Cleveland Sports Forum

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NPB Bullet Points: Coming & Going

Patrick » 08 November 2011 » In mlb prospects, nichibei, npb »


Looks like we’re in for a busy offseason on the posting market. Here’s the latest.

•Like last year, Seibu shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima will again ask his management to send him to MLB via the posting system this offseason. This year, Seibu is expected to grant his wish. Nikkan Sports keeps mentioning the Giants, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Orioles as possibly interested teams, but it’s not clear where that information is coming from.

•Yakult Swallows centerfielder Norichika Aoki has also petitioned his team to post him, according to Toshiyuki Tachimatsu of the Mainichi News.

•As of October 26, Chunichi lefty Wei-Yin Chen was 50/50 on moving to MLB, according to the Chunichi Shimbun.

•Hisashi Iwakuma has confirmed his widely-anticipated plans to move to the Majors. He was quoted in Sponichi as saying, “For several years, I’ve been thinking that I want to play in the Majors. In order to realize that dream, I’m going to exercise international free agency after the conclusion of the Japan Series.” Iwakuma will spend two weeks in November training in Arizona.

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Nats catcher Ramos kidnapped in Venezuela

By Bill Ladson and Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 11/10/11 12:00 AM EST

WASHINGTON --
Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped in Venezuela on Wednesday night, according to multiple reports from the player's home country.

The Nationals have not yet confirmed the reports.

Ramos, who was playing for Tigres de Aragua in Venezuela's Winter League, was taken from his home in Santa Ines by four armed gunmen on Wednesday evening, said Kathe Vilera, the Tigres' spokeswoman, through the team's Twitter account.

Ramos played his first full big league season and became the everyday catcher, hitting .267 with 15 home runs (a Nationals record for a catcher) and 52 RBIs

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Noesi dominates in third victory for Tigres

Yankees reliever doesn't allow an earned run for third straight start

By Robert Emrich / Special to MLB.com | 11/10/11 3:45 AM EST

Dominican Winter League

Licey 5, Gigantes 1

Yankees reliever Hector Noesi allowed three hits and struck out four over six scoreless innings to earn his third win for the first-place Tigres. Noesi has not allowed an earned run over his last three starts and has lowered his ERA to 1.66. Rangers prospect Engel Beltre homered and scored twice while Carlos Triunfel (Mariners) drove in a run. Elliot Johnson (Rays) was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

Estrellas 6, Escogido 5

Phillies infielder Michael Martinez smacked a two-RBI double and scored once to pace the Estrellas. Jeremy Horst (Reds) was credited with the win, fanning two over 1 2/3 perfect innings of relief, and Jake Fox (Orioles) drove in a run and stole a base. Giants outfielder Brandon Belt singled and drove in a run to extend his hitting streak to five games.
Hector Noesi was 2-2 with a 4.47 ERA in 30 appearances for the Yankees in 2011. (Kevin Pataky/MiLB.com)

Toros 5, Aguilas 0

Former Eastern League All-Star Wilkin Ramirez (Braves) drove in a pair of runs to help the Toros remain a game out of first place. Giants farmhand Osiris Matos struck out two in an inning of relief to earn the win and Ricardo Nanita (Blue Jays) was 2-for-4 to raise his average to .358. Tigers prospect Audy Ciriaco had three hits in a losing effort for the Aguilas.

Venezuelan Winter League

Zulia 10, Lara 2

Phillies prospect Freddy Galvis was 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs for the Aguilas. Darin Mastroianni (Blue Jays) reached base four times, scored three runs and stole his fifth base of the season, while Yankees farmhand Josh Schmidt allowed two runs on four hits over six innings for his first win of the fall. Major League veteran Joe Thurston had two hits and drove in two runs for the Cardenales.

Caribes 3, Magallanes 2

Former Major Leaguer Renyel Pinto struck out six and allowed three hits over six shutout innings, but did not figure into the decision for the Caribes. Angels farmhand Alexi Amarista tripled home a pair of runs and Mike Wilson (Mariners) hit a walk-off homer in the ninth inning. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was 2-for-5 with a double and is batting .375 for the Navegantes.

Aragua 8, Margarita 4

Sergio Perez (Astros ) improved to 3-0 after yielding two runs on six hits and striking out one over five innings for the Tigres. Alex Romero (Marlins) was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, while former Major League All-Star Edgardo Alfonzo drove in a run. Rockies infielder Eric Young reached base four times, scored twice and stole a pair of bases for the Bravos.

Caracas 3, La Guaira 2

Brewers prospect Michael Fiers, who led the Minor Leagues with a 1.86 ERA in 2011, allowed one run on three hits and struck out three over seven innings en route to his second win for the Leones. Douglas Landaeta (A's) scored a pair of runs and Texas League All-Star Wladimir Sutil (Astros) was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Alberto Bastardo (Dodgers) didn't factor into the decision after fanning seven and allowing an unearned run on four hits over six innings for the Tiburones.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 10, Mayaguez 5

Rangers prospect Jose Ruiz fell a double shy of the cycle, collecting three hits and plating two runs in a losing effort for the Indios. Brewers farmhand Edwin Maysonet was 3-for-6 with three RBIs and Florida State League All-Star A.J. Jimenez (Blue Jays) had two hits and drove in two runs for the Criollos.

Carolina 3, Ponce 2

Reymond Fuentes -- the Padres' No. 8 prospect -- had two hits, scored twice and stole a base in the Gigantes' win. Former Major Leaguer Hiram Bocachica drove in a pair of runs and Hector Santiago (White Sox) earned his first win after striking out three over two hitless innings of relief. Sergio Miranda (Brewers) doubled and scored a run for the Leones.

Mexican Pacific League

Obregon 5, Navojoa 0

Veteran hurler Randy Kiesler (Dodgers) struck out nine and allowed three hits over seven innings to lead the Yaquis to their fifth straight win. Former Major Leaguer Barbaro Canizares was 3-for-4 with a pair of solo homers and Said Gutierrez went yard for the first time this fall. Matt Young walked twice and stole a base for the Mayos.

Mexicali 2, Culiacan 1

A's farmhand Carlos Hernandez struck out 10 and allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings in a losing effort for the Tomateros. Former Major Leaguer Chris Roberson was 2-for-4 with a run scored and veteran Oscar Robles doubled home a run for the Aguilas. Yankees infielder Ramiro Pena was 1-for-3 and is batting .389 for Culiacan.

Mazatlan 8, Hermosillo 5

Former Major Leaguer Miguel Ojeda was 4-for-5 with a two-run homer, scored three runs and fell a triple shy of the cycle. Former Cubs draft pick Brandon Sing went yard and Miguel Gonzalez (Red Sox) struck out two over 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief. Former big leaguer Humberto Cota was 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Naranjeros.

Los Mochis 9, Guasave 6 (14 innings)

Former Minor Leaguer Sandy Madera went 4-for-6 with three RBIs and three runs scored and fell a triple shy of the cycle as the Cañeros handed the Algodoñeros their sixth straight loss. A's prospect Andres Avila allowed a run on two hits over five innings out of the bullpen for Los Mochis, while Luis Borges went 4-for-7 with an RBI and a run scored for Guasave.

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Dominican Winter League

•Jerad Head (RF, Tigres del Licey): 1-for-4, 2B. Head returned to the lineup on Wednesday night for the first time since November 2nd. No word on whether or not he was nursing a minor injury, but it is good to see him back in there.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-4, RBI, K. Carrera has now recorded a hit in 8 of his 9 games this fall and is hitting .333 in those 9 games. He has also reached base in every game.

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 1-for-3, K. Valbuena had a very good season this year at Triple-A Columbus but was not very good in short duty in Cleveland and so far this fall has looked very ordinary

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Caracas .-

The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League said today that they will evaluate "additional measures" of security after the kidnapping on Wednesday night of Wilson Ramos Venezuelan baseball player, receiver and Aragua Tiger who plays for the Washington Nationals , U.S. Major League.

Ramos was kidnapped by gunmen at the house of his parents in Valencia and today found the vehicle used for the kidnapping, the government said.

The president of the league José Grasso Vecchio, told Efe that since the kidnapping of Ramos, occurred in the city of Valencia (north) they have been in contact with the MLB (Major League Baseball) to explain the progress of research and maintain security of teams with their players.

"We will take additional measures," said the leader after the kidnapping of the Aragua Tigers receptor, and admitted that "it is clear that this has a negative impact and will leave a wake that is very difficult to assess" at this time.

Grasso Vecchio strongly condemned the kidnapping and wished a happy ending.

"It's the first time this situation occurs in our league with a player," said Grasso Vecchio, who noted that "a country where baseball is a number one sport and nine in ten (people) are fans" the kidnapping "is an act that repudiates the League and a whole country. "

He also said authorities assured him that operation are "well advanced" in the search.

On the proposal by some baseball players like Melvin Mora, of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who raised the possibility of stopping the championship until Ramos was released, Grasso Vecchio considered it best to stick with the "lights on".

"The best way to help is with the lights on. Turning off the lights raises a reason to fear and accept terror," he said.

The leader pointed out that in some of the stadiums where games will be played today they are planning prayers and displaying Wilson Ramos initials on their uniforms and T-shirts with messages for his release.

Ramos was born on August 10, 1987 in Valencia, just 18 years old was signed by the organization of the Minnesota Twins in the Major Leagues.

In 2010 he debuted with the Twins after an injury to starting catcher Joe Mauer and became the only one at his position to connect for 4 hits in his first day in the 'big tent'.

This year with the Washington Nationals, Ramos finished with a .267 batting average with 15 homers, 22 doubles, 52 RBIs and 48 runs scored.

Venezuelan journalist Rafael Fuenmayor, Miami correspondent for CNN, said in his twitter account (@ FuenmayorCNN) that the FBI is willing to collaborate in the pursuit of the Venezuelan baseball player Wilson Ramos, who remains sequestered from Wednesday to 7 pm today.

The FBI reports that the Venezuelan government has not yet been contacted, but that we would be willing to help find the grandeliga Venezuela.

Ramos is sequestered since last night and this time not known his whereabouts. Only the vehicle has been found in which Ramos was taken to the time of the event.

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Prized international talent on Rangers' radar

Texas may be interested in Cuba's Cespedes, Japan's Darvish

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com | 11/10/11 11:15 AM EST

ARLINGTON --

The Rangers' interest in Cuban outfielder Yoennis Cespedes and right-handed pitcher Armando Rivera is still "to be determined," according to club officials. Both, having left Cuba, are seeking Major League positions and are reminders that there are international options for Texas to consider this offseason.

The Rangers are expected to send scouts to see Cespedes, a 26-year-old defector who is working out for teams in the Dominican Republic and is expecting to be in a big league camp in the spring.

Cespedes is already drawing significant interest across the Majors. He hit .333 with 32 home runs, 99 RBIs and 11 stolen bases over 90 games in Cuba during the 2010-11 season and is being advertised as a legitimate center fielder with speed and power.


Depending on the source, the Marlins are looking at Cespedes this week, while the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Indians, Blue Jays, Pirates, Tigers, Nationals and A's are all among the teams showing interest. The Rangers' interest could depend on a number of factors, but, as one club official put it, they will always at least send scouts to look at and evaluate any player, especially one of this potential magnitude.

Cespedes played in six games for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, going 11-for-24 with two home runs and five RBIs.

Rivera, 23, is a hard-throwing 6-foot-3 pitcher who can hit 98 mph, with a sinker, changeup, split-finger fastball and slider. He pitched for Industriales, the top team in Cuba.

The Rangers made their first significant acquisition of Cuban talent last May when they signed outfielder Leonys Martin to a five-year, $15.5 million contract. Martin played in 73 games in the Minor Leagues after signing and hit .295 in 302 at-bats with 53 runs scored, 16 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 42 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He went 3-for-8 in eight games for Texas in September, and is now 5-for-25 with one home run in limited action in the Arizona Fall League.

Martin, also 23, will likely need more time in the Minor Leagues. Cespedes is considered a more advanced player in his development and could command over $30 million. The largest contract ever given to a former Cuban player came two years ago, when the Reds signed left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman to a six-year, $30.25 million deal.

Josh Hamilton played center field for Texas in the playoffs, but the club would like to move him back to left field. The Rangers used a variety of center fielders during the regular season, including Hamilton, Julio Borbon, Craig Gentry and Endy Chavez. Borbon and Gentry will be back in 2012, while Chavez is a free agent. Martin is on the 40-man roster and will be in Major League camp.

The Rangers might consider reinforcing their options in center and taking a run at Cespedes, but they probably have more pressing needs with their available financial resources. The club's highest priority remains starting pitching.

Texas still has interest in re-signing pitcher C.J. Wilson, but he is considered to be one of the top free-agent pitchers on the market and is already drawing attention from other clubs. The Yankees, Marlins, Angels and Nationals have all shown interest in Wilson in the early stages of the offseason. The Rangers are looking at other free-agent starters, including Mark Buehrle and Roy Oswalt.

The potential biggest prize of the offseason remains a mystery. The Nippon Ham Fighters have yet to decide if they will post pitcher Yu Darvish and allow him to play in the United States next year. If they do, the Rangers are expected to be interested.

Darvish is not the only Japanese pitcher who will draw interest from Major League teams. Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, who is described as the "Japanese Jamie Moyer," is a free agent and planning to jump to the United States. He was 16-5 with a 1.51 ERA for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks last season.

Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma, who was 6-7 with a 2.42 ERA for the Tohuku Rakuten Golden Eagles, is also a free agent. He was posted last year and Oakland won his rights, but the two sides were not able to agree to a contract. The other Japanese free-agent pitcher who is drawing interest, but is not sure if he is coming to the United States, is left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, who was 8-10 with a 2.68 ERA in 2011 for the Chunichi Dragons.

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Panama Winter League
Murata will pick up the loss is this game. The Roneros were shutout 3-0. Murata worked 7 innings and gave up 2 runs in the 6th. Nice line though. Out of his 6 starts, 5 were of the quality variety.

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Mexican Winter League
Today is the second time I've seen Jason Rice pitch. One thing I've noticed, this guy does not shy away from the hitters. He's on the attack with every pitch. Hermosillo 2 Mazatlan 1. Rice picked up his 5th save and has only given up 1 run in his last 10 appearances covering 11.1 innings. He's fanned 10 but walked 5. He's only given up 5 hits. His ERA dropped to (.073) and his batting average against is (.173). Rice has blown 1 save opportunity with that 1 run he surrendered back on the 1st of November

Rice is only 25 years old selected by the White Sox in the 11th round of the 2005 June draft. I really hate to see the Indians give up on him so easily.

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TOKYO, Nov. 10 (18:51) Kyodo

Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki said Thursday he will
use the posting system this offseason to move to the major leagues.

''My dream is not just to go over there to play, but it's to
perform strongly in the majors,'' the three-time Central League
batting champion said. ''I'm ready to play for whatever team needs
me, regardless of contract terms.''

The Swallows have accepted Aoki's request to be allowed to
pursue a career in the majors.

The two sides began talks Monday on the 29-year-old's major
league bid, a day after the Swallows' season came to an end with a
2-1, Game 5 loss to the Chunichi Dragons in the final stage of the
Climax Series.

Aoki, Yakult's fourth-round pick in the fall 2003 draft out of
Waseda University, is a career .329 hitter over eight seasons, all
with the Swallows.

In 2011, Aoki batted .292 with four home runs and 44 RBIs in 144
games, the first time in seven years he did not hit .300.

The only player in Japanese baseball history to have had two
200-hit seasons, Aoki plans to go through the necessary procedures
after the Japan Series ends next week.

The Indians have had a working relationship with the Swallows for many years now. A few years ago, Akinori Iwamura played for these same Swallows. When the posting system came and gone, I was disappointed that we didn't show that much of an interest in Iwamura. Aoki is a pretty good ballplayer. I've seen him play often during the World Baseball Classic games. Depending on how cheap he comes, he could be a nice addition to the Indians.

Cespedes, Choo, and Aoki in the outfield! Hmmmm! They might cost a few bucks but what the hell, it's only money. 2012 is supposed to be THE year, right?

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Yoshimi-Wada matchup key for Japan Series

FUKUOKA, Nov. 10 (22:52) Kyodo

Chunichi Dragons ace Kazuki Yoshimi wants to exorcise demons
from last fall when he takes the mound at the Japan Series getting
under way against the Softbank Hawks this weekend.

Yoshimi, the probable starter in Saturday's Game 1 who was an
18-game winner in the regular season, is looking to make amends for
his sub-par performance in the Dragons' 5-2 defeat against the Lotte
Marines in the opening game of last year's series.

By all indications, that should not be a problem for the
right-hander this time in a series featuring the champions of the
Central and Pacific leagues for the first time in two years.

This year, Yoshimi proved himself as the only stalwart from
Chunichi's vaunted pitching staff to post a win as his team finished
with a 1-3 record against the Hawks in interleague play this season.

In that game on June 16, Yoshimi allowed two runs and four hits
over seven innings in a 5-2 win and he holds a 3-0 lifetime record
with a 2.00 earned run average against the Pacific League champion.

''Last year was really disappointing. We faced a different
opponent but both the team and I want to make sure we win this one,''
Yoshimi said ahead of Saturday's matinee at Yahoo Dome. In 2010,
Chunichi lost the championship series four games to three.

Yoshimi, one of the most successful pitchers in the 2011 CL
season along with Tetsuya Utsumi of the Yomiuri Giants and registered
a league-best 1.65 ERA, won Game 1 of the Climax Series final stage.

He notched his second victory in the decisive Game 5, pitching
on three days' rest.

Outgoing manager Hiromitsu Ochiai is gunning to bring home the
championship trophy for the first time since achieving the feat
against the Nippon Ham Fighters in 2007.

Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, himself a 16-game winner this year,
will be itching for a fight against Yoshimi as the likely starter for
Softbank in Game 1. He got Softbank off to a turbo start in a 4-2 win
in Game 1 of the Climax Series final stage, leading the charge in a
three-game sweep of the Seibu Lions.

''Of course, the best thing is to grab the momentum in Game 1,''
said Wada, who went 2-0 with a sparkling 0.73 ERA against Chunichi in
interleague play this season. But the 30-year-old, who was a rookie
when Softbank beat the Hanshin Tigers in seven games in the 2003
Japan Series, is hoping to slam the door on Chunichi's No. 1 and 2
hitters.

''Interleague and the Japan Series are completely different. I
have to make sure I don't allow (leadoff man Masahiro) Araki-san and
(No. 2 hitter Hirokazu) Ibata-san to get on base,'' said Wada, who
went the distance in a 6-2 victory in Game 7 as the Hawks clinched
the title against the Tigers eight years ago.

''At that time I was the rookie, so I just went out there and
pitched the hardest I could as I was told. I want to hit them with
all I have gained over the last seven years,'' he said.

As for offense, Chunichi will be pinning its hopes on cleanup
hitter Tony Blanco to get hot during the best-of-seven series.

Blanco only hit a team-high 16 homers this season -- a career
low with Chunichi -- after being sidelined with a right hand injury
in early June and returning on Aug. 30.

But the Dominican slugger dropped six of those bombs at the end
of the season in October. He went just 4-for-19 (.211) with two RBIs
in five games of the Climax Series final stage but he sparked a
four-run first with a run-scoring double in Game 4.

What is more, Blanco is determined to go the extra mile for his
manager. ''He (Ochiai) taught me everything I know in my first year
(2009) in Japan. I want to win the championship for him,'' Blanco
said.

Although Blanco has just a .206 career average with one homer
and five RBIs in interleague play against the Hawks, those numbers
will not matter that much in a short series.

If anyone can wreak havoc against Chunichi's outstanding
pitching staff, PL batting champion Seiichi Uchikawa is the man to
beware of.

''We position players have to do our best to make our pitchers'
jobs easier,'' Uchikawa said.

The fact that Softbank had a 15-1 record with two ties this
season in games that Uchikawa drove in the opening runs should scare
the bejesus out of the Dragons. It is precisely that type of gritty
hitting that led the Hawks to their second straight pennant.

And in the final stage of the playoffs, Uchikawa drove in the
opening runs in Games 1 and 2 en route to being named the most
valuable player in the three-game sweep.

For Uchikawa and Co., cushioning the lead early on to nullify
the effect of Chunichi's two potential closers -- Hitoki Iwase and
Takuya Asao -- will be the key to victory. ''They have two good
closers that are very dangerous. Either one could come at us.''

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Baseball: Orix in hunt for S. Korean slugger Lee Dae Ho

OSAKA -

The Orix Buffaloes are pursuing South Korean first
baseman Lee Dae Ho, sources said Thursday.

Last year in South Korea, the Lotte Giants star homered in nine
consecutive games, a record unseen in Japanese baseball or the major
leagues. He also played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009
World Baseball Classic.

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Sanchez homers again in Tiburones' loss

Giants backstop extends hitting streak to nine games vs. Aguilas

Venezuelan Winter League

Zulia 10, La Guaira 8

San Francisco catching prospect Hector Sanchez smacked a three-run homer and former big leaguer Oscar Salazar went 3-for-5 with a homer, a double and four RBIs in the loss. Sanchez, who hit .285 with 12 homers and 84 RBIs between Triple-A Fresno and Class A Advanced San Jose this year, extended his hitting streak to nine games and raised his average to .418 in the losing effort.

Justin Henry (Tigers) went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and a walk and Juan Apodaca was 3-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored in the victory. Jose Pirela (Yankees) plated two runs and Darin Mastroianni (Blue Jays) reached base safely three times and scored twice for Zulia.
Hector Sanchez hit .258 with two doubles and an RBI in 13 Major League games this season. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

Aragua 7, Margarita 3

Former Major Leaguer Lastings Milledge went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs, outfielder Alex Romero slugged a two-run homer and scored three times and catcher Hector Gimenez added two RBIs as the Tigres used a four-run eighth inning to edge past the Bravos. Deunte Heath (White Sox) improved to 2-2 in the victory, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over seven innings. Max Ramirez, who played in the Cubs, Giants and Astros systems this year was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in a losing effort.

Anzoategui 6, Magallanes 0

Gorkys Hernandez (Pirates) went 3-for-4 out of the No. 9 spot, second baseman Alexi Amarista (Angels) was 3-for-5 and Eliezer Alfonzo (Rockies) and Mike Wilson (Mariners) each slugged solo homers as the Caribes routed the first-place Navegantes. Andrew Baldwin (3-0) scattered six hits and fanned five batters over seven frames, and Aguido Gonzalez (Reds) and Lester Oliveros (Twins) combined for a scoreless eighth. Former Cubs and A's prospect Jon Hunton worked a perfect ninth inning to seal the shutout. Jose Altuve (Astros) recorded two hits and raised his average to .381 in the loss.

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 1, Oriente 0

Former Major Leaguer Greg Smith (1-0) did not allow a hit over six frames and the bullpen carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. Smith, who last pitched in the big leagues with Colorado in 2010, struck out three batters. Tigers shortstop Audy Ciriaco collected two of Cibaenas' six base hits, while Juan Perez (Giants) drove home Francisco Pena (Mets) for what proved to be the game-winning run. Luis Jimenez (Dodgers) recorded the Estrellas' lone hit with a single off Mexican Leaguer Angel Castro to lead off the eighth. core

Mexican Pacific League

Hermosillo 2, Mazatlan 1

Former Major League backstop Humberto Cota smacked an RBI double to right field and Mexican Leaguer Dionys Cesar added a third-inning RBI single as the Naranjeros edged the Venados. Left-hander Marco Tovar (2-2) yielded two hits and a pair of walks while fanning six batters over 5 1/3 innings, Blake Parker (Cubs) struck out three of the five hitters he faced and Jason Rice -- who pitched in the Red Sox organization this season -- worked around a hit to pick up his fifth save of the year. Mexican Leaguer Pablo Ortega (1-5) went the distance for Mazatlan, surrendering two runs on six hits and a walk. He struck out five batters.

Obregon 6, Navojoa 2

Designated hitter Carlos Valencia was 3-for-4 and missed hitting for the cycle by a triple and Mexican Leaguer Barbaro Canizares homered for the eighth time this year as the Yaquis defeated the Mayos. Kip Wells, who last pitched in the Majors in 2009, surrendered two runs on five hits and two walks over five frames to earn his first victory in four starts. Navojoa second baseman Flavio Romero went 2-for-4 with an RBI, the only Mayos hitter to record a multi-hit game.

Culiacan 6, Mexicali 5

Shortstop Luis Cruz was 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored, first-base prospect Jorge Vazquez (Yankees) blasted his ninth homer of the winter and plated three runs and Amaury Cazana hit his first long ball and recorded two RBIs as the Tomateros came out on top in a battle of first-place teams. Geronimo Gil cracked a three-run homer in the eighth inning for Mexicali, but the rally fell short. Culiacan improved to 16-10 with the win, while Mexicali dropped to 15-11.

Mochis 12, Guasave 6

Alex Cintron blasted a three-run long ball and scored three times and Sandy Madera added a two-run shot as part of a 3-for-5 effort to lead the Caneros to a comfortable victory over the Algodoneros. Mexican League All-Star Ramon Orantes also added a three-run homer for Mochis, one of 17 hits collected in the triumph. Jose Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a homer, a double and two RBIs, while Luis Borges collected three hits and an RBI for Guasave.

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Venezuelan Winter League

•Rob Bryson (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 0 K. Bryson came into the game with a tie score at 3-3 in the top of the 8th inning. He struggled to throw strikes and had 2 walks which both ended up scoring and he was saddled with the loss.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 0-for-4, K, E. Carrera is still playing well in Venezuela hitting .308 in 10 games, but he already has 2 errors in the outfield.

The Indians have had a working relationship with the Swallows for many years now. A few years ago, Akinori Iwamura played for these same Swallows. When the posting system came and gone, I was disappointed that we didn't show that much of an interest in Iwamura

The Indians were the 2nd highest bidder in all of MLB for Iwamura.

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Espino appears on the scene

Venezuelan Winter League

The Panamanian readies his debut with La Guaira Sharks

Paolo Espino is leaving an 8-1 record in the minor leagues with Cleveland

Friday November 11, 2011 12:00 AM

Paolo Espino ran 12 pitches yesterday in the practice of La Guaira Sharks. "I usually do that the day before my opening. Is a way to maintain control of my post," he said.

The Panamanian was announced to open today's game at Aragua Tigers and is determined to prove his quality playing ball in Venezuela. "I am delighted to be here, the atmosphere is great and I know this is one of the more competitive winter leagues, because it has many experienced players. So I concentrated on training hard to be ready for the challenge," added.

[PAOLO TUNED UP WITH A FEW STARTS IN THE PANAMANIAN WINTER LEAGUE - DIDN'T DO THAT WELL]

Espino's record was 8-1 with an attractive 2.77 ERA in 120 innings splitting time between Double A and Triple A of the Cleveland Indians. "The plan is to maintain the level here in Venezuela and this will based upon attacking the strike zone. That's the only way to make good things happen," he said.

The right-hander opens against Aragua Tigers in Maracay. "I do not know much about them. Davalillo Marco's manager gave me several tips on how to address them, because I understand they have dangerous hitters in their lineup."

The noise that will sound from the striped feline fans in the stands will not mean major problem for Espino. "When I go to the mound I concentrate on what I'm doing without paying much attention to the fans, or what happens off the field."

The gunsmith will not have any limitations to fulfill in his new role. "I have no limitations of any kind. If all goes well I'll keep throwing," he said yesterday. Espino occupies the roster spot belonging to Jeff Baisley who was laid off.

The Indians were the 2nd highest bidder in all of MLB for Iwamura.

C'mon Rusty!

Tampa Bay was awarded the bid for Iwamura. The bid, closed/sealed bid, was 4.5 million dollars. The Indians may have come in second, but you can't tell me that was a concerted effort to win the bid.

If there was a player coming out today with Iwamura's credentials, that bid would easily be in the 20+ million dollar range. Since you know the Indians came in second, what was the amount of the bid? I'd like to know.