obregon lead series 2-0


Game 3: 01/24 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: 01/25 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: 01/26 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/28 6:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/29 5:00 p.m.
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HEROICS OF MURILLO HOMER WINS FOR YAQUIS

CD. Obregon, Sonora. January 22, 2012 (LMP.mx / Alpha Communications) -

Like something out of a movie script, Agustin Murillo chose the eighth inning to crack his homer with one on to overcome a 5-4 deficit and present the Yaquis with a 6-5 win over the Guasave Cotton Growers closing out a sensation comeback for the Yaquis.

This is the second win for the Yaquis in the Final Series XLIII Mexican Pacific League thus taking a 2 games to none advantage over Guasave.

In 22 of 23 times that has happened, the team that wins the first two games has resulted in a champion.

The highlight was the eighth inning when the Yaquis trailed the Contton Growers 5-4.

With one out, Carlos Guerrero singled off of Valencia (2-1). Murillo became the hero with a big two run homer to put the Yaquis on top 6-5.

The game had started on a bad note for the pitching of Guasave starter Edgar Gonzalez. Corey Wimberly walked. Alfredo Amezaga sacrificed Corey Wimberly to 2nd. Karim Garcia doubled home Corey Wimberly.

For his part, Obregon starter Randy Keisler had gone two in the third innings before Guasave would get on the scoreboard. Mario Valenzuela led off the inning by walking. Jesus Lopez walked and Mario Valenzuela advanced to 2nd. Jose Felix bunted into a force out when Mario Valenzuela was thrown out at 3rd. Eduardo Arredondo walked loading the bases. Jose Rodriguez singled home both Karim Garcia and Jesus Lopez to take a 2-1 lead.

In the sixth, Obregon starter Randy Keisler ran into some big problems. Jose Rodriguez and Daryle Ward walked to lead off the inning. Hugo Castellanos replaced Randy Keisler. Japhet Amador sacrificed. Jose Rodriguez to 3rd. Daryle Ward to 2nd. Cesar Carrillo replaced Hugo Castellanos. Brad Snyder struck out swinging. Oswaldo Martinez replaced Cesar Carrillo. Mario Valenzuela walked. Jesus Lopez singled. Jose Rodriguez and Daryle Ward scored. Mario Valenzuela to 2nd. Jose Felix singled and Mario Valenzuela scored. Guasave leading 5-1

Keisler went 5 innings and faced two batters in the sixth. Keisler only gave up two hits, four runs, five walks that hurt him and four strikeouts.

The Yaquis would come back with a pair of runs in their half of the inning. Karim Garcia led off the half inning wi a double. Barbaro Canizares reached base on a throwing error. Karim Garcia to 3rd. Barbaro Canizares to 2nd. Antonio Garzon replaces Edgar Gonzalez. Doug Clark grounded out but Karim Garcia scored. Barbaro Canizares to 3rd. Adrian C. Ramirez replaced Antonio Garzon. Iker Franco struck out swinging. Carlos Valencia singled home Barbaro Canizares. The Yaquis cut into the Guasave lead and trailed 5-3.

Obregon would cut the lead to a run in the seventh to setup the eighth inning for Agustin Murillo.
Corey Wimberly led off the inning with a basehit. Alfredo Amezaga walked. Corey Wimberly to 2nd.
Mauricio Lara replaced Jorge Castillo. Karim Garcia grounded into a force out Corey Wimberly to 3rd. Alfredo Amezaga out at 2nd. Karim Garcia to 1st. Alan Guerrero replaced Mauricio Lara. Barbaro Canizares grounds into a force out and Corey Wimberly scored.

Gonzalez turned in five innings of work and two batters into the sixth giving up three hits, three runs, one of which was unearned, two walks and a strikeout.

The winning pitcher was Rafael Rodriguez (2-0) and the save goes to Luis Ignacio Ayala.

Jose Felix had a pair of hits for Guasave. Carlos Valencia lead the Obregon attack with three hits. Karim Garcia had a pair of hits both doubles with one run scored and one run batted in. Agustin Murillo was 1-4 but had the big two run blast which turned out to be the game winner.

Well, it looks like they will have a winner who will oppose the Aragua Tigers in the Venezuelan finals. A gallant effort by the Magallanes Navigators will go for naught barring a catastrophic finish by the La Guaria Tiburones. The Sharks lead the Navigators 16-1. That game in the seventh inning.

I've been doing this gig for a long time now, better than ten years or so. I have to say that this has been one of the most exciting years for winter baseball that I've been a party to. It's been a real hoot.

A's reportedly have strong interest in Manny

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 01/20/12 7:15 PM EST

Manny Ramirez is turning the heads of at least a few teams as the outfielder looks to return to Major League Baseball, but no club is more interested in the 12-time All-Star than the A's, according to a report by ESPN.

The 39-year-old Ramirez, who retired last season after violating the league's banned substances policy for the second time, has been working out in Miami and plans to have open workout sessions for interested teams later this month.

The Orioles and Blue Jays already have watched Ramirez hit, according to the report, but a source told ESPN that Oakland is "very interested" in Ramirez.

"The Orioles and Blue Jays saw Manny work and Baltimore liked what it saw, but Oakland has been the team that has expressed the most interest, even before having him work out," the source told ESPN.

Ramirez, a 19-year veteran, has hit .312 with 555 home runs during his career with the Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers, White Sox and Rays.

If Ramirez were to sign with a team, he would serve a 50-game suspension stemming from his positive test last season. Ramirez and MLB had previously agreed on lowering the suspension from 100 games, which is the typical punishment for a second positive test.

Brummett pitches Tiburones into Finals

Phillies farmhand strikes out nine over six solid innings

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 16, Magallanes

Phillies farmhand Tyson Brummett struck out nine and allowed a run on five hits over six innings as the Tiburones clinched a spot in the Championship Series. Mariners Minor Leaguer Luis Antonio Jimenez homered, doubled, drove in four runs and scored three times for La Guaira, which will face Aragua in the best-of-7 Finals. Minor League veteran Jake Stevens retired only two batters and was charged with four unearned runs for Magallanes, which got two hits and an RBI from Adonis Garcia.

Magallanes 6, Caribes 5, 11 innings

Former Major Leaguer William Bergolla singled home the go-ahead run in the 11th inning as the Navegantes blew a five-run lead before advancing to a one-game playoff for a spot in the Championship Series. Nationals infielder Andres Blanco was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Angels prospect Darwin Perez also drove in two runs for Magallanes. Suspended Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo had two hits, including a three-run homer, for the Caribes.
Tyson Brummett was 5-12 with a 4.87 ERA in 37 games, including 17 starts, at two levels in 2011. (Jordan Megenhardt/MLB.com)

Mexican Pacific League

Obregon 6, Guasave 5

Former D-backs farmhand Agustin Murillo slugged a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Yaquis stunned the Algodoñeros to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 Championship Series. Major League veteran Karim Garcia doubled twice, drove in a run and scored once for Obregon, which got three hits and an RBI from Carlos Valencia. Former Padres prospect Jesus Lopez and Jose Gonzalez each drove in two runs for Guasave.

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 4, Aguilas 1

Julio Lugo, on the brink of signing a Minor League contract with the Indians, went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs to help the Leones grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-9 Championship Series. Major League veteran Nelson Figueroa allowed one run and scattered seven hits over 6 1/3 innings for the win, while Mauro Gomez contributed his fifth postseason homer for Escogido. Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez went 2-for-2 and scored the Aguilas' lone run.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Mayaguez 8, Caguas 5

Brewers prospect Sergio Miranda went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored as the Indios beat the Criollos to get within one win of their second championship in three years. Royals farmhand Irving Falu chipped in two hits and an RBI and also scored twice for Mayaguez. Edgard Clemente was 4-for-4 and drove in a run for Caguas.

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Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (DH, Brisbane Bandits): 2-for-4, R, BB, K. A strong finish to a good showing for Campbell in the ABL as he reached base in 3 of his 5 plate appearances last night. He finishes his time out in Australia with a batting line of .301/.387/.376 in 26 games. He also had a solid 13-16 walk to strikeout ration in 93 total at bats.

•Ryan Battaglia (C, Brisbane Bandits): 3-for-4, K, 2 PB. Battaglia had 3 singles, something new for a change as 7 of his 9 hits coming into the game had gone for extra bases. He went 5-for-8 in his last 2 games, and in his last 10 games hit .306/.342/.583. He only played in 14 games in the ABL and had 44 at bats, but finished with a solid .273/.319/.523 batting line.

Dominican Republic Winter League

•Julio Lugo (DH, Leones del Escogido): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K. The deal is not yet official, but new Indians’ signing Julio Lugo had a good first night with the organization. I don’t have his playoff totals, but in 13 games with his Escogido team during the regular season he hit .163/.265/.326 with 2 HR and 8 RBI.

Venezuela Winter League

•Jose Lopez (3B, Caribes de Anzoategui): 1-for-5, 2 K. Lopez was a much different player in the playoffs than he was in the regular season in Venezuela. The playoff totals are not available at the moment (he hit .203), but his numbers dropped significantly in the playoffs as compared to the regular season when he hit .310/.350/.470 in 43 games.

LA GUAIRA RETURNS TO FINALS AFTER 25 YEARS OF ABSENCE

Caracas, 22 Jan 2012 (Special) .-

The La Guaira Sharks beat 16-1 the Magallanes Navigators in the second game of the day to get their ticket to the finals against the Tigres de Aragua, which begins tonight in Ottawa with the duel between Les Walrond lefty of the Sharks and Yusmeiro Petit for the Tigers.

The offense had no sympathy with Magallanes pitching were able to connect for 21 hits, including homers from sluggers Alex l Cabrera and Luis Jimenez.

Jake Stevens opened and lost for Magallanes. The newcomer imported pitcher could not contain the attack unleashed by the Sharks offense.

Magallanes could only manufacture seven hits and a run, in addition to committing three errors on defense. It was a marathon day for the players from Magallanes, which defeated in the early hours 6-5 in 11 innings the Anzoategui Caribbean, the other game of a memorable night that took place on the stage of the Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas.

A tip of stick, La Guaira Sharks beat the Magallanes Navigators 16-1 in the second extra-time game, culminating 25 years of waiting for access to a finals series.

Tyson Brummett was the victor, after 6.0 innings, allowed only five hits, one run, walked one and struck out nine. Jake Stevens took the loss after being punished four hits and an equal number of runs, plus a walk in just 0.2 innings of work.

The scoring:

Magallanes Top of the 1st

Darwin Perez walks.
Endy Chavez out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Tyson Brummett to first baseman Alex Cabrera. Darwin Perez to 2nd.
With Adonis Garcia batting, Darwin Perez steals (4) 3rd base.
Adonis Garcia singles on a ground ball to center fielder Gregor Blanco. Darwin Perez scores.
Luis Landaeta grounds out, first baseman Alex Cabrera to pitcher Tyson Brummett. Adonis Garcia to 2nd.
Mario Lisson strikes out swinging.

La Guaira Bottom of the 1st

Gregor Blanco singles on a ground ball to center fielder Endy Chavez.
Cesar Suarez reaches on force attempt, throwing error by second baseman William Bergolla. Gregor Blanco to 2nd.
Oscar Salazar grounds into double play, third baseman Mario Lisson to second baseman William Bergolla. Gregor Blanco out at 3rd. Cesar Suarez out at 2nd. Oscar Salazar to 1st.
With Hector Sanchez batting, wild pitch by Jake Stevens, . Oscar Salazar advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Salomon Manriquez.
Hector Sanchez doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Adonis Garcia. Oscar Salazar scores.
Alex Cabrera walks.
Luis Antonio Jimenez doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Endy Chavez. Hector Sanchez scores. Alex Cabrera to 3rd.
Jose Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Adonis Garcia. Alex Cabrera scores. Luis Antonio Jimenez scores.
Pitcher Change: Jose Sanchez replaces Jake Stevens.
Luis Rodriguez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Cory Aldridge. Jose Martinez to 2nd.
Miguel Rojas grounds into a force out, third baseman Mario Lisson to shortstop Darwin Perez to second baseman William Bergolla. Luis Rodriguez out at 2nd.

La Guaira Bottom of the 3rd

Alex Cabrera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Cory Aldridge.
Luis Antonio Jimenez grounds into a force out, third baseman Mario Lisson to shortstop Darwin Perez. Alex Cabrera out at 2nd. Luis Antonio Jimenez to 1st.
Jose Martinez strikes out swinging.
Luis Rodriguez homers (1) on a fly ball to center field. Luis Antonio Jimenez scores.
Miguel Rojas singles on a ground ball to second baseman William Bergolla.
With Gregor Blanco batting, Miguel Rojas steals (3) 2nd base.
Gregor Blanco walks.
Cesar Suarez pops out to shortstop Darwin Perez.

La Guaira Bottom of the 6th

Miguel Rojas singles on a fly ball to left fielder Adonis Garcia.
Gregor Blanco singles on a ground ball to right fielder Cory Aldridge. Miguel Rojas to 3rd.
Cesar Suarez doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Adonis Garcia. Miguel Rojas scores. Gregor Blanco to 3rd.
Pitcher Change: Lino Urdaneta replaces Gabriel Alfaro.
Oscar Salazar doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Adonis Garcia. Gregor Blanco scores. Cesar Suarez scores.
Hector Sanchez doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Adonis Garcia. Oscar Salazar scores.
Alex Cabrera homers (5) on a fly ball to center field. Hector Sanchez scores.
Luis Antonio Jimenez lines out to shortstop Darwin Perez.
Jose Martinez singles on a ground ball to second baseman William Bergolla.
Pitcher Change: Ricardo Hernandez replaces Lino Urdaneta.
Luis Rodriguez flies out to right fielder Cory Aldridge.
Miguel Rojas singles on a fly ball to left fielder Adonis Garcia. Jose Martinez to 2nd.
Gregor Blanco pops out to first baseman Luis Landaeta.

La Guaira Bottom of the 7th

Cesar Suarez doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Endy Chavez.
Oscar Salazar singles on a ground ball to left fielder Adonis Garcia. Cesar Suarez to 3rd.
Hector Sanchez called out on strikes.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ray Olmedo replaces Alex Cabrera.
Ray Olmedo reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by third baseman Mario Lisson. Cesar Suarez scores. Oscar Salazar to 2nd. Missed catch error by third baseman Mario Lisson.
Luis Antonio Jimenez homers (6) on a fly ball to right field. Oscar Salazar scores. Ray Olmedo scores.
Pitcher Change: Darwin Cubillan replaces Ricardo Hernandez.
Jose Martinez strikes out swinging.
Luis Rodriguez strikes out swinging.

Magallanes Top of the 9th

Pitcher Change: Francisco Rodriguez replaces Gregory Infante.
Mario Lisson flies out to center fielder Gregor Blanco.
Cory Aldridge grounds out, shortstop Miguel Rojas to first baseman Oscar Salazar.
Alberto Callaspo flies out to left fielder Cesar Suarez.


Luis Rodriguez hit his first homer this season / Photo: Ivan Buznego
An excited Tiburones bench during the game
Tyson Brumment struck out 9 batters / Photo: Ivan Buznego
The La Guaira fans very happy with the win / Photo: Ivan Buznego
The "Kid" Edwin Bellorin celebrates after the final out / Photo: Ivan Buznego
La Guaira celebrate qualification for the Final / Photo: Ivan Buznego
the fans entered the field to celebrate the achievement / Photo: David Urdaneta
La Samba livens up the shark party / Photo: Ivan Buznego

Well, all of the round robin and all of the playoff games have been completed in all four leagues. Mexico, The Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico are all in the finals stages of their seasons> The winners will all head to Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic to participate in the Series del Caribe slated to begin on February 2nd.

Mexico

Game 1: Guasave 2, Obregon 3
Yaquis de Obregon lead series 1-0
Game 2: Guasave 5, Obregon 6
Yaquis de Obregon lead series 2-0
Game 3: 01/24 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: 01/25 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: 01/26 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/28 6:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/29 5:00 p.m.

Venezuela

Game 1: 01/23 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: 01/24 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: 01/26 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: 01/27 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: 01/28 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/29 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/30 7:30 p.m.

The Dominican Republic

Game 1: Aguilas 2, Escogido 5
Leones del Escogido lead series 1-0
Game 2: Escogido 4, Aguilas 1
Leones del Escogido lead series 2-0
Game 3: 01/23 7:35 p.m.
Game 4: 01/24 7:35 p.m.
Game 5: 01/26 7:35 p.m.
Game 6: 01/27 7:35 p.m.
Game 7: 01/28 5:05 p.m.
Game 8: 01/29 5:05 p.m.
Game 9: 01/30 7:35 p.m.

Puerto Rico

Game 1: Mayaguez 10, Caguas 1
Indios de Mayaguez lead series 1-0
Game 2: Caguas 4, Mayaguez 0
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: Mayaguez 2, Caguas 0
Indios de Mayaguez lead series 2-1
Game 4: Caguas 4, Mayaguez 1
Series tied 2-2
Game 5: Mayaguez 7, Caguas 4
Indios de Mayaguez lead series 3-2
Game 6: Caguas 5, Mayaguez 8
Indios de Mayaguez lead series 4-2
Game 7: 01/24 7:30 p.m.
Game 8: 01/25 7:30 p.m.
Game 9: 01/26 3:00 p.m.