Cleveland Sports Forum

Dramatic blast: The Giants' Jose Lopez smacks a two-run home run in the fifth inning off Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka in Game 6 of the Japan Series at Kleenex Stadium on Saturday night. Yomiuri beat Tanaka and Tohoku Rakuten 4-2 to force a Game 7 on Sunday. | KYODO

Baseball

Opportunistic Giants force Game 7 as mighty Tanaka handed first defeat of 2013

by Jason Coskrey

Eagles ace's record consecutive winning decisions streak ends at 30

by Jason Coskrey

Staff Writer

Nov 2, 2013

SENDAI –

The mighty Yomiuri Giants weren’t about relinquish the Japan Series title without a good fight.

Not even in the face of perfection.

Rookie pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano was great, Jose Lopez made up for two early mistakes with a two-run homer, and the Giants dealt Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles ace Masahiro Tanaka his first loss in over a year with a 4-2 victory over the Eagles in Game 6 of the Japan Series on Saturday at Kleenex Stadium.

The Kyojin evened the series, and the title will be up for grabs when the teams meet in a decisive Game 7 on Sunday.

“The series is tied 3-3 now, and the Eagles have played well,” Giants manager Tatsunori Hara said. “We were able to get past Tanaka tonight, and it should be another exciting game tomorrow.

“Of course, we expect to win.”

Tanaka threw a complete game in defeat, allowing four runs on 12 hits while striking out seven and walking one. He came out on the wrong end of a decision for the first time since losing to the Seibu Lions on Aug. 19, 2012.

“I made too many mistakes with my pitches, and they didn’t miss them,” Tanaka said.

His record-setting streak of 30-consecutive winning decisions (including the postseason) skidded to a halt with the rare defeat.

“Tanaka has always helped carry this team,” catcher Motohiro Shima said. “So it should’ve been our time to back him up. You can’t blame him for this loss. We feel sorry for him. We’ll just have to do what we’re supposed to do tomorrow.”

Tanaka’s velocity was a few ticks below where it usually sits early, though he dialed it up when needed, but he was his usual dominating self with a splitter the Giants struggled to get a handle on.

The cracks began to show in the fifth, when after giving up a double to Hayato Sakamoto to lead off the inning, Tanaka threw a splitter that hung over the plate for Lopez, who deposited it over the wall in left field. The Giants continued to chip away, driving in another run in the fifth and one more in the sixth.

“I just came up short when things mattered most,” Tanaka said. “It proved that I still have a long way to go in my development.”

Tanaka outdueled Sugano in the second game of the series, but the rookie got his revenge Saturday.

Sugano battled through a few early hiccups to throw seven strong innings, allowing two runs — one earned — on three hits and striking out three. Reliever Tetsuya Yamaguchi worked the eighth and into the ninth and Scott Mathieson was credited with a save after retiring the final two batters.

“I gave up the runs early, but was able to stay calm and pitch with patience, believing that our offense would give me some support,” Sugano said.

“I felt some pressure, but I went to the mound trying to use that to my advantage.”

Lopez came into the game without a hit in the series, but that didn’t stop him from predicting that the Giants would force a Game 7 during practice on Friday.

He got off to a horrible start, letting an easy grounder squirt through his legs at first base during second inning, which allowed a run to score, and committing another error later in the game.

The Yomiuri infielder kept his focus despite the early miscues.

“Baseball is something you do for nine innings,” Lopez said. “The point is not to continue with any errors after that.”

He atoned for the mistakes with his game-tying two-run homer in the fifth, and drove in another run with an RBI groundout in the sixth.

“Lopez did not have a hit all series, but he came through tonight with our first hit and tied the game with a two-run home run,” Hara said. “It was a good time for him to break out of his slump. His batting tonight was the way he was hitting all during the regular season.”

Lopez finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Yoshinobu Takahashi, another of the slumping Kyojin, also drove in a run for the Giants and went 2-for-5.

“I had been so horrible, so I was just desperate to help the team,” Takahashi said. “I’m pleased I could step up at the right time today.

“Had we lost, we would’ve been done, so it was obviously great for us to win today. We’ve been given new life, and we’ll do our best.”

The Eagles will have to move on quickly from the loss, with another chance to clinch the title coming Sunday night.

Rakuten managed just three hits on the night, two coming from Kazuo Matsui. Shima had the other.

“We’ll be playing our final game tomorrow and we really want to play a good game,” said Eagles infielder Ginji Akaminai. “If we play our best game, the results will follow.”

The Giants, however, seem to have the momentum heading into the series finale.

“The mood changed today,” Hara said. “I hope we can maintain it during the final game.”

Staff writer Kaz Nagstauka contributed to this report.

Baseball | SPORTS SCOPE

At a loss for words to explain Tanaka’s loss

by Jason Coskrey

Nov 2, 2013

SENDAI –

For awhile it was a joke even to ask the question.

Did Ma-kun win?

Usually, he did. But not this time.

For the first time in a while, Masahiro Tanaka lost.

That’s a phrase that hadn’t been written this year. Not during the “baseball” year, nor even the last calendar year.

Tanaka finally tasted defeat in Game 6 of the Japan Series, his last start of the season, and likely his last in Japan, as many expecting him to make the move to MLB this offseason.

“Looking at Ma-kun’s absolutely great performances this year, I have no doubt that he can be successful in the States,” said a female Eagles fan in front of Kleenex Stadium before the game.

When the dust settles, and the shock waves die down, the sum of Tanaka’s season as a whole will resonate more than the “1″ that will forever linger in the 2013 loss column like an ink blot on a white cloth.

Tanaka was valiant even in defeat, throwing 160 pitches, and keeping his team within striking distance until the bitter end.

“He pitched for as long as he could,” said Eagles manager Senichi Hoshino. “He finally got a loss at the very end. But I really appreciate him.”

The crowd chanted Tanaka’s name before the ninth on Saturday, and the scene was set for the Hoshino to pull him after two outs and let the crowd shower him with the appreciation of the last seven years.

But for better or worse, Tanaka, like Hoshino during his own playing days for the Chunichi Dragons, is a bulldog, a fighter, the ace.

The writing was on the wall with the way Giants starter Tomoyuki Sugano and the Yomiuri bullpen was pitching, the Eagles had two runs and three hits through eight innings, but with the score 4-2 it was still a game, and Tanaka was going to finish it.

“I thought to take him out,” Hoshino said. “But I think it was his pride as our ace. He said he wanted to go back out, so I said, ‘Go.’

“He didn’t have to push himself too hard, though,” Hoshino said. “But I think that he was thinking it would probably be his last time to perform in front of these fans. He is amazing.”

Tanaka last lost on Aug. 19, 2012 against the Seibu Lions. He bounced back in his next start with 10 shutout innings in a 1-0 victory to begin his streak of 30 consecutive winning decisions, including complete-game victories in Game 1 of the Pacific League Climax Series Final Stage and the Game 2 of the Japan Series.

No pitcher pitches as long as Tanaka did without taking a loss. So many things had to fall the right way, and the amazing right-hander had to pitch at a high level while they did.

Tanaka winning had been almost as automatic as clockwork for the past year. If the Rakuten Eagles played, and Tanaka was on the mound and got a decision, he won.

He won, and won, and won. Tanaka won so much that Twitter user Clément Delestrade set up an account called “Did Ma-kun win?”

“I created it because I like that comical gimmick, which works very well on Twitter, and because Tanaka never looked like he was ever going to lose,” Delestrade said in an message to The Japan Times. “Even without knowing Japanese, people interested in him could see his legacy being written thanks to those simple tweets.”

Did Ma-kun win?

Of course he did.

He won close games and he won blowouts. He got the decision in games that started out tight and ended in routs, and games that began as routs and got too close for comfort.

Did Ma-kun win?

Duh.

Tanaka didn’t do it alone of course. His teammates lifted him in games he probably shouldn’t have won. They carried him on the days and nights when he didn’t have his best stuff, a point Tanaka has always been among the first to make this year.

He was the benefactor of some timely hitting and a wealth of run support throughout his streak, but the right-hander’s other numbers are a tour de force of pitching dominance.

During his 30-decision (postseason included) win streak, Tanaka posted a 1.40 ERA over 231 innings. In that span of 37 starts, he allowed more than two earned runs a grand total of two times.

All that came to an end on Saturday, and with it, likely his career in Japan.

If it was the end for Tanaka, he ended it with a flourish, cranking his fastball up to 152 kph to strike out Yoshinobu Takahashi to end the top of the ninth, with his team down by two runs.

“I was wondering what I could do to get the stadium fired up,” Tanaka said. “I pitched as if this was my last time in front of these fans.”

There’s still one more game left in the year, and following Sunday’s Game 7, all eyes will focus on whether or not Tanaka will be posted, and ultimately where he’ll end up.

Those are answers that will come on another day in the near future.

Saturday night, as the grounds crew swept the field and made preparations for a game not many, no matter where their rooting interests were, thought would be played, there was only one question that could be answered.
One so many fans had asked in joy, laughing as they feigned ignorance. The one whose answer now is weighted down by the type crushing reality that can ruin a fairy tale.

Did Ma-kun win?

No. No, he didn’t.

Tanaka...another Japanese player NOT coming to Cleveland.

Maybe Professor Toru Tanaka

Hey, at least we had Kaz Tadano!

Around the Farm: November 2, 2013
Carlos Moncrief

By Tony Lastoria

November 3, 2013

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Around the Farm (ATF) takes a quick look at some of the daily performances by Indians prospects. This is a special fall and winter ball version of ATF that recaps all the offseason action by Indians players in the Arizona Fall League and the Caribbean Leagues. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in the game.

Arizona Fall League

Tyler Naquin (DH, AFL West All Stars): 1-for-4, R, 3B, BB, 2 K. Naquin was the only Indian who participated in the AFL’s Rising Stars game on Saturday night, and he had a nice showing. He reached base in two of his five plate appearances and ripped a ball that looked like a double but his hustle out of the box turned it into a triple.

Dominican Winter League

Erik Gonzalez (SS, Leones del Escogido): 3-for-4, R. Gonzalez is getting a chance to play regularly and is making the most of his hitting .340 in 13 games out in the DWL. He’s an interesting sleeper prospect in the system and has found his way into more of a priority status with the Indians; however, while he is playing well, that 0 walks to 12 strikeouts ratio so far in winter ball brings a lot of pause.

Jose Ramirez (3B, Toros del Este): 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, K. This is the second straight game that Ramirez has started at third base, and his second game overall at the position this offseason. Even though MLB teams can set parameters how a player is used, the winter ball teams can play players how they see fit so it should not be an indication that Ramirez is being looked at as a third base option in Cleveland next year. But it certainly is noteworthy and interesting to see how much more time he gets there and how he does.

Puerto Rico Winter League

Carlos Moncrief (RF, Gigantes de Carolina): 1-for-3, RBI, BB, CS, PO. Moncrief made his winter ball debut and had a nice showing reaching base in two of his four plate appearances. A good showing in winter ball could all but solidify his chances as a legit option to play in Cleveland at some point in 2014. He had a sensational showing at Double-A Akron this year with the strides he made with his plate discipline.

Brett Brach (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Brach had a very nice winter ball debut with 2.2 shutout innings. This is an important offseason for him as he will get a chance to face some good competition and also put himself in front of scouts for other teams to maybe raise his interest level for other teams. The Indians control him for a few more years and he’s more of an organizational arm to fill in where needed, but sometimes other teams can have interest in a player they deem undervalued by their current organization.

Dan Cevette (SP, Gigantes de Carolina): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 3 BB, 2 K. Cevette is not a current Indians minor leaguer, but those who are familiar with him know how he was one of the more interesting upside lefties in the system a half dozen years ago but injuries and inconsistency ruined his career. He just turned 30 years old but it is great to see him still living his dream of playing professional baseball even if he has not pitched much affiliate ball the past few years.

Venezuela Winter League

Jesus Aguilar (1B, Leones del Caracas): 2-for-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI. Aguilar ripped a 2-run homer in the 9th inning, already his 7th of his winter ball campaign. I felt that after a questionable showing with the power at Double-A this season that he needed to have a good showing with his power in winter ball, and so far he’s done more than had a good showing – it’s been out of this world. If he is the real deal he could have a Yan Gomes-type impact to the lineup for the Indians next season.

Elvis Araujo (RP, Aguilas del Zulia): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K. Araujo was finished let loose as he faced just one batter in each of his first three appearance, but this time out he nine batters. He needs a lot of work this offseason to help make up some lost innings this season because of injury.

Bryan Price (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Price racked up his second save of his winter ball campaign and was dominant in his one inning of work. He’s pitched well so far this offseason appearing in 9 games already and in 11.2 innings has allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and has 12 strikeouts.

Australian Baseball League

Ryan Battaglia (C, Brisbane Bandits): 0-for-2, K, SAC. Battaglia is once again playing out in Australia for his hometown team in Brisbane. He only played in 39 combined games between short season Single-A Mahoning Valley and High-A Carolina and hit .212 with 3 HR, 13 RBI and .689 OPS, so he needs some additional at bats to help try and further his development.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIBI. Also, his new book the 2013 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider which profiles the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is available for sale.

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Erik Gonzalez, Carlos Moncrief, and Jose Aguilar.......the 2013-2014 version of Jose Ramirez 2012-2013 ?!!?!?!?! Could be with good showings this winter.

Yanks' Almonte, Dodgers' Pederson show off hot bats

Dodgers top prospect Joc Pederson hit a two-run bomb in Venezuela, while Yankees youngster Zoilo Almonte had two hits in the D.R

Winter League roundup: Pederson shows off power

Dodgers prospect mashes for Venezuelan club; Yanks' Almonte has two hits in D.R.

By Quinn Roberts and Andrew Simon / MLB.com | 11/3/2013 8:54 A.M. ET

Venezuelan Winter League

Lara 13, Zulia 5

Dodgers top prospect Joc Pederson continued his power display for Lara, slamming a two-run home run to break a scoreless tie in the third inning. It was the fifth homer for the 21-year-old outfielder, who is slugging better than .600 this winter. Fellow Dodgers prospect Nick Buss was one of three Lara players to notch three hits and at least two RBIs, along with Anderson De La Rosa and the Mariners' Jesus Montero. Raul Rivero tossed seven strong innings for the win, while Felix Perez produced three hits, including a three-run homer, for Zulia.

Aragua 5, Magallanes 3

Hector Gimenez smacked a three-run home run off longtime big league right-hander Carlos Zambrano, breaking a 2-2 tie in the fifth inning and leading Aragua to the victory. Yohan Pino gave up two runs over six innings to pick up the win, outdueling Zambrano. Rangers No. 3 prospect Rougned Odor doubled in five at-bats for Magallanes but also flew out as the potential tying run to end the game.

Caribes 5, Caracas 4

A ninth-inning rally came up short for Caracas, which got a two-run home run from Jesus Aguilar -- the Indians' No. 17 prospect -- to pull within a run. But with runners on first and third and one out, Lester Oliveros induced a game-ending double-play grounder from Astros prospect Carlos Perez. Caribes had taken the lead with a three-run eighth -- which included Jose Gil's two-run single -- and also got a two-run homer from Leslie Anderson in the first.

Margarita 7, La Guaira 5

Caleb Joseph hit a three-run homer to give Margarita a five-run lead in the third inning and finished with four RBIs, as Margarita held on for the win. Breyvic Valera also notched three hits and scored three times for Margarita, and Bryan Price struck out two in a perfect inning to get the save. Alex Cabrera picked up three hits and two RBIs for La Guaira, which scored three runs in the seventh to pull within two.

Mexican Pacific League

Los Mochis 2, Mexicali 0

Mexicali's bats were held silent on Friday, managing just two hits by Chris Roberson and Luis Juarez. Marco Quevedo got his first win of the season, allowing two hits in six innings. Javier Martinez took the loss, surrendering one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Culiacan 4, Mazatlan 2

Culiacan got its second straight win against Mazatlan thanks to a big three-run fifth inning that included a bases-clearing double by Luis Cruz. Omar Espinoza got his first win of the season, allowing one run on three hits in five innings. Alejandro Martinez took his first loss of the season, allowing three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Hermosillo 5, Obregon 2

Jerry Owens and Heber Gomez led the way for Hermosillo. Owens went 3-for-5 with a triple and a run scored, while Gomez went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Juan Oramas improved to 4-0 on the season with a 1.80 ERA by allowing just two hits in five innings.

Navojoa 10, Guasave 4

Navojoa's bats caught fire Friday night, belting 15 hits. Five players had at least two hits, while Rolando Acosta had the only home run of the night, hitting a two-run shot in the first inning. Manuel Flores took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 5, Gigantes 2

A late rally in the ninth inning for Escogido proved to be the difference. Twins prospect Deibinson Romero broke a 2-2 tie when he belted a three-run home run to left, his second homer of the season. Escogido used 10 pitchers in the game, with Chris Martin eventually getting the save.

Toros 5, Licey 2

Behind strong pitching and some timely hits, Toros got the victory. Jim Adduci had an RBI double in the second inning and Jose Ramirez had a two-run double in the sixth to break the game open. Seattle's Hector Noesi took his first loss of the season, allowing five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Aguilas 4, Estrellas 2

Juan Lagares went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Danny Santana went 3-for-5 in the win. Yankees No. 6 prospect Zoilo Almonte also went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Angel Castro got his third win of the season, allowing one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Puerto Rican Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

Santurce 1, Caguas 0

The starting pitching and bullpens for both teams showed no rust in the first game of the season. Eleven pitchers combined to allow just 10 hits and one run in the game. Santurce's James Houser earned the win after allowing one hit in five innings. The lone run came in the sixth on a walk and back-to-back singles by Neftali Soto and John Rodriguez.

Carolina 4, Ponce 1

Shuhei Fukuda led the way for Carolina, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Rene Garcia also went 2-for-3 with a double. Reliever Brett Brach got the win, while Ponce reliever Fray Martinez took the loss.

The wait is over: For a team that began play in 2005, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles can now say they've reached the top, clinching their first championship on Sunday | KYODO

Baseball

Eagles blank Giants in Game 7, capture first Japan Series title

Pitcher Manabu Mima earns MVP award

by Jason Coskrey

Staff Writer

Nov 3, 2013

SENDAI –

More than 25,000 roared in unison as a light rain suddenly got a little bit harder. They were now one out away from their first Japan Series title, and had their ace, Japan’s ace, on the mound to do the honors.

The ninth inning of Game 7 belonged to Masahiro Tanaka. The moment belonged to all of Tohoku.

One day after throwing 160 pitches in a complete-game loss, Tanaka recorded the final three outs of the Japan Series, and Tohoku finally got a chance to celebrate as their Eagles held off the defending champion Yomiuri Giants 3-0 in Game 7 on Sunday in Kleenex Stadium.

“I was not able to pitch at my best yesterday, so I was careful in my preparation tonight and wanted to be sure I was ready to get three outs in the ninth,” Tanaka said.

The Eagles brought home the title in their first trip to the Japan Series since beginning play as an expansion team in 2005.

“We’ve won the title in the club’s ninth year,” Rakuten manager Senichi Hoshino said. “This is all because of the players. They responded well to my harsh leadership.”

The Eagles rushed onto the field after the final out, and tossed Hoshino into the air nine times during the traditional doage.

“We’re really excited to be able to toss him here in front of all the fans here,” Tanaka said.

As he did in the ninth inning of the Eagles’ Pacific League pennant and PL Climax Series Final Stage-clinching victories, Hoshino sent Tanaka out to get the final outs. The Rakuten ace had gone down swinging in Game 6, allowing four runs in the aforementioned complete game effort that went down as his first loss since Aug. 19, 2012.

“No matter what we said, Tanaka wanted to go in there,” Hoshino said. “We’ve come all this way because of him, so we thought he deserved it.”

The Sawamura Award winner gave up a pair of hits, but he got the job done and fittingly struck out the final batter, pinch hitter Kenji Yano, with a splitter, the pitch he’s become known for and that Baseball America’s Ben Badler called him the best in the world at throwing.

“I was saying thanks to my teammates and all of the fans when I went to the mound,” Tanaka said.

It was a more than fitting end should the right-hander head to the majors next year as expected. His final tally on the season, including the playoffs, is a 26-1 record, three saves, 213 strikeouts, and a 1.31 ERA in 241 innings.

Cheers likely rang out across the Tohoku region, which encompasses Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, after the final out.

The region was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, and the effects of the twin disasters continue to be felt throughout the area.

The Eagles have been among the many to lend aid, both physical and monetary, to relief efforts and the area has rallied around the team, turning out in droves for all four games at Kleenex Stadium.

Starting on the heels of Tanaka’s first loss in over a year, Manabu Mima cut the Giants down to size with six strong innings of one-hit ball. He struck out five and walked three.

Toiling in the considerable shadow cast by Tanaka and rookie Takahiro Norimoto, Mima was stellar during the postseason. The third-year pro threw 20 2/3 scoreless innings — with 17 strikeouts — during three victories.

“I can’t believe I was able to pitch these games (Japan Series Games 3 and 7) against the Giants without giving up a run,” Mima said.

Norimoto took over for Mima in the seventh and threw two scoreless innings, and Tanaka earned a save with a scoreless ninth. Yomiuri starter Toshiya Sugiuchi was charged with the loss.

Mima was named the series MVP.

“I was very nervous in the beginning, but I knew Norimoto and Tanaka were there to back me up,” Mima said. “So I just wanted to pitch as well as I could for as long as I could, and felt better and better as the game went along.”

A run-scoring error by Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto gave Mima the lead in the first, and Rakuten added to that with Takero Okajima’s RBI double in the second and a home run by Akihisa Makida, one of the original Rakuten players, in the fourth.

“I swung hard and was just trying to make contact any way I could,” Makida said of his solo shot off reliever Hirokazu Sawamura.

The title represents the first triumph for Hoshino, who had brought teams to this point on three occasions — the Chunichi Dragons in 1988 and ’99 and the Hanshin Tigers in 2003 — but couldn’t quite make it to the finish line.

“There are no words I can say about how happy I am to win my first Japan Series,” Hoshino said. “We gave it all we had until the end and we beat a great Giants team. It’s a big thrill.

“I’m so proud of our players who persevered and, even when things were not going so well, they never gave up.”

Former major leaguers Andruw Jones and Kazuo Matsui are also champions for the first time. Jones lost in both his trips to the World Series, while Matsui was on the losing side of one World Series and three Japan Series.

The Giants came up short in a Game 7 again, having also lost the Series finale to the Seibu Lions in 2008. Yomiuri was bidding to repeat as champions for the first time in 40 years.

The offensive woes that hindered the Kyojin during most of the series finally did them in during the last game of the year.

“Our power was not there, and we couldn’t get our starting pitcher past the second inning,” Giants manager Tatsunori Hara said. “That’s all I can say. I’m disappointed, but I want to congratulate Hoshino-kantoku and the Rakuten players and their fans on the Eagles becoming Japan Series champions.”

The Giants were limited to five singles in the loss.

The Eagles did a victory lap after all the pictures were taken and the awards handed out, as one final gesture to the fans who have supported them for so long.

“This is the third time this year for me to tell our fans how happy I am to bring them a championship,” Hoshino said. “Now we are No. 1 in all of Japan.

“I want to thank our fans for all they have been through after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the tsunami. Thanks so much.”

October 30: Lions 9, Rhinos 2.

The Lions' Wei-Lun Pan and Rhinos' Matt Torra each allowed one run in 7 innings in a fine pitching duel. The game was 2-2 going into the 10th when the Lions exploded for 7 runs to win the Series. Luis Vizcaino took the win, Nick Green the loss. DH Tai-Shan Chang and 3B Kuo-Ching Kao each had 3 hits for the victors, while LF Da-Hung Cheng had 3 hits in a losing effort.

Taipei, Oct. 30 (CNA) The Uni-President Lions beat the EDA Rhinos 9-2 Wednesday to clinch the 2013 championship of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).

The Lions won the best of seven championship series with four straight victories.

Wednesday's game at Chengching Lake Baseball Field in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan drew nearly 17,000 baseball fans.

The Rhinos qualified for the finals after winning the first half of the regular season, and the Lions claimed the top rank in the second half.

Cuban baseball fans at the Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana.

Cuban Baseball Season Schedule for 2013

October 3, 2013

HAVANA TIMES —

The 2013-2014 Cuban baseball season gets underway on November 3rd in the city of Santa Clara, announced sports authorities on Wednesday.

The official opening will be at the Augusto Cesar Sandino Stadium with the game between last year’s finalists, champion Villa Clara and runner-up Matanzas. Opening day will be simultaneous in another seven parks in the country.

According to the schedule, the first phase of the season includes 45 games for each team, to take place from November 3 to December 29, 2013.

The second half of the baseball calendar will begin on January 11, 2014 and continue through March 17 with an intermediate recess for the Cuban national team to play in the Caribbean Series, if approved Cuba’s assistance is approved.

This coming Cuban baseball season is being called historic because for the first time since 1962, Cuban baseball players will be paid for their performance and their daily work in the field, in what many see as a decisive step towards professional sports.

News about Cuban baseball

Alive and Play Ball!

Juventud Rebelde

November 2, 2013 20:29:40 CDT

Baseball, social and cultural phenomenon in these parts, is always evolving. Now it returns with all its passions to the delight of thousands of fans and innovative proposals that seek to achieve the longed development. Today begins the action in eight stadiums in the country, and from now on will live intense days of fierce struggle for the throne of the national pastime. Welcome everyone to the party

On the rosters of the National Series LIII listed as the oldest player from Santiago Pedro Poll -42 years-, while the rookie Yordan Alvarez debuts with just 16.

The lifetime batting average belongs to Michel Enriquez and among managers is the restless Victor Mesa who has the best record between games won and lost.

The struggle for supremacy in home runs will be contested between Frederich Cepeda (247), Yosvani Peraza (242) y Yulieski Gourriel.

At Texas A&M, Naquin was an offensive star, and Michael Wacha was the star pitcher. Naquin was the 15th overall pick in 2012 and Wacha went four spots later at No. 19. The right-hander made a big splash for the St. Louis Cardinals this year and is pitching for them in the World Series.

Wrong choice again.

Nice to see Dan Cevette's name. I liked him quite a bit back in his day. A lefty with pretty good stuff and a career ending injury. I hope he's doing well, whatever he's doing, and enjoying his special fall in Puerto Rico.

BATTING
2B: Dorn (4, Espino), Mayora (7, Espino).
HR: Aguilar (8, 5th inning off Guaipe, 2 on, 1 out), Mayora (6, 5th inning off Guaipe, 0 on, 1 out).
TB: Noel; Sutil 2; Eggleston 2; Aguilar 5; Rivero, C; Dorn 2; Mayora 6.
RBI: Mayora 3 (22), Aguilar 3 (24).

Toros del Este
Ramirez and Velez collected all of the Toros hits
Ramirez scored all of the Toros runs.

The Toros are off to a bad start. Both the hitting and the pitching are suspect to say the least.