Cleveland Sports Forum

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Panama Winter League

Toru Murata (30) and Danny Salazar (28) are 1 and 2 respectively as strike out leaders in the Panamanian Winter Leagues.

Danny Salazar (1.73) leads the league in ERA while Toru Murata (3.05) is fifth.

With his 3 wins, Salazar is tied with six others for the most wins.

Danny Salazar seems like an awfully surprising addtion to the 40 man roster. Glad to see he's have a good winter.

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Venezuelan Winter League

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Panama

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Panama

Artillery support of 13 hits and the combined pitching of Toru Murata and Manuel Campos for Chiriqui and Veraguas Roneros shutout in seven innings 13 runs to 0 over the Coclé Caballos, the first of a doubleheader on Sunday that was played in Omar Torrijos Stadium. The victory of the Roneros who already qualified for the final of the League of Professional Baseball Panama was a blow to the aspirations of the Caballos that are located in third place. Murata (2-1) was credited with the win in five innings of work, which allowed four hits with one walk and a strikeout. The loss was to Ryan Dennick (1-3). The Roneros lead the regular round with a record of 24 wins and 9 losses. The Caballos are in third place with 12 wins and 20 defeats.

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Venezuela

Caracas .-

Caracas Lions managed to win number 17 of the season, beating Lara Cardinals 5-4 in the University Stadium. The Cardenales opened the scoring from the very first episode, thanks to solo homers to Luis Valbuena and Luis Jimenez taking a two-run momentary advantage over the lions. Caracas responded in the second inning. Leonardo Gil doubled to right with two men on, which allowed Caracas to tie the game. The rookie Jesus Aguilar unloaded his first homer in the Venezuelan League Professional Baseball for a 3-2 lions lead. Lara tied the game in the fifth chapter on a Johan Limonta sacrifice fly. Ramon Cabrera singled to center driving home a run and put the lions on top. In the sixth inning, Andron Chambers got his first hit of the game getting an RBI and giving Caracas a 5-3 lead. Lara scored their final run in the 8th inning making it a 5-4 game. The victory went to Jay Jackson (2-1), while Richard Castillo took the loss (3-2). Franklin Morales got his first save of the game.

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Francisco continues torrid hitting for Tigres

Reds third baseman delivers three hits to lift average over .330

Dominican Winter League

Licey 5, Escogido 2

Reds third baseman Juan Francisco collected three hits and drove in two runs for the Tigres. He delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning and raised his average to .331 in 31 games. Christian Marrero (White Sox) added two hits and scored twice, and Hector Noesi (Yankees) hurled five strong innings but did not factor in the decision for Licey. The 24-year-old right-hander yielded a run on five hits and did not walk a batter, lowering his ERA to 2.22 in seven starts.

Toros 5, Estrellas 2

Jose Constanza propelled the Toros with two hits, an RBI and a run scored, and fellow Braves prospect Jairo Asencio grabbed a share of the league lead with his eighth save. Toros starter Adalberto Mendez, a Minor League free agent who spent the 2011 season with Triple-A New Orleans (Marlins), gave up one hit and a walk over five shutout innings but did not get a decision.
Third baseman Juan Francisco hit .258 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 31 games for the Reds this season. (Al Behrman/AP)

Gigantes 9, Aguilas 5

Minor League free agent Luke Montz powered the Gigantes with a two-run homer, Nevin Ashley (Rays) added three hits and an RBI and Carlos Peguero (Mariners) drove in two runs and scored twice. Astros outfielder Brian Bogusevic went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer for the Aguilas.

Venezuelan Winter League

Caracas 5, Lara 4

Indians prospect Jesus Aguilar ripped a solo homer and Leonardo Gil (A's) drove in two runs as the Leones edged the Cardenales. Jay Jackson (Cubs) picked up the win in relief, and Red Sox lefty Franklin Morales notched his first save. Minor League free agent Luis Antonio Jimenez clubbed his league-leading ninth long ball for Lara.

Caribes 2, Aragua 1

Angles second base prospect Alexi Amarista and former Major Leaguer Niuman Romero each had solo homers for the Caribes, and Andrew Baldwin tossed seven strong innings for the win. The 29-year-old right-hander, who made 24 starts for Triple-A Rochester (Twins) in 2011, improved to 4-1 after giving up a run on six hits and two walks while striking out four.

La Guaira 6, Magallanes 5

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez clubbed a three-run homer and Minor League free agent Gregor Blanco added two RBIs as the first-place Tiburones topped the Navegantes. Rangers prospect Joey Butler and Mario Lisson (Royals) went deep for Magallanes.

Zulia 7, Margarita 3

Tigers prospect Justin Henry knocked in two runs and Freddy Galvis (Phillies) had two hits and scored twice for the Aguilas. Austin Bibens-Dirkx, a Minor League free agent who spent most of 2011 with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, won his third straight start after yielding two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 frames.

Mexican Pacific League

Hermosillo 16, Guasave 9

Mexican League veteran Ivan Terrazas belted a grand slam during a nine-run first inning as the Naranjeros rolled over the Algodoneros. Former Major Leaguer Erubiel Durazo finished 3-for-5 with a homer, two RBIs and three runs scored for first-place Hermosillo, while Guasave's Tony Thomas (Red Sox) went 3-for-3 with a homer and three runs scored.

Culiacan 8, Obregon 2

Emmanuel Valdez slugged a pair of solo homers and Luis Cruz crushed a grand slam as the Tomateros topped the Yaquis. Yankees Minor Leaguer Jorge Vazquez opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning for Culiacan.

Mazatlan 9, Los Mochis 4

Minor League veteran Jon Weber went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBIs, and outfielder Jose Orozco also homered and plated three runs for the Venados. Miguel Gonzalez (Red Sox), making his first start after 13 relief appearances, earned the win with five solid innings.

Navojoa 2, Mexicali 0

Javier Martinez and three relievers combined on a two-hitter as the Mayos blanked the Aguilas. Martinez, a former Padres farmhand, yielded one hit and four walks over six innings en route to his first win of the season. Esteban Haro pitched a perfect seventh, Miguel Ramirez gave up a hit in the eighth and Leonardo Gonzalez fanned two in a perfect ninth for the save. Wes Bankston, a former Major Leaguer, had three doubles and two RBIs for Navojoa.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Ponce 6, Mayaguez 4

Former Minor Leaguer Freddie Thon delivered a two-run pinch-hit single in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Leones over the Indios. Free agent catcher Robinson Cancel and outfielder John Rodriguez each ripped a solo homer for Ponce.

Caguas at Carolina (suspended)

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Puerto Rico Winter League

•Roberto Perez (C, Indios de Mayaguez): 1-for-4, 2 K. Perez made his debut on Sunday out in Puerto Rico. After a solid showing in the AFL where he hit .226/.382/.472 in 16 games he is putting in more work this offseason to get better at the plate.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Jesus Aguilar (DH, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-2, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB. It is VERY early and the offseason leagues do not typically raise or lower the stock of players, but you just have to like everything Aguilar has done this offseason in the AFL and so far in Venezuela.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-4, R, BB. Carrera continues to play every day and be the leadoff hitter for his Magallanes team. He has already piled up 105 at bats this fall, which is yet more experience and game action for him to get better in the field and at the plate.

•Rob Bryson (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K. After just one appearance in about three weeks it looks like whatever was ailing Bryson has subsided as he has now made 3 appearances in 6 days. He has struggled in 11 games this fall allowing 10 hits and 6 walks in 8.0 innings pitched.

Asdrubal Cabrera was not allowed to play

Written by Mark Grunfeld Leones , Venezuelan Professional Baseball League , News November 27, 2011

The Cleveland Indians refused in principle to extend the resource that allows the shortstop to play in his country with the Leones del Caracas but his agent, Jose Mijares, will travel to the winter meetings to convince management of the tribe to think about it.

Jose Mijares will take a plane next week to Dallas to manage the resource to allow Asdrubal Cabrera to play with the Leones del Caracas in December.

"I do not think there is any problem," he told the agent for the shortstop of Cleveland explaining the case to the general manager of the tribe in the winter meetings that start on the fifth day of next month. "Cabrera was training with the team and his debut should occur between eight and ten days (next month) if he gets permission."

Cabrera was refused permission initially, as he explained to the tribe's general manager Chris Antonetti in the Meridian Journal . "For us to reconsider our position, we will know", published journalist Efrain Ruiz in his article quoting the executive from the team of the American League.

The lions had appealed the entry of Guillermo Moscoso and Cabrera both on the list of extreme fatigue as stipulated in the agreement signed winter baseball teams with the casts of the circuits of the Caribbean. The instrument allows bilateral winter league teams requesting reconsideration of cases of extreme fatigue from November 15.

Upon motion, Luis Avila, president of the lions, had been optimistic about the participation of the Puerto La Cruz shortstop who was acquired last year in a transaction with Lara Cardinals. The lions then gave up Harvey Garcia and Mauricio Robles.

"I always had confidence that he would play but it is still not a certainty," said the executive.

Cabrera trained Tuesday and Wednesday at the Estadio Universitario to be physically in tune once the organization gives him the nod. But he returned to Puerto La Cruz with the idea definitely joining next Thursday.

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ESCOGIDO .-

Shortstop Starlin Castro received permission from the Chicago Cubs to play again here and start training today ...

Yesterday the Cleveland Indians also gave the "yes "to Carlos Santana but with the condition to be used as designated and is expected to be in uniform the first week of December.

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Carrera triples Navegantes' pleasure in win

Indians outfielder collects pair of three-baggers, plates two runs

Venezuelan Winter League

Magallanes 10, Caracas 4

Indians outfielder Ezequiel Carrera smacked a pair of triples and drove in two runs to lead the Navegantes.

Carrera led off the bottom of the first inning with his fourth triple for Magallanes. He scored three batters later on Nationals farmhand Jesus Flores' sacrifice fly. The following inning, the 24-year-old tripled home Rebel Ridling (Cubs) and Argenis Diaz (Tigers) to extend the club's lead to 3-0.
Ezequiel Carrera batted .243 with three triples and 10 stolen bases in 68 games for Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Carrera, who finished with three hits, leads the Venezuelan Winter League with five triples in 27 games. He smacked six in 150 regular-season games between Triple-A Columbus and Cleveland.

Bryan LaHair, the Pacific Coast League MVP, slugged a two-run homer for the Navegantes and Diaz plated a pair of runs. Phillies prospect Carlos Rivero reached base four times and scored twice for the Leones. Gameday box score

Dominican Winter League

Licey 3, Oriente 2 (11 innings)

Mets prospect Jordany Valdespin was 2-for-5 with an RBI and scored the winning run for the Tigres. Jhonatan Solano (Nationals) doubled and scored a run while Cardinals farmhand Victor Marte struck out one over a perfect inning of relief to earn his 10th save. Orioles outfielder Felix Pie slugged a solo homer, his fifth for the Estrellas.

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Dominican Republic Winter League

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrelles de Oriente): 1-for-4, K. Long time no see for the recent 40-man addition. Diaz had been MIA for almost 4 weeks as he had not played since November 2nd, but apparently a minor injury sidelined him. Hopefully the time off healed his bat as well since he is hitting just .133 in 11 games.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 3-for-5, R, 2 3B, 2 RBI, K, 2 SB, E. Carrera’s best game in Venezuela in some time as he ripped two triples and stole two bases, though he incurred his fourth error (throwing) this fall. His bat is heating up as he has multi-hit games in 3 of his last 4 games and in 4 of his last 6 games and is hitting .302/.362/.488 in his last 10 games

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The Dominican

Licey Tigers

Hector Noesi belonging to the New York Yankees, can only pitch 50 innings. He has a record of 3-1 with an era of (.222), 17 strikeouts, 6 walks, and an average against of (.268). He has accumulated 28.1 innings. I he is expected to pitch in the playoffs, he will have to slow down.

For the playoffs, Noesi, Ubaldo Jimenez, Ervin Santana, and Emil Rogers would be the projected rotation with Ramon Ortiz and Francisley Bueno in the mix.

That's quite a formidable rotation.

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Rick Sweet, "It was a difficult decision not to play Jesus Aguilar"

Sweet's decision is considered by some controversial

JOSÉ MANUEL FERNANDEZ

Monday November 28, 2011 10:16 PM

Valencia .-

The manager of the Lions of Caracas, Rick Sweet, made ​​a decision as controversial as it was complex: not to play their best bat at this time, Jesus Aguilar, in Monday night's game against the arch rivals, Magallanes Navigators. "It is impossible to have a lineup of 10 players, "said the strategist. We have Justin Ruggiano and Yorvit Torrealba, while Jesus Guzman returned after his day off. There was the possibility that Guzman might play at third base to make way for Aguilar, but Sweet dismissed the motion for now . "No. At the moment I do not see Guzman taking grounders at third base," confessed Sweet. "The defense is paramount to me," he concluded. Aguilar was instrumental in winning the last two games for the lions, both before the Lara Cardinals. Last Friday in Barquisimeto, Aguilar hit a double that cleared the bases in a 7-3 victory, and on Sunday hit a home run that paved the way for a 5-4 victory.

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Venezuela

The Margarita Bravos are mired in last place and in danger of missing out of the playoffs. As a result,
Enrique Tobias Carrero, vice president of team, fired manager Don Baylor and name Hensley Meulens, hitting coach, as their new manager.

"It was not an easy decision, because Baylor is a great professional, with great work ethic and discipline, but did not produce the expected results and although there is very little time to recover in order to make the playoffs, we can not give up," said the vice president.

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Norberto fans 10, ends Leones' slide

A's left-hander allows three hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 7, Gigantes 0

A's left-hander Jordan Norberto struck out 10 and allowed three hits over 5 1/3 innings as the Leones blanked the Gigantes to snap an eight-game losing streak. Mauro Gomez, who spent the season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, fell a triple shy of the cycle and drove in four runs for Escogido, which also got three hits and an RBI from A's catching prospect Josh Donaldson.

Toros 1, Licey 0

Rangers prospect Miguel De Los Santos, who went 5-0 in the Arizona Fall League, gave up three hits and fanned six over five innings to keep his ERA at 0.00 for the Toros. Braves farmhand Diory Hernandez lifted a sacrifice fly to produce the game's only run, while Mets prospect Jordany Valdespin had two of the five hits for Licey.
Jordan Norberto appeared in six games after the A's acquired him from the Diamondbacks on July 31. (Otto Greule Jr./Getty) Images

Aguilas 3, Estrellas 1

Rockies catching prospect Wilin Rosario hit his seventh homer, a solo shot, to power the Aguilas to their league-best 20th win. Former Phillies farmhand Shane Youman struck out seven over five solid innings to improve to 2-1, while Pirates newcomer Jake Fox drove in the lone run for the Estrellas.

Venezuelan Winter League

Lara 12, La Guaira 8

Oswaldo Navarro, who spent last season with the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, smacked a pinch grand slam as the Cardenales snapped a three-game losing streak. Marlins infielder Jose Lopez doubled twice and scored a pair of runs for Lara, while Major League veteran Oscar Salazar went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for La Guaira.

Aragua 5, Caribes 3

Mets newcomer Vinny Rottino had two hits, including a solo homer, and scored twice to lead the Tigres past the Caribes. Minor League veteran Yohan Pino struck out three in two innings of perfect relief to improve to 4-0, while Angels outfielder Jeremy Moore slugged a two-run shot in a losing cause.

Margarita 3, Zulia 2

Former Nationals farmhand Frank Diaz had two hits and an RBI to lead the Bravos to a come-from-behind win. Indians prospect Eric Berger struck out two in a hitless inning to get the victory, while Yankees Minor Leaguer Jose Pirela was 2-for-4 with a run scored to raise his average to .338 for Zulia.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 9, Ponce 5

Blue Jays catching prospect A.J. Jimenez doubled twice and drove in three runs as the first-place Criollos stormed back for their third straight victory. Former Major Leaguer Jorge Padilla went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored to lead a 16-hit attack for Caguas, which tallied seven times over the final two innings. Dodgers infielder Ivan De Jesus had two hits and two RBIs for Ponce.

Carolina 3, Mayaguez 2

Indians prospect Giovanni Soto struck out two over two innings of hitless relief, helping the Gigantes move into a third-place tie with the Indios. Hiram Bocachica had two hits, including a solo homer, while fellow big league veteran Alex Cintron went 2-for-2 with an RBI for Carolina. Dodgers prospect Ethan Martin walked five in five hitless innings in his fourth starts for Mayaguez.

Mexican Pacific League

Obregon 3, Hermosillo 2 (16 innings)

Former Major Leaguer Jeff Salazar doubled, singled, walked and scored a run to help the Yaquis outlasted the Naranjeros, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Jose Luis Sandoval came on as a defensive replacement in the 10th inning and collected two hits, including a walk-off single. Jose Amador reached base three times and scored a run for Hermosillo.

Culiacan 8, Mazatlan 0

Padres right-hander Matt Buschmann yielded three singles and struck out seven over seven innings to improve to 2-0 as the Tomateros won their third straight. Dodgers farmhand Luis Cruz homered, drove in three runs and scored twice for Culiacan, which got three hits and two RBIs from former Cardinals Minor Leaguer Amaury Cazana.

Guasave 13, Navojoa 5

Former Major Leaguer Daryle Ward went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in his debut for the Algodoñeros, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Japhet Amador homered, doubled and drove in five runs, while Eduardo Arredondo smacked a three-run blast for Guasave. Big league veteran Wes Bankston hit a two-run homer in a losing cause.

Mexicali 4, Los Mochis 3

Angels farmhand Gil Velazquez lifted a sacrifice fly to cap a two-run ninth inning as the Aguilas rallied past the Canñeros. Jorge Guzman went 2-for-3 and scored a run for Mexicali, which got five shutout innings from ex-Rockies Minor Leaguer Marco Duarte. Jesus Arredondo was 3-for-4 with an RBI for Los Mochis.

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Puerto Rico Winter League

•Giovanni Soto (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Soto is making up for lost time this fall after missing a big chunk of the regular season because of elbow soreness. He has been very impressive in 8 appearances this fall allowing just 1 run in 9.0 innings and has allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and has 9 strikeouts. For a young 20-year old kid like him, you can’t perform much better than that.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Eric Berger (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Berger made his Venezuela debut going a perfect inning of relief and got the win. He is expected to remain out in Venezuela until the league wraps up play, and could really use the extra time to get some extra innings in for more experience and also to refine his pitches.