Cleveland Sports Forum

KOREA

Lions beat Wyverns for 2-0 series lead


Samsung Lions left fielder Bae Young-sub hits a two-run single in the sixth inning in Game 2 of the Korean Series at Daegu Ballpark, Wednesday.

/ Yonhap

By Yoon Chul

When the Samsun Lions were ahead in the seventh inning during the regular season, the champions marked a 65-1-1 record and they proved the stats accurate again in Game 2 of the Korean Series.

Rookie Bae Young-sub hit a two-run single in the team’s 2-1 win at Daegu Ballpark, Wednesday.

The Daegu based team swept both home games for a 2-0 series lead, before heading to Munhak Ballpark, Incheon, for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Saturday.

Lions’ starter Jang Won-sam pitched brilliantly for 5 1/3 scoreless innings, grabbing 10 strikeouts.

Closer Oh Seung-hwan went to the mound in the eighth inning and grabbed his fifth career save in the Korean Series, the highest number in Korean professional baseball league history.

Wyverns’ starter Yoon Hee-sang previously seemed to be an “innings-eater,” but a sore shoulder after the first inning saw interim manager Lee Man-soo call in relievers earlier than expected.

The relievers — Lee Seung-ho, Brian Gordon and Park Hee-soo — didn’t allow a run until the sixth.

Both sides generated chances but only the Lions succeeded in scoring.

Jang suddenly stumbled failing to pitch out the first at bat and allowing a walk. Park Jae-sang’s double then put runners on second and third.

Jang managed to stop a ground ball from Choi-Jung, keeping the runners in place with one out.

The Lions manager Ryu Joong-il then sent out Kwon Oh-joon, who relegated the next two batters to the dugout with strikeouts.

After overcoming the crisis, the Lions then saw a chance for a run.

Park, the Wyverns’ fourth pitcher of the game, allowed a walk and a hit against two strikeouts.

With runners on the first and second, Lions’ catcher Jin Gap-yong’s hit loaded the bases and rookie Bae hit the two-run single for a 2-0 lead.

In the eighth the Wyverns finally scored. With no outs, Park Jae-sang and Choi Jung reached second and first with a double and a walk, and Wyvern’s slugger Park Jung-kwon hit an RBI-single to make it 2-1.

Lions’ manager Ryu called on reliable closer Oh Seung-hwan — who had one win and 47 saves with .63 ERA during the regular season — to close out the game.

Oh got two outs with a bunt fly and a strikeout, allowing one hit by Choi Dong-soo.

Choi Jung tried for home, but a throw from centerfield took him out before he could reach home.

In the ninth, Oh, still at the mound, ended the game.

Aguilas' Rosario continues home run tear

Rockies top prospect homers for third time in four games

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 5, Toros 2

Catcher Wilin Rosario, Colorado's top prospect, slugged a solo homer to lead Cibaenas. It was the third homer in four games for the Texas League All-Star, who leads the Dominican circuit with 14 RBIs. Hector Luna (Red Sox) slugged a two-run homer for the Aguilas. White Sox farmhand Alejandro De Aza doubled home a pair of runs in a losing effort for Este.

Tigres 5, Gigantes 2

Mets prospect Jordany Valdespin was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored for Licey, and he has now driven in a run in four straight games. Pedro Zapata (Mets) singled to extend his hitting streak to five games and Indians outfielder Jerad Head was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Giants prospect Francisco Peguero had two hits and stole a base for Cibao.

Estrellas 5, Leones 2

Oakland first baseman Brandon Allen went yard for the second straight day, driving in two for Oriente. Reds farmhand Denis Phipps slugged a two-run homer and Stolmy Pimentel (Red Sox) struck out one over 1 1/3 hitless innings to earn the win in relief. Giants prospect Brandon Belt walked twice and hit a sacrifice fly for first-place Escogido.

Venezuelan Winter League

Navegantes 8, Tigres 1

Veteran hurler Jerome Williams (Angels) allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out three over six innings to earn his third win for Magallanes, winners of six straight. Nationals catcher Jesus Flores drove in three runs and Astros infielder Jose Altuve was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Lastings Milledge (White Sox) doubled and scored a run for Aragua.

Aguilas 5, Leones 2

Former White Sox draftee Dwayne Pollok improved to 1-1 after allowing four hits and striking out five over seven innings. Eduardo Perez was 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and scored twice while Yankees prospect Jose Pirela had three hits to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Brewers farmhand Caleb Gindl went yard for Caracas.

Caribes 10, Bravos 3

Former Major Leaguer Renyel Pinto earned his second win for Anzoategui, striking out eight and allowing a run on three hits over seven innings. Gabriel Martinez, a Southern League All-Star in 2008, drove in three runs and fell a triple shy of the cycle. Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year Colin Cowgill smacked an RBI double for Margarita.

Tiburones 5, Cardenales 3

D-backs hurler Barry Enright surrendered three runs on four hits and fanned four over five innings to earn his first win for La Guaira. Jose Martinez (White Sox) scored twice and Terry Tiffee (Yankees) was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mariners farmhand Luis Antonio Jimenez slugged a pair of solo homers in a losing effort for Lara.

Mexican Pacific League

Caneros 4, Algodoneros 1

Former Red Sox farmhand Sandy Madera slugged his fifth homer of the season to pace Mochis. Cardinals prospect Jermaine Curtis was 2-for-5, his fourth straight multi-hit game, and Juan Noriega (Dodgers) tossed a perfect inning of relief to earn the win for the Caneros. Veteran Marshall McDougall hit a solo homer for Guasave.

Mayos 6, Naranjeros 4

Rolando Acosta, a former Dodgers farmhand, smacked a two-run double for Navojoa. Kraig Binick was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Miguel Ramirez allowed a hit over 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Former Major Leaguer Erubiel Durazo drove in a run for the second straight game for Hermosillo.

Aguilas 6, Tomateros 2

Angels prospect Ricky Alvarez was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored for Mexicali. Veteran first baseman Mike Jacobs reached base three times and had an RBI while former big leaguer Oscar Robles scored a run. Luis Cruz (Rangers) had three hits to raise his average to .321 for Culiacan.

Venados 3, Yaquis 2 (12 innings)

Former Yankees farmhand Jon Weber delivered a walk-off double to help Mazatlan snap its two-game losing streak. Former Major Leaguer Ruben River slugged a solo homer and Angels prospect Andrew Romine was 2-for-5. Veteran Victor Diaz drove in a run for Obregon.

<

<

Dominican Winter League

•Jerad Head (RF-LF, Tigres del Licey): 2-for-4, R, K. Head has hits in 9 of his 10 games this fall and has his batting average up over .300 at a very healthy .314.

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrelles de Oriente): 0-for-0, BB. Diaz was a late game substitution and in his one plate appearance he walked. He and the starting shortstop actually combined to walk 4 times in 4 plate appearances in the game.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 SB. A great debut for Carrera in first game of the fall. You can’t ask for much more out of a leadoff hitter than two hits, two runs and two stolen bases!

•Rob Bryson (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR. Just Bryson’s third outing this fall.

DIABLICOS DE AZUERO 6
RONEROS DE CHIRIQUI - VERAGUAS 9

Paolo Espino entered the game in relief for the Diablicos in the 4th inning. He pitched 3.1 innings, gave up 3 runs on 4 hits (all earned), struck out 1 and walked 4.

Toru Murata started for the Roneros and pitched 5 innings, gave up 0 runs, on 2 hits, he walked 1 while striking out 3.

Santiago, Veraguas .-

Roneros team was consolidated in the first place in the standings as the only undefeated team in the Panama Winter League by adding their fifth straight win after a win of 9 runs to 6 over the Devils Azuero, in their match played in Omar Torrijos Herrera stadium in the city of Santiago. Azuero

The Devils tried to battle and tied the game at 3 runs in the top of the seventh inning, however, in bottom of the same episode Roneros bats exploded and scored 6 runs. The team belonging to the provinces of Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro and Veraguas, redeployed a strong offense with a total of 10 hits.

For the best batting Roneros were Eddie Serrano, who for a second night hit a home run with a runner on base, Jhadiel Santamaría, who hit a triple and two RBIs and Paulo Orlando, who hit an RBI single and a double for a touchdown.

The game was won by the lefty Veragüense Rafael Rodriguez and the Devils loser was Paolo Espino.

ESTRELLAS .-

Juan Diaz could not hit much, but continues to add to his defense despite the mistake he made ​​against the Gigantes del Cibao in Julian Javier Stadium.

PANAMA WINTER LEAGUE

Paulo Espino- 2 G, 8.1 INN, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 9 K, 4 W, 3-2B, .267 BA, 5.40 ERA.

Espino's 9 k's leads the league with 5 team games in the books.

Murata and Salazar lead the league in ERA with 0.00 marks after the first week of play.

Cruz bashes two homers in losing effort

Rangers infield prospect plates four in Mexican Pacific League

Mexican Pacific League

Mexicali 8, Culiacan 7

Rangers infield prospect Luis Cruz homered twice, plated four runs and scored three times in the loss. Ricky Alvarez (Angels) drove in two, former big leaguer Chris Roberson had an RBI and scored once and Minor League veteran Oscar Robles had two hits and a run for the Aguilas. Tyler Graham, who played for Triple-A Fresno this year, had four hits -- including two doubles -- and scored twice and Federico Castaneda (Royals) pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts for the Tomateros.

Navojoa 4, Hermosillo 3 (11 innings)

Matt Young (Braves) plated two runs -- one with a go-ahead RBI double in the 11th inning -- and scored once for the Mayos. Minor League veteran Kraig Binick amassed three hits -- including two doubles -- an RBI and a run in the win. Evan Frey (D-backs) hit a two-run homer and Mexican League All-Star Jose Amador added a solo shot for the Naranjeros.

Mochis 4, Guasave 3

Mets prospect Juan Carlos Gamboa went 3-for-4 with a homer and two runs scored. Hitting right behind him, the Cardinals' Jermaine Curtis smacked a pair of hits and drove in two. Mexican Leaguers Eduardo Arredondo and Leonardo Heras each recorded a pair of hits and drove in one for the Algodoneros. Colorado prospect Alejandro Barraza started for the Caneros, allowing three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Obregon 7, Mazatlan 1

Mexican Leaguer Rolando Valdez gave up one run on five hits in six innings, striking out six en route to his second victory. Victor Diaz smacked a pair of doubles and drove in two runs for the Yaquis, while Oswaldo Morejon was the only player to have two hits for the Venados.

Venezuelan Winter League

Caribes 3, Margarita 1

Angels starter Matt Palmer allowed one run over 4 1/3 innings, striking out two and walking two. His ERA in three starts for Anzoategui currently stands at 3.29, though he has yet to register a win. Five relievers combined to yield just one hit over the final 4 2/3 frames for Caribes. Mike Wilson )Mariners) led the Caribes offense with a homer, two RBIs and a run scored. Yankees farmhand Luis Nunez also collected a pair of hits, pushing his average to .349 in 12 games.

Caracas 6, Zulia 3

Jose Lobaton (Rays) drove in three with a double during the Leones' five-run seventh inning. Mets farmhand Josh Satin homered and scored twice. Wilfredo Boscan (Texas) started for the Aguilas and allowed one run on four hits over five innings, but did not factor into the decision. Former Dodgers Minor Leaguer Eduardo Perez was the only player in the game to record multiple hits, knocking in a pair with two hits.

<

<

Jason Rice Hermosillo closer, Jason Rice entered this ballgame in the 9th inning with the game tied at 3. He pitched the 9th and 10th innings, gave up a hit, walked 1, and struckout 3. Rice's ERA remains at 0.00 after 7 innings of relief. The Naranjeros lost that ballgame when Novojoa scored a run in the top of the 11th.

Raul Padron (.263) was 1-2 with a walk. Trailing 2-1 in the 7th, Padron was lifted for a pinch runner after singling and igniting a 5 run rally. Caracas 6 Zulia 3.

Ezequiel Carrera: "I'm 100%"

VALENCIA .-

Ezequiel Carrera did not take long to feel at 100% of his physical conditions. After his first encounter with the Magallanes Navigators , last night before the Aragua Tigers , the gardener said he had reached the top. "I'm 100%. I've been training on my own and feel ready to play every day, "said Carrera, who opened with a double and single, plus an RBI and two runs scored. "Do not try to depend on me now that I've been through major league pressure. On this team everyone can do the job. "

DIABLICOS DE AZUERO 4
RONEROS DE CHIRIQUI - VERAGUAS 3

It took the Diablos 13 innings to get their first win of the season, their sixth game. It took the Roneros 13 innings to lose their first game out of 6 tries.

Danny Salazar, Roneros starter, gave up his 1st run in 3 starts. Salazar went another 5 innings giving up 1 run (earned) on 4 hits, struck out 5 and walked 1 batter.
Javier Castillo singled home Concepcion Rodriguez with a run that ended the marathon 4 to 3 on the 13th episodes. Rodriguez opened the thirteenth chapter with a basehit and stole second. Castillo's base hit ended it.

SK Wyverns leftfielder Park Jae-sang celebrates rounding the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning in Game 3 of the Korean Series at Munhak Ballpark, Incheon, Friday. / Yonhap

Wyverns claw back into Korean Series

By Yoon Chul

SK Wyverns left fielder Park Jae-sang led the team’s 2-1 victory on the field as well as at bat against the Samsung Lions at home in Game 3 of the Korean Series, Friday.

After Park denied the Lions challenge to acquire a run at home plate with a wonderful throw, he hit the solo home run for an early lead in the fourth inning at Munhak Ballpark, Incheon.

Choi Dong-soo also aided with another dinger in the fifth.

With the victory the defending champions is trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven Korean Series.

Game 4 is scheduled at the same ballpark at 2 p.m., Saturday.

Wyverns starter Song Eun-bum allowed the bases in every inning except the fifth but he solidly stood at the mound giving no run for five innings.

Meanwhile Lions starter Justin Germano denied the Wyverns batter to the base until the fourth with three strikeouts.

The American allowed only three hits in the five innings but two of them were home runs.

Friday, Oct. 28, 2011

All eyes on Darvish in Climax opener

By JASON COSKREY

Yu Darvish has a few things to take care of before deciding which side of the Pacific he wants to pitch on next season.

Namely, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters ace is looking to cap a spectacular season (18-6, 1.44 ERA) by leading his team to its fourth Japan Series in six seasons. Of course, when he gets there, he'll be aiming to bring the crown back to Sapporo.

Decision looms: The first stage of the Pacific League Climax Series between the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and Seibu Lions could represent star Yu Darvish's farewell to Japanese baseball. KYODO PHOTO

In order to do that, he'll first have to lead the Fighters past a Seibu Lions squad that sneaked into the Pacific League Climax Series on their season's final day.

Leading the charge for the Lions is slugger Takeya Nakamura, who was so unimpressed by Japanese baseball's new, less homer-friendly ball that he smacked 48 home runs. No other PL player eclipsed 25, and the Chiba Lotte Marines, collectively, hit 46.

Still, the Lions roared down the stretch and were fortunate the Orix Buffaloes ran out of gas, while the Fighters backed into the postseason.

Here are five questions ahead of their Climax Series matchup, which begins on Saturday:

Can the pitchers following Darvish carry the day?

Once Yu Darvish's start is out of the way the focus shifts to the rest of the Nippon Ham pitching staff.

Masaru Takeda, who is expected to return from an elbow injury in time to start Game 2, was 2-2 with a 4.07 ERA against Seibu in four appearances, while Bobby Keppel had a 4.33 ERA in six starts versus the Lions, though he escaped with a 3-1 record.

Both are very good pitchers, but the Lions have proven they can score runs against them.

In the bullpen, Fighters closer Hisashi Takeda isn't lights out, but he did lead the league with 37 saves. Decent arms in Ryo Sakakibara, Naoki Miyanishi and Hirotoshi Masui play into manager Masataka Nashida's favor, and he can usually rely on useful innings from Keisuke Tanimoto and Yuya Ishii as well.

Darvish sets the tone, but how well the rest of the staff performs may dictate whether or not the Fighters will be moving on.

Can Wakui outshine Darvish?

Lions hurler Hideaki Wakui had a tough time during the regular season, but the postseason gives him a shot at redemption.

At his best, Wakui is among the top pitchers in Japan and, among the Lions' staff, is the best bet of matching Darvish pitch for pitch and scoring a huge victory in Game 1.

Wakui was knocked around a bit in six starts against the Fighters (21 runs -17 earned — in 38 innings) but Nippon Ham could be running into a buzz saw should he lapse back into the form that made him a 14-game winner just a year ago.

How does the Fighters' offense stack up?

Offense is a question mark for Nippon Ham heading into this series after struggling to score down the stretch.

Sho Nakata drove in 91 runs, but disappeared late, with no one else to carry the load.

Among the positives is that Yoshio Itoi, the Fighters' best hitter, scorched the Lions this year with a .378 average and 10 RBIs in 90 at-bats. Eiichi Koyano and Atsunori Inaba also played well against Seibu.

Nippon Ham's pitchers don't usually require too much run support, but falling behind could be a troubling proposition for Nashida's squad.

How important is 'Okawari-kun'?

Nakamura enters as an important player in this series. The Seibu slugger was the one player not affected by the new ball, leading Japanese baseball in home runs and driving in 116 runs.

He hit 10 homer and drove in 24 runs against the Fighters this season, in addition to being walked 18 times. Nakamura could give the Lions an edge in a close game, given his ability to change the tide with one swing of his bat.

His presence may also open things up for Hiroyuki Nakajima and Jose Fernandez, who could have an impact batting immediately before and after the Lions slugger.

Can 'Mayo' roar for the Lions?

The Fighters will be wary of Nakamura, as Lions manager Hisanobu Watanabe tipped Takuya Hara as a key to the series, but don't sleep on Fernandez in the 5-hole.

Like the rest of the Lions, he didn't fare well against Darvish, but he had success — albeit in limited opportunities — against probable Game 2 and 3 starters Takeda and Keppel.

Fernandez was 6-for-9 with a homer against Takeda and 6-for-16 against Keppel. Hitting behind a pair of 100-RBI players in Nakajima and Nakamura, Fernandez will get his chances, possibly with runners on base. In a series where runs could be at a premium, Fernandez could tilt the balance.

Friday, Oct. 28, 2011

Fighters win rights to Tokai pitcher Sugano

Kyodo

The "Big Three" drew the spotlight with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters winning the rights to negotiate a contract with Tokai University flamethrower Tomoyuki Sugano in a surprising turn of events at the Japanese baseball draft on Thursday.

Tomoyuki Sugano

The Yomiuri Giants were expected to exclusively name Sugano, who is Giants manager Tatsunori Hara's nephew, but Fighters club president Toshikazu Tsuda rewrote the script by naming the right-hander before drawing the winning ticket.

Sugano, who clocks a 157-kph (98-mph) fastball, declined to comment on the Fighters winning the negotiation rights, simply saying, "My college baseball career isn't over yet, so I want to win the championship in the end."

Tsuda was more than happy with the result.

"Sugano has been our club's only choice since this past spring. I want to jump for joy. It's been eight years since the Fighters moved to Sapporo and we want to build a pitching dynasty. (To Sugano), please come to our team," Tsuda said.

Chiba Lotte Marines manager Norifumi Nishimura, meanwhile, won the rights to talk with highly touted Toyo University left-hander Takahiro Fujioka after three clubs, including the Yokohama BayStars and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, named him in the first round.

The Hiroshima Carp got the last of the Big Three, exclusively naming Meiji University right-hander Yusuke Nomura.

Fujioka won the MVP for the second year in a row at the national university championship, while Nomura became one of a handful of pitcher to earn more than 30 wins and record 300 strikeouts in his Tokyo Big Six League career.

The Chunichi Dragons won the lottery for infielder Shuhei Takahashi of Yamanashi's Tokaidai Kofu High School, beating out the Orix Buffaloes and Tokyo Yakult Swallows, while the Hanshin Tigers snatched up Keio University outfielder Hayata Ito.

After the disappointment of losing the lottery for Sugano, the Giants settled for left-hander Ryuya Matsumoto from Eimei High School in Kagawa Prefecture.

The Seibu Lions chose Ken Togame of corporate league club JR East, while the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks picked Shota Takeda — both right-handers — of Miyazaki Nichidai High School.

Getting bumped from the 40 man roster seems to have lit a fire under Jerad Head. Jerad with another basehit tonight. Head was 1-3 with a walk, an rbi, and one run batted in. He's hitting a very good .316 in a very tough pitcher's league.

Juan Diaz ( picked up only his 3rd hit of the season tonight for Oriente. Juan was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 7th inning.

Luis Valbuena (.273) was back in action tonight after resting one game and getting the extra day's rest because of an off day in the Leones schedule. Luis was back in the leadoff spot for the second game in a row now and was 1-5. Luis likes hitting out of the leadoff spot. He may be there for a while.

Caracas was shutout 3-0 by the Tiburones. Raul Padron (.256) got the night off but did pinch hit in the 9th and grounded out.

Juan Apodaca caught the game for Zulia this evening and was 0-3. Apodaca only hitting .200 so far but he's only getting spot starts.

Moore stays hot, plates four in Caribes win

Angels prospect batting .400 with five RBIs over last six games

Venezuelan Winter League

Caribes 9, Lara 2

Angels prospect Jeremy Moore tripled, doubled and drove in four runs as he increased his average to .341. The 21-year-old outfielder has accumulated 10 hits and five RBIs in his last six games, batting .400 during that stretch. Teammates Mike Wilson (Mariners) and Alexi Amarista (Angels) both went deep, combining to knock in three. Houston's Oswaldo Navarro led the Cardenales offense by homering, doubling and plating two. Anzoategui starter Andrew Baldwin (Twins) improved to 2-0 after allowing two runs on seven hits in seven innings. He fanned three and walked one.

La Guaira 3, Caracas 0

Phillies farmhand Les Walrond struck out seven over 6 1/3 scoreless innings, yielding just one hit and one walk. Seattle's Luis Rodriguez recorded a pair of base knocks, driving in one and scoring twice. Despite going 0-for-4, Jeff Baisley (Athletics) managed to plate two runs thanks to a pair of well-timed groundouts.
Jeremy Moore has batted .400 (10-for-25) with five RBIs over his last six Winter League games. (Jordan Megenhardt/MiLB.com)

Margarita 5, Zulia 4 (10 innings)

Mets prospect Wilmer Flores came through with a pinch-hit, walk-off single in the 10th to drive in two runs. The Bravos had previously tied the game in the ninth thanks to an RBI single by Alberto Gonzalez (Padres) and bases-loaded walks by former Minor Leaguers Frank Diaz (Nationals) and Javier Brito (D-backs). Phillies prospect Freddy Galvis collected two hits for the Aguilas, bringing home two.

Aragua 3, Magallanes 1

Former Minor Leaguer Luis Maza went 1-for-2 and knocked in two, while teammate and Mets farmhand Luis Hernandez doubled and drove in one. Toronto's Yohan Pino improved to 3-0 with 2 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He was relieving former Detroit farmhand Scot Drucker, who struck out six while allowing one run on four hits in 4 2/3 frames.

Dominican Winter League

Licey 4, Escogido 3

Reds Juan Francisco went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored for the Tigres, while three other players also knocked in one run apiece. Outfielder Eury Perez (Nationals) led the Leones' offense by collecting two hits and driving in a pair. Minor Leaguer Mario Santiago (Royals) started for Licey, allowing 3 runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. Washington's Atahualpa Severino earned the win with 1 1/3 hitless innings of relief.

Toros 6, Estrellas 3

Pirates Minor Leaguer Matt Hague totaled three hits, including a solo homer, while teammate Wilkin Ramirez (Braves) also went yard. Astros pitcher Aneury Rodriguez started for Este, giving up just two runs on five hits over five innings to record the 'W'. Alex Valdez (Boston), Luis Jimenez (Angels) and Denis Phipps (Reds) all hit solo shots for Oriente.

Aguilas 7, Gigantes 5

David Lough (Royals) and Elian Herrera (Dodgers) launched solo homers for the Cibaenas, while Rockies prospect Wilin Rosario doubled and plated one. Rays infielder Elliot Johnson went deep for Cibao, knocking in three. Teammate Carlos Peguero (Mariners) also left the yard, giving him four homers in his past seven games.

Mexican Pacific League

Mazatlan 7, Los Mochis 1

Former Padres Minor Leaguer Mauricio Tabachnik yielded just one run on four hits over eight innings, winning his first game. Angels prospect Andrew Romine went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored in the leadoff spot, while No. 2 hitter Oswaldo Morejon (Mexican League) also recorded three hits. Cardinals prospect Jermaine Curtis scored the only run for the Caneros, coming home on a double play off the bat of Mexican Leaguer Saul Soto.

Hermosillo 6, Guasave 0

Former Major Leaguer Erubiel Durazo went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs, while teammate Jose Amador (Mexican League) smacked a pair of doubles and drove in one. Naranjeros starter Miguel Ruiz (Mexican League) gave up three hits and two walks over five scoreless innings en route to the win. Three relievers combined to yield just three hits over the final four frames, shutting the door on the Algodoneros.

Culiacan 5, Obregon 4 (10 innings)

Rangers farmhand Luis Cruz went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, while teammate Ricardo Serrano (Mexican League) doubled twice and drove in what proved to be the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the 10th. Former Giants Minor Leaguer Doug Clark recorded three hits for the Yaquis. Teammate and former Met Victor Diaz homered and drove in two.

Mexicali 4, Navojoa 3 (10 innings)

Former Orioles catcher Geronimo Gil singled and drove in two, while Mexican Leaguer Hector Hernandez came through with a pinch-hit, walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th. Yankees prospect and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte earned the win by tossing 2 2/3 shutout innings. He struck out two while yielding just one hit and no walks.

<

<


Dominican Winter League

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrellas de Oriente): 1-for-2, K. With one hit in two at bats Diaz raised his batting average from .087 to .120 in 9 games this fall.

•Jerad Head (RF, Tigres del Licey): 1-for-3, R, RBI, BB. Head continues to play well this fall in his audition to obtain a possible minor league deal which includes an invite to big league camp this spring.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 1-for-5, K. Valbuena returns to the lineup after missing three of the last four days. He had played every game up until October 23rd.

•Rob Bryson (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Bryson came into a situation in the 9th inning with the bases loaded and allowed two inherited runs to score before getting the final two outs of the inning. Those two run were pivotal however. Those runs allowed the Aguilas to extend their lead to 3-0. The Bravos came up with three runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game. The Aguilas scored one in the top of the 10th but the Bravos came back with a pair in their half of the inning to win it. Bryson did limit the damage and Margarita won the game in extras.

Caracas was shutout 3-0 by the Tiburones. Raul Padron (.256) got the night off but did pinch hit in the 9th and grounded out.

Juan Apodaca caught the game for Zulia this evening and was 0-3. Apodaca only hitting .200 so far but he's only getting spot starts.

No game from Panama. The Ronners were washed out.