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5431
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1/20/17

VENEZUELA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

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	              1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9			 R	 H	E
Zulia (1-0)      0	1	2	0	0	8	1	0	0			12	17	0
Lara (0-1)       1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0			 2	 6	2
W: Lively (1-0, 2.57) ; L: Rivero, R (0-1, 7.20)
HR: ZUL: Chavez, En (1) .
Game 1: Zulia 12 Lara 2
Aguilas de Zulia leads series 1-0
Game 2: 01/21 5:30 p.m.
Game 3: 01/23 7:00 p.m.
Game 4: 01/24 7:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/25 7:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/27 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/28 7:00 p.m.

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Eagles put their claws and power to take the first games against the Cardinals

Aguilas del Zulia made Barquisimeto their nest in the first game of the finals against Lara Cardinals by winning 12-2 with high production from Endy Chavez.

The Cardinals inched forward with an RBI single by Jesus Montero in the first inning, but in the next inning the Raptors tied the game on a double by Jesus Flores, and later in the third inning Endy Chavez belted his first home run of the finals good for a pair of runs to put Zulia in front 3-1.

Thereafter, the Eagles would not surrender the lead.

In the sixth inning, the Eagles attacked Cardinal pitching. Starter Raul Rivero could not complete his taskand allowed the first of eight runs for Zulia in the inning. Franklin Morales was unable to get any outs in his relief appearance was punished for three runs. Osmer Morales who follows was the victim of four runs.

As if that were not enough, in the seventh Chavez completed the scoring with a sacrifice fly finished 2=4 with three RBIs and a pair of runs scored.

Freddy Galvis was 4-6 as leadoff hitter, with an rbi and two runs scored. Also, Jose Pirela (3-5) two double and a triple, and Jesus Flores (1-5) also had two rbi's..

Mitch Lively emerged as the winner of the first game pitching seven innings with four strikeouts.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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1/20/17

Dominican Republic League Championship Series (BEST OF 9)

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Player	          Pos	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	 AVG
Ronny Rodriguez	  2B	 4	0	1	 0	 0	 0	  0	 0	 0	.322

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	              1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9			R	H	E
Aguilas (1-1)    1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0			2	8	3
Licey (1-1)      0	0	1	1	0	0	0	2	X			4	6	1
W: Madrigal (1-0, 0.00) ; L: Rodriguez, Ri (0-1, 6.75) ; SV: Asencio, J (1)
HR: None.
Game 1: Licey 3, Aguilas 4
Game 2: Aguilas 2 Licey 4
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: 01/21 5:00 p.m.
Game 4: 01/22 4:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/24 8:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/25 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/26 8:00 p.m.
Game 8: 01/27 7:30 p.m.
Game 9: 01/28 8:00 p.m.

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The Tigres del Licey tied the final series after beating this Friday 4-2 the Eagles Cibaeñas in the second game of the final series, held in the Quisqueya Juan Marichal stadium.

The Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth when Yamaico Navarro scored on an error by first baseman Kennys Vargas. Then Diory Hernándezhit a sacrifice fly and Mel Rojas JR.

The Eagles went up 1-0 in the first episode when Jonathan Villar scored on a sacrifice fly by Juan C. Perez.

In the bottom of the third, the Tigers tied the game 1-1 when Diory Hernandez singled and Austin Wynns scored from second base. An inning later, Licey took the lead on Anderson Hernandez's single and Jason Rogers scored from second.

The Eagles tied the game in the top of the sixth, when Chesny Young walked with full bases and Juan Perez scored.
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THIS SERIES BETWEEN ARCH RIVALS (AGUILAS CIBAENOS & THE TIGRES DEL LICEY)
SHOULD DRAW STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWDS
THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT SERIES FROM A FANS OUTLOOK
Last edited by joez on Sat Jan 21, 2017 4:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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1/20/17

Ronny Rodriguez keeps hitting

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM) SERIE FINAL - GAME 2

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, 2B) - 1-4 - While Rodriguez did not hit as well as he did in Game 1, he continued his eight game hitting streak. His full season numbers are also still impressive (.311/.355/.452 with 18 RBI and 5 SB in 58 games). Ronny-Rod is currently projected to start at 2B for the Clippers, but may find his way to the Big Club's roster before the 2017 season is over.

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REGULAR SEASON PHASE (RODRIGUES WON THE BATTING CHAMPIONSHIP)
NAME              G    AB	 R	 H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB   SO	SB	CS	 OBP	 SLG	   AVG	 OPS
Ronny Rodriguez  44	160	24	49	10	 3	 3	 12	74	14	33	 2	 0	.362	.463	.30625	.824
Ramon Torres     41	157	26	48	 9	 1	 4	 16	71	10	21	 2	 2	.351	.452	.30573   .803
Ruben Sosa       42	144	20	43	 3	 3	 0	 24	52	24	21	11	 9	.406	.361	.30573	.767

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STATISTICS FOR THE ROUND ROBIN STAGE
Player	         AB	 H   2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	CS	BB	SO	 AVG	 OBP	 SLG	 OPS
Ronny Rodriguez	51	16	 4	 0	 0	 5	 9	 2	 0	 1	10	.314	.340	.392	.732

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STATISTICS FOR THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Player	           Pos	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	 AVG*
Ronny Rodriguez	   2B	 4	0	1	 0	 0	 0	  0	 0	 0	.322
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FOR KICKS JOSH JUDY REGULAR SEASON PHASE
Player	   W	L	 ERA	 G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	  IP	 H	R	ER	HR	HB	BB	SO	 WHP	HLD
Josh Judy	2	1	0.00	22	 0	 0	 0	 15	21.2	12	2	 0	 0	 0	 3	19	0.69 	1

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STATISTICS FOR THE ROUND ROBIN STAGE
Player	  GP	GC	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HLD	BLSV	WHP	ERA
Josh Judy	9	 0	 9	3	0	 0	 2	 5	0	0	 6	 0	  0	  .56	0.00

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STATISTICS FOR THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Player	           IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Josh Judy (S, 1)	1.0	0	0	 0	 0	 0    0  0.00
JOSH JUDY HAS NOT ALLOWED AN EARNED ALL SEASON WITH 22 SAVES THUS FAR -
OUTSTANDING FOR SHORT SEASON BASEBALL
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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Josh Judy, The Perfect Firefighter Who Has Closed The Biggest Eagles Hole

For the Eagles to return to the round robin and to date have a foothold in the final while the rest of the teams play looking at the other teams scoreboard the contributions of Ronny Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Pérez and Zoilo Almonte have been key.

But without the effectiveness of his great control and ability to close the games this year, Josh Judy's presence has been outstanding. In retrospect, the Aguilas could have had different luck if the team had him last year where the closers were not able to shut the door on 15 separate occasions during the playoffs games.

Judy continued to dominate in the postseason as he had during the regular phase, where he saved 15 games without a giving up any earned runs in 21 2/3 innings with 19 strikeouts and only three walks. In the round robin, he was perfect with six saves in six opportunities and only three hits with two walks in seven innings.

A performance that compares with great closers like Ken Howell, Kent Tekulve, Steve Ratzer and Charlie Hough, but more recently with Anthony Chavez.

Until yesterday, Judy said he had not heard of Chavez, that reliever who was perfect in 34 innings with the Leones Escogido in the 1998-99 campaign, but in the last inning against Licey in the decisive game of the league championship series gave up three runs which prevented Escogido from winning the crown.

"Every saint has his day to some extent, it is very, very difficult to go perfect in any aspect of life, but I simply try to do my best. I really do not think about it at all, my job is to go out and nail three outs and secure the win for my team, "Judy told the press.

Judy left the Major League radar in 2014 when he injured his elbow while pitching in triple A with the Dodgers. [Judy appears to have put the injury behind him - perhaps the Indians should invite him to spring training !!!] 2014 began a tour going through an independent league in 2015, then he moved to the Pacific League in Mexico in the winter of that year. and last summer worked for the Mexican summer league championship.

Judy's strong performance this winter has aroused the interest of several organizations that have opened the doors for him to return to the United States.

He was selected by Cleveland in the 34th round of the 2007 draft and has been through Cincinnati, Anaheim and Los Angeles. With the tribe he managed a short stay of 11 games at the Major League level in 2011.

"My presence there will depend on the contract I get, but I will be more than happy to stay here to help this team win (the title)," explained the pitcher born 30 years ago in West Virginia.

In his third inclusion on the Aguilas roster (in 2010 and 2012 when he was a prospect) has left feelings so deep that it will be sad to see him leave the hard core fanatics of the Eagles.

"There is no secret. I just fit in with the great energy that exists in the clubhouse," he responded when asked about his unusual performance. "I have a great defense behind me on this team that works for me. Now my arm has been more consistent, I have a better angle on the ball, it has been key so far. "

Best imported closers

Judy's performance recalls the passage of the best imported closers who played in the league.

Ken Howell (Licey, 1984-85) struck out 71 men in 47 innings and saved 16 games with a 1.53 ERA.

Kent Tekulve (Aguilas Cibaenas), 1975-76) saved 12 with a an earned run average of 1.00 and 63 inning of work.

Steve Ratzer (Escogido, 1980-81) saved 14 games and his earned run average was 1.24 in 50 innings of work.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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1/21/17

PUERTO RICO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES[/size]

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	              1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9			 R	 H	E
Santurce (3-3)   0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1			 1    6	2
Caguas (3-3)     0	2	0	0	4	0	0	6	X			12	17	0
W: Barbosa (1-0, 0.00) ; L: Downs, D (0-1, 4.91)
HR: CAG: Castillo, R (2) .
Game 1: Caguas 1, Santurce 0
Game 2: Santurce 6, Caguas 3
Game 3: Caguas 4, Santurce 2
Game 4: Santurce 4, Caguas 1
Game 5: Caguas 1, Santurce 3
Game 6: Santurce 1, Caguas 12
series tied 3-3
Game 7: 01/22 4:15 p.m.
Game 8: 01/25 7:15 p.m.
Game 9: 01/26 7:15 p.m.

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Caguas pounded Santurce to a tie in the Final Series
The Creoles thrashed the bats to win 12-1 and thus tie the final 3-3


Caguas -

The timely hitting was present tonight in the bats of the local Criollos to find the winning path and increase the drama to tie the Final Series of winter baseball 3-3.

The Creoles batted 8-18 with runners in scoring position, and Andrew Barbosa had another quality start in the comfortable 12-1 victory over the Santurce Cangrejeros in the sixth clash of the finals at Yldefonso Solá Morales Stadium.

Caguas tied the series 3-3, after stopping a two-game losing streak. It was also their first home win at Solá Morales. Now both teams are two championship wins away. Tomorrow, Sunday, the seventh game of the finals will be played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium starting at 4:15 pm Hiram Burgos will pitch for the Cangrejeros and John Brownell will climb the mound for the Creoles with a three-day break.

Barbosa again silenced the Cangrejeros for the second time in the finals to score the win. This time, Barbosa completed five innings and only allowed two hits. Barbosa has just conceded three hits in 11 no run innings.

Jose De la Torres, who was set to start tomorrow's game, relieved Barbosa and threw two innings at zero runs, before giving way to veteran Joel Piñeiro, who pitched the last two innings and allowed the only race of the game. Barbosa, De la Torres and Pineiro combined to allow only six hits.

On the offense, Caguas was hot with 17 hits, the most in a game of these finals. David Vidal hit 3-4 with a run scored; Rusney Castillo 2-5 with a home run and two RBIs; Ruben Gotay 2-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs; And Jack Lopez 2-4 with two RBIs for the Creoles.

Caguas entered the game today with the urgency to improve their at bats with runners in scoring position. The Criollos came in batting 2-21 in the last two games. And the situation improved tonight from the first opportunity. And that happened in the second inning against left-hander Darin Downs. Caguas scored two runs in the inning.

Rubén Gotay opened with a walk and David Vidal followed with a single. Henry Ramos sacrificed and he advanced both runners to place them in scoring position. In the first inning with runners at third and second base, Jack Lopez, singled batting in Gotay from third. And with a runner in third again, Jonathan Morales, also singled for a 2-0 lead.

Downs settled in by allowing those two runs in four innings.

Caguas set the tone in the fifth inning with a four-run inning to extend the lead to 6-0. The timely batting came through again.

The left-hander Nelvin Fuentes relieved Downs and left the mound without giving an out. Rey Navarro walked. Rusney Castillo singled. Rey Navarro advanced to 3rd on a fielding error by center fielder Reymond Fuentes. Randy Ruiz singled on a ground ball to left fielder Drew Ferguson. Rey Navarro scored. Rusney Castillo advanced to 2nd. Ruben Gotay doubled (2). Rusney Castillo scored. Randy Ruiz to 3rd. David Vidal hit a sacrifice fly and Randy Ruiz scored. Henry Ramos popped out to third. Jack Lopez singled and Ruben Gotay scored.

Caguas added another six runs in the eighth inning against Bryan Escanio and Ramesis Rosa. Jorge Padilla drove in two runs with double and Castillo batted in two more with a long home run to left.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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1/21/17

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

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Player	          Pos	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	 AVG
Ronny Rodriguez	  1B	 5	2	2	 1	 0	 0	  1	 0	 2	.328

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	              1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9			 R	 H	E
Licey (1-2)      1	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0			 4	10	2
Aguilas (2-1)    2	1	0	0	3	5	0	0	X			11	13	0
W: Garcia, Ed (1-0, 0.00) ; L: Santiago, M (0-1, 20.25)
HR: LIC: Mercedes, Y (1) .  AGU: Vargas, K (1) .
Game 1: Licey 3, Aguilas 4
Game 2: Aguilas 2, Licey 4
Game 3: Licey 4, Aguilas 11
Aguilas Cibaenas lead series 2-1
Game 4: 01/22 4:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/24 8:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/25 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/26 8:00 p.m.
Game 8: 01/27 7:30 p.m.
Game 9: 01/28 8:00 p.m.

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KENNYS VARGAS

Costly mistakes made a difference in Eagles victory

SANTIAGO.-

Kennys Vargas hit a three-run homer in the sixth, Edgar Garcia compiled a good relief and the Cibao Eagles made off with a 13-hit attack winning 11-4 in the third game of the final series of the fall / winter baseball tournament in the Dominican Republic.

The winners dispatched five extra base hits, adding four doubles by Jonathan Villar, Zoilo Almonte, Ronny Rodriguez and Johan Camargo. The defense did not make any errors, but the blues made two errors.

The series is 2-1 leading the the Eagles, with two triumphs in the games celebrated in the Cibao stadium of Santiago. The winner will represent the country in the Caribbean Series this year in Culiacan, Mexico.

This Sunday the series moves to Quisqueya Stadium Juan Marichal for the fourth game of the series, scheduled for 5:00 pm, the Eagles visiting the Tigers of the Licey.

Irwin Delgado is announced to go up the mound for the visitors and Javier Eduardo López for the locals.

It is the twentieth occasion that the Tigers and Eagles face off against each other in the finals of the tournament, with a 10-9 advantage going to Licey.

The Licey with 21 championships and the Eagles with 20, are the most winning teams in baseball in the Dominican Republic, since 1951.

THE BEST BATTERS

For the Eagles Danny Santana double and three singles; Ronny Rodríguez double and single; Kennys Vargas home run and a single and Juan Carlos Perez two singles.

For Licey Yamaico Navarro a double and three singles; Sergio Alcántara two singles; Emilio Bonifacio, Juan Francisco and Austin Wynns a single each.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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1/21/17

VENEZUELA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

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	              1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9			 R	 H	E
Zulia (2-0)      1	1	3	0	4	1	0	1	0			11	13	1
Lara (0-2)       0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0			 1	 9	2
W: Ledezma (1-0, 1.50) ; L: Martinez, J (0-1, 10.13)
HR: None.
Game 1: Zulia 12, Lara 2
Game 2: Zulia 11, Lara 1
Aguilas del Zulia lead series 2-0
Game 3: 01/23 7:00 p.m.
Game 4: 01/24 7:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/25 7:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/27 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/28 7:00 p.m.[/b

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EAGLES RUTHLESSLY HUNT DOWN CARDINALES

Las Aguilas del Zulia repeated the dose against the Lara Cardinals by a score of 11-1, after taking advantage of defensive errors and timely hitting of their players. Zulia increased the lead to 2-0 in the Grand Finale of the LVBP .

The Aguilas stung first in the first inning and added another in the second for a 2-0 lead. The Aguilas extended their to 5-0 with three runs in the third. Endy Chavez singled. Jose Tabata into a fielders choice. Mario Lisson doubled (1) Jose Tabata to 3rd.
Jose Pirela singled. Jose Tabata scored. Mario Lisson to 3rd. Alex Romero grounds out. Mario Lisson scored. Jose Pirela to 2nd.
Jesus Flores singled. Jose Pirela scored.

Eagles continued their offensive drive in the fifth. Jose Tabata triples (1) leading off the inning. Mario Lisson flied out. Cesar Jimenez intentionally walked Jose Pirela. Alex Romero out on a sacrifice fly. Jose Tabata scored. Jose Pirela to 2nd on the throw.
Cesar Jimenez intentionally walks Jesus Flores. Jordany Valdespin doubled (1). Jose Pirela and Jesus Flores scored. Ronny Cedeno singled. Jordany Valdespin scored.

Zulia added another run in the sixth. With two out, Jose Pirela and Alex Romero walked. Jose Pirela to 2nd. Jesus Flores doubled (2). Jose Pirela scored.

Lara did not surrender and in the ninth inning loaded the bases with two outs. However, Maikol Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the game. Wil Ledezma received the victory (1-0) and taking the loss was Jorge Martinez (1-2).

Eagles increased their lead in the Grand Finale to 2-0 and return to Maracaibo with the mission of winning the title in the next two or three games while the Cardinals seek to reverse the trend of two setbacks in the series.

HIGHLIGHTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF_oif9cbT8

<
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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1/21/17

CUBA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

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          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     C    H    E 
 VS: CAV  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0     1    6    0 
 HC: GRA  5  0  0  3  1  0  1  0  -    10    9    0 
W: BLANCO MATOS, LAZARO (17-4)
L: DUQUESNE CANTER, DACHEL (10-8)

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                  G	W	L	  AVE	DIF
Granma	         3	3	0	.1000	 -
Ciego de Avila	 3	0	3	 .000	 3	
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Alazanes kick Tigers

Guillermo Aviles' homer with the bases full in the opening inning "slams" defending champion Ciego de Avila.


Bayamo.-

HOST team Granma slammed the pitching of Ciego de Avila and managed to score a 10-1 run differential for their third straight win to put the defending champion of the National Baseball Series LVI in a position of winning the next four ball games in order to defend their crown.

Granma unloaded all their enthusiasm in the first inning on the heals of a cluster of five runs, four of them on a homer with the bases full by the seventh batter Guillermo Avilés. The long homer came off reliever Raidel Martínez. Now Ciego de Avila needs three losses without any victories.

What came after was more of the same, to such an extent that after the fourth inning Granma had extended their lead to eight runs.

The only inning Ciego scored was the fifth inning on a Gonzalez home run.

Yoelvis Fiss, the sixth batter and the designated hitter, was 2-2, both doubles.

In short Avila was neutralized by the right hander Lázaro Blanco, who in five and a third innings gave up a run, struck out five and walked three.

Backed by ninety mile an hour fastballs and sharp sliders, Blanco neutralized the Avilinien offense.

Blanco added his third straight win in the play off against one loss, that against Matanzas and accumulated 17 strikeouts.

Opponent starter Duquesne was the losing pitcher.

A win tomorrow for Granma will give them the crown for the first time in National Series history.

For this, manager Carlos Martí will send to the mound Leandro Martínez or Yanier González against the reinforcement Erray Casanovan from Pinar del Rio, in whose arm is the continuity or goodbye to a three-peet

Left-hander Martinez has relieved in three games in the postseason. He has faced 14 hitters who had five hits in two innings and two-thirds.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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1/21/17

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	              1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9			R	H	E
Mexicali (0-1)   0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0			1	9	0
Los Mochis (1-0) 2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	X			3	4	0
W: Arballo (1-0, 0.00) ; L: Pena, M (0-1, 4.50) ; SV: Romo (1)
HR: MXC: Rios (1) .  MOC: Linares, J (1) ,  Ford, L (1) .

Game 1: Mexicali 1 Los Mochis 3
Los Mochis Caneros lead series 1-0
Game 2: 01/22 5:00 p.m.
Game 3: 01/24 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: 01/25 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: 01/26 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/28 6:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/29 5:00 p.m.

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Linares, Arballo sparkle as Mochis wins title opener

J.C. Linares socked a two-run homer to stake Los Mochis starter Julian Arballo (pictured with a good reason to smile) a first-inning lead and the former Yankees prospect went on to toss six innings of shutout ball as the Caneros topped Mexicali, 3-1, Saturday in the opening game of the Mexican Pacific League championship series. An SRO crowd of 11,132 jammed into the Caneros' venerable Estadio Emilio Ibarra Almada, which opened in 1947 as Estadio Mochis.

LOS MOCHIS 3-4-0, Mexicali 1-9-0

After the visiting Aguilas were held scoreless in the top of the first, Mexicali starter Miguel Pena got the first two Mochis outs of the bottom of the frame before walking Lew Ford. Pena was one strike away from retiring the side when Linares cracked a homer over the wall in left center to put the Caneros up, 2-0. From that point, Arballo and Pena were locked in a pitcher's duel that lasted through the sixth with no more scoring from either side. A leadoff homer in the bottom of the seventh by Ford off a Pena pitch brought the Mochis lead to three. After Pena allowed a Linares single next, Mexicali skipper Roberto Vizcarra came to the mound and waved in Edgar Gomez from the bullpen. Gomez finished the inning without further damage, but the only sign of life the Aguilas would show the rest of the night was a Ramon Rios solo homer in the eighth off Oliver Perez, a reinforcement pickup from Culiacan. For all intent and purposes, the night belonged to Arballo and the Caneros bullpen as Sergio Romo recorded the final three Mexicali outs in the top of the ninth to end the game and earn the save.

Arballo allowed only six baserunners over his six innings, all on singles with only Xorge Carrillo reaching second base. The Cal Baptist product struck out six in his 82-pitch outing as five Caneros pitchers combined to whiff ten Mexicali batsmen. Despite allowing all three Mochis runs on two homers in six innings of work, Pena did not pitch badly. The left-handed Texan, who spent four years in the Red Sox system, only allowed two other hits, walked one and struck out four. All Pena was lacking over 78 pitches was luck as his Aguilas teammates actually outhit Mochis, 9-to-4. Jason Bourgeois (a reinforcement from Hermosillo) and Yuniesky Betancourt each had two hits for Mexicali. Linares, himself a former Bosox farmhand who was Pena's teammate at Portland in 2013, had two safeties for the Caneros, including the biggest one.

Game Two will be played Sunday night at 5PM MST (0000 UTC) in Los Mochis. After Monday's travel day, the next three games of the title series are scheduled to be played in Mexicali, all at 7:30PM PST (0330 UTC) in the 17,000-seat Estadio B'Air, or La Nida (The Nest). The Caneros are looking for their fourth pennant since their first season in 1947. Their last championship came in 2002-03. Mexicali has won three flags since their 1976 debut, most recently in 1998-99. The 1985-86 Aguilas went on to win the Caribbean Series under Salon de la Fama manager Ben "Cananea" Reyes.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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Lindor happy to pitch in for Play Ball Event

Indians shortstop starts program to benefit kids in his hometown


ST. MONTVERDE, Fla. --

Francisco Lindor arrived with a smile on Saturday afternoon.

Big surprise, right?

To those who know the dynamic Indians shortstop, they would expect nothing less. Simply stated, Lindor cares. Thus, the Francisco Lindor Play Ball Event.

Last year, Lindor began talking to the people from Major League Baseball who stage Play Ball events and expressed an interest in hosting an event at Montverde Academy, where he attended high school after arriving to the United states from Puerto Rico. On Saturday, that came to fruition under clear skies on the Francisco M. Lindor Field.

"This is a thrill," Lindor said. "I was fortunate to have a lot of people in my corner that helped me growing up. So I wanted to give back and help kids get some of the same help I got along the way."

Lindor is the first Major Leaguer to host a Play Ball event, which made Saturday even more special according to Jess Dunn, the coordinator of youth programs for MLB. She conducts approximately 30 such events per year.

"To have such a young superstar reach out is huge for us," Dunn said. "Hopefully it will be a spring board for other Major Leaguers to follow suit. He's great with kids and he's been active with RBI. The idea is to connect with the kids and help them to fall in love with the game."

Lindor's agent, David Meter, said that his client has a big heart.

"He wanted to do something for the kids," Meter said. "He's a special kid. He's all about giving back."

Approximately 150 kids ages 7-13 showed up at the sprawling Montverde Academy complex accompanied by their parents. They wore different colored uniforms and dragged equipment bags. Their faces showed the excitement of being afforded the opportunity to mingle with Major League and Minor League players.

Marlins second baseman Derek Dietrich, who is friends with Lindor, was among the group of players participating in the activities.

"Francisco is a great person, a great friend, and a great player," said Dietrich, who noted that they often work out together at the Montverde Academy facilities. "We feed off each other. I find myself learning from him. I love being around somebody who can make you better."

Minor Leaguers on hand included Josh Lowe (Rays), Austin Allen (Padres), Ozzie Albies (Braves), and Mickey White (Oakland).
"It's fun to help out and see the little kids smile," Lowe said. "Hopefully, you give them something they can take away from it to help them get better."

Added Allen: "Growing up, I never had the opportunity to be around [professional baseball players at an event like Saturday's]. I know how much it would have meant to me."

In addition to the professionals, players from Montverde Academy's baseball and softball teams helped with the activities. The kids split into groups and went about their paces in 15-minute drills at five different stations.
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“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


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Yonathan Mendoza makes a postseason appearance

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, 2B) - 2-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K - Following a subpar Game Two on Friday, Ronny-Rod was back to being Ronny-Rod on Saturday as he was a big part of an eleven-run offensive explosion that saw the Aguilas take a two games to one lead in the best-of-nine Serie Final. He is now 5-for-13 (.385) in the Serie (three games) and .313/.356/.455 with 19 RBI and five stolen bases (in as many attempts) for the entire offseason (59 games). He seems certain to be part of the Dominican squad in the Serie del Caribe if the Aguilas win the Dominican title, and maybe even if they don't.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

Yonathan Mendoza (Cardenales de Lara, backup SS) - 1-1 - Mendoza is batting 1.000 in the postseason after getting a hit in his first at-bat of the playoffs on Saturday. Given his limited playing time and the extent to which the Aguilas del Zulia are dominating the best-of-seven Serie Final (they are up two games to none with a +20 run differential following yesterday's 11-1 victory over the Cardenales), it seems that Mendoza's winter season will be coming to an end at the conclusion of this series.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


Democracy Dies In Darkness - WAPO

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The perils facing Latin American baseball players
Yordana Ventura's death follows that of Oscar Tavares in 2014 and highlights a unique danger in the Dominican Republic, which the World Health Organization has called the deadliest country in the world for motor-vehicle related deaths.

One more reason to stay the hell out of there !

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1/22/17

THE ALZANES DE GRANMA
NEW CHAMPIONS OF CUBAN BASEBALL
WITH A 4-0 SERIES EDGE OVER THE
TWO TIME DEFENDING CHAMPION
CIEGO DE AVILA


CUBA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Code: Select all

          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     C    H    E 
 VS: CAV  0  0  0  2  0  0  0  0  0     2    7    1 
 HC: GRA  0  0  0  1  0  0  1  1  -     3    4    0 
W: GARCIA RONDON, CESAR (6-2)
L: GARCIA SANCHEZ, JOSE A. (R) (3-3)
S: LAHERA BETANCOU, MIGUE (R) (11)

Code: Select all

Final	         G	W	L	 AVE	 DIF
Granma	        4	4	0	.1000	 -
Ciego de Avila	4	0	4	 .000	 3	
THE RUNS

4th D.Duarte walked.
4th Y.Fiss walked. D.Duarte to second.
4th O.Vazquez singled to right. Y. Fiss to second. D.Duarte scored. (1)
4th C.Garcia relieved L. Martinez.
4th A.Civil grounded out. O.Vazquez to second. Y. Fiss to third.
4th Y.Charles intentional walk.
4th R.Valdes sacrifice fly to right. O.Vazquez to third. Y. Fiss scored. (2)
4th R.Gonzalez flied. Y. Charles is out. Ciego de Avila 2 Granma 0

4th Y.Paumier walked.
4th A.Despaigne walked. Y.Paumier to second.
4th E. Casanova commits a balk. A.Despaigne to second. Y.Paumier to third.
4th D.Laza walked loading the bases.
4th J.Garcia relieved E.Casanova.
4th C.Benitez walked. D.Laza to second. A.Despaigne to third. Y.Paumier scored. (1)
4th G.Aviles grounded out into double play. C.Benitez to second. D.Laza to third. A.Despaigne is out.
4th F.Morejon grounded out. Ciego de Avila 2 Granma 1

7th G.Aviles reached base on an error.
7th F.Morejon sacrifices. G.Aviles to second.
7th J.Garcia commits a wild pitch. G.Aviles to third.
7th Y.Cespedes singled to right. G.Aviles scored. (2)
7th R.Santos popped out to right.
7th Y.Manduley popped out to second. Ciego de Avila 2 Granma 2

8th Y.Paumier grounded out.
8th A.Despaigne walked.
8th J.Garcia commits a wild pitch. A.Despaigne to second.
8th R.Echemendia replaces Y.Fiss in the right field.
8th D.Laza intentionally walked.
8th C.Benitez walked. D.Laza to second. A.Despaigne to third. Bases loaded.
8th D.Duquesne relieved J.Garcia. E.Silva replaces E.GriÑan at first base.
8th G.Aviles sacrifice fly to left. A.Despaigne scored. (3)
8th F.Morejon flied out to second. FINAL Ciego de AVILA 2 GRANMA 3

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¡Granma, el nuevo campeón!

A real feat. It is the only way to qualify what was done by the representative team of Granma province by sweeping the two-time champions Ciego de Avila and conquering for the first time in its 40-year history the title of champion of the 56th National Baseball Series.

Few times you see a team with such determination as the Granma Alzanes. In succession, they twice defeated the favorite Matanzas in their home in Girón. Then again with the odds against them, they traveled to Jose Ramon Cepero to win two games all decided by singled runs. Then they returned home to their field of the Bayamés Martyrs of Barbados to obtain a blowout victory of 10-1 on Saturday and put the check mate on the Avalinians on Sunday by a score of 3-2.

This Sunday they were able to finish off by 3-2 the Avalinians. Left-handed starter Leandro Martínez after hanging three zeros on the Tigers gave a couple of runs in the fourth inning led by Osvaldo Vazquez and Ruben Valdés. Carlos Martí, manager, called to the rescue the righty, César García, author of an excellent relief tour of four innings without allowing a run. And Miguel Lahera came in to close the door once more who was very effective in this play off, entering the ninth allowing one hit and striking out two without giving away any walks.

Granma tied the score with two runs in the inning luck on an error by newcomer at firstl Eliecer Griñan on a grounder by Guillermo Aviles, Frank Camilo Morejón sacrifice, a wild pitch and a single Yoelkis Cespedes to right field. The run tovictory came an inning later, without a hit but on walks to Despaigne, Dennis Laza and Carlos Benítez and a sacrifice fly by Avilés to the left field.
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“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller


Democracy Dies In Darkness - WAPO