Cleveland Sports Forum

LICEY TIGERS .-

The good news is the return of pitcher Robinson Tejeda, who was out of the country ...

Los Tigres del Licey expected on Tuesday to have available Dayan Viciedo, a player who can play the outfield and infield corners ...

LICEY TIGERS

If I'm not mistaken, over the years, I think Eric Berger is the first Cleveland Indian to be selected by a team in a league other than the one he originated from to be a "reinforment" player. The Margarita Bravos were eliminated from post season play in Venezuela but Berger was selected to be a "reinforcement" player in the Dominican for the Cibao Gigantes.

Miguel Tejada returns to action

The legendary shortstop does not play in their country since the 2008-2009

The tireless Tejada wants to play in the Caribbean Series CHRIS CARLSON / AP

Santo Domingo .-

The shortstop Miguel Tejada made ​​his debut on Friday in the Dominican winter baseball tournament in what will be his first appearance back to the Caribbean after two years of absence. "I'll be playing initially as a designated hitter , but later I will play defense,''said Tejada to AP, 37 years old, in an interview on local radio station, 104.5 FM. Tejada did not play winter baseball in the Dominican Republic, who belongs to the Cibao Eagles, from the 2008-09 season. Today he is a free agent shortstop after being fired by the San Francisco Giants in September. Currently, the shortstop Joaquin Arias is the Eagles shortstop, who recently was voted MVP of the regular season Dominican the batting .387 with 30 RBIs. In 2011 with the Giants, Tejada had a .239 average with four homers and 39 RBIs, splitting time at third base and shortstop. To play in the Dominican baseball is a treat and may help me to get a contract back to the big leagues? "What I do in winter ball does not guarantee a contract in the United States. I want to help the Eagles to win,''said Tejada. Currently, the Cibao Eagles are in second place in the local baseball semifinal series. Tejada also said that among his plans is to represent the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series to be held in February in the Dominican.

Jose Celestino Lopez hopes to bear fruit in the Caribbean / Photo AVS

Las Aguilas del Zulia will challenge La Guaira Tiburones in the park of the UCV in what will be his first game to be played in the Round Robin.

The Magallanes Navigantes will meet the Caribbeans of Anzoategui in Puerto La Cruz.

LUIS AVILA

The pitcher Luis Avila received permission from the organization of the Atlanta Braves to work on the latest games according to press management of the Lara Cardinals. Pedro Grifola general manager was in talks with Atlanta's high command for such authorization. In 18 games, five as a starter, Avilán has a 4-2 mark and 2.61 ERA, pitched 41.1 innings, 32 hits, 12 runs, 16 walks and 21 strikeouts.

Pinto Caribbean led to Mariners win

The big lefty was on the mound for seven innings of work, in which he only allowed a total of two hits and fanning ten batters.

Caracas .-

Anzoategui Caribbeans seeking to defend the title of champion, defeated Magallanes Navigators 5 - 2 in the first meeting of the Round Robin with homers and the spectacular work of Pitcher Renyel Pinto.

The Caribes offense managed a total of four homers off the bats of Alexi Amarista, José Celestino López, Niuman Romero y Gustavo Molina, supporting the excellent work of lefty Pinto, who was credited with his first win in the playoffs. The Cúpira native, worked for the space full seven innings, in which he did fan ten batters, and allowed only two hits. The American Matt Wright (0-1), took the loss.

La Guaira falls before Aragua Bats!

With a striking demonstration of Buddy Bailey's team they got their first win of the postseason, showing that they can not be ruled out as favorites to reach the finals. Los Tigres de Aragua showed yesterday what their priority in the Lottery was. It was based primarily on offense. An explosive demonstration of 21 hits, including 3 home runs, finished off the first victory for the Tigers in the Round Robin to defeat the La Guaira Tiburones 13-7 in the University Stadium.

In this great production of hits the highlight was the Tiger shortstop Luis Hernandez who had a perfect night to go to 5-5. The infielder who is in his first year with the Tigers. "Playing on a team like the Tigers is unprecedented," said the infielder. "This team is characterized by good hitting. I stayed focused and was able to take the hits especially to the opposite field and contribute to the victory of my team. " Starting the round robin with a win against a visitor that is a favorite is something rewarding for the player who hopes to continue with the good atmosphere in the clubhouse. "We have to continue this pace," added Hernandez. We started off right. The mission is to win every game possible this week and stay at the top. "

HORSE OF A THOUSAND BATTLES - No doubt Edgardo Alfonzo's experience is important to the offensive of the cats. The veteran has earned his place at the point of hits and in this first meeting of playoffsl, did not disappoint by getting four hits, including a homer in the very first inning off starter Zack Kroenke to put the first two runs on the scoreboard. "It was a matter of being focused on each at bat," said Alfonzo, who was ranked as the designated hitter. "Today I left things well and could contribute to the team victory."

ASSISTANCE - Alex Cabrera matched Miguel Cabrera's mark yesterday with 24 HR in the semifinals. The samurai homered in the sixth inning drove in two runs for the Tiburones in the game. The leader of all time is Robert Perez, who has 29 homers.

The Licey Tigers fire their manager Rafael Landestoy after starting the tournament at 1-4

The Licey Tigers fired at noon Rafael Landestoy, who served as team leader, and also team assistant manager Alberto Castillo.

For tonight's game the Tigers will face the the Leones in Quisqueya Stadium. Visitors will have the coach and interim manager Nelson Norman as a new leader for the remainder of the Round Robin. The names being mentioned to take over the team on a full time basis are the Venezuelan Luis Dorante, Puerto Rican Eduardo Perez and Julio Cesar Franco.

Angel Santana, Licey executive, said about firing the manager, "a person as Landestoy that has given so much fruit for the Licey fans," was a difficult decision and that in the future we are looking to win.

The Tigers have a record of 1-4 and is the worst team in the tournament. All collective batting average of .166 and pitching 5.23.

Well! This could be an unprecedented decision. Again, I can't remember a time when a manager was fired this late in the season. It's all about winning.

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Ballgames backup by the dancers are a virtual hit

POLL

Explosives and provocative dance Poll

Of a total of 762 voters, 53.4% ​​said they support this kind of fun totaling 407 votes. 355 voted against it to add the remaining 46.6% of the measurement.

The survey was conducted on Monday by the El Caribe "adults only" , which addresses the situation that exists in every game, which is criticized by some parents of children attending the game. The dancers defended themselves by arguing that they add entertainment and fun to the atmosphere of the games.

Readers responded to the question Do you agree with the movements and sexy clothes of the dancers in the ball games?, With the options Yes and No.

Robinson Tejeda Firms with The Indians

CLEVELAND (AP) -

The Robinson Tejeda signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and was invited to spring training in the majors.

If he is added to the roster of 40, would receive a contract with a $ 825,000 salary stipulated in the Major Leagues and 125,000 in the minors. He could earn another $ 300,000 in performance bonuses.

Tejeda, 29, spent the last four seasons in the organization of Kansas City. The right-handed reliever takes 23-27 mark with an average 4.42 ERA in 183 games.

He was also released by Philadelphia and Texas. Last season, Tejeda was divided between the Omaha Royals and their minor league affiliate, also spent five weeks on the disabled list with inflammation in the shoulder.

Tejeda, a free agent, pitched in nine games for the Royals in 2011, which ended 0-1 with 6.14 of ERA after appearing in 54 games for the Royals in 2010. The Indians will give you the chance to win a vacant seat in the bullpen, and if not, would be reinforced in case of injury.

In addition to his base salary, Tejeda could earn an additional $ 50,000 each time to reach 50, 55, 60 and 65 games, and 100,000 for 70 games.

M SAN FRANCISCO .-

Kevin Pucetas imported pitcher pitched six solid innings to guide the Cibao Giants to an easy win7-2 over the Cibao Eagles and have now won their second consecutive game of the round robin Dominican professional baseball-dedicated to Reynaldo Papy - Bison.

Pucetas allowed one unearned run facing 23 batters giving up two hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

The defeat went to the star pitcher Fausto Carmona who allowed four runs, allowed five hits and struck four. Groundouts-flyouts : Carmona 10-2, Batters faced : Carmona 24,

With their victory the Giants put their record at 2-3 a half-game out of the important second position while the Eagles put their record at 3-3 who remain in second place.

Outstanding among the Giants were Wilson Betemit homer and single, Wilkin Ramirez, Robinzon Diaz with home runs, Pedro Feliz, Diory Hernandez, Wilson Valdez, and John Matulia two hits and a single.

Highlighted by the Eagles were Pedro Ciriaco and Victor Mendez doubled each and Audy Ciriaco singled.

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Orioles' Newby holds Indios to one hit

Former D-backs farmhand tosses five scoreless innings

Puerto Rican Winter League

Carolina 2, Mayaguez 0

Orioles newcomer Kyler Newby allowed one hit over five innings for the last-place Gigantes. Astros prospect Adalberto Flores followed and gave up the Indios' only other hit over his 2 1/3-inning stint. Dodgers farmhand Wilberto Ortiz provided all the offense with a two-run single in the fourth for Carolina.

Caguas 5, Ponce 4

Former Nationals prospect Edgardo Baez had two hits, including a three-run homer, as the first-place Criollos rallied past the second-place Leones. Former Major Leaguer Jorge Padilla went 3-for-3 with a solo shot for Caguas, while Reds prospects Felix Perez and Neftali Soto went deep in a losing cause.
Kyler Newby spent the first seven seasons of his pro career in the Diamondbacks organization. (Elaine Thompson/AP)

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 2, Licey 1, 10 innings

Major League veteran Julio Lugo capped a three-hit night with a walk-off single as the Leones improved to 5-0 in the round-robin playoffs. Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks also had three hits and an RBI and scored the winning run for Escogido, which got 6 1/3 stellar innings from A's left-hander Jordan Norberto. Jake Stevens, who pitched at two levels in the Twins system last season, tossed five scoreless frames for Licey.

Gigantes 7, Aguilas 2

Royals farmhand Kevin Pucetas gave up an unearned run on two hits over six innings as the Gigantes improved to 2-3 in the round-robin playoffs. Batterymate Robinzon Diaz smacked a two-run homer and fellow Major League veteran Wilson Betemit added a solo shot for Cibao. A's outfielder Brandon Moss walked twice and drove in a run for the Aguilas, who fell to 3-3.

Venezuelan Winter League

Caribes 3, Magallanes 0

Former Major Leaguer Jared Wells struck out five and yielded three hits over 5 2/3 innings to help the Caribes improve to 2-0 in the round-robin playoffs. Ex-A's farmhand Jon Hunton pitched a perfect ninth for his first postseason save and Angels infielder Alexi Amarista singled and slugged a solo homer for Anzoategui.

La Guaira 11, Zulia 4

Big league veteran Gregor Blanco hit a three-run homer and White Sox farmhand Jose Martinez and Oscar Salazar added two-run shots to power the Tiburones to their first playoff win. Former Phillies Minor Leaguer Les Walrond pitched five solid innings for the victory, while ex-Rays Minor Leaguer Cesar Suarez homered, tripled and scored twice for La Guaira.

Mexican Pacific League

No games scheduled

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Dominican Republic Winter League

•Fausto Carmona (SP, Aguilas Cibaenas): 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR. Carmona actually pitched much better than his line score suggests. He made one real mistake all night serving up a 2-run homer in the 4th inning, but was the victim of some bad defense and relief pitching in the 6th that lead to 2 additional unearned runs. His shortstop booted a ball to start the 6th inning and then after a strikeout, throwing error, fly out, and walk he was removed from the game with two outs in the inning. The reliever who replaced him promptly came in and served up three straight singles thus allowing both of Carmona’s inherited runners to score.

Puerto Rico Winter League

•Roberto Perez (C, Indios de Mayaguez): 0-for-1, 2 BB. Perez is a walk machine. There is no question about that after 62 walks in 284 at bats this season at High-A Kinston and 80 walks in 378 at bats in 2010 at Low-A Lake County. He also has 18 walks and 14 strikeouts this offseason in 64 combined at bats between the AFL and Puerto Rico. But he still needs to start hitting as he is just 14-for-64 (.219) this offseason at the plate.

Venezuela Winter League

•Jose Lopez (3B, Caribes de Anzoategui): 0-for-1, BB, K. After drawing a walk in the 4th inning and getting on base he was removed from the game. That is an odd time to remove a regular from the lineup, especially in the second game of a playoff series. Lopez probably hurt himself during his at bat or from a play in the field in the previous inning. No confirmation why he was removed yet, but it will be interesting to see if he plays on Wednesday night.