Cleveland Sports Forum

Roki Sasaki already has spot in MLB Hall of Fame

by David Hill8 hours ago

Roki Sasaki may be a long way from coming stateside but that does not mean he does not already have a presence here.

Sasaki had already made Nippon Professional Baseball history. The Chiba Lotte Marines star became the youngest pitcher to fire a perfect game in league history, tying the league’s strikeout record in the process. His 19 strikeouts were the most even in a perfect game in professional baseball. It was a truly impressive performance.

Roki Sasaki making presence felt in Cooperstown
And that performance is being recognized stateside. An autographed game used ball from that outing is heading to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

This may not be the last item of Sasaki’s to be kept in Cooperstown. He followed that perfect game with eight perfect innings in his next start before being taken out of the game, leaving him tantalizingly close to matching Johnny Vender Meer by throwing consecutive no-hitters. Sasaki’s accomplishment would have been far more impressive had he been able to complete the perfect game.

While that perfect game garnered the most attention, Sasaki was a dominant force throughout much of the season. He posted a stellar 2.02 ERA and a 0.796 WHiP in his 129.1 innings, striking out 173 batters with just 23 walks. At 20 years old, he appears to be well on his way to stardom.

It will be some time before he comes to the majors. Sasaki would not be eligible for international free agency for another eight years. He could wait to ask to be posted until he has turned 25 so that he is not subject to signing bonus limitations. However, he is likely to be well worth the wait if he does decide to make that move. If it does happen, Sasaki could end up with quite a collection in Cooperstown.

Roki Sasaki is already making his presence felt in Cooperstown. An autographed gamed used ball from his perfect game is heading to the Hall of Fame.



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Roki Sasaki

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Munetaka Murakami

Roki Sasaki, Munetaka Murakami being counted on for WBC

by David Hill

The Japanese National Team is going to have plenty of firepower for the World Baseball Classic. And yet, they are going to be counting on two of their youngest players – Roki Sasaki and Munetaka Murakami.

As reported by the Kyoto News, Hideki Kuriyama, manager of the Japanese National Team, is expecting big things from his young stars. He said that “I don’t think we can win this kind of short championship tournament unless some youngsters step up and bring momentum to the team.” The pressure is clearly on for Sasaki and Murakami.

Roki Sasaki, Munetaka Murakami need to come up big in WBC
That is partly by design. Kuriyama has 15 players that had never been on the senior national team on the potential roster for the WBC. As Kuriyama said, this is a chance to see which players will grow into the role and how much they can develop.

For Murakami and Sasaki, it is a chance to further expand their stardom. Murikami has already set records, becoming the youngest Triple Crown winner in NPB history in 2022. Already an impressive power threat, he took his game to another level as he posted a stellar .318/.458/.711 batting line in his 612 plate appearances, hitting 56 homers and 21 doubles while driving in 134 runs and stealing 12 bases. He can make a tremendous difference in the middle of their lineup with just one swing of the bat.

Sasaki captured the imagination almost from the beginning of the season, firing a perfect game and following up with eight perfect innings in his next start. The 20 year old phenom ended the year with a 2.02 ERA and an absurd 0.796 WHiP in his 129.1 innings, striking out 173 batters with just 23 walks and only seven homers allowed. There is no question that he is already one of the best pitchers in Japan.

The WBC will also be a chance for MLB fans to get to see this young duo years before they may otherwise have the chance. It is a chance to see greatness as early as possible. And if Sasaki and Murikami perform to expectations, it could result in a WBC championship for Japan.

The Japanese National Team is looking to bring the WBC title back home. Roki Sasaki and Munetaka Murakami will be key to their hopes.

Baseball: Roki Sasaki's perfect game ball donated to Cooperstown

October 21, 2022 (Mainichi Japan)



Lotte Marines pitcher Roki Sasaki, right, is congratulated by rookie catcher Ko Matsukawa after throwing a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes on April 10, 2022, in a Pacific League baseball game at Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba, Japan. (Kyodo

HOUSTON (Kyodo) -- A game-used, autographed ball from Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki's perfect game has been donated to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, the museum said Thursday.

On April 10, the Lotte Marines right-hander became the youngest pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball history to throw a perfect game at 20, striking out a record-tying 19 batters, including 13 in a row, against the Orix Buffaloes.

In his next start a week later, Sasaki threw eight perfect innings before being replaced by a reliever at the start of the ninth.

Among its other items, the museum owns Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani's cap from his first major league career win on the mound in 2018 and a ball from the 2019 game when he became the first Japanese player in the majors to hit for the cycle.


HIGHLIGHTS OF ROKI SASAKI'S PERFECT GAME

https://youtu.be/u012F6kbJGA

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WORTH WHILE WATCHING POST GAME SHOW WITH ALL THE FACTS AND FIGURES

https://youtu.be/vXqNCChgI6g

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ROOKIE CATCHER KO MATSUKAWA STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL 18 YEARS OLD

ROKI SASAKI IS 20 YEARS OLD

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BRAYAN ROCCHIO


Tiburones bets on successful youth this campaign

October 20, 2022

The bigleaguer Maikel García, Juan Fernández, Brayan Rocchio and Ricardo Genovés will be his mainstays

When there is only one day left for the start of the 2022-2023 season, the Tiburones de La Guaira already have a first approach to face it with the main objective of changing the demotivating image they have had in the last 5 years and that motivates the support of the fan who longs to celebrate a title.

Part of the strategy of the new manager César Collins has been fulfilled, since several of the boys who have paid them and also come from very good campaigns in the United States. In addition, they also have several experienced.

They have a thriving new generation, led by Maikel García, the bigleaguer from La Sabana, along with Juan Fernández, Ricardo Genovés, Diego Infante and Brayan Rocchio. The team also has Jesús Guzmán, Junior Sosa, Danry Vásquez and locals like Samir Dueñez and Francisco Arcia. Perhaps the mixture is what contributes to the change.

In addition, they have 4 pitchers: 1 Colombian and 3 North Americans (1 left-handed); with good numbers that could give the support to the fragile element of the salty team in recent years, the pitching.

A great challenge will be faced by Henry Blanco and his team of coaches to try to reverse the past, at least he had an upturn with Bravos de Margarita, the first time he directed them.

the new guerilla

The new generation of stellar figures would be led by the 21st-ranked major leaguer from Guareña, Maikel García (22 years old), who comes from a very good campaign that took him to the big show with the Kansas City Royals. He saw action in 9 games and there, like in the minors, his stats were always hovering around .300.

In addition, the infielder, nephew of Kelvim Escobar and relative of Carlos "Café" Martínez, has performed in the 2 campaigns he has been with the sharks. His last LVBP season finished with .355/.410/.418/.828.

On the other hand, there is the catcher Ricardo Genovés. The 23-year-old from Caracas made his debut last season with the Salados and hit 4 home runs. This year, with the Giants' Triple-A Sacramento, he had 14 doubles, 1 triple and 10 home runs and finished slashing .233/.320/.349/.669.

Receiver Juan Fernández, who finished in Triple A with the San Diego Padres, joined the team since last Tuesday. The 23-year-old from Valencia started out in Double A and batted .271, while in the lead-up to the Major Leagues he had 11 hits in 25 at-bats for an average of .440. In the last harvest of the LVBP he finished with an average of .420.

And another that is counted on is Brayan Rocchio, a 21-year-old infielder from Caracas. In 2022, with the Cleveland Guardians organization, he started at Double-A and finished third base, one step behind the major team. With Columbus he had 21 doubles, 1 triple and 13 homers, to finish with a line of .265 / .349 / .432 / .780.

All this atmosphere allows the followers of the coastal team to see the future of the currency with a certain smile of satisfaction, but it is clear that theory is one thing and practice is another.
But the slogan is not lost: Sharks on top!/GG/yg

AARON BRACHO WANTS TO DEBUT WITH TIBURONES

07/27/2020

By Press Sharks of La Guaira | Diego Romario Gonzalez

Another important prospect of Tiburones de La Guaira makes public his desire to debut soon with the team: “There is nothing better than playing in your country and in front of your people. I am looking forward to debuting with Tiburones”, Aaron Bracho confessed to our press department.

He is a 19-year-old infielder and switch hitter who belongs to the Cleveland Indians organization in the United States. He has a season of experience in the Minor Leagues between the Arizona League and the New York-Penn League.

It is located in the seventh box of prospects in the list of the Indians according to the official portal of the MLB. He ranks right behind fellow Tiburones prospect Brayan Rocchio.

His skills with the wood and his defensive abilities at second base keep him in good standing in the organization. He was participating in the "Summer Camp" of Major League Baseball before the start of the season.

He was currently assigned to “alternate training”, and could receive a call to the big team for any need in the organization.

His Minor League experience was in 2019. He batted .296 with 6 home runs and 29 RBIs in 30 AZL games. That performance was rewarded with a promotion to Class A Short, in which he played only eight matches.

The native of Tigrito-Venezuela is currently training on his own, and although he was unable to carry out a work plan at first due to the current quarantine, he is already focused on the future: “I must continue working on my physique. I want to stay healthy and work hard on my mobility and quickness”, he closed him.

Bracho is part of a group of Tiburones prospects who are considered the new generation of the team for the next few years.

Tokyo Yakult Swallows star Munetaka Murakami scores a run in the first inning in Game 1 of the 2022 Japan Series on October 22 at Jingu Stadium. (ⒸSANKEI)

BASEBALL

Osuna, Shiomi Lead Yakult To Win Over Orix In Game 1 Of Japan Series

In a rematch of last year’s NPB championship series, the Swallows got clutch hitting and a solid start from Yasuhiro Ogawa.

By Jim Armstrong

Jose Osuna and Yasutaka Shiomi provided plenty of offense and starting pitcher Yasuhiro Ogawa went five strong innings as the defending champion Tokyo Yakult Swallows beat the Orix Buffaloes 5-3 in Game 1 of the Japan Series on Saturday, October 22.

Shiomi singled to left off Orix starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto and stole second in the bottom of the first inning at Jingu Stadium. Yamamoto walked Triple Crown winner Munetaka Murakami and that set the stage for Osuna’s first big hit.

The Venezuelan first baseman hit a grounder down the third base line for a double that plated Shiomi and Murakami for a 2-0 lead.

“Shiomi got on base and that set the table for Osuna to come through with a big clutch hit,” Yakult manager Shingo Takatsu said. “I told my players before the game we’ve come this far, now it’s time to reach the pinnacle.”

The Buffaloes came right back in the top of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Kotaro Kurebayashi singled to right to drive in a run and Ogawa then walked in the tying run.




Swallows teammates Yasutaka Shiomi and Jose Osuna slug solo home runs in the third and fourth inning, respectively

Shiomi hit a solo homer to left off Yamamoto in the third inning and Osuna connected for another solo shot in the fourth to make it 4-2.

The Buffaloes squandered a golden opportunity to get back in the game in the fifth inning. With one out, Yuma Mune was thrown out trying to steal second base.

Keita Nakagawa then hit a triple that was misplayed by Yakult right fielder Domingo Santana.

Ogawa walked Masataka Yoshida and hit Yutaro Sugimoto with a pitch to load the bases but Masahiro Nishino popped out to end the inning.


Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto faces a Swallows batter in the opening frame.

Early Exit for Yamamoto

Facing his first batter in the fifth, Yamamoto suddenly left the game during an at-bat by pinch hitter Patrick Kivlehan. It was later announced he had a cramp in his right side.

Orix fans will be hoping the 15-game winner is able to make his next start in the series if it goes beyond four games.


Swallows starter Yasuhiro Ogawa pitches in the first inning

Ogawa, who went 8-8 this season with a 2.82 ERA, wasn’t overpowering but was effective when he needed to be to pick up the win. He also got Mune to fly out with the bases loaded in the second inning.

He left the game after giving up two runs on six hits with three walks and one strikeout over five complete innings.

Yamamoto took the loss after giving up four runs on four hits over four-plus innings.


Orix's Takahiro Okada hammers a run-scoring single in the eighth inning

Pinch hitter Takahiro Okada drove in a run with a single to center in the top of the eighth to cut the lead to 4-3, but that was as close as Orix would get.

Swallows Add Insurance Run in Eighth

Murakami, who hit 56 homers in the regular season, connected off of Yoshihisa Hirano with a towering blast into the right-field stands in the eighth to make it 5-3.

Swallows closer Scott McGough, who notched 38 saves in the regular season, retired the side in the ninth for the save.

Game 2 is at Jingu on Sunday. After a day off on Monday, the series will resume at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on Tuesday.

BASEBALL

The voice of Play Ball! in four seats

Caracas, Valencia, Pto. La Cruz and Barquisimeto raise the curtain on the LVBP

VICTOR BOCCONE

22 OCTOBER, 2022

The best time of the year returns in Venezuela. Starting today, the morning gatherings of the fans will have a space for baseball and all this means that the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) will sing the voice of ¡Play Ball!.

Four stadiums will serve as the informative epicenter of the sport this afternoon, when Leones del Caracas receives the Águilas del Zulia in the Ciudad Universitaria park; José Bernardo Pérez from Valencia welcomes the current champions, Navegantes del Magallanes against Tiburones de La Guaira; the Antonio Herrera Gutiérrez de Barquisimeto is the scene of the Cardenales – Tigres and, finally, the Alfonso “Chico” Carrasquel de Puerto La Cruz lights up its stands with the first duel of Caribes de Anzoátegui against Bravos de Margarita.

skin-deep expectations

Certainly, the last years of professional baseball have been somewhat gray for the fans in general, without detracting from the last champions of the tournament.

The socio-economic situation of the country, in addition to the Covid-19 Pandemic, which hit the world in 2020 and is still wreaking havoc, took away that shine that the LVBP used to give to the public, to players, to managers, among others. in the world of the ball; however, a new air is felt around the No. 1 hobby of the ordinary citizen, so a season full of successes in terms of quality on the pitch and logistics is in sight.

baseball for everyone

One of the novelties that this 2022-2023 season of the LVBP will have, in honor of Domingo Álvarez, former manager of the League, is that all his games will be televised; something that many claimed for many years.

Channels, IVC; SimpleTv; Televen, TLT, ByM Sports (Inter) and Meridiano Televisión, in addition to the Beisbol Play streaming platform, will offer each fan the possibility of choosing the game of their choice and thus enjoy it at home.

In addition, the recent approval from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), will give Magallanes and Tigres, in addition to the rest of the teams, the possibility of having big league talent in their squads and in that sense, fans will be able to see their idols live and direct on the field.

Similarly, the calendar increased for this contest with 56 games for each team, in addition to the return of the Round Robin in the postseason and the novelty of the Wild Card game between the 5th and 6th classified, at the end of the regular round.

Say no more… Let the ball party begin!

Jose Tena (SS, Estrellas): 1-4, BB, K, SB – Tena’s numbers don’t look great through six games but he’s hanging in there in a league where he’s almost seven years younger then the rest of his competition.

George Valera (RF, Estrellas): 0-4 – Valera is struggling a lot more than Tena despite being about the same age below the competition in the Dominican. He’s 1-21 so far and you wonder how long he’ll be starting for his club. He was already dropped in the order.

Trenton Brooks (1B, Licey): 0-3 – Brooks has been off to a good start in the Dominican but this wasn’t one of his best days at the plate.

JOSE RAMIREZ



JOSE TENA

Jose Tena (SS, Estrellas): 1-4, BB, K, SB – At 21, Tena’s numbers don’t look great through six games but he’s hanging in there in a league where he’s almost seven years younger then the rest of his competition.

Reminds me of another Cleveland youngster who was 19 years old at the time. Jose Ramirez was also a guy that hung tough in a league where he’s seven years younger then the rest of his competition.

35G 44-141 5 DBL 1 TPL 22 RBI 10 SB 18 W 23 KBA .312 OBP 389 SLG 362 OPS 751
35G 191 CHANCES 2 ERRORS FLG % .990

Jose Ramirez's performance for the Toros gave him the opportunity to be a reinforcement for the Leones Escogido team for the league championship Series.

Escogido won the series and moved on to the Series de Caribe. They missed on on the championship by a one game. Mexico won the series that year (2013)

Ramirez played very well during that championship series earning him an all-star nomination at second base.

All-Star Team

C: Francisco Peña, Escogido (.176/.176/.529, 2 HR)
1B: Donell Linares, Escogido (.259/.323/.370)
2B: José Ramírez, Escogido (.226/.385/.387)
SS: Miguel Tejada, Escogido (.300/.405/.533, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
3B: Mario Lissón, Magallanes (.261/.261/.522, 2 HR)
OF: Marlon Byrd, Obregón (.222/.313/.370, 4 2B, 6 RBI)
OF: Ricardo Nanita, Escogido (.276/.364/.414, 6 R, 7 RBI)
OF: Doug Clark, Obregón (.393/.414/.500)
DH: Bárbaro Cañizares, Obregón (.318/.483/.591, 6 RBI)
RHP: Luis Mendoza, Obregón (2-0, 0 R, 5 H, 12 K in 13 1/3 IP)
LHP: Efrain Nieves, Caguas (1-0, 1.50)
Middle Reliever: David Reyes, Obregón (1 H, 7 K, 0 R in 5 1/3 IP)
Closer: Saul Rivera, Caguas (0 R, 5 K in 3 IP, 2 Sv)
Manager: Audo Vicente, Escogido

7G 7-31 R 5 DBL 2 HR 1 RBI 4 SB 2 W 8 K 8 BA 226 OBP 385 SLG 387 OPS 772
SECOND: G 6 INN 56 CHANCES 26 ERR 3 FLG % 865
SHORT: G 2 INN 19 CHANCES 7 ERR 1 FLD % 857

Game 1 Magallenes 2 Escogido 7

Fernando Valenzuela (who would be one of six new inductees into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame two days later) threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Navegantes got out to a quick start, as 2B Reegie Carona took Ángel Castro's second pitch of the game deep for a homer. In the fourth, they made it 2-0 on a double by 2B Cesar Suarez, a ground-out and a single by 1B Jose Castillo. Those would be the only three hits Castro and two relievers would allow though, as they finished with a 9-strikeout, three-hit gem.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Leones began to come back against Sergio Perez. With one away, LF Ricardo Nanita singled and SS Miguel Tejada drew a walk. After a wild pitch, 1B Donell Linares hit a sacrifice fly. In the 5th, they took the lead for good. 3B Fernando Tatis singled, then #9 hitter and C Francisco Pena cracked a 2-run homer. 2B José Ramírez walked. Perez was yanked in favor of Yeiper Castillo. Ramírez stole second, then DH Hanley Ramírez singled. Nanita followed with a RBI single (one of three hits for the day) and Tejada added a sacrifice fly to cap a four-run inning.

Game 3 Escogido 6 Caguas 2

For four innings, Escogido's Edward Valdez and Caguas's Giancarlo Alvarado traded goose eggs. In the top of the 5th, 3B Luis Jimenez hit a one-out double off Alvarado. Following a passed ball by C Johnny Monell Jr. and an out, C Alberto Rosario hit into an error by Caguas SS Luis Mateo to make it 1-0.

In the bottom of the 5th, the Criollos took their only lead. DH Aaron Bates doubled off Valdez, then Monell avenged his earlier defensive miscue with a two-run jack off Valdez. The Escogido bullpen excelled, though, with Ramon Garcia, Jailen Peguero, Armando Rodriguez and Fernando Rodney combining to allow one hit and fan six batters in 4 1/3 shutout innings.

2B José Ramírez led off the 6th with a walk from Alvarado. After another Monell passed ball and an out, Cole McCurry relieved but served up a game-tying double to LF Ricardo Nanita. In the 7th, the Leones went ahead. RF Jordany Valdespin led off with a double off Jose de la Torre. With two outs, de la Torre tried to pick off Valdespin, but made an error, sending him to third. De la Torre continued to blow it himself by throwing a wild pitch to put the Leones ahead, 3-2.

In the 8th, Escogido added some insurance. DH Hanley Ramírez drew a walk from Rob Bryson and stole second. After an out by Nanita, SS Miguel Tejada walked as well. 1B Donell Linares then came through with a three-run homer to put it away.

Game 6 Obregon 5 Escogido 6

The Dominicans had their closest scare yet, but beat the host country in extra innings to remain unbeaten at the midway point.

Escogido got on the board first. In the bottom of the second, Edgar González plunked LF Ricardo Nanita, then SS Miguel Tejada hit his 14th Caribbean Series home run, extending his record, to make it 2-0. 3B Oscar Robles led off the next inning with a walk from Lorenzo Barcelo, then C Jose Felix singled. CF Chris Roberson laid down a sacrifice bunt, then SS Alfredo Amezaga singled in Robles.

In the fourth, Obregón took the lead. 1B Jesse Gutierrez and DH Bárbaro Cañizares hit back-to-back doubles to make it 2-2. RF Marlon Byrd singled in Cañizares for a 3-2 edge. 2B Carlos Valencia bunted Byrd over. Robles then singled to center, but Byrd was thrown out trying to score as well. Willy Lebrón replaced Barcelo in the 5th but could not stop the bleeding. Roberson led off with a double and Amezaga singled to put men on the corners. A wild pitch advanced Amezaga, then LF Doug Clark struck out. Gutierrez hit a sacrifice fly for a 4-2 edge. Cañizares drew a walk. Armando Rodriguez relieved Lebrón and walked Byrd, but Valencia flew out to end the threat.

The Dominican club stormed back in the bottom of the fifth against González, aided by poor Obregón defense. With one out, C Francisco Pena grounded into an error by Amezaga. 2B José Ramírez singled, as did RF Jordany Valdespin hit a RBI single to close it to 4-3. DH Hanley Ramírez doubled home both José Ramírez and Valdespin for a 5-4 edge. Escogido loaded the bases with two away with two out in the 7th but 1B Donell Linares flew out against Jose Cobos.

The Yaquis came back in the 9th. Roberson led off with a single off closer Fernando Rodney, stole second and took third on a wild pitch, but was thrown out trying to score on a grounder by Amezaga. It was the Yaquis' second runner thrown out at home that inning. Clark singled and stole second, then Gutierrez whiffed for out number two. Cañizares walked again, then Pena committed a passed ball to let Clark the tying run.

In the bottom of the 9th, Hanley Ramírez drew a two-out walk from Luis Ayala and stole second, but was stranded when cleanup hitter Nanita flew out. In the top of the 11th, Gutierrez hit a two-out double off Nelson Payano, the 9th Dominican hurler, but Cañizares flew out. In the bottom of that inning, PH Julio Lugo hit a one-out single off Ayala and José Ramírez singled him to third. Valdespin was intentionally walked to load the bases. Hanley Ramírez grounded to Robles, who threw home to get Lugo. Called on again in the clutch, Nanita did the job of the cleanup batter, singling in José Ramírez with the winner.

Game 7 Caguas 6 Escogido 4

The only winless team remaining stunned the only unbeaten team, as Puerto Rico downed the Dominican Republic in extra innings. Caguas took advantage of wildness by Escogido starter Dustin Richardson in the second inning. 1B Carlos Rivera led off with a single, the first of his three hits that day. One out later, DH Johnny Monell Jr. drew a walk (he would reach all five times today). CF Jorge Padilla was plunked to load the bases. RF Edgardo Baez drew a walk from Richardson to score Rivera. After SS Luis Mateo popped out, LF Jesús Feliciano drew Richardson's third walk of the inning, forcing in a second run.

In the bottom of the third, CF Abraham Almonte singled off Michael Nix. Two outs later, RF Jordany Valdespin cracked a two-run homer to even the score. The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the sixth, with Puerto Rico stranding the bases loaded in the top of the sixth when 2B Rey Navarro flew out. In the bottom of the sixth, Jose de la Torre relieved Nix. With one out, he walked LF Ricardo Nanita. 3B Miguel Tejada singled, then de la Torre hit 1B Donell Linares. A sacrifice fly by DH Julio Lugo made it 3-2 Escogido.

In the 7th, the Leones added some insurance, when C Alberto Rosario, the #9 hitter, took reliever Cole McCurry deep. In the top of the 8th, though, Caguas came back against Tony Pena Jr., the fifth Escogido hurler. With two outs, Mateo singled. Feliciano hit into an error by SS Hanley Ramírez. Navarro then came through with a two-run single to tie the score. In the bottom of the 8th, Escogido drew two walks but Lugo and Almonte were retired.

Caguas had a good chance in the top of the 10th against Nelson Payano. Rivera singled and Miguel Abreu pinch-ran for him. With one out, Monell walked, then Abreu stole third. Payano recovered to strike out the next batter, then Jailen Peguero relieved and fanned Baez to end the inning. In the bottom of the 9th, Rosario led off with a single against Eddy Ramos but got no further.

In the top of the tenth, Feliciano hit a one-out single against Peguero and Navarro followed with a game-winning home run, giving him four RBI in two at-bats after a 1-for-10 start to the Series. In the bottom of the 10th, Saul Rivera breezed through the heart of the Escogido order, striking out Hanley Ramírez and Nanita, then retiring Tejada on a grounder.

Game 10 Escogido 11 Obregon 6

The Leones del Escogido would have clinched the title under the old format; instead, they clinched a spot in the finals with the other three teams all in the mix at 2-3. They did it with a back-and-forth first third of the game, a mid-game fade and a late rally.

In the top of the first, RF Jordany Valdespin doubled off Marco Carrillo. After a strikeout by DH Hanley Ramírez, LF Ricardo Nanita singled in Valdespin for a 1-0 lead. Mexico quickly tied it in the bottom of the inning on a solo leadoff homer by CF Chris Roberson off Alfredo Figaro. In the top of the third, Ramírez had a two-out single and scored from first on a single by Nanita. SS Miguel Tejada continued to pad his Series home run record with a 2-run shot to put the Dominicans in front, 4-1. After another hit, David Reyes relieved Carrillo and blanked the Leones for 4 1/3 innings, with one hit, no walks and seven whiffs.

The Escogido lead was short-lived. In the bottom of the third, SS Alfredo Amezaga hit into a one-out error by Tejada. After a balk by Figaro, LF Doug Clark singled in Amezaga, one of 3 hits on the game for Clark. 1B Jesse Gutierrez hit into a miscue by 2B José Ramírez. RF Marlon Byrd flew out, but 38-year-old DH Bárbaro Cañizares came through with a two-run double to tie it.

The Yaquis gave the capacity crowd something to cheer about in the bottom of the fourth. With one away, 3B Agustín Murillo singled and advanced on a wild pitch. Roberson struck out, but SS Alfredo Amezaga tripled for a 5-4 edge. He then came home on a single by Clark. That was it for Figaro, which was bad news for the Mexican hitters feasting on him. Willy Lebrón, Jhonny Nunez and Fernando Rodney combined for 5 1/3 shutout innings of relief, with one hit, two walks and six strikeouts.

In the top of the 8th, Adrian Ramirez replaced Reyes and allowed a single to Valdespin. Oscar Villarreal relieved and started on a strong note, fanning #3 batter Hanley Ramírez and cleanup hitter Nanita. Tejada singled in Valdespin to close it to 6-5. 1B Donell Linares drew a walk from Villarreal to force in a run and tie the game. 3B Luis Jimenez walked as well to put Escogido ahead. Luis Ayala was the next reliever the Yaquis tried; CF Abraham Almonte greeted him with a two-run single to RF. PH Julio Lugo singled, then leadoff man José Ramírez cracked a 3-run homer to finish the 7-run inning.



JOSE RAMIREZ HOMERS



Game 11 Escogido 4 Magallanes 2

The Navegantes lost a shot in the finals by falling to Escogido in a well-fought game. Escogido only took the field a few minutes before the game, as they complained about broken promises by team management over finances. Venezuela got on the board in the bottom of the third against Carlos Pimentel thanks to bad defense. LF Cesar Suarez hit into a two-base throwing error by SS José Ramírez. Suarez then stole third and scored on a throwing error on the play by C Alberto Rosario. In the top of the 4th, the Leones tied it when 2B Julio Lugo hit a two-out solo shot off Sergio Perez, the only run Perez would allow.

Magallanes went back ahead in the bottom of the 5th versus reliever Lorenzo Barcelo. With two out, SS Renny Osuna tripled, then came home on a single by Suarez. Escogido tied it again in the 7th. Rosario singled off Gabriel Alfaro; with two outs, DH Hanley Ramírez singled to third and an error on the play by 3B Luis Nunez led Rosario score. The game was still 2-2 going into the 9th, when each team turned to one of the Mexican League's top two in saves for 2012: Victor Moreno for Magallanes and Jailen Peguero for Escogido. Moreno walked RF Jordany Valdespin wit hone out and struck out Hanley Ramírez. Marcos Tabata then came in to pitch and served up a two-run, game-losing gopher ball to backup 1B Francisco Pena. Peguero, on the other hand, allowed only a Luis Landaeta single in the bottom of the 9th to save it.

Game 13 Obregon 4 Escogido 3 In 18 Innings

The finale was one for the ages, setting Caribbean Series records for pitchers used (21) and duration (7 hours, 28 minutes) while tying the record for innings (18) set in 2007.

Escogido got their only run in 7 2/3 innings off Mexican starter Rodrigo López in the third on a leadoff double by CF Abraham Almonte, a botched pick-off by López and a one-out grounder by 2B José Ramírez. Leones starter Angel Castro shut out the home country for four innings, but Mexico rallied in the 5th to take the lead. 1B Bárbaro Cañizares doubled and was bunted over by DH Karim García. Castro walked 2B Oscar Robles, then 3B Agustín Murillo grounded in Cañizares. C Jose Felix hit one to RF Jordany Valdespin, but Valdespin made a crucial error, scoring Robles to make it 2-1. Those would be the only two runs in 7 2/3 innings by Castro, who gave up just two hits.

In the top of the 9th, the Yaquis had their best chance for insurance, but failed to come through, while Escogido burned through four relievers. The inning began with Ramon Garcia walking LF Doug Clark. Jhonny Nunez relieved and RF Marlon Byrd laid down a sacrifice bunt. Cañizares was intentionally walked. A fly-out by Karim García advanced Clark to third. Nelson Payano was summoned from the bullpen and hit 1B Jesse Gutierrez. Audo Vicente turned to Fernando Rodney as his fourth hurler of the frame and Rodney got Mruillo on an inning-ending grounder. In the bottom of the 9th, Luis Ayala was summoned to close it up but gave up a leadoff homer to LF Ricardo Nanita to even the score.

In the bottom of the 10th, Escogido got a quick start on hits by C Alberto Rosario (off Ayala) and José Ramírez (off Adrian Ramirez) but Valdespin bunted into an out at third. Oscar Villarreal retired DH Hanley Ramírez (1 for 8 on the day) and Dennys Reyes came in to get Nanita to end the threat.

The Yaquis took the lead again in the top of the 14th, when Karim García homered off Jailen Peguero, the 7th Escogido hurler. In the bottom of the inning, the Leones evened it back up against the 10th Mexican pitcher, Edgar González. José Ramírez and Valdespin drew back-to-back walks. Hanley Ramírez hit into a force at third, then Nanita grounded into a force at second. SS Miguel Tejada singled to right to score Valdespin, then 1B Donell Linares whiffed to end the inning.

In the top of the 18th, Clark homered off Edward Valdez, the 10th Dominican hurler, his shot just clearing the right-field fence, for what would be the Series-winning blow. Obregón then turned to Marco Carrillo to seal the deal, having already tossed three shutout innings from the 15th to the 17th. He retired both Hanley Ramírez and Nanita, but Caribbean Series legend Tejada singled to keep the Escogido hopes alive. With an 0-1 count, Linares then flew to Byrd to end the game and the Series.

Obregón won the finale despite a combined 0-for-21 effort from CF Chris Roberson, SS Alfredo Amezaga (the 1-2 batters) and C Felix.

Orix Buffaloes players greet each other after Game 2 of the Japan Series ended in a 2-2 tie on October 23 at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo

BASEBALL

Swallows, Buffaloes Play To A 3-3 Tie In Game 2 Of Japan Series

Yakult's Souma Uchiyama slugged a game-tying, three-run homer in the ninth inning, but neither team scored again and the game ended after 12 innings.

SportsLook, JAPAN

ByJim Armstrong

Pinch hitter Souma Uchiyama hit a three-run home run to left in the bottom of the ninth inning and the defending champion Tokyo Yakult Swallows played to a 3-3 tie after 12 innings with the Pacific League champion Orix Buffaloes in Game 2 of the Japan Series.

The game, which started at 6:04 PM, ended at 11:07 on Sunday, October 23 at Jingu Stadium.

Under the rules of the best-of-seven Japan Series, the game ends in a tie if no winner is determined after 12 innings.

It was the first Japan Series tie since Game 1 in 2018, when the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Yomiuri Giants played to a 2-2 tie.


Yakult's Souma Uchiyama belts a three-run home run in the ninth

Both teams had opportunities to win it in extra innings but couldn’t break the deadlock and the series now heads to Kyocera Dome in Osaka for Game 3 on Tuesday, starting at 6:30 PM, with Yakult having secured one win and a tie.

After the game, Buffaloes manager Satoshi Nakajima reflected on the 412-pitch game, which included eight pitchers per team, and little offense to show for it.

"The pitchers over there are also good," Nakajima was quoted as saying by Sports Hochi.

"I think it will be difficult to beat them, but I think it will be necessary for both of us to figure out how to score a run," he added.

Swallows Rally in Ninth

The Buffaloes got strong performances from four pitchers, including starter Sachiya Yamasaki (who worked four innings), and held a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. But Orix reliever Shota Abe loaded the bases and then surrendered the game-tying three run homer on a 2-2 pitch to Uchiyama, who is 20.


Orix reliever Shota Abe reacts after giving up a game-tying homer to Souma Uchiyama in the ninth inning

"The moment I hit it, the feeling was great, so I thought, 'Go,' and 'Please reach the stands,' " Uchiyama said, referring to the batted ball, according to Hochi Sports.

Uchiyama became the fifth player to homer in his first Japan Series at-bat.

Abe gave up a double to pinch hitter Takeshi Miyamoto and then walked Yasutaka Shiomi. That set the stage for Uchiyama’s dramatic home run that just cleared the wall in left field and touched off wild celebrations among a capacity crowd of 29,410 at Jingu Stadium that previously had little to cheer about.

The Buffaloes took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third.


Orix pitcher Sachiya Yamasaki hits a run-scoring single in the third inning

With Kotaro Kurebayashi on third base, Yamasaki helped his own cause when he drove in a run on a single to right past the outstretched glove of Yakult second baseman Tetsuto Yamada.

Ryoichi Adachi, who didn’t play in Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the defending champions, singled to right, allowing Yamasaki to reach second.

Yuma Mune then hit a single to right that was bobbled by Yakult right fielder Domingo Santana, enabling Yamasaki to score from second.

Buffaloes Extend Advantage in Fifth

Orix widened its lead to 3-0 in the top of the fifth when Yutaro Sugimoto hit a slow roller to third. Munetaka Murakami charged the ball but didn’t have a play at first and Adachi scurried home from third.

Yamasaki left the game after striking out five Yakult batters on four hits over four scoreless innings.

He was followed by Soichiro Yamazaki, Yuki Udagawa and Jacob Waguespack, who all held Yakult scoreless before Abe took the mound in the ninth.



Cy Sneed started for Yakult and gave up one run on four hits over four innings while striking out four.

In the bottom of the second, Jose Osuna hit a leadoff single and then tagged up on a deep fly to right after Sugimoto made a spectacular leaping catch up against the wall.


Buffaloes right fielder Yutaro Sugimoto catches Yuhei Nakamura's fly ball in the second inning

It was a heads-up play by Osuna to advance to second but the Swallows couldn’t get the run in.

Jaison Chorio (RF, Aguilas): 0-1 – Chourio made his Dominican debut as a defensive replacement and grounded out in his only at bat. He’s playing on the same winter league club as his brother, Brewers wunderkind prospect Jackson Chourio. Jaison is just 17.

Alexfri Planez (CF, Leones): 0-3, BB – Planez also made his debut and did work a rare walk for him despite no hits. He didn’t strike out, at least.

José Tena (SS, Estrellas)1-4, double, two rbi.

Alexfri Planez (Caracas, backup CF): no plate appearances – Planez remains hitless in the nascent Venezuelan campaign as he didn’t come to the plate after entering as a defensive replacement to start the eighth.

Micael Ramirez (La Guaira, PH): 0-1 – Ramirez grounded into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play as a pinch hitter in the top of the sixth before being replaced defensively to start the bottom of the frame.

Jose Tena (Estrellas, SS); 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 CS – Tena, the only Guardian to play an entire game on Sunday, extended his hitting streak to seven games (of eight total games played) with his second two-hot game of the Dominican season.

Lidom

ORIENTAL STARS

The Stars defeat the Giants 10-3 and are left alone in third place

Luke Williams and José Tena combined for five RBIs and the relievers left the Cibaeños with one hit

By CARLOS SANCHEZ

Santo Domingo. The Eastern Stars recovered from a defeat the day before by beating the Cibao Giants this Saturday 10-3 at the Tetelo Vargas Stadium in San Pedro de Macorís.

A five-run rally in the seventh, led by two RBIs from Luke Williams, clinched the game for the Stars. Williams drove in three runs and José Tena drove in another two, in the third, to lead the green offensive.

The victory was a tiebreaker for third place between these two teams. Gigantes (3-4) and Estrellas (4-3) were tied at 3-3 in the standings.


José Tena, of the Estrellas Orientales, drove in two runs with a double in the third episode against the starter of the Cibao Giants, Pedro Fernández on the night of Saturday, October 22, 2022 at the Julián Javier Stadium. (Photo/Alberto Calvo)

The Estrellas pitching, led by Phillips Valdez, contained the Giants' offense, which on Friday had whitewashed the Leones del Esgido (3-0), while the eastern team lost 5-4 to the Águilas Cibaeñas in 10 innings.

The match was won by Dayeison Arias (1-0,0.00) and Pedro Fernández lost (1-1,4.15). Eastern pitching allowed just six hits, with a dominant reliever only allowing one of those hits. Arias threw a perfect sixth with a strikeout.

The two runs allowed by Raffy Vizcaino, who relieved Valdez in the fifth, were unearned.

Brayan Rocchio joins the salados in the 2022-2023 season

LVBP: Tiburones de La Guaira presents these changes in its weekly roster

The Tiburones de La Guaira points to a week of triumphs and for the games that begin this Tuesday they made a series of interesting movements in their roster. Those led by Henry Blanco come from winning a game and losing another on the opening weekend.

Seeking to have as much depth as possible, the salty team changed parts to face the second week of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) championship . Among those adjustments stand out the prospect Brayan Rocchio, and the North Americans Mike Kickham and Sam Bordner.

They enter the guairista roster

Brayan Rocchio (IF)
Lorenzo Cedrola (OF)
Mike Kickham (LHP)
Sam Bordner (RB)
Manuel Olivares (RB)
Anthony Escobar (RB)
Ramon Garcia Jr. (RB)
Juan Fernandez (C)

They leave the roster

Johan Belisario (RB)
Luis Guzman (LZ)
Alejandro Lugo (RB)
Dennis Ortega (C)
Samir Dueñez (IF)
Michael Ramirez (C)
Leobaldo Cabrera (OF)
Angel Medina (OF)

okyo Yakult Swallows infielder Tetsuto Yamada smacks a three-run home run in the fifth inning against the Orix Buffaloes in Game 3 of the Japan Series on October 23 at Kyocera Dome

BASEBALL

Tetsuto Yamada Ends Slump And Leads Yakult Past Orix 7-1 In Game 3 Of Japan Series

The veteran infielder was hitless in NPB's championship series heading into Tuesday's game, but came up big to give the Swallows a huge boost.

By Jim Armstrong
Sports Look

Tetsuto Yamada broke out of a slump with a three-run homer on Tuesday, October 25 to lead the Tokyo Yakult Swallows to a 7-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes and to within two wins of repeating as Japan Series champions.

Yakult won the first game 5-3 before the two teams played to a 3-3 tie in Game 2. The defending champion Swallows could wrap up the title with wins in Games 4 and 5 at Kyocera Dome on Wednesday and Thursday in Osaka.

Yamada went hitless in the first two games of the series, including four strikeouts in four at-bats in Game 1. Batting leadoff instead of third as he had in the first two games of the series, Yamada finally broke out of his slump with an infield single in the third inning. Then he smacked a home run in the top of the fifth off Orix starter Hiroya Miyagi that just cleared the wall in left field.


Tetsuto Yamada participates in the post-game hero interview

"I'm happy to finally contribute," Yamada said of his three-run blast. "It was a fastball inside and I got a good swing on it. We've still got to win two games so I'll do my best."

It's hard to hold a player of Yamada's caliber down for long. The 30-year-old native of Hyogo Prefecture is a seven-time NPB All-Star and was a Central League MVP in 2015.

Swallows manager Shingo Takatsu was not surprised that Yamada broke out of his slump in Game 3.

"He's a player who feels a great sense of responsibility so I know he was happy to come through after going hitless," Takatsu said. "It was exactly the type of performance we've come to expect from him."


Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami strokes a two-run double in the ninth

Swallows Tack on Three Runs in Ninth

Triple Crown winner Munetaka Murakami put the game out of reach on a double in the top of the ninth that drove in two runs and gave the Swallows an insurmountable 6-0 lead.

Game 1 hero Jose Osuna then got into the act with a single to center that scored Murakami from third to make it 7-0.

Masahiro Nishino drove in a run for Orix in the bottom of the ninth but it was too little, too late for the Pacific League champions, who are trying to avoid a repeat of last year's Japan Series when they lost 4-2 to Yakult.


Buffaloes starter Hiroya Miyagi


Swallows starter Keiji Takahash

Scoreless Until the Fifth Inning

The game started out as a classic pitcher's duel between two lefties: Yakult starter Keiji Takahashi and Miyagi.

There wasn't a scoring chance until the bottom of the fourth when Orix had runners on second and third with one out.

But Takahashi struck out Keita Nakagawa and Yutaro Sugimoto to end the threat.

Yakult catcher Yuhei Nakamura and Domingo Santana had back-to-back singles to start the fifth. Miyagi retired Patrick Kivlehan and Hideki Nagaoka but couldn't get Yamada, who was mobbed by his teammates in the Yakult dugout.

Murakami hit a one-out opposite field double to left in the sixth and that was it for Miyagi.

Orix manager Satoshi Nakajima went to his bullpen and brought in Motoki Higa, who walked Osuna but got Nakamura and Santana out to end the inning.

Yakult added another run in the top of the seventh.

Orix reliever Daichi Takeyasu loaded the bases after Kazuya Maruyama singled, Yamada walked and Yasutaka Shiomi was hit by a pitch.

Takeyasu then issued a walk to Murakami to force in another run and make it 4-0 for Yakult.


Swallows third baseman Munetaka Murakami fields a grounder hit by the Buffaloes' Yuma Tongu in the third inning. Murakami completed the play by throwing Tongu out at first base. (

Managers Tinker with Batting Lineups

Both managers made adjustments to their batting orders to try to generate more offense.

Takatsu moved the red-hot Shiomi from the leadoff spot into the No. 3 position in the batting order, giving Yamada the chance to bat first.

Nakajima put Yuma Tongu into the cleanup spot and moved Sugimoto down to seventh.

Takahashi picked up the win after striking out seven, walking two batters and giving up just three hits over six innings. Miyagi took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits over 5⅓ innings.

The Buffaloes have got little production out of their two biggest hitters, Sugimoto and Masataka Yoshida, who has just two hits in the series.


Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto led NPB in wins (15), ERA (1.68) and strikeouts (205) this season.

Yamamoto Claims Sawamura Award

Buffaloes pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto won his second straight Eiji Sawamura Award on Monday.

The award is given to Japan's most impressive starting pitcher and is similar to the Cy Young Award in Major League Baseball.

Yamamoto became the sixth player in Nippon Professional Baseball history to win the award in back-to-back seasons and the first from the Pacific League.

The 24-year-old right-hander topped the PL in four categories for the second straight year in wins (15), ERA (1.68), winning percentage (.750) and strikeouts (205).

On top of all that, Yamamoto also threw a no-hitter in June.

"It's an award which rates [a pitcher's performance] over a season and I feel it's a challenging task," Yamamoto said through Orix. "I'm genuinely happy to have been selected for the second straight year.”

Yamamoto was forced to leave the mound in the fifth inning of Game 1 on Sunday when he took the loss.

It was later reported he had discomfort in his left side. He could pitch again in Game 6 if he is healthy and the series goes that far.

Jose Tena (SS, Estrellas): 1-4 – Tena continues to lead off for his Dominican club and collected a hit in this one but is batting .270 overall.

Trenton Brooks (1B, Licey): 1-4, R – Brooks’ Dominican team had a good offensive day against Tena’s club although Brooks didn’t contribute much himself. The 1B/OF has had some good days this winter but overall is hitting just .172.