Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Netherlands win the IBAF World Cup

Outstanding performance by starting pitcher Cordemans and key defensive plays defeat Cuba in "Rod Carew" stadium

Panama City -

The Netherlands make history.

The dutch beat (2-1) Cuba in the final and become only the second european team to win the IBAF World Cup after the 1938 Great Britain. The Netherlands played a game close to perfection, with veteran right hander Rob Cordemans shining bright on the mound and young stars Shairon Schoop and Mariekson Gregorius delivering key defensive plays. David Bergman got the final two outs in the ninth and earned the save, Cuba was limited to a mere hit for seven innings and The Netherlands, who beat Cuba also in the match up of the second round, definitely deserve the title.

It's 8.54 pm when Rob Cordemans throws the first pitch (a strike) of the IBAF World Cup final. The game has been delayed from the original starting time (5 pm) to 7.30 pm first and when the game starts it is clear that the first winners of the night are the men on the field maintenance crew. Both teams are in the announced line ups and Cuba starts left hander Yuliesky Gonzalez.

Dutch lead off hitter Dwayne Kemp is the first man on board of the game. His swinging bunt is not playable by cuban third baseman Michel Enriquez. Kemp steals second, but doesn't run beyond as Gonzalez strikes out the side.

Cuba gets on base for the first time with two outs in the second, when Cordemans hits first baseman Jose Abreu. Michel Enriquez fouls out to third baseman Jonathan Schoop to end the at bat.

Cuba scores the go ahead run in the fourth. With one out, designated hitter Frederich Cepeda takes Cordemans deep in the gap between center and right fielder. His stand up double is the first hit of the game off a pitcher who has got on strikes six of the ten outs of the game so far. Cepeda reaches third on a wild pitch and scores easily on a sacrifice fly to center by Alfredo Despaigne.

The lead doesn't last long for Cuba. Gonzalez walks Sydney De Jong to lead off the bottom half of the frame and Curt Smith follows with a base hit to right. Engelhardt shows bunt, but on a 2-1 count swings for a chopper that finds Abreu late on the bounce and becomes a base hit that scores De Jong from second. Cuba goes right to the bull pen and Freddy Alvarez takes off for Gonzalez. Shairon Schoop bunts the runners to second and third for his brother Jonathan. With the cuban infield in, Jonathan Schoop hits a sharp grounder up the middle and scores Smith, while Engelhardt stops at third. Rombley is the second out on strikes, but Kemp connects for a liner right at Alvarez, who gets the third out. Rob Cordemans is really painting the corners of the strike zone and Cuba does struggle. With one out in the sixth, Rusney Castillo hits one hard to right, but Shairon Schoop jumps to get the out on an extremely athletic play. Cordemans then walks Alexei Bell but, as the runners goes, Cepeda pops out to left field.
Alvarez hits Shairon Schoop to lead off the bottom part of the inning and Jonathan Schoop bunts him to second. Then Alvarez walks Kalian Sams and gets the second out with a force at second on a slow roller by Rombley. With runners at the corners, a blooper by Kemp looks like trouble, but Arruebarruena gives the swing a great read and makes the fly catch for the third out look extremely easy.

The Netherlands survive a lead off two base error by Kemp on a towering pop by Despaigne. Shairon Schoop is the key, as he stops a sharp grounder by Gourriel to his left and makes the play at first.
Cordemans outstanding performance is over with one out in the eigth. Pinch hitter Rudy Reyes takes him off the left field wall for a stand up double and Juan Carlos Sulbaran takes over. Rusney Castillo turns the reliever's first pitch into a hard grounder in the gap to left. The bouncer finds a great effort by Gregorius. The shortstop cannot get the out at first, but Reyes cannot move from second. Sulbaran falls behind in the count on Bell, who hits hard his fifth pitch, only to fly out to left. With a 3-0 count, Cepeda takes the first strike and then pops out to left on a high fastball.

Despaigne leads off the ninth with a deep fly in the gap between left and center fielder, but Kalian Sams gets there pretty easily to make the out. Gourriel becomes the potential tying run when he hits safely to right. The night is over for Sulbaran and veteran right hander David Bergman takes the mound. Bergman gets immediately the second out on a fly ball to center by Abreu but Cuba's captain Michel Enriquez pushes the potential tying run to second with a base hit to left.

Cuba gives the call to Hector Olivera, who has missed almost the whole tournament because of an injury. The newcomer lines the first pitch in the glove of third baseman Jonathan Schoop and The Netherlands can celebrate. They just made history.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The individual awards and the All Star Team of the World Cup

Dutch slugger Curt Smith earnes MVP honors


These are the individuals awarded at the end of the 39th IBAF World Cup. Decisions were made by the IBAF Technical Commission and based on the data worked by the Scorer's Commission

Individual Awards:

Leading Batter: Rusney Castillo (CUB)
Pitcher Best ERA: Tom Stuifbergen (NED)
Pitcher Best W-L Average: Miguel Lahera (CUB)
Most Runs Batted In: Curt Smith (NED)
Most Home Runs: Wuilliuans Vasquez (VEN)
Most Stolen Bases: Jordan Danks (USA)
Most Runs Scored: Jose Macias (PAN)
Outstanding Defensive Player: Yuliesky Gourriel (CUB)
Most Valuable Player: Curt Smith (NED)

All Star Team:

Starting Pitcher: Hyoun Taek Oh (KOR)
Relief Pitcher: Yadier Pedroso (CUB)
Catcher: Damaso Espino (PAN)
First Baseman: Jose Abreu (CUB)
Second Baseman: Joe Thurston (USA)
Third Baseman: Chang Min Mo (KOR)
Shortstop: Jonathan Malo (CAN)
Outfielder: Rusney Castillo CUB)
Outfielder: Tom Brice (AUS)
Outfielder: Conception Rodriguez (PAN)
Designated Hitter: Fernando Seguinol (PAN)

Rottino drives in six in Tigres' victory

After September callup, veteran falls triple shy of cycle

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 11, Margarita 4

Vinny Rottino, who was called up by the Marlins in September, went 4-for-5 with six RBIs and fell a triple shy of the cycle as the Tigres remained unbeaten. Fellow Major League veteran Lastings Milledge chipped in two hits, two RBIs and three runs scored for Aragua, while former Tigers farmhand Jackson Melian hit a two-run single for the winless Bravos.

La Guaira 13, Caribes 4,

Former big leaguer Oscar Salazar was 3-for-3 with four RBIs as the Tiburones used a nine-run seventh inning to improve to 3-0. Cesar Suarez slugged a three-run homer and Pacific Coast League All-Star Jeff Baisley also had three RBIs for La Guaira, while former Tigers farmhand Alexis Espinoza hit a two-run triple in a losing cause.

Caracas 10, Lara 3

Royals prospect Jarrod Dyson was hit by a pitch and had a two-run single in an eight-run first inning that carried the Leones to their third straight win. Phillies farmhand Carlos Rivero homered and also drove in two runs, and Cubs prospect Marwin Gonzalez contributed three hits for Caracas.

Zulia 3, Magallanes 2

Nationals prospect Seth Bynum homered to snap a sixth-inning tie and lead the Aguilas to their first win of the season. Indians farmhand Juan Apodaca had two hits and an RBI for Zulia, while Mets Minor Leaguer Salomon Manriquez went 2-for-4 and drove in a run for the Navegantes.

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 10, Gigantes 9

Royals farmhand Joaquin Arias hit a two-run triple and scored on Hector Luna's sacrifice fly as the Aguilas scored eight times in the bottom of the ninth inning to stun the Gigantes. Rockies top prospect Wilin Rosario homered, tripled and drove in four runs for Cibaenas, while Mariners outfielder Carlos Peguero went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs in a losing effort.

Escogido 4, Licey 3

Eastern League Rookie of the Year Starling Marte (Pirates) doubled, singled and scored a run as the Leones held on to win their season opener. Former Major Leaguer Jorge Sosa got the start for Escogido and pitched four shutout innings, while Reds third baseman Juan Francisco collected three hits and scored a run for Licey.

Mexican Pacific League

Obregon 9, Mexicali 0

Former Major Leaguer Randy Keisler allowed two hits over seven innings as the Yaquis extended their season-opening winning streak to three games. Three-time Mexican League All-Star Carlos Valencia homered twice and drove in four runs for Obregon, which got solo shots from former Braves farmhands Doug Clark and Iker Franco.

Guasave 7, Mazatlan 4

Mauricio Lara struck out six over five scoreless innings and former Padres Minor Leaguer Jesus Lopez had two hits and scored a run for the unbeaten Algodoñeros. Japhet Amador and Francisco Mendez homered for the winners, while Angels prospect Andrew Romine had two hits, including a solo shot, for the Venados.

Hermosillo 15, Los Mochis 9

Former big leaguer Erubiel Durazo homered, doubled and drove in four runs to lead a 19-hit attack as the Naranjeros posted their first win of the season. Every starter had at least one hit and scored at least one run for Hermosillo, while former Diamondbacks right-hander Edgar Gonzalez tossed five shutout innings.

Culiacan 12, Navojoa 3

Yankees farmhand Jorge Vazquez went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and fell a triple shy of the cycle as the Tomateros kept the Mayos winless. Padres prospect Ali Solis chipped in two hits, including a homer, and four RBIs for Culiacan. Former Orioles Minor Leaguer Kraig Binick had two hits, including an RBI double, for Navojoa.

Rob Bryson took the loss in the Margarita ballgame. Bryson pitched 2/3 of an inning giving up 2 hits, 3 walks, 4 runs (all unearned) giving the big blast to Rottino, a 3-run shot.

Luis Valbuena was 0-4 in the 10-3 loss to Caracas.

Juan Apodaca was 2 with an rbi as Zulia beat Magallanes 3-2.

Jerad Head was 2-4 with Licey. Head doubled, had one rbi, and scored one time. Escogido prevailed 4-3.

Williams, Navegantes blank Bravos

Angels right-hander strikes out six over six shutout innings

Venezuelan Winter League

Magallanes 9, Margarita 0

Angels right-hander Jerome Williams struck out six and allowed three hits over six innings as the Navegantes sent to the Bravos to their fourth straight loss. Angels prospect Kole Calhoun, Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair and Nationals catcher Jesus Flores homered for Magallanes, while Astros infielder Jose Altuve contributed two hits and a walk and scored twice.

Zulia 11, Lara 0

Minor League veteran Brian Dopirak doubled twice and drove in four runs to lead the Aguilas to their second straight win. Blue Jays outfielder Darin Mastroianni went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, while Ernesto Mejia and Yankees prospect Jose Pirela each had three hits and three RBIs for Zulia. Twins outfielder Rene Tosoni had two of the eight hits for Lara, which fell to 0-4. Luis Valbuena was 1-3 with a double and a walk.

La Guaira 8, Aragua 5

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez had two hits, including a three-run homer, as the Tiburones extended their season-opening winning streak to four games. Jeff Bennett, who spent the regular season with Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks organization, allowed a run on four hits over five innings for the victory. Former Nationals farmhand Alex Nuñez drove in two runs for Aragua.

Caribes 6, Caracas 3

Mariners outfielder Mike Wilson hit a two-run homer to spark a five-run fourth inning that carried the Caribes to their first win of the season. Angels infielder Alexi Amarista doubled, singled and walked for Anzoategui, while big league veteran Gregorio Petit doubled twice and drove in a run for previously unbeaten Caracas.

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 3, Estrellas 2 (10 innings)

Rangers prospect Carlos Pimentel pitched three innings of hitless relief before the Leones spoiled the Estrellas' season opener. Pinch-runner Freddy Garcia scored the winning run on a throwing error by reliever Scott Maine (Cubs) after Braves farmhand Diory Hernandez led off the bottom of the 10th with a double. Angels prospect Luis Jimenez drove in both runs for the Estrellas.

Aguilas 6, Toros 1

Astros outfielder Brian Bogusevic had two hits, including an RBI single that capped a three-run seventh inning, as the Aguilas shut down the Toros. Angels prospect Efren Navarro scored twice, while Mexican League All-Star Lorenzo Barcelo pitched five scoreless frames for Cibaenas. Astros right-hander Aneury Rodriguez gave up one hit over four shutout innings in a losing effort.

Licey 7, Gigantes 3

Indians prospect Jerad Head hit a two-run double to cap a four-run fourth inning as the Tigres posted their first win of the season. Reds infielder Juan Francisco had two hits, including an RBI double, for Licey, while Texas League All-Star Jimmy Paredes (Astros) went 3-for-5 for the winless Gigantes. Head was 1-4 with a double, 2 rbi's, and a strikeout.

Mexican Pacific League

Mazatlan 13, Guasave 1

Former Florida State League MVP Brandon Sing hit a two-run homer, scored three times and fell a triple shy of the cycle as the Venados handed the Algodoñeros their first loss. Minor League veteran Jon Weber and Hector Paez each chipped in two RBIs for Mazatlan, while Jose Rodriguez had two hits and drove in Guasave's lone run.

Mexicali 12, Obregon 4

Major League veteran Mike Jacobs went 3-for-3 with a pair of two-run homers as the Aguilas snapped the Yaquis' season-opening three-game winning streak. Former Indians farmhand Roman Peña homered, tripled and drove in two runs for Mexicali, while former big leaguer Victor Diaz had two RBIs for Obregon.

Hermosillo 11, Los Mochis 5

D-backs prospect Evan Frey went 4-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs and two runs scored as the Naranjeros handed the Cañeros their fourth straight loss. Former Major Leaguer Henry Mateo also had four hits, drove in a run and scored twice for Hermosillo, while Sandy Madera ripped a grand slam for Los Mochis.

Culiacan 8, Navojoa 4

Former Mets prospect Travis Garcia hit a grand slam in the seventh inning as the Tomateros kept the Mayos winless. Yankees farmhand Jorge Vazquez and former Major Leaguer Luis Cruz also homered for Culiacan, while Amadeo Zazueta -- who spent the regular season in the Padres organization -- collected three hits for Navojoa.

Avilan pitches Cardenales to first victory

Braves prospect allows three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings

lVenezuelan Winter League

Lara 1, Zulia 0

Braves farmhand Luis Avilan allowed three hits over 5 2/3 innings as the Cardenales snapped a season-opening four-game losing streak. Twins prospect Jairo Perez went 2-for-2 with a double and scored the game's lone run on a fifth-inning single by former Major Leaguer Tomas Perez.

Margarita 3, La Guaira 2 (10 innings)

Major League veteran Max Ramirez homered in the ninth inning and Diamondbacks catcher Henry Blanco hit a solo shot in the 10th to give the Bravos their first win of the season. Dodgers farmhand Mike Parisi allowed two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings for Margarita, while Phillies Minor Leaguer Les Walrond struck out five over six strong frames for previously unbeaten La Guaira.

Caribes 9, Caracas 3

Yankees farmhand Luis Nuñez went 2-for-2 with a homer and four RBIs to power the Caribes to their second straight victory. Twins Minor Leaguer Andy Baldwin gave up two runs on two hits over 5 2/3 innings for the win, while Mets infielder Josh Satin had two hits, including a solo homer, for Caracas.

Magallanes 7, Aragua 6

Cubs first baseman/outfielder Bryan LaHair smacked his league-leading fourth homer and Nationals catcher Jesus Flores capped a three-hit night with a go-ahead single in the seventh inning for the Navegantes. Adonis Garcia chipped in two hits, including a three-run homer, for Magallanes, while big league veteran Lastings Milledge homered and doubled for Aragua.

Dominican Winter League

Licey 4, Escogido 2

Nationals farmhand Jhonatan Solano capped a three-run seventh inning with a two-run double as the Tigres rallied for their second straight win. Mets prospect Jordany Valdespin had two hits and scored a run for Licey, while Giants outfielder Brandon Belt homered in a losing cause.

Aguilas 3, Gigantes 2

Royals prospect David Lough hit a two-run single in the seventh inning that carried the Aguilas to their third straight win. Astros outfielder Brian Bogusevic had two hits and scored a run for Cibaenas, while A's farmhand Lenny DiNardo allowed a run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings for the Gigantes.

Mexican Pacific League

Mexicali 8, Obregon 5

Angels prospect Ricky Alvarez slugged a two-run homer and scored twice to lead the first-place Aguilas to their fourth win in five games. Issmael Salas also went deep for Mexicali, which got six strong innings from former Rockies farmhand Marco Duarte. Ex-Minor Leaguer Doug Clark had two hits and two RBIs for Obregon.

Los Mochis 14, Hermosillo 4

Former big leaguer Alex Cintron went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three runs scored to lead the Cañeros to their first win of the season. Ramon Orantes hit a grand slam and Luis Suarez added a two-run shot for Los Mochis, which opened with four straight losses. Jesus Castillo went deep for the Naranjeros.

Mazatlan 7, Guasave 5

Minor League veteran Jon Weber's three-run homer in the eighth inning gave the Venados their second win in a row. Ruben Rivera also went deep for Mazatlan, while fellow former big leaguer Marshall McDougall homered, doubled and drove in three runs for Guasave.

Culiacan 6, Navojoa 5 (12 innings)

Former Major Leaguer Luis Cruz capped a three-hit night by singling home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning as the Tomateros won for the fourth time in five games. Yankees farmhand Jorge Vazquez homered in his third straight contest for first-place Culiacan, while Padres Minor Leaguer Carlos Sosa went deep twice for the winless Mayos. Box score

Luis Valbuena (.235) 03 with a strikeout.

Jerad Head (.364) 1-3, 1 rbi, 1 runs scored, 1 strikeout.

Dominican Winter League

•Kelvin De La Cruz (RP, Aguilas Cibaenas): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. “De La” faced all of one batter and struck him out for the final out of the inning and ended up getting credited with the win.

•Jerad Head (RF/CF, Tigres del Licey): 1-for-3, R, RBI, K. Even after a long season Head continues to play to show he can improve and maybe be a piece for the Indians in 2012.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 0-for-3, K. Valbuena has played in all five games for his Cardenales de Lara team and is 4-for-17 at the plate.

•Jerad Head (RF/CF, Tigres del Licey): 1-for-3, R, RBI, K. Even after a long season Head continues to play to show he can improve and maybe be a piece for the Indians in 2012.

After a long and rather distinguished minor league career, Jared got his big chance with the Indians and fell on his face. I assume he will be gone as a minor league free agent this winter and will be a long shot to get another big league opportunity. Japan or Korea here we come?

Jerad Head and Raul Valdes chosen Players of the Week


Jerad Head

The American Jerad Head and the Cuban Raul Valdes were chosen Monday as best player and best pitcher, respectively, in the first installment of the 35th edition of Star Baseball Player of the Week award voted upon by Apollo Productions, a panel of 49 writers, with the approval from the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic.

Head beat 12 other position players after hitting .364 in three games with 11 visits to the plate, four hits two of which were doubles, drove in four runs, scored two runs, in addition to playing flawless defense.

TOKYO, Oct. 16 (21:11) Kyodo

The Yomiuri Giants kept the Chunichi Dragons' title celebrations
on hold again and secured a playoff berth with a 12-4 rout of the
Central League leaders on Sunday.

The Giants completed a three-game sweep of the Dragons, who
entered Saturday and Sunday with a magic number of one for clinching
their second straight and ninth overall CL crown.

Alex Ramirez led the Yomiuri offense by going 3-for-4 with a
homer, his fourth in as many games, and four RBIs at Tokyo Dome.

Ramirez's three-run shot off Daisuke Yamai (3-3) extended
Yomiuri's lead to 7-0 in the fourth inning.

Chunichi drew within 7-3 by the top of the sixth, but Yomiuri
broke the game open with five runs in the bottom half.

Shinnosuke Abe reached base in all four plate appearances,
having an RBI single in the third among his two hits and scoring
three times.

Levi Romero (1-3) won in relief. Yamai (3-3) was roughed up for
seven runs in four innings.

The Dragons only need one more win, or even a tie, out of their
remaining three games.

The Dragons next play the Yokohama BayStars on Tuesday, and the
second-place Swallows -- three games behind -- take on the Hanshin
Tigers, who were eliminated from playoff contention with the Giants'
fifth straight win.

Tigers 2, Carp 0

At Koshien Stadium, Atsushi Nomi and Kyuji Fujikawa combined on
a two-hit shutout, leading Hanshin over Hiroshima.

Nomi (11-9) allowed just two hits and one walk over eight
innings before Fujikawa worked the ninth for his CL-leading 39th
save. Craig Brazell broke a scoreless deadlock with a two-run single
in the eighth inning.

The result guaranteed that Hanshin will finish fourth and
Hiroshima fifth in the CL standings.

Hanshin president Nobuo Minami said manager Akinobu Mayumi will
step down at the end of the season because of the Tigers' failure to
reach the three-team Climax Series playoffs.

Pacific League

Eagles 2, Fighters 0

At Sapporo Dome, Masahiro Tanaka pitched his sixth shutout of
the season to become the first 19-game winner in Japan this year as
Rakuten beat Nippon Ham.

Tanaka (19-5) struck out 11 and scattered five hits without a
walk, lowering his baseball-best ERA to 1.27. Ginji Akaminai hit a
two-run single in the sixth inning off Masaru Nakamura (0-1).

Lions 4, Hawks 4, tie, 9 innings

At Seibu Dome, Jose Fernandez hit a game-tying double with two
outs in the bottom of the ninth inning as Seibu battled to a tie with
PL champion Softbank.

Seibu remained one game behind third-place Orix in the race for
one last spot in the PL playoffs. Kenji Akashi drove in three runs
for Softbank with a pair of singles.

Baseball: Seibu ties again as Lions pin playoff hopes on Hawks

CHIBA, Japan -

The Seibu Lions are pinning their postseason
hopes on the Pacific League champion Softbank Hawks after tying 2-2
in 11 innings with the Lotte Marines on Monday night.

After their second straight tie, the Lions must beat the Nippon
Ham Fighters on Tuesday at home and will also need the Hawks to
defeat the third-place Orix Buffaloes if Seibu is to make a dramatic
run into the Climax Series.

Ramirez, Giants deny Dragons again

By KAZ NAGATSUKA

Dragon slayer: Yomiuri's Alex Ramirez hits a three-run homer against the Dragons on Sunday afternoon. KYODO

Are the Chunichi Dragons really the hottest team in the Central League?

Maybe. But the Yomiuri Giants look just as hot as the first-place Dragons and might cause them a problem in the upcoming postseason.

MVP slugger Alex Ramirez led the Giants' 12-hit attack with a three-hit, four-RBI performance as Yomiuri completed a sweep of the Dragons in a three-game series with a 12-4 win at Tokyo Dome on Sunday afternoon.

With the overwhelming victory, Yomiuri has extended its winning streak to five, its longest streak since early August when it won seven consecutive games.

"It was a good three-game series for us," Giants skipper Tatsunori Hara said after the game. "We've always played close games with Chunichi, so I think we earned a good result."

The Giants put four runs on the board on a pair of RBI singles by Shinnosuke Abe and Ramirez, and a sacrifice fly by Daisuke Fujimura off Chunichi starter Daisuke Yamai in the third inning.

After escaping a bases-loaded pinch by Chunichi in the top of the fourth, Yomiuri extended its lead to 7-0 with a line-drive three-run homer by Ramirez in the bottom half.

"I was looking for something in the strike zone, early in the count," Ramirez said of his 23rd dinger of the season. "I was able to put a good swing on that ball."

The Giants' relentless attack would not stop there. They racked up five more runs to inflict further damage on the Dragons, whose magic number to win the league pennant remains at one.

The Dragons scored two in the fifth, one in the sixth and another in the eighth. But it was too little, too late, although they ended up collecting 10 hits in the end.

Ramirez has been red hot lately. Sunday's home run was his fourth in as many games.

"I always say it's not how you start but how you finish," Ramirez said. "I always do well at the end of the season. This is the most important time for the Tokyo Giants and I'm glad I could produce at this time."

With Sunday's win, the Giants clinched a playoff berth and wrapped up the season against Chunichi 12-10-2. Yomiuri will play its final regular season game on Saturday.

Juan Diaz is a pretty slick fielding shortstop.