Tigres del Licey announces Audo Vicente as their new manager

José Offerman will be your assistant

[ I guess its never too late to fire your manager if things aren't going as planned. The four team round robin series finds Licey at 2-5 in last place and 4.5 games behind the Aguilas. It doesn't help when you trail your arch rival by 4.5 games in a playoff series. ]

SANTO DOMINGO.-

Shortly after announcing the dismissal of manager Pat Kelly, the Licey Tigers' board reported that they named Audo Vicente as their new manager who has now managed all of the teams in this league.

However, Vicente will not take over until next Sunday. Meanwhile, Luis Urrueta was named interim manager

Jose Offerman will be the assistant manager for Vicente, said Tommy Troncoso commentator for the Licey team in his Twitter account @TomasTroncosoJr

Offerman replaces Luis Natera in these labors.

Pat Kelly had won the wrath of the Licey Tigers fans after the team entered a playoff losing streak of 5 consecutive games and find themselves in last place in the table of standings below the Giants of Cibao, the Lions of Escogido and the Cibaean Eagles.

The decision that generated the most criticism of Kelly was when he called upon Leyson Séptimoto, who had not warmed up in the bull pen, on Thursday night, when, in the eighth inning the Eagles Cibaeñas filled the bases against pitcher Rafael Soriano and the Eagles went on to score 5 runs against Séptimoto and ended up winning the game 5 races for 2.

Notes:

* Pat Kelly, Tigers' pilot apparently yielded to the pressure of a full house in a game in the Dominican League's most difficult park to play in, but he is not to blame alone for the blunder that occurred last night. Only in a softball game will a pitcher enter the game without heating up, but Licey has on its roster 11 coaches that include Luis Natera and Luis Urueta as assistants to the manager and Welington Cepeda, pitching coach, and it seems that no one warned the manager that he should warm up a pitcher before he started the eighth inning. Licey blew a 2-0 lead in the top of the 8th inning losing the game 5-2. Septimoto came into the game with the bases loaded and no outs and gave up three hits in a row in a crucial game for the Tigers. Kelly has committed two absurdities in this campaign are unforgivable in professional ball and this one last night put in play the health of a pitcher .....

* Kelly has committed two absurdities in this playoff series that are unforgivable in professional ball and this one last night put in play the effectiveness of the pitcher .....

1/6/17

DOMINICAN LEAGUE ROUND ROBIN RBI: Gonzalez, E (4)
SB: Gonzalez, E (2, 2nd base off Lannan/Wynns)

1/6/17

VENEZUELA PLAYOFFS Game 1: Margarita 6, Lara 4
Game 2: Margarita 1, Lara 8
Game 3: Lara 8, Margarita 9
Game 4: Lara 9, Margarita 2
Series tied 2-2
Game 5: 01/07 6:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/09 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/10 7:00 p.m.

Game 1: La Guaira 5, Caribes 2
Game 2: La Guaira 13, Caribes 6
Game 3: Caribes 6, La Guaira 5
Game 4: Caribes 16, La Guaira 2
Series tied 2-2
Game 5: 01/07 4:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/09 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/10 7:00 p.m.

Game 1: Aragua 3, Zulia 6
Game 2: Aragua 5, Zulia 6
Game 3: Zulia 9, Aragua 2
Game 4: Zulia 5, Aragua 1
Aguilas del Zulia win series 4-0

RONNY RODRIGUEZ

The Eagles Overcome Giants By The Minimum

SAN FCO. DE M.

Imported Christopher O'Grady threw five innings of two hits and one run ball leading Las Aguilas Cibaoas to a tight 2-1 win over the Cibao Giants to clinch their eighth consecutive win in the tournament.

O'Grady faced 19 hitters in five full-fledged non-conceded innings and had three strike outs to clinch the important win.

Bryan Rodriguez was the defeated pitcher allowing the two runs with four hits and one walk.

The Eagles had a big relief appearance of three innings from the imported Tyler Alexander who only allowed two hits and struck out four.

Josh Judy was in charge dominating the strong Giant offense in the ninth inning to achieve his sixth save in the tournament.

With their win Las Aguilas placed their record at 8-1 dominating the round robin while Los Gigantes put their record at 2-5.

Las Aguilas scored two runs in the third inning. Opening the inning, Daniel Santana singled to center and stole second. Ronny Rodriguez singled up the middle, Juan Carlos Perez drove in Santana with a base hit to right and Zoilo Almonte batted in Rodriguez with a single to right.

In the bottom of the fifth inning the Giants scored a run on a solitary homer to center by Garabez Rosa.

The best batters for the Eagles were Zoilo Almonte with two hits, Daniel Santana, Angel Franco, Rainel Rosario, Juan Carlos Perez, Ricardo Nanita and Ronny Rodriguez with a single each.

For the Giants the best ones were Garabez Rosa a homer, and Keitel Marte, Nelson Cruz, and Maikel Franco each with a base hit.

Maikel Franco is put out at second base by Ronny Rodríguez

AC does not give in to Round Robin with 8th straight win;
The Licey Tigers stopped losing streak at 5 against the Lions

While the Cibao Eagles continue their high flight, the Licey Tigers stopped a five-game losing streak during yesterday's Round Robin. Yesterday the Eagles won their eighth in a row by defeating the Cibao Giants 2-1 while the Tigers came from behind to beat 7-4 to the Lions of Escogido.

The Eagles have not tasted defeat since December 28, when they won their first round robin game against the Lions of Escogido 7-4.

Eagles starter Chris O'Grady (1-0), drafted from the reinforcement draw, pitched five full innings of two hit and one run ball in his debut. He struck out three and put his ERA at 1.80.

The only two runs for the Eagles were produced in the third inning. After two outs and with men at third and second, Juan Carlos Perez had an rbi single and then Zoilo Almonte produced the second with another base hit both off of Giants starter Brayan Rodriguez (0-1), Who for the second time has not reached the five innings mark.
Tigers Shake Losing Streak at 5

Anderson Hernandez broke a tie with a 3-run triple to lead the Licey Tigers to a 7-4 win over the Lions of the Escogido. With the win, the Tigers stopped a five-game losing streak, dating to Dec. 30.

With the Lions' 4-1 lead, the Tigers rallied for six runs at the close of the seventh inning, three of them to tie the game and three more to take advantage, which ultimately meant victory. The game was started by Yamaico Navarro, who drove in the first run, then Diory Hernandez produced the second with another base hit; With full bases Rymer Liriano walked. The turn of gold was Hernandez, who, with the bases loaded fired a triple that emptied the bases off of reliever Edward Paredes, who had previously replaced Johan Yan.

The Tigers had Luis Urreta as interim manager yesterday after the firing of Pat Kelly. Audo Vicente as their new manager will lead the team in his first game on Saturday night.

1/6/17

MEXICAN PLAYOFFS

Game 1: Mexicali 2, Navojoa 4
Game 2: Mexicali 7, Navojoa 6
Game 3: Navojoa 2, Mexicali 3
Game 4: Navojoa 1, Mexicali 14
Aguilas de Mexicali lead series 3-1
Game 5: 01/07 6:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/08 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/09 7:30 p.m.

Game 1: Mazatlan 1, Los Mochis 2
Game 2: Mazatlan 4, Los Mochis 6
Game 3: Los Mochis 3, Mazatlan 0
Game 4: Los Mochis 6, Mazatlan 7
Caneros de los Mochis lead series 3-1
Game 5: 01/07 6:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/08 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/09 7:30 p.m.

Game 1: Hermosillo 3, Culiacan 6
Game 2: Hermosillo 6, Culiacan 4
Game 3: Culiacan 8, Hermosillo 7
Game 4: Culiacan 4, Hermosillo 8
Series tied 2-2
Game 5: 01/07 6:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/08 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/09 7:30 p.m.

Erik Gonzalez

1/6/17

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

Erik Gonzalez (Leones del Escogido, SS) - 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB - Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to four games and stole his second base of the postseason. Erik is batting .272 (9-for-33) in the postseason with two doubles and four RBI. His recent form is a significant improvement over how he started the playoffs as he is 6-for-16 (.375) during the hitting streak, compared to 3-for-17 (.176) in his first four games in the Round Robin.

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, 2B-1B) - 1-4, 1 R, 1 K - Ronny-Rod continues a stellar LIDOM postseason, Wednesday's golden sombrero not withstanding. He is batting .368 (14-for-38) with four doubles and five RBI in nine playoff appearances. Three of those games were multi-hit efforts, all of the three-hit variety. The only concern about such a performance is that it may lead to him reporting to minor league spring training exhausted from playing baseball virtually nonstop.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

Jesus Aguilar (Bravos de Margarita, 1B) - 2-4, 1 K - Through three postseason games, Jesus has alternated multi-hit and hitless games. The result has been a .364 batting average (4-for-11) with a double and an RBI, both from his first game of the series. Aguilar also drew both of his walks in that game and has struck out once in each game since. The 2:2 K:BB ratio is still impressive, however, especially for a power hitter. While the postseason sample size is small, the news so far is good, especially when his solid LVBP regular season is taken into account.

1/6/17

MEXICAN PLAYOFF NEWS
Mexicali pounds Navojoa, Mazatlan stays alive

The Mexicali Aguilas routed top-seed Navojoa, 14-1, Friday to take a 3-games-to-1 lead in their Mexican Pacific League first round playoff series. Also Friday, the Mazatlan Venados prevented a Los Mochis sweep with a tight 7-6 win in the Pearl of the Pacific while Hermosillo evened up with Culiacan at two games each by doubling up the Tomateros, 8-4. Game Five action is slated for Saturday in Mazatlan, Mexicali and Hermosillo before the series shift locales on Sunday as needed.

MEXICALI 14-16-0, Navojoa 1-3-1

Believe it or not, the Mayos led this one early. After a scoreless first inning, Navojoa went up 1-0 in the top of the second when Christian Zazueta drilled a two-out double to left field off Mexicali starter Miguel Pena, scoring Niko Vazquez from third base. The roof promptly caved in for the visitors as the Aguilas scored five runs in the bottom of the second and three in the third to go up 8-1. The two teams swapped zeros from the fourth frame until the bottom of the sixth, when the Eagles erupted for four more runs to make it a 12-1 game. The hosts added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth as 15,577 people watched at Estadio B'Air in the border city.

Key scoring plays for the Aguilas were Yuniesky Betancourt's three-run double in the second inning, RBI doubles by Ramon Rios and C.J. Retherford in the third, Jon Del Campo's three-run homer in the sixth and Rios' two-run longball in the eighth. In all, Mexicali collected 16 hits and 6 walks off five Navojoa pitchers, with Mayos starter Fabio Castro (1 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 4 BB) taking the loss after allowing the first Mexicali batters to reach base in the second, including a leadoff homer from Mets farmhand Xorge Carrillo (pictured). The bottom third of the order did the most damage for the winners as Carrillo, Del Campo and Rios combined for 11 hits (including three homers and two doubles), 9 runs scored and 8 RBIs.

All that offense made life easy for Aguilas starter Pena, who lasted seven innings and gave up just three hits and one run, walking none and whiffing three for the win. Yair Lozoya and Francisco Rodriguez each turned in 1-2-3 innings in relief against the shellshocked Mayos.
MAZATLAN 7-5-2, Los Mochis 6-9-5

It wasn't pretty, but Mazatlan manager Daniel Fernandez wasn't in the position to be choosy about how his team won. The defending LMP and Caribbean Series champion Venados parlayed five hits, two walks and five Los Mochis into a 7-6 home win over the Caneros Friday night. In doing so, the Deer stayed alive by bringing their series deficit to 3 games to 1. A crowd of just 8.572 was on hand at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal, the lowest attendance of all twelve postseason encounters involving six cities. It's been a season-long puzzle for Mazatlan, the only MexPac team to draw fewer than 200,000 fans during the regular season (albeit barely below that number).

Mazatlan went up 2-0 on Jesus Fabela's RBI single in the second inning and Drew Maggi scampering home on a double-play grounder in the third entrada. Los Mochis roared back with three runs in the fourth, taking the lead when Sebastian Valle lumbered in from third on a Jesus Sanchez wild pitch, and racked up three more scores in the fifth (key blow: two-run double from Fernando Inzunza) to take a 6-2 lead. The Venados got one run back in the bottom of the fifth when Fabela scored on a double-play grounder, ironically topped by Maggi, to cut Mochis' lead to three. Mazatlan drew even with three runs in the seventh, tying the score when Caneros reliever Jon Sintes uncorked a wild pitch to Cyle Hankerd, allowing Roberto Valenzuela to come in from third. The Venados won in walkoff fashion when Fabela opened the bottom ninth by beating out an errant throw to first by Mochis shortstop Isaac Rodriguez, moved to second on a Valenzuela sacrifice bunt and scored on Maggi's line drive single to right, ending the contest.

Arturo Barradas went a third of an inning in the ninth as the last Mazatlan pitcher and his one out was enough for him to be the winning pitcher. Ernesto Zaragos started for the Venados and struck out six in 3.1 innings, but he also let in three runs on four hits and three walks over 76 pitches before skipper Fernandez had finally had enough (conversely, home plate umpire Oswaldo Meza had finally had enough of Fernandez in the eighth and tossed him. Sintes both blew a save opportunity and took the loss despite 20 of his 29 pitches going for strikes. The real story for Mochis pitchers was that of seven runs allowed by three pitchers, only two were earned as the trio otherwise combined on a five-hitter.
HERMOSILLO 8-7-2, Culiacan 4-7-2

Outfielder Jason Bourgeois scored three runs on two hits (including a homer) and a walk as the Hermosillo Naranjeros topped the Culiacan Tomateros, 8-4, Friday with a standing-room-only crowd of 16,302 at Hermosillo's Estadio Sonora. The first-round series is now tied at two games apiece.

The contest was tied ar 2-2 when Bourgeois led off the bottom of the third inning with a single and sped to third on Carlos Gastelum's single to left. Bourgeois then scored on a sacrifice fly, Gastelum took second when Culiacan reliever Jose Sanchez balked with O'Koyea Dickson batting. Clearly rattled, Sanchez then walked both Dickson and Dustin Martin to load the bases for Jose Amador. At this point, Tony Cordova came in for Sanchez and induced Amador to ground into a fielder's choice, with Gastelum coming in from third to make it a 4-2 Hermosillo lead. The Naranjeros added two more runs during another crazy inning in the fourth (two singles, three walks, two wild pitches) and were never threatened again. In all, Culiacan pitchers issued nine walks, hit a batter and allowed seven base hits for a total of 17 baserunners. Amazingly, the Naranjeros were only 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position yet still scored eight times. Ryan Lollis and Oscar Robles each had two singles for the Tomateros.

The recipient of all the Culiacan mound staff largesse was Naranjeros starter Pablo Ortega, who turned 40 in November. The ageless righty struck out seven in five innings but it was anything but smooth sailiing. Ortega let in four runs on five hits and a pair of free passes, but still got the win. Gerardo Sanchez was tagged with the loss for the Tomateros but it was a group effort by the eight pitchers who saw duty. Victor Marte did toss 2.2 hitless innings in relief with four strikeouts, but Marte also let fly with a bases-loaded wild pitch that brought Bourgeois in from third.

It was that kind of night.

1/7/17

PUERTO RICO PLAYOFFS
Game 1: Carolina 1, Santurce 2
Game 2: Santurce 3, Carolina 6
Game 3: Carolina 0, Santurce 11
Cangrejeros de Santurce lead series 2-1
Game 4: 01/08 6:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/10 7:15 p.m.
Game 6: 01/11 7:15 p.m.
Game 7: 01/12 7:15 p.m.

Game 1: Caguas 3, Mayaguez 4
Game 2: Mayaguez 5, Caguas 1
Game 3: Caguas 5, Mayaguez 4
Indios de Mayaguez lead series 2-1
Game 4: 01/08 4:15 p.m.
Game 5: 01/10 7:15 p.m.
Game 6: 01/11 7:15 p.m.
Game 7: 01/12 7:15 p.m.
Victories for Caguas and Santurce in winter baseball

Caguas reacted Saturday night in Mayagüez for their first win of the series, and Santurce regained the lead in their series by blowing out 11-0 Carolina in the continuation of the semifinal stage of winter baseball.

With the urgency to obtain a win as visitors, the Caguas Criollos beat the Mayagüez Indians 5-4 in Isidoro 'Cholo' García Stadium to get closer to the series tie 2-1.

Randy Ruiz thrashed the bat hard against his old team. Ruiz batted in four of the five runs and scored another on the strength of a homer and double..

In the fourth inning he drove home Rey Navarro with a double off of Jonathan Sánchez and then in the fifth he hit a three-run homer to lead his team, 5-1, off of Pete Parise. Sanchez lost the game. John Brownell clinched the win by completing 5.2 innings and allowing four hits and two runs. Ricardo Gómez saved the game.

<

While at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, the Santurce Crabbers beat the Carolina Giants 11-0 to take advantage of the semi-final series A, 2-1.

The series will continue tomorrow, Sunday at the Roberto Clemente Stadium, home of the Giants, at 6:00 pm Left-hander Giovanni Soto will open for the Giants and Adalberto Flores will do the same for the Cangrejeros.

On Saturday night, right-hander Tomás Santiago suffered the loss for the Giants by allowing six runs, four of them earned, in just 2.2 innings. Santurce scored two runs in the opening innings and then sealed the win with an eight-run third. Ivan De Jesus, son, hit 2-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, and Reymond Fuentes and Christian Vázquez each had two more runs scored. Santurce had 15 hits. Frank Del Valle won the game completing five innings. Darin Downs started the game and threw four scoreless innings.

1/7/17

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ROUND ROBIN The Giants rise to tie for 2nd with the Tigers by beating Lions 7-6

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -

Maikel Franco hit a single in the eighth inning to lead the Cibao Giants to a tight 7-6 victory over the Lions of the Escogido and produced a tie for second place in the tournamentl.

The Giants reached the eighth trailing by a run where they were able to produce two scores that defined the game to the delight of the fans in the Julian's stadium of this city.

Garabez Rosa singled leading off the 8th inning. Aneury Tavarez ran for Garabez Rosa. With one out, Aneury Tavarez stole (2) 2nd base. Melvin Mercedes walked. With two out, Nelson Cruz singled to center. Aneury Tavarez scored to tie the game. Melvin Mercedes advanced to 3rd. Maikel Franco singled right. Melvin Mercedes scored the go ahead run.

Maikel Franco was the hero of the game for the Giants hitting 3-4 with two runs scored, two rbi's and one walk.

With their win the Giants got a tie for second place with the Tigers of the Licey with a record of 3-5 while the Lions went down to the last place with a 3-6 record.

Veteran Joel Peralta was the winning pitcher, Jose Casilla was the defeated while Ramon Ramirez was awarded the save.

The best hitters for the Giants were Maikel Franco three hits, Garabez Rosa two hits, and Melvin Mercedes, Leury Garcia, Nelson Cruz, Cam Perkins, and Ketel Marte a single each.

For the Lions Tommy Pham homered and singled, Pedro Lopez doubled and singled, Eury Perez two hits, Jorge Polanco, Dan Black, Taylor Davis, one hit each.

1/7/17

VENEZUELA PLAYOFFS RBI: Aguilar (2).
2-out RBI: Aguilar
E: Aguilar (2, throw) Game 1: Margarita 6, Lara 4
Game 2: Margarita 1, Lara 8
Game 3: Lara 8, Margarita 9
Game 4: Lara 9, Margarita 2
Game 5: Margarita 1, Lara 8
Series tied Margarita leads series 3-2
Game 6: 01/09 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/10 7:00 p.m.

Game 1: La Guaira 5, Caribes 2
Game 2: La Guaira 13, Caribes 6
Game 3: Caribes 6, La Guaira 5
Game 4: Caribes 16, La Guaira 2
Game 5: Caribes 13, La Guaira 2
Caribes de Anzoategui lead series 3-2
Game 6: 01/09 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/10 7:00 p.m.

JESÚS AGUILAR PUT BRAVOS AHEAD

Bravos left the Cardenales on the field and took advantage in the series

Bravos de Margarita is claimed the winner in a close 16 innings game and walked off at the expense of the Lara Cardinals 2-1, after taking advantage of a key rbi base hit by Jesus Aguilar and take advantage in the series heading back to Barquisimeto .

Both teams started very evenly matched in the pitching department between Raul Rivero Jr. and Omar Bencomo. Raul Rivero Jr. was unhittable at the start of the game, as he retired the first seven outs by strikeouts.

Lara struck first in the third inning, when Gustavo Molina singled to right batting in Jairo Perez.

The Margarita reacted two innings later. Junior Sosa responded with base hit to center and Ángelo Castilian scored to tie the game at 1-1.

Both starting pitchers despite conceding a run, kept the rival batters at bay with their work. Raul Rivero was on the mound for about 6.0 innings, allowing one run, seven hits, a walk and struck out nine.

For his part, Omar Bencomo Jr., he stepped off the mound after 7.0 innings, allowed one run, threehits, two walks.

Managers Henry Blanco and Luis Dorante moved their bullpens in the final stretch of the game using 10 pitchers between the two teams, through nine innings failed to break the deadlock and the game went into extra innings.

The game remained tied until the 16 inning, when Margarita placed two runners on base. Jesus Aguilar was the most "bravo" shooting a line drive to center and Junior Sosa scored from second.

The team of Margarita took advantage in the series (3-2), who will return Monday to Barquisimeto for the sixth and seventh game if possible. Manny Corpas was the winner (1-0), Jesus Parra took the loss (0-1).

Data

The game lasted seven hours with one minute, 22 pitchers were used throughout the 16 chapters (13 of Cardinals and 9 by the Braves).

1/7/17

MEXICAN PLAYOFFS Game 1: Mazatlan 1, Los Mochis 2
Game 2: Mazatlan 4, Los Mochis 6
Game 3: Los Mochis 3, Mazatlan 0
Game 4: Los Mochis 6, Mazatlan 7
Game 5: Los Mochis 4, Mazatlan 3
Caneros de los Mochis win series 4-1

Game 1: Mexicali 2, Navojoa 4
Game 2: Mexicali 7, Navojoa 6
Game 3: Navojoa 2, Mexicali 3
Game 4: Navojoa 1, Mexicali 14
Game 5: Navojoa 8, Mexicali 6
Aguilas de Mexicali lead series 3-2
Game 6: 01/08 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/09 7:30 p.m.

Game 1: Hermosillo 3, Culiacan 6
Game 2: Hermosillo 6, Culiacan 4
Game 3: Culiacan 8, Hermosillo 7
Game 4: Culiacan 4, Hermosillo 8
Game 5: Culiacan 6, Hermosillo 2
Tomateros de Culiacan lead series 3-2
Game 6: 01/08 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/09 7:30 p.m.

Defending champs ousted; Mayos, Tomateros win

Less than a year after fighting their way to a Mexican Pacific League pennant and the Caribbean Series championship, the Mazatlan Venados have been eliminated from this winter's LMP playoffs in five games after Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Los Mochis Caneros. Elsewhere, Culiacan pulled ahead in their series with Hermosillo after topping the Naranjeros, 6-2, while Navojoa staved off a first-round series loss to Mexicali by besting the Aguilas, 8-6, as all three visiting teams won Saturday. Culiacan will host Hermosillo in Game Six on Sunday and Navojoa will return home to welcome Mexicali.
Los Mochis 4-5-3, MAZATLAN 3-15-1

The Venados put plenty of men on base via 15 hits, two walks, a hit batsmen and three Mochis errors, but only went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and ended up leaving 13 of them stranded in Saturday's season-ending 4-3 loss before 9,267 spectators at Mazatlan's Estadio Teodoro Mariscal.

The Caneros drew first blood in the top of the first inning when Eugenio Velez scored on Lew Ford's sacrifice fly off Mazatlan starter Jeremy Kehrt, then made it a 3-0 lead in the third on RBI singles from Isaac Rodriguez (pictured) and J.C. Linares. The Venados tied the contest with three tallies in the fifth as Heber Gomez and Jesus Fabela contributed run-scoring singles, but Mochis pulled ahead in the top of the seventh when Sebastian Valle plated the game's final run on Velez' sac fly to center. Mazatlan loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame but failed to score and the game ended in the ninth when Samar Leyva was sent in by Venados manager Daniel Fernandez as a pinch-runner for Hector Paez, then was cut down stealing second on a throw by Valle to Mochis second baseman Jesus Arredondo.

Guillermo Trujillo pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief for the Caneros to pick up the win after Mochis starter Roy Merritt struggled through five innings, allowing three runs on nine hits. MLB free agent Sergio Romo got the final four outs of the game for his third save of the series. Rodriguez had two of the Caneros' five hits, scoring one run and driving in another. Drew Maggi and Brian Hernandez each had three hits for Mazatlan but neither figured in any scoring.
Culiacan 6-8-0, HERMOSILLO 2-5-1

Culiacan scored a single run in six of their nine innings to deliver a death-by-a-thousand-cuts deafeat to Hermosillo, 6-2, Saturday in front of an overflow throng of 16,581 at the Naranjeros' Estadio Sonora. The win edges the Tomateros ahead, 3 games to 2, in their first-round matchup with Hermosillo in a battle between two franchises with 26 MexPac pennants between them.

The Tomateros got a run in the first when Jose Manuel Rodriguez singled in Ryan Lollis. After three scoreless innings, Culiacan scored a run in each frame from the fifth through the ninth: Ali Solis scored on a Rodriguez sacrifice fly in the fifth, Ramiro Pena scored on a Jose Guadalupe Chanvez single in the sixth, Lollis scored on a Pena sac fly in the seventh, Sebastian Elizalde scored on a Lollis single in the eighth and Joey Meneses scored on a Issmael sac fly in the ninth. Culiacan was up 4-0 when Dustin Martin whacked a two-run homer for the Naranjeros in the bottom of the seventh, but that was all the scoring the Orangemen could muster against Tomateros starter Hector Daniel Rodriguez and three relievers.

Rodriguez went to 2-0 in the playoffs by pitching six innings and allowing two runs on three hits, striking out seven with one walk. Derrick Loop struck out three of Hermosillo's final four outs for his second save. The Naranjeros' Travis Blackley suffered his second loss in as many head-to-head starts against Rodriguez, going five innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and striking out three. Blackley had control issues, however, giving up five walks and throwing two wild pitches.
Navojoa 8-11-2, MEXICALI 6-9-0

The Navojoa Mayos blew open a scoreless game by pushing six runs across the plate in the top of the fourth inning and went on the outlast Mexicali, 8-6, Saturday before 15,813 witnesses at La Nida in the border city. Navojoa pulled to within a game of the Aguilas, who lead the series, 3 games to 2.

The Mayos batted through the order in that fateful fourth, picking up four hits and two walks after Mexicali starter Javier Solano had retired the first two batters he faced in the inning. The key Navojoa hits were a two-run single by Jesus Castillo that was immediately followed by a three-run Quincy Latimore homer. The 6-0 cushion was more than enough for Mayos starter Hector Velazquez to hold the fort before being pulled with one out in the seventh, leaving the game with a 8-4 lead. Another Mexicali run charged to Velazquez came in, but it was too little, too late for the home team, who must now beat the top seeded Mayos Sunday in Navojoa to close out the series.

Velazquez ended up allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks for his second postseason win in what was not one of his stronger outings of the season. Solano was yanked with two out in the fourth and took his second playoff loss, giving up six runs on seven hits and four walks. Castillo led the Mayos with three hits and three RBIs while scoring a run. Chris Roberson had a single and double for Mexicali, scoring twice and driving in a run while batting champ Luis Juarez doubled in Yordanys Linares and then scored on an Agustin Murillo in the fourth inning, but it was not to be the Aguilas' night.

1/7/17

CUBA PLAYOFFS Alaín Sánchez worked seven innings to give Villa Clara his first win in the semi-final play off against the Avilanian Tigers

Villa Clara's first victory against Ciego de Avila in the play off

Villa Clara showed that they are "alive" in the National Series LVI Baseball in Cuba , and after their victory Saturday against Ciego de Avila 4x1, it became clear that they are able to keep the monarchs from their third straight title.

The Camagüey reinforcement Alexánder Ayala fulfilled his function on the offensive and also on the defense

It was one of those games for the Avilanians. After scoring a run in the first inning, they loaded the bases in the second and failed to score.

Villa Clara evened thescore in the third inning on a rocket by Alexander Ayala who batted in Javier Fusté from second. In the fourth Villa Clara took command when they scored three times.

Already in the fifth Dachel Duquesne had to leave the mound when Ayala opened with a double to the left. To the rescue came the left-hander Yunser Corrales who put up zeros.

Meanwhile, Alaín Sánchez, with so many problems in the first, was growing on the mound, and after seven innings went by, was replaced by the southpaw Robelio Carrillo, the score remained 4x1 limiting the champions to only six hits.

JESUS AGUILAR

Jesus Aguilar became the hero of Braves de Margarita as he drove home the winning run in a 2-1 win in sixteen innings against Cardenas de Lara in the fifth game of the playoff series.


Caracas .-

With this result, the islanders will move to Barquisimeto with a 3-2 lead in the series and only need one more win to advance to the semifinals.

Jesús Parra charged with the loss in the game by surrendering the single that ended the marathon game of seven hours at the Estadio Nueva Esparta.

Junior Sosa opened the inning with a walk. Óscar Salazar flied out to center, but José Osuna (5-6 + 2 walks) singled, his fifth in the game.

Then appeared Aguilar, who smashed a pitch off of the twelfth Lara relief pitcher to left for the winning run. Lara used 13 pitchers in the game.

The Lara Cardenales won the eight team division race by 5 games. The Margarita Bravos had to win their last two games of the regular season to qualify. They finished the season nine games behind the league leading Cardenales.

Omar Bencomo Jr. had a very good start of seven innings in which he gave up a single run, three hits, while he walked two and fanned two. Lara starter Raul Rivero gave up seven hits and one run in six innings, while giving a walk and struck out nine including the first seven outs of the game.
Jesús Aguilar had four hits in eight at bats, including his decisive hit

1/8/17

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ROUND ROBIN 2B: Gonzalez, E (3, Urena)
SB: Rodriguez, Ro (2, 3rd base off Marte, K/Murphy, Ja)
E: Gonzalez, E (1, fielding) Hanley Ramirez single pushes the Tigers' over the Giants

SAN FCO. DE M-

Hanley Ramirez hit an rbi single in the twelfth inning leading the Licey Tigers to a tight 2-1 victory over Los Gigantes Cibao moving into second place.

After two were out at the top of the 12th, Yamaico Navarro negotiated a walk, stole second and scored the base hit by Ramirez.

With their win the Tigers set their record in four wins and five losses while the Giants put their record at 3-6 in third place in the semi-final series.

The winning pitcher was reliever Leyson Septimo, the losing pitcher was José flores and saving the game was Jairo Asencio his fourth of the tournamentl.

The best batters for the Tigers were Jason Roger a double and two singles, Sergio Alcantara a double, Yamaico Navaro and Hanley Ramirez two singles, and Austin Winns, Anderson Hernandez, Mel Rojas, a single each.

For the Giants standing out were Ketel Marte and Maikel Franco two singles, Cam Perkins, Garabez Rosa and Melvin Mercedes one hit each.

<
RONNY RODRIGUEZ

Eagles win 6-2 over the Lions; Reach 9 wins straight

SANTO DOMINGO.-

The Cibaeñas Eagles defeated Sunday 6 - 2 the Lions of Escogido in a game celebrated in Quisqueya Juan Marichal stadium.

This was the fourth consecutive loss for the Lions (3-7) leaving them a half from second place. The Eagles (9-1) made their ninth straight win and dominate the semi-final.

José Ureña (2-0) five inning and gave up two rns, seven hits, a walk and a strikeout.

Richard Rodriguez saved his second game serving up five outs, including two in the eighth inning to quell a Lions rebellion.

Lions opener Kelvin Marte (0-2) worked four innings in which he gave up three runs, seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

The Eagles scored one in the first inning. Ronny Rodriguez (2-4 3R) singled and scored on an rbi base hit by Zoilo Almonte. The Lions responded in that same inning on a sacrifice fly by Ronny Paulino.

The Cibaeños scored single runs in the first, second, and third innings. In the second they combined singles by Orlando Calixte and a triple by Danny Santana, whereas in the third inning, Ronny Rodriguez walked leading off the inning and scored from third on a double by Zoilo Almonte.

The Lions scored in the fourth on an rbi base hit by Tommy Pham.

The Eagles extended the lead with three runs in the top of the ninth. Jonathan Villar, who reached base on an error by shortstop Erik Gonzalez. Ronny Rodriguez singled on a line drive to left and advanced Jonathan Villar to 3rd and Ronny Rodriguez to 2nd on the throw. A wild pitch by Nelson Gonzalez acored Jonathan Villar and Ronny Rodriguez advanced to 3rd. Juan Perez singled and Ronny Rodriguez scored. Angel Franco ended the scoring on a sacrifice fly bringing home Juan Perez.

The Eagles counted on the bats of Santana, who contributed a double, single, and a run scored; Ronny Rodriguez two singles and three runs scored; Almonte a single and one rbi; And Orlando Calixte two singles and one scored.

The best hitters of the Lions were: Eury Perez with two singles and one scored, Pham with a single and an rbi, Jorge Polanco two singles and Erik Gonzalez with a double and a run scored.