Cleveland Sports Forum

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Salazar's two homers power Tiburones to win

Former Major Leaguer knocks in three for second straight game

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 3, Aragua 1

Former Major Leaguer Oscar Salazar provided all the offense for the Tiburones on Thursday night as he homered twice -- recording two of the team's three hits -- and drove in three. He is batting .385 with three long balls and seven RBIs in three playoff games. Fellow Major League veteran Armando Galarraga allowed just one run on one hit over five innings, picking up La Guaira's second postseason win. Former Major Leaguer Edgardo Alfonzo knocked in the Tigres' only run with a single in the fourth frame.

Anzoategui 7, Zulia 2

Mexican Leaguer Jose Castillo led the Caribes by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. The squad is undefeated in four playoff games. Reds prospect Henry Rodriguez put forth the strongest effort for the Aguilas, collecting two doubles, an RBI and a run scored as Zulia dropped to 0-3. Jean Toledo picked up the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
Oscar Salazar is batting .385 with three home runs and seven RBIs in three playoff games for La Guaira. (Gail Burton/AP)

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 3, Cibaenas 2

Major League veteran Miguel Tejada put the Aguilas up, 2-1, with an RBI single in the top of the ninth, but fellow veteran Fernando Tatis tied the game with a single in the bottom of the frame. Melky Mesa, who played in the Yankees' system last year, then smacked a walk-off sacrifice fly to give the Leones their sixth win in seven playoff games. Former Major Leaguers Nelson Figueroa and Shane Youman combined to allow just two runs over 14 1/3 innings, but neither factored into the decision.

Cibao 3, Licey 1

Left-hander John Halama, who played in the A's organization in 2010, allowed one run on five hits over five innings as he notched the win and the Gigantes improved to 3-3 in the playoffs. Alexi Casillia (Twins), Wilson Valdez (Phillies) and Diory Hernandez (Braves) each drove in one run for Cibao. Donell Linares (Braves) plated the lone run for the Tigres, who fell to 2-6.

Mexican Pacific League

Navojoa 3, Culiacan 2

Former Southern League All-Star Steve Moss homered and drove in two as the Mayos got their first win in the fourth game of the series. Mexican Leaguer Flavio Romero drove in what proved to be the game-winning run with a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. Yankees farmhand Jorge Vazquez and Padres prospect Ali Solis both connected on solo homers for the Tomateros.

Mexicali 3, Hermosillo 2 (10 innings)

Mexican Leaguers Willis Otanez and Juan Canizales drove in the tying runs in the top of the ninth, while Santiago Gonzalez (Mexican League) followed with a go-ahead homer in the 10th to give the Aguilas a 3-1 series lead. Former Dodgers farmhand Jesus Rodriguez allowed just one run over six innings, but did not factor into the decision. Carlos Gastelum (Mexican League) led the Naranjeros by going 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored.

Guasave 5, Obregon 4 (10 innings)

Mexican Leaguer Jose Rodriguez hit a walk-off homer to give the Algodoneros their first win of the series. He finished with three hits, three RBIs and two runs, falling a triple shy of the cycle. Sandy Madera (Mexican League) paced the Yaquis offense by collecting three hits and driving in two. Sean Gleason (Orioles) earned the win with two shutout innings out of the bullpen.

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Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (DH, Brisbane Bandits): 1-for-4, BB, K, SB. Campbell continues to play well of late and in his leadoff role got on base in 2 of his 5 plate appearances. He has a 7-game hitting streak and while he is only 9-for-36 (.250) in his last 10 games he also has 6 walks and has a solid .357 on-base percentage. Not much more you can ask in the playoffs from such a young, inexperienced player.

•Mitch Nilsson (C, Brisbane Bandits): 2-for-4, RBI, BB. Nilsson is another guy who is suddenly getting a lot of playing time. He had only played in 10 games and piled up 33 at bats the entire ABL season before last night, but he went out and had his best game by far this offseason getting on base in 3 of his 5 plate appearances and driving in a run.

CARACAS .-

Anzoategui Caribbean continue to shape the course of the playoffs in Venezuelan baseball, the victim this time was the Aguilas del Zulia who have not been able to taste victory at the start of the round robin. The tribe has shown the best pitching so far and timely hitting has been theres to keep up with run of four straight wins without defeat.

The aggressiveness of Niuman Romero on the bases has been a factor for the Caribbeans, the third baseman has two stolen bases. Another catcher, Gustavo Molina in four games has been able to connect for three home runs and added four runs batted in.

The little giant Alexi Amarosa remains among the leaders of the postseason batting .375 , is a leader in at bats (16), fifth in runs scored (3), second in hits (6), fourth in homers (2), third in total bases (12).

What has kept the Caribes on the path to victory has been the starting pitching. In the first three games among pitchers Renyel Pinto, Jared Wells and Andrew Baldwin allowed only 11 hits and one run in 19.2 innings.

Aguilas del Zulia are the only team in the final stages that has not known the victory with three straight losses. The Raptors' pitching has been a total debacle coupled with an absent offensive. Bats like Ernesto Mejia, Jose Pirela have failed, in last night's game between the two sluggers went 1-8 with an RBI. Imported pitcher Dwayne Pollok took the loss allowing four runs (all dirty) with five hits.

La Guaira Sharks defeated the Tigres de Aragua . Sharks pitcher Armando Galarraga went five innigns in which he only allowed one hit and no runs. The offensive star this time was the hero Oscar "Cachi" Salazar homered twice driving in three runs in the Sharks win..

Alex Romero off the round robin

Romero with a broken left foot and will not play again with Aragua Tigers

CARACAS .-

Through their official twitter account, Aragua Tigers confirmed the fracture on right fielder Alex Romero . Romero was hit by a foul in the bottom of the eighth inning in the game versus the La Guaira Sharks on Thursday night. The diagnosis is fractured fourth metatarsal of his left foot. While the coaching staff has not spoken about who will replace Romero in the line up, it is presumed to be Jonel Pacheco , in three games he is batting .200. The manager Buddy Bailey also has the Cuban Johan Limonta , and Jorge Cortes , Yangervis Solarte and young Juan Sanchez .

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Fernando Tatis is greeted by his teammates after scoring the winning run that gave the Lions the win last night over the Cibao Eagles at Quisqueya Stadium in the capital.

Leones wins big game

Center fielder Melky Mesa hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to drive home Fernando Tatis and the Leones defeated Cibao Eagles 3-2 in match held last night at Quisqueya Stadium.

The Cibao had taken advantage (2-1) at the beginning of the ninth inning, when Miguel Tejada hit RBI single to left. At the time the game was a draw (1-1).

However, the Lions reacted together in the closing of the inning and produced two runs.

After Wilkin Castillo was out shortstop to first, Jesus Valdez doubles to right-center, followed by a base hit by Fernando Tatis, who then moved to the third, taking advantage of a throwing error by catcher Francisco Peña. It was then that Mesa hit his sacrifice fly to right field.

The victory enables Lions to remain in the first position of the round robin of the Dominican winter baseball tournament.

The Lions now own a 5-1 record, two and a half games ahead of his nearest rival, the Gigantes del Cibao (second), while the Eagles dropped to third place,with a 3-4 record.

During the first seven innings, the game was characterized by a pitching duel between Nelson Figueroa (Lions) and Shane Youman (Eagles), who had allowed just one run each.

The victory went to reliever Fernando Rodney, who worked the ninth inning, after replacing Jose Ceda (8), who had replaced starter Nelson Figueroa.

On offense. The Lions Pablo Ozuna was 3-4, including a double and an RBI, Julio Borbon, 2-4, Jesus Valdez, 1-4, double, and Tatis drove home a run.

EAGLES .-

Hector Luna, affected by the flu and fever, originally as a third bat in the lineup was replaced by Mendy Lopez yesterday .. The rotation, after adjustments Raul Valdez will pitch (Friday), Lorenzo Barcelo (Sunday), Fausto Carmona (Monday) and Manauris Baez (Tuesday) ...

GIANTS .-

Eric Berger, who seems to be used as a reliever, has been on the active roster the last two days ...

Recovery For The Caribbeans Lopez and Hernandez

The infielder is better with his ailment in the left leg and the outfielder's received permission to return

CARACAS .-

The Caribes of Anzoategui recover two important pieces for their Saturday's game against the Magallanes Navigators : Jose Celestino Lopez and Hernandez Gorkys . This was confirmed by Tony Merola , press chief of the tribe. Celestino Lopez is recovering from the pulled muscle he suffered in the left thigh during Tuesday's game, while Hernandez will return after missing Thursday's meeting because he had to travel to Caracas to resolve issues related to his U.S. visa.

The Pitcher of the Year is between Pinto and Bibens-Dirkx

Caribbean lefty and the righty of the Eagles are the favorites to claim the prize

CARACAS .-

The vote has already been done and only remains to wait for the announcement by Stats Sports Management to finally meet the pitcher who will be proclaimed as Pitcher of the Year in the 2011-2012 season of baseball training. The American Austin Bibens-Dirkx and Creole Renyel Pinto , are the favorites to take the prize.

Bibens-Dirkx, 26 years old, he has given to the Aguilas del Zulia one dream season, where he had a record of 7 wins and 3 losses with a 2.19 ERA in 14 games (13 starts). The Oregon native, he accumulated 78 innings in which he struck out 51 opponents, gave 22 walks, 56 hits, 20 runs (one dirty), his WHIP was 1.00 and opponents batted .201 against him.

On the other hand, Pinto, who turns 30 in July, was instrumental in the rotation of the defending champions Caribbean of Anzoategui , who served as the ace for the better part of the regular round. Pinto's record of 6 wins reflected one loss, and left a 2.43 ERA in 13 starts for the Indians, which reached 77.2 innings of work in which he struck out 72 and walked 33. The left-hander allowed 55 hits, 26 runs (21 earned), had a WHIP of 1.13 and opponents hit just .199 against him.

Both pitchers had the opportunity to see their faces one on one on 26 December at the Alfonso "Chico "Carrasquel of Puerto La Cruz, in what was possibly the most anticipated pitching matchup of the first stage of the championship . At that time, Pinto had no decision and worked for 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, in addition to providing 2 walks and striking out 8. Meanwhile, Bibens-Dirkx took the loss in 6.2 to work, where he gave up three runs, walked one, five strikeouts and 4 hits.

Also possible receiving some votes: • Enrique Gonzalez (Sharks): 3-1, 2.42 • Yusmeiro Petit (Braves): 5-4, 2.98 • Dwayne Pollok (Eagles): 6-4, 3.05 • Andrew Baldwin (Caribbean): 5.3, 2.29 • Sergio Perez (Tigers): 3-1, 2.47 • Eric Junge (Magellan): 4-1, 1.59

Tiburones gave the Navigantes all they could handle

La Guaira 1-0 over the Magallanes at the University

CARACAS .-

La Guaira Sharks beat Magallanes Navigators in the University City Stadium by a score of 1 run to 0. An exhibition of good pitching was the constant of this game, in which Brian Sweeney and La Guaira Sharks took the best part of the Navigators. Sweeney, third reinforcement for the sharks came from the Lara Cardinals, pitched 7.0 innings gave up three hits (all singles) and no runs, got the win in a show of dominance against the Turkish ship.

Jose Martinez opened the third inning with a double to right field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Miguel Rojas. Then, Gregor Blanco's single batted in the only run of the game.

Enrique Gonzalez took over the pitching duties in the eighth inning allowed one hit and Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth and got the save, but ran into some problems, but a double play by Jesus Flores helped him out of the jam.

Magallanes wasted a great job by Eric Junge who continued the good deeds during his campaign in Venezuela. He was on the mound for 7.0 innings with just 3 hits and one run allowed, but took the loss. Adonis Garcia was 2-3 for the Navigators. La Guaira's record of three wins and one loss takes second place, half a game under the Caribbeans, while Magallanes fell to a record of one win and three losses.

Tigers swooped over the Eagles

Tigers equaled their record at 2-2 while the Eagles have lost four games

CARACAS .-

Aragua Tigers seems to take a new impetus in the development of this semifinal by winning their second game by a score of 5-3 over the Aguilas del Zulia left their balance sheet at 0-4.

One of the best regular round pitchers Austin Bibens-Dirkx (0-1) could not get his team's predicament straightened out, and in the very first inning allowed three runs that were key to the defeat of Zulia. For the cats, Justin Lehr was dominant in his presentation (1-0) who served for five and a third innings in which he allowed one run, just three hits and struck out three for the win. Alex Nunez led the Tigers going 2-3 with a walk. Jose Mijares was in charge of the last inning to preserve the victory for the Tigers and so got his first save of the Round-Robin.

Eric Berger was activated three days ago by the Cibao Gigantes and made his professional debut in the Dominican this evening. Berger pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Gigantes. Eric was selected as a reinforcement player and came over from the Venezuelan Winter League. Gotta do what you gotta do to get some brownie points

Berger pitched very well in Venezuela and is off to a very nice start in the Dominican.

The Gigantes lost their ballgame to Leones Escogido 12-10. Escogido leads this round robin affair and appears to be a lock to qualify for one of two opening for the League Championship Series.
Escogido Bottom of the 8th

Pitcher Change: Eric Berger replaces Fabio Castro.
Melky Mesa grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Pedro Feliz.
Julio Borbon called out on strikes.
Pablo Ozuna grounds out, shortstop Wilson Valdez to first baseman Pedro Feliz.

Tigers White Wash Aguilas 1-0

SANTIAGO .-

The right-hander Esmila Rogers, throwing at will, pitched five shutout innings, only two hits and six strikeouts, en route to a 1-0 shutout of the Tigers of Licey over the Cibao Eagles in Cibao Stadium. Rogers, mixing well curves, and fastballs over the 90 miles and breaking balls on the corners, was credited his first win of Round Robin, for which received support from his peers Francisco Rosario in the sixth, David Pfeiffer and Fautino de los Santos in the seventh, Antonio Cruz in the eighth and Jairo Asencio, who retired the side in the ninth for the save, his first in the semifinal.

With this victory, the Licey (3-6) is a half-game outf the third place behind the Cibao Eagles, now have 3 wins and 5 losses, extending their losing streak to four.

Offensively, the Bengalese decided the match in the first inning when consecutive hits by Machael Martinez and Anderson Hernandez, who batted 4-4, and Donell Linares single pushing the game's only run across the plate.

The lefty Raul Valdes, reinforcement from the Toros del Este, was a worthy rival of Rogers Esmila the blue starter (0 - 1), pitched eight innings of six hits, seven strikeouts and just one run. In addition to Valdes, the Aguilas on the mound used the services of Angel Castro, who allowed no hits in the ninth against the blue.

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Mesa enjoys big night in Leones' victory

Yankees prospect gets three hits, two RBIs, scores three times

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 12, Gigantes 10

Yankees prospect Melky Mesa went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored as the Leones won for the sixth time in seven round-robin playoff games. Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks chipped in two hits and drove in three runs, while former Major Leaguer Fernando Tatis scored three times for Escogido. Rays farmhand John Matulia collected three hits and three RBIs for the Gigantes.

Licey 1, Aguilas 0

Rockies right-hander Esmil Rogers struck out six over five innings and combined with six relievers on a two-hitter as the Tigres improved to 3-6 in the round-robin playoffs. Pirates infielder Anderson Hernandez went 4-for-4 and Braves Minor Leaguer Donell Linares drove in the lone run for Licey. Major League veteran Raul Valdes yielded a run on six hits over eight innings but took the loss for the Aguilas.
Melky Mesa was named MVP in the Class A Advanced Florida State League in 2010. (Kathy Willens/AP)

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 1, Magallanes 0

Brian Sweeney gave up three hits over seven innings, helping the Tiburones reel off their third straight round-robin playoff win. Fellow Major League veteran Gregor Blanco singled home the lone run for La Guaira, while Brewers right-hander Francisco Rodriguez pitched around two hits and a walk in the ninth for his second postseason save. Angels infielder Alberto Callaspo had two of Magallanes' six hits.

Aragua 5, Zulia 3

Justin Lehr, who pitched at two levels in the Reds system last season, allowed a run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings as the Tigres kept the Aguilas winless in the round-robin playoffs. Mariners prospect Johan Limonta and former Nationals Minor Leaguer Alex Nuñez each had two hits, an RBI and a run scored for Aragua (2-2). Braves farmhand Ernesto Mejia had two hits, including a two-run homer, for Zulia.

Mexican Pacific League

Mexicali 4, Hermosillo 2

Jorge Campillo gave up two hits over six shutout innings as the Aguilas advanced to the semifinals. Fellow Major League veteran Chris Roberson went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot for Mexicali, which won the best-of-7 series, 4-1. Former big leaguer Humberto Cota slugged a solo homer and singled for the Naranjeros.

Culiacan 4, Navojoa 1

Nationals right-hander Matt Buschmann struck out seven over seven shutout innings, pitching the Tomateros into the semifinals. Jeff Frazier's two-run homer snapped a scoreless tie in the sixth and Yankees infielder Ramiro Peña padded Culiacan's lead with a two-run double in the eighth. Former Braves farmhand Matt Esquivel doubled home the lone run for Navojoa, which lost the series, 4-1.

Guasave 8, Obregon 5

Pinch-hitter Francisco Mendez delivered a two-run double to highlight a five-run eighth inning as the Algodoñeros avoided elimination. Japhet Amador went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Jose Rodriguez had two hits and scored twice for Guasave. Former Braves farmhand Barbaro Canizares smacked a two-run homer and scored twice for Obregon, which leads the best-of-7 series, 3-2.

Puerto Rican Winter League

No games scheduled

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Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (LF, Brisbane Bandits): 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, K. Campbell did a little bit of everything and shined once again in a leadoff role. Given a chance to play more regularly he has really taken off of late for his Brisbane team. He was a bench/role player for most of the season and rarely played, but since being inserted into the starting lineup on December 29th he has hit in every game going 11-for-33 (.333) at the plate.

•Ryan Battaglia (C, Brisbane Bandits): 1-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB. That is two productive games this week for the seldom used catcher. He has now played in 5 games this offseason, but is still just 2-for-12 at the plate. On the positive side, both hits are doubles, he has 2 walks, and also 3 RBI.

Dominican Republic Winter League

•Eric Berger (RP, Gigantes del Cibao): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Berger made his debut pitching in the Dominican Republic with a clean 1-2-3 inning getting two groundouts and a strikeout. He had been pitching in Venezuela this offseason, came home last week, but then agreed to pitch in the playoffs for Cibao.

The Caguas Criolles Clinch First Plance And Will Meet The Winner of the Mayaguez - Ponce Series For the League Championship Series Of Puerto Rico.

Caguas, PUERTO RICO) -

The Caguas Creoles used heavy artillery to connect for three homers and come from behind to defeat the Lions 5-4 in Ponce, to secure the first place and their passport to their third consecutive final series in match played before about 6,000 fans in Sola Morales Stadium in the city.

The visitors opened the game with home run by the Cuban Felix Perez, adding three more runs in the second inning against the Cuban Alay Soler, the first two being single to center by Luis Matos, who came home on a homer by Neftali Soto.

A triple by Angel Morales to left led to the departure of Soler, but did not prevent another run from scoring on Benji's sacrifice fly off reliever Efrain Gonzalez Nieves, who did a great job of silencing the bats of the Lions for three and two thirds innings, gave up six hits and delivered a strikeout to pick up the victory.

Caguas responded in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Ponce lefty Ryan Rowland Smith, on a Jorge Padilla homer, his fourth of the season, a liner that exceeded the left field scoreboard to reduce the advantage 4-1. Then in the fifth inning Alex Cora opened with a double, and later with two outs, Jorge Padilla received a walk as both scored on a homer by Edgardo Baez's that tied the game.

Andy Gonzalez started the sixth against reliever the Cuban Hassan Pena (3-2) with his fourth homer to give the advantage to the Creoles.

Reliever Eddy 'Kid' Ramos also did a great job with three scoreless innings picking up his four win against one loss, while Saul 'altar boy' Rivera saved his eighth game of the season.

Ponce and Mayaguez: only one will go to the final dance

Jon Huber and Yadel Marti will be pitching for the Indians of Mayagüez and Ponce Lions tonight in the first semifinal game of the series.

The Lions of Ponce and the Mayaguez Indians begin tonight a best of five series starting at 7:30 pm on a journey that leads to the start of the League championship series of the League of Professional Baseball Puerto Rico in the Estadio Yldefonso Solá Morales in this city.

The Indians are one of the most traditional of semifinalist teams winning 21 of 29 occasions. The Lions, meanwhile, have won 13 of the 28 series semi-finals have been played.

Both teams split the two semifinal series they have played in the seasons 2004 - 2005 and 2008-2009.

This year, the tribe will arrive in Ponce with a losing record against the Lions, who dominated the season series 8-5.

The key to the victories for Ponce has been the pitching and has the second best team batting average (.361) in the tournament.

Ponce pitching was number one in the season working for an ERA of 2.83, while Mayaguez were ranked in third place when their arms allowed 3.49 earned runs per nine innings.

So, considering that is a short series, to a maximum of five games, the pitching will be vital. The Indians were strengthened with the acquisition of pitcher Bobby Livingston in the special lottery of player reinforcements from the Carolina Giants, and also Justin Thomas.

Livingston, who is scheduled to open Sunday's game if he comes to time from the United States had 0-2 record and a 2.35 ERA in four starts for Carolina. For his part, Thomas played in Venezuela, where he accumulated a 1-0 mark and a 2.70 ERA in nine starts for the Lions of Caracas.

The Ponce starting rotation in this series will ber Cuban Yadel Marti (1-1, 1.93) and Onelkis Garcia (0-0, 0.84), Giancarlo Alvarado (2-2, 2.28) and Ryan Rowland-Smith (0 - 3, 3.63).

Mayagüez has only defined the pitcher for the challenge tonight, Jon Huber (1-0, 1.76).

On the other hand, Ponce sought to improve the timely hitting, their greatest weakness of the tournament and that led them to have the worst collective .242 average.

The Lions brought two hitters from the Carolina Gigantes the experienced Hiram Bocachica, Pedro Valdes and infielder Osvaldo Ozzie Martinez.

Bocachica, who played last season for Ponce, batted .297 with 16 runs scored and 21 RBIs, while Valdes hit .239 with 11 runs and 17 RBIs.

Martinez, who was chosen to give more stability to the infield for Ponce, averaged .259 with 19 runs scored and nine RBIs.

The defense of both teams were the worst during the regular season. Ponce accumulated 35 errors, while 43 made by Mayagüez, which means they averaged just over an error a game during the 41 matches.

So, just need to sing "playball" to see who will accompany the Caguas Creoles in the finals.