Cleveland Sports Forum

muchas gracias amigo!

Well Dennis, the Aguilas Cibaenas baseball team may have finished second to the Escogido Leones baseball team but I'm making it official......Their Ballerinas tied for first in my book
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Return to Caribbean Series possible for Cuba

Country last participated in 1960; door open for 2013 event

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 02/02/12 3:40 PM EST

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic --

More than fifty years after the country's last appearance in the Caribbean Series, Cuba could return to the Caribbean Confederation and participate in next year's event in Mexico.

On Thursday, Caribbean Confederation commissioner Juan Francisco Puello said he is leading a delegation to Cuba next month to present a proposal to the island's sports authorities in an effort to bring them back to the series.

"We are thinking about including Cuba in some way," Puello said. "We believe they will be a big factor in the next Caribbean Series in Hermosillo [Mexico]."

An original member of the Caribbean Confederation, along with Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, Cuba played host to the first Caribbean Series in 1949, one year after the federation was formed.

From 1949 to 1960, Cuba won the title seven times. In '59, Fidel Castro took over in Cuba and declared it a Communist nation, ending its participation in the Caribbean Series after '60.

"It will depend on them," Puello said. "In regards to Cuba, people are mistaken. We never shut the door. It was them who didn't want to come for various reasons. Now, we are working on a proposal in this case to see if we can get them excited about returning to the Caribbean Series."
Puello added that Panama, Nicaragua and Colombia will not join the Caribbean Federation in the near future, because the leagues have struggled economically and could not host a Caribbean Series any time soon.

"In regards to those leagues, if you can't take care of your own house, you can't take on another," he said. "Nicaragua, Colombia and Panama have economic problems internally. Solve your problems internally. If those leagues are functioning well economically, we will open the doors to the Confederation."

Jesse Sanchez is a national reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Nelson Figueroa gets Puerto Rico a Game 1 victory.

CARIBBEAN SERIES

Mayaguez Indians tame the Aragua Tigers

In the second hour the Dominican Republic will take on Mexico.

Mayaguez Indians representing Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series, won 3-1 against Venezuela in the opening match held at Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo.

Puerto Rican pitcher Nelson Figueroa, who was an important factor for the Escogido Leones helping them to win the championship for the Dominican Republic, pitched six and two thirds innings.

Figueroa allowed just one run against the Tigres de Aragua, to thereby give the victory to Puerto Rico in the first game of the Caribbean Series held in Dominican Republic

This year's Caribbean Series takes place at Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (AP)


The second game highlighting the home team (Escogido Leones vs Mexico's representative Obregon Yaquis) will definitely be a sellout. Pre-game ceremonies complete with firewords, noise makers, bands, costumed fanatics representing the cultural designs of all four countries on display in the field of play, and of course, what would a celebration be without those lovely ballerinas.

Puerto Rico got this event started earlier in the day with a victory over the Venezuelan representative Aragua Tigers by a score of 3-1.

Mexico is the defending champ.

Not quite the full house that it appeared during the pregame festivities. Quite a few empty seats down the lines in the outfield areas. Mexico grabbed the early lead but two lead off hits by the Dominicans followed by a sacrifice and a ground out got the tying run home in the bottom of the second. Mexico 1 Dominican Republic 1.

Resilient Figueroa a strong arm for Puerto Rico

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 02/02/12 7:08 PM EST

lSANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic --

The life of veteran Nelson Figueroa is fit for a Hollywood movie.

"I hope to be one of those guys like Benjamin Button," Figueroa, 37, said. "I get younger and better with age."

Figueroa could be on to something. His story does appear to get more interesting with each passing day.

Nelson Figueroa allowed one run and struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings on Thursday. (AP)

On Thursday, the right-hander gave up one run on seven hits and struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings for Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayaguez to lead them to a 3-1 victory against Venezuela's Tigres de Aragua in the first game of the 2012 Caribbean Series. It's a good start for Puerto Rico, especially when you consider the island has not won a Caribbean Series title since 2000.

On Friday, Puerto Rico will square off against Mexico's Yaquis de Obregon in the first game of the day, followed by the Dominican Republic's Escogido de Leones against Venezuela.

"I wasn't great but I had enough stuff to slow down that tough Venezuelan lineup," Figueroa said. "I'm just happy the offense was able to back me up today."

Former Major Leaguer Ruben Gotay drove in two runs for Puerto Rico. Jeff Dominguez, drafted by the Mariners in 2004, also drove in a run for the Indios. Dominguez played in 127 Minor League games for the Marlins last season.

"Nelson was outstanding," Puerto Rico manager Dave Miley, who also manages the Yankees' Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre club, said. "He's one of those guys you pull for. He's living the dream. I guess we all are, being able to wear a uniform after all these years. "

Miley is right. If anybody is living the dream, it's Figueroa.

The righty, who has spent parts of five seasons pitching for the D-backs, Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, Mets and Astros since 2000, was out of baseball in the United States after the '04 season.

He spent the next two years bouncing around Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, China and some independent leagues before a five-month stint in the Minor Leagues with the Nationals in 2006. Two years later, Figueroa signed with the Mets as a free agent.

After two seasons with the Mets, Figueroa was selected off waivers by the Phillies in 2010. Three months later, he was picked up by the Astros when Philadelphia put him on waivers. He was released by Houston last August.

But the resilient Figueroa bounced back.

Again.

He signed with the Pirates a week later. Last month, Figueroa signed with the Blue Jays.

"I'm back here because I want the chance to keep pitching in the big leagues," Figueroa said. "I could be sitting somewhere in an office and dealing with rush hour traffic, but instead the stadium is my office and I come to work and get to play and have fun."

Figueroa pitched for Escogido this winter. He left the Dominican Republic after the Leones won the title on Monday to be home in Arizona for his child's birthday party. He arrived back on the island at midnight Wednesday and said he wouldn't miss the Caribbean Series for the world.

The truth is, the series might have missed him if he hadn't showed. Figueroa has won games for the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series in the last five years.

"Having the chance to play for three countries is very special and I don't know if anybody has ever done that before. One of my motivations was to give Puerto Rico a chance to win and dedicate the title to my grandfather. He passed away in March and he was always one of my biggest supporters. I want to do it for him."

In the immediate future, Figueroa said he will be ready if called upon to pitch the final game of the series for Puerto Rico in five days. In 20 days, he'll report to Spring Training with Toronto.

"I'm just hoping they give me a chance to show what I can do," he said. "I'm going to go out there and try to win a job with the team, no matter what role. I hope to help the team reach the heights that I have reached this winter."

Miles likes his pitcher's chances.

"Somebody asked me how well I knew Nelson and all I could say was that I managed against him and never liked facing him very much," Miles said. "It's a lot better having him on your side."

Jesse Sanchez is a national reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

One of our newest Indians, Julio Loogie, was hitting with the bases loaded and no one out. The good news for the Dominican Republic, he got the go-ahead run home. The bad news, he wrapped into a 6-4-3 double play. Francisco Pena struck and the threat died that quickly. 2-1 Dominican after 3.

In a tightly contested ballgame, the Dominican Republic outlasted Mexico 2-1. Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are today's winners.

Kevin Reese earned the win in relief.

Aces win Game Two, even series with Blue Sox

Huber continues hot hitting with HR, three RBI

MELBOURNE, 2 February -

The Aces controlled Game Two of the ConocoPhillips ABL Postseason Round Two series against the Blue Sox, winning by a 7-2 score. Sydney scored two in the first to take an early lead, but Melbourne scored seven unanswered over the next five innings, cruising to an easy victory. Justin Huber had a home run and three RBI for the Aces and Kevin Reese pitched five scoreless innings in relief to pick up the win.

The Blue Sox scored two in the top half of the first against Aces starter Ben Knuth, who was making his first start of the Postseason. The first three batters of the game all reached against Knuth, loading the bases for Boss Moanaroa, Wednesday night's star. Moanaroa singled to centre field, bringing home David Kandilas and keeping the bases full with nobody out. Tyler Collins was the next batter and he hit a sacrifice fly to right, giving the Blue Sox a 2-0 lead.

In their half of the first, the home team battled right back. Paul Weichard drew a one out walk, sandwiched between two strikeouts by Sydney starter Chris Oxspring. Justin Huber stepped to the dish with two outs and crushed a fly ball that cleared the right field wall, knotting the score at two runs apiece.

From that point on, it was all Aces. They began the second inning with three consecutive hits, the last of which was a bunt single by Scott Wearne that scored Keith David and Joshua Hendricks when the ball was thrown away, giving Melbourne a 4-2 lead. Wearne later scored on a Dominic Ramos groundout, putting the Aces up by three after two frames.

They added their final two runs in the fifth when sluggers Brad Harman and Huber each picked up an RBI. Although Oxspring and Aaron Sookee combined to strike out 12 Melbourne batters, the home standing Aces made the most of their opportunities, scoring seven runs on eight base hits.

Led by Kevin Reese, the Melbourne bullpen was outstanding, pitching seven shutout innings and preventing the Blue Sox from gaining any ground in their comeback effort. Reese surrendered six hits over five digs, but didn't walk a batter and struck out four. Adam Blackley and Andrew Russell each pitched an inning to finish it off.

Oxspring struggled for Sydney in picking up the loss, surrendering all seven Aces runs, six of which were earned. He did strike out six over five innings of work, but allowed seven hits and walked two. Boss Moanaroa continued his recent tear, connecting for three hits on the evening.

This Best-of-Five series is now even at one win apiece. Game Three at Melbourne Showgrounds will begin Friday night at 7:05PM. The pitching match-up will be a good one, as the expected starters are Nic Ungs for the Aces and Brad Thomas for the Blue Sox.

Tigers & DPL All-Star Ignacio Valdez agree

Ignacio Valdez becomes the first player to agree to terms after the Dominican Prospect League All-Star game. Valdez is from San Cristobal DR and was developed in his home town at Academia de Beisbol Josue Mateo. He was one of six eligible players at the DPL All-Star Game this year. After a strong showing in the Louisville Slugger Tournament series a week ago, Ignacio kept his focus on having consistency through the DPL events. He showed consistent solid contact in BP with aggressive swings showing bat speed and extension. He’s a Vladimir Guerrero type player, from his 6’3” 185lb frame, and strong build to his aggressive hacks and arm strength. Detroit had been following Valdez through the DPL season but after his All-Star game performance they decided to make him a Tiger. Valdez is still really raw but his tools are definitely worthy of the $280,000 contract he agreed upon. Congratulations to the Ignacio Valdez, the Detroit Tigers and Academia de Beisbol Jasue Mateo!

Quisqueya Stadium.
Pablo Ozuna scored two runs one of the Dominican Republic.

BASEBALL

Dominican beats Mexico 2-1 in Caribbean Series

The two teams were measured in the second hour of classic.

The representative of the Dominican Republic gained its first victory in the Caribbean Series 2 for 1, beating Mexico, in the second match on Thursday night.

Mexico scored a run in the first inning, but the Dominicans responded and scored two runs in the following innings to claim victory.

The imported Kris Johnson with three relievers combined to throw a game giving up just three hits and the Escogido Lions defeated the Yaquis de Obregon, Mexican representatives in the Caribbean Series that began Thursday at Quisqueya Stadium.

Johnson spaced one unearned run, three hits and zero walks with four strikeouts in five innings to give victory dominating the defending champions from Mexico.

Ramon Garcia, relieved for two innings, Jerry Gil and Jairo Asencio combined for four innings of perfect baseball. Johnson scored the victory and Asencio the save.

The Caribbean Series began Thursday in a game that Puerto Rico beat 3-1 Venezuela.

Before the match between Mexico and the Dominican Republic performed the ceremony that concluded with an artistic spectacle.

Opening ceremony Dominican Color

The Dominican carnival was golden at the opening ceremony.

The Dominican carnival of colors dominated a long opening ceremony atf the Santo Domingo Caribbean Series 2012, which started Thursday at Quisqueya Stadium. A show of high quality met the scheduled 15 minutes and won the audience like a jade with 48 minutes of protocol in the formal part of the opening ceremony that began at 7:00 pm.

The dedication to the eight Dominican players who participated in the last World Series did not achieve the required quorum since only pitcher Neftali Feliz appeared to receive the Order of Merit of the Dominican Baseball League. Absent were Albert Pujols, Rafael Furcal and Octavio Dotel, the St. Louis Cardinals, and Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, Alexi Ogando and Stephen Germain of the Texas Rangers.

The participants danced around the diamond, flags were hoisted to the rhythm of each of the national anthems of the four participating countries. Afterwards the explosion of fireworks, and then time for the artists and Merengue bands left several pairs of dancers around.

Diomedes Singers (Group Mine) and Amaury (Parada Joven) shared with the divas dedicated folk song, while the show received dozens of dancers and a carnival atmosphere. The main characters of the Dominican carnival paraded around the diamond and later dominated the supporters of both teams.

Roba la Gallina, Calif. and Piglet dancing around three floats in the form of worms with the flags of the visiting countries. They were 15 minutes of intensity, quality and delivery, but the public demanded baseball because the total duration of the event came to an hour and three minutes.

Viva Las Baseballellas

The Yaquis Oregon beat Puerto Rico.
Obregon Yaquis achieve their first victory in the Caribbean Series

BASEBALL

Mexico beats Puerto Rico 2-0 in the Caribbean Series

In the second match will face the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Mexico won 2 to 0 in the first match on Friday in the Caribbean Series. The Mexicans had lost the Dominican Republic on Thursday 3-1. At the same time Puerto Rico beat Venezuela.

The Puerto Rican batting could not solve Mexican pitchers who allowed only 4 hits. The victory ties Puerto Rico with Mexico as each has a game won and one lost.

The American Randy Keisler threw a pitching gem for the Obregon Yaquis and the Mexicans won their first game of the Caribbean Series with a 2-0 shutout over the Indios de Mayagüez Puerto Ricans.

Keisler (1-0) worked seven innings and only allowed four hits, while striking out five and walked one to help Mexico to even their record at 1-1 after losing on opening day.

Quisqueya Stadium in the Dominican capital, lefty Dan Serafini relieved Keisler followed by closer Luis Ignacio Ayala, who retired the final five outs recording his first save.

The Mexicans scored two runs in the fourth inning. With one out, Barbaro Canizares walked. With Doug Clark batting, throwing error by Johnny Monell on the pickoff attempt, Barbaro Canizares to 3rd. Doug Clark walked. Jose Rodriguez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jesus Feliciano. Barbaro Canizares scored. With Iker Franco batting, Doug Clark stole second base. Iker Franco singled driving in Doug Clark.

The game began a few minutes late due to a sudden rain.

The loss went to Matt DeSalvo (0-1) who, after getting into trouble in the fourth inning, ended up allowing three hits and two runs in 3.2 innings. DeSalvo walked three and struck out no one.

Puerto Ricans kept in the game with good relief from Juan Padilla, Jose de la Torre, Benjamin Grezlovsky, Efrain Nieves and Josh Walter, who allowed only one hit to the Mexicans in five innings of work. But the islanders were never able to wake up the bats.

After the defeat, Puerto Rico also left with a 1-1 record, on Saturday when it faces the host Escogido Lions.

For Mexico, Iker Franco and Jose Rodriguez drove in a turn each to boost the Aztec victory. Karim Garcia and Sergio Contreras each had a base hit.

For Puerto Rico, Irving Falu had a double. Luis Figueroa and Jeffrey Dominguez each singled.