1/15/17

CUBAN SEMI FINALS <
Granma Advance for the first time in history to finals of baseball in Cuba.

[ Few gave Granma (50-40) a chance against a dominant force in Matanzas (70-20) especially on the road. Even more revealing, Matanzas had 40 wins and 8 losses at home. Meanwhile, Granma had 21 wins and 24 losses on the road.As mention previously, Granma finished 20 games behind Matanzas during the first phase of the championship season. In order to qualify for the finals, Granma had a distinct disadvantage, meeting Matanzas in their home park for the final two games of the series. Matanzas had the advantage, leading 3-2 in the series. Granma won game 3 by a score of 9-6 to tie the series at 3 game each. Matanzas lead the league in nearly all offensive categories. In the draft of reinforcement, Matanzas chose to strengthen their pitching staff selecting three relief pitchers, all top 10 leaders during the regular season phase.

Fast forward to Sunday (1/15/17). Granma with a double "KO" !!!!. Scoring 10 runs in the fifth, Granma took and 11-1 lead. Both teams scored a run in the seventh. By league rules, a 10 run lead at the end of 7 innings would result in a "KO" or more commonly known as the slaughter rule. That was "KO" number 1. "KO" number 2 was eliminating the highly touted Matanzas team from the playoffs. Granma moves on and will meet "double" defending champion Ciego de Avila in the series finals. ]
Granma today knocked out Matanzas 12-2 in the seventh and deciding game of the semifinal and qualified for the first time in history the team for the throne of Cuban Baseball Championship , their best performance ever.

The Granma team, led by Carlos Martí , debunked most forecasts, which gave their opponents the heavy favorites.

It all started with a pitcher duel between left-handed Matancero Yoannis Yera and Granma right Lázaro Blanco. Both pitchers exhibited superlative command over the enemy batters until the fourth inning.

At the top of that inning, Granma scored a run and took the lead in the game, after Roel Santos' doubled against the wall in left and center Yunior Paumier's single batted in Santos. Slugger Alfredo Despaigne singled into the left field, which caused the explosion of Yera, who came out after noting the lack of confidence that the Matanzas manager Victor Mesa noted, despite having won 13 games in the first stage of the playoffs.

With an out and men on first and second bases, Mesa relieved with righty Frank Medina and this one responded to the call of his manager when he retired the next two batters without mishaps.

The 1-0 lead of Granma conveyed a certain fear to the Matanzas team, who saw how they might miss the playoff and the possibilities of playing for the national crown. The record of 70 wins for seasons out of 90 games, imposed this year by the Crocodiles, would become a simple footnote.

And then came the debacle.

Granma loaded all the bases and their artillery annihilated to the pitching of Matanzas in the fifth inning with a cluster of 10 runs, crowned by a bases loaded home by Yoelkis Céspedes.

In that debauchle was also influenced by an infield hit by Roel Santos, a sacrifice fly by Yunior Paumier, a two-run single by Dennis Laza, an error by the shortstop Yurisbel Gracial, as well as two walks and a pair of errors by the Matanzas pitchers.

It was all settled now. The Matanzas fans began to exit en masse the stadium Victoria of Giron, of the city of Matanzas. The celebration commenced and the celebration was on the field and in the dugout of Granma.

From there it was all a matter of time. Matanzas scored a run at the end of the fifth and another in the bottom of the seventh, while Granma recorded one at the beginning of the lucky inning (7) to seal the victory.

The credit for the win went to Blanco, his second in the postseason. The Granma right-hander pitched all seven innings of the game, allowing only two runs, with three strikeouts against the best offense in the regular season.

For the winners the best on the offense were Cespedes (home run and four RBIs), Laza (single and two runs batted in), Santos (two singles and one double, one run and two RBIs) and Paumier.

The Granma win takes on even more meaning if we remember that they arrived at the Girón Victoria forced to win games six and seven of the series, to be to advance to the finals. And so they did after imposing yesterday a 9-6 victory and today by a score of 12-2.

Now, Granma will face Ciego de Avila in the grand finale of the championship, agreed to the best of seven series.

The clash for Cuba's throne will begin next Wednesday at José Ramón Cepero Stadium, the Avilanian Tigers' headquarters, who will defend the crown after winning it in the last two seasons (2015 and 2016).

Pitching on that day Vladimir Garcia, by the monarchs; And Yoelkis Cruz or Noelvis Entenza for the challengers.

THE RUNS

4th R.Santos doubled to left.
4th Y.Manduley popped out to second. R.Santos to third.
4th Y.Paumier singled to right. R.Santos scored. (1)
4th A.Despaigne singled to left. Y.Paumier to second.
4th F.Medina relieved Y. Yera.
4th D.Laza flied out to first.
4th C.Benitez flied out to right. Granma 1 Matanzas 0

5th G. Aviles doubled to center.
5th F.Morejon sacrificed G.Aviles to third.
5th Y.Cespedes was hit by pitch.
5th L.Moinelo relieved F.Medina.
5th R.Santos singled to second. Y.Cespedes to second. G.Aviles scored. (1)
5th Y.Manduley received a strike. R.Santos to second. Y.Cespedes to third.
5th Y.Paumier sacrifice fly to center. Y.Manduley to second. R.Santos to third. Y.Cespedes scored. (2)
5th A.Despaigne walked.
5th D.Laza singled to left. A.Despaigne to second. Y.Manduley scored. R.Santos scored. (4)
5th A.Rodriguez relieved L.Moinelo.
5th C.Benitez singled to shortstop. D.Laza to second. A.Despaigne to third.
5th R.Licor relieved A.Rodriguez.
5th G.Aviles walked. C.Benitez to second. D.Laza to third. A.Despaigne scored. (5)
5th Y.Suarez relieved R.Licor.
5th F.Morejon hit to third. G.Aviles to second. C.Benitez to third. D.Laza scored. (6)
5th Y.Cespedes homered to center. F.Morejon scored. G.Aviles scored. C.Benitez scored. (10)
5th D.Quesada relieved Y.Suarez.
5th R.Santos singled to right.
5th Y.Manduley singled to third. R.Santos the second.
5th F.Montieth relieved D.Quesada.
5th Y.Paumier struck out. (Granma 11 Matanzas 0)

5th J.Torriente grounded out to second.
5th J.Delgado singled to left.
5th A.Martinez struck out.
5th Y.Gracial singled to right. J.Delgado to third.
5th Y.Gracial steals second.
5th S.Hndez singled to right. Y.Gracial to third. J. Delgado scored. (1)
5th Y.Santoya popped out to shortstop (Granma 11 Matanzas 1)

7th G.Aviles walked.
7th F.Morejon singled to right. G.Aviles to third.
7th A.Sosa relieved Y.Ruiz.
7th Y.Cespedes pulled off a great play on the field. F.Morejon is out. G.Aviles scored on a wild pitch (1)
7th R.Santos grounded out to second. (Granma 12 Matanzas 1)

7th J.Torriente flied out to right.
7th E.Caballero doubled to left.
7th D.Valdes singled to center. E.Caballero scored. (1)
7th Y.Gracial grounded out to shortstop. (Granma 12 Matanzas 2 KO'd)

1/15/17

PUERTO RICO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES BEST OF 9 Game 1: Caguas 1, Santurce 0
Game 2: Caguas 3, Santurce 6
series tied 1-1
Game 3: 01/17 7:15 p.m.
Game 4: 01/18 7:15 p.m.
Game 5: 01/19 7:15 p.m.
Game 6: 01/21 7:15 p.m.
Game 7: 01/22 4:15 p.m.
Game 8: 01/25 7:15 p.m.
Game 9: 01/26 7:15 p.m.

Santurce draws first blood series of winter baseball

Caguas -

The Santurce Crabbers demolished the champions using the seventh inning to defeat tonight the Caguas Criollos, 6-3, and returning the favor to Caguas who beat Santurce on Saturday in the first game of the final series of the League of Professional Baseball Roberto Clemente (LBPRC).

Santurce tied the finals with a victory thanks to a bouquet of five runs in the seventh inning. Up until that point of the challenge, opener Andrew Barbosa dominated the Santurce bats and protected a 2-0 lead from the Criollos. Nevertheless, the Crabbers finally unloaded all their offensive fury in the seventh inning.

Jake Newberry replaces Andrew Barbosa. Reymond Fuentes single. Neftali Soto singled Reymond Fuentes to 3rd. Pinch-hitter Juan Silva replaces A. Jimenez. Juan Silva doubled (1). Reymond Fuentes scored. Neftali Soto to 3rd. Abiatal Avelino walked. Saul Rivera replaces Jake Newberry. Christian Vazquez grounds out. Neftali Soto scored. Juan Silva to 3rd. Abiatal Avelino to 2nd. Saul Rivera intentionally walked Jose Lozada. Robert Andino flied out. Drew Ferguson doubled (1). Juan Silva scored. Abiatal Avelino scored. Jose Lozada scored.

Caguas narrowed the lead to two runs in the eighth but Santurce came back with one in the top of the ninth for a final score of 6-3.

Luis Santos was the winning pitcher working of two complete innings in relief, whereas Cabrera picked up the save. Jake Newberry lost the game and Rivera blew the save chance.

1/15/17

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ROUND ROBIN The Tigers blow the lead and the Giants tie in the standings.

SAN FCO. DE M. -

A six-run rally in the eighth inning reversed a Tiger 6-4 lead and caused the Cibao Giants to come from behind winning the important game 10-6 over the Tigers of the Licey to take a game advantage in the second position of the round robin of Professional Dominican baseball.

Melvin Mercedes singled. Pinch-hitter Aneury Tavarez grounded into a force out. Ketel Marte singled. Aneury Tavarez to 3rd.
With Leury Garcia batting, wild pitch by Leyson Septimo, Aneury Tavarez scored. Ketel Marte to 2nd. Leury Garcia singled. Ketel Marte to 3rd. Jason Krizan singled. Ketel Marte scored. Leury Garcia to 2nd. Jairo Asencio replaced Leyson Septimo. Cam Perkins grounded out. Leury Garcia to 3rd. Jason Krizan to 2nd. Jairo Asencio intentionally walked.Wilmer Difo. Garabez Rosa reaches on a fielding error. Leury Garcia scored. Jason Krizan to 3rd. Wilmer Difo to 2nd. Moises Sierra singled. Jason Krizan scored. Wilmer Difo scored. Garabez Rosa to 3rd. Melvin Mercedes singled to shortstop. Garabez Rosa scored.

The winning pitcher was reliever Jeurys Familia, while the defeated pitcher was reliever Leyson Septimo.

With their win the Giants put their record in 8-8 while the Tigers lowered to the third with record of 7-9.

The Tigers scored three runs in the first inning after one out, Anderson Hernandez hit the center, Hanley Ramirez dropped one to center, Juan Francisco homered.

In the second inning Licey scored a run opening the inning against Donovan Solano with a hit to the center and advanced to second on an error by Leury Garca, Engel Beltre drounded out advancing to third Solano who scored on a sacrifice fly by Emilio Bonifacio.

At the close of the third inning Los Gigantes scored three runs after one out Leury Garcia hit to center, advanced to second on an error and to third on a wild pitch, Cam Perkins batted in Garcia. Wilmer Difo singled filling the bases. Garabez Rosa batted in Franco with a hit and Moises Sierra walked scoring Perkins.

Licey scored a run in the fourth inning. Austin Winns doubled and scored when Engel Beltre doubled.

The Giants scored a run in the fifth inning when Cam Perkins reached base on an error, Wilmer Difo singled., Garabez Rosa sacrificed, Moises Sierra walked filling the bases, and Melvin Mercedes was hit by pitch scoring Perkins.

In the beginning of the sixth, the Tigers scored a run after one out, Engel Beltre singled and advanced to second on a eild pitch. Emilio Bonifacio singled, Beltre to third, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Sergio Alcantara.

The best hitters for the Giants were Leury Garcia and Melvin Mercedes three hits, Ketel Marte double and a single, Wilmer Difo two hits and Jason Krizan, Garabez Rosa, Sierra Moises a hit each.

For the Tigers stood out with the wood Juan Francisco and Mel Rojas each with a homer, Austin winns a double, Engel Beltre, Anderson Hernández and Emilio Bonifacio two singles and Sergio Alcantara, Donovan Solano a single each.
The Lions fall 8-0 against the Eagles

Águilas Cibaeñas disqualify the Lions of Escogido

Ángel Franco hit a home run with the bases filled, Jonathan Villar added another solo homer and the Eagles Cibao bleached 8-0 the Lions of Escogido, who were eliminated Sunday from the round robin tournament of the 2016-17 winter baseball tournament.

Franco's home run came in the third inning to give the Eagles an edge of 5-1. Villar's homer was made in the first inning against blue opener Irwin Delgado (1-1).

With the triumph, the Aguilas set its record at 12-4, when this Monday the Lions are again measured at Cibao Stadium in Santiago at 8:00 p.m.

Samuel Deduno (1-0) took the win by working two innings of a hit. The righty had replaced starter Tyler Alexander, who barely worked three, four-hit innings and three strikeouts.

1/15/17

VENEZUELA SEMI FINAL SERIES Game 1: La Guaira 7, Lara 6
Game 2: La Guaira 5, Lara 9
Game 3: Lara 9, La Guaira 3
Cardenales de Lara lead series 2-1
Game 4: 01/16 7:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/17 7:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/19 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/20 7:00 p.m.

Game 1: Zulia 3, Caribes 2
Game 2: Zulia 1, Caribes 7
Game 3: Caribes 2, Zulia 3
Aguilas del Zulia lead series 2-1
Game 4: 01/16 7:00 p.m.
Game 5: 01/17 7:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/19 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/20 7:00 p.m.
Cardinals Feed the Sharks

Lara Cardinals came to the capital city with the mission to defeat the Sharks and take command of the series dominated the Sharks 9-3.

Lara took the lead in the very first episode when Ildemaro Vargas walked. Paulo Orlando tripled (1). Ildemaro Vargas scored. With two outs, Jairo Perez singled. Paulo Orlando scored.

In the top of the sixth inning, Cardinals would score a bouquet of 3 more runs to increase their lead and practically sentence the game. Lara would put an end to theirscoring in the seventh episode with one more run, to put the game at 9-0.

La Guaira would try to respond in the lower half of the seventh inning by scoring 3 runs. In this way the team led by Luis Dorante got an important victory during their visit to La Guaira. The game was won by Jorge Martinez (2-0) while the defeat was in the arms of Kelvin De La Cruz (1-2).
Eagles put the claws into the Tribe

CARACAS

In a tight game from start to finish, Aguilas del Zulia took the best part by winning 3-2 over the Caribes de Anzoategui, in the first game of the semifinal series in the Luis Aparicio stadium "big one " of Maracaibo. Now the raptors dominate the series 2-1.

Jose Pirela and Alex Romero each batted in a race in the second inning and the westerners took advantage. Again Pirela, this time with a double, batted in another run in the fourth inning.

Niuman Romero and Mario Lissón each batted in runs in the fifth and sixth innings respectively.

The Mexican Rolando Valdez gained the win in 5.0 innings of work, with a run and four strike outs. Silvino Bracho saved.

Wilfredo Ledezma was loaded with the loss by allowing three runs, two of them unearned, in five innings of work.

1/15/17

MEXICAN SEMI FINAL SERIES Game 1: Culiacan 0, Los Mochis 5
Game 2: Culiacan 2, Los Mochis 14
Game 3: Los Mochis 3, Culiacan 7
Game 4: Los Mochis 1, Culiacan 4
series tied 2-2
Game 5: 01/16 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/18 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/19 7:30 p.m.

Game 1: Hermosillo 7, Mexicali 8
Game 2: Hermosillo 6, Mexicali 16
Game 3: Hermosillo 2, Mexicali 1
Aguilas de Mexicali lead series 2-1
Game 4: 01/16 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: 01/17 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/18 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/19 7:30 p.m.

[ SUMMARY TO FOLLOW ]

Culiacan ties series, Hermosillo gets first semi win

Issmael Salas had two run-scoring singles and longtime MLBer Oliver Perez (pictured) retired all four batters he faced to earn the win in relief as Culiacan defeated Los Mochis, 4-1, Sunday in front of 16,675 aficionados at Estadio de los Tomateros, evening their Mexican Pacific League semifinal series with the Caneros at two games apiece. In the other MexPac Final Four contest, Barry Enright gave up one run on six hits over eight innings to pitch Hermosillo to a 2-1 knucklebiter win over Mexicali at Estadio Sonora as 16,572 looked on. The Naranjeros now trail Mexicali, 2 games to 1, after Saturday's game in Hermosillo was rained out.

Game Four between the Tomateros and Mochis is set for Monday night in Culiacan while Game Three of the Naranjeros-Aguilas matchup will be held in Hermosillo.
CULIACAN 4-11-0, Los Mochis 1-7-2

Tomateros starter Edgar Gonzalez gave manager Enrique "Che" Reyes a few anxious moments after retiring the first seven Caneros batters he faced. Gonzalez allowed a Sebastian Valle solo homer and a Juan Carlos Gamboa double in the third inning, then served up a leadoff two-bagger to former Twins outfielder Lew Ford in the fourth before issuing subsequent one-out walks to J.C. Linares and Saul Soto. That was enough for skipper Reyes to bring his hook to the mound, replacing the ex-Diamondbacks hurler with Dennys Reyes (no relation). The latter, who pitched for eleven MLB teams from 1997 to 2011, has a ballpark named after him in his hometown of Higuera de Zaragoza, Sinaloa

After Reyes and Hector Navarro combined to stop the bleeding, Culiacan got the run back in the bottom of the fourth when Salas singled in Jose Manuel Rodriguez from third to tie things up at 1-1. The score remained unchanged until the Tomateros took the lead in the seventh when Ramiro Pena poked a single through the right side of the infield, scoring Maxwell Leon from second. Culiacan posted a pair of insurance runs in the eighth as Salas singled in Rodriguez off reliever Jon Sintes and Ali Solis lofted a Santiago Guerrero pitch to Linares in right field for a sac fly to plate Sebastian Elizalde from third, bringing the score to 4-1. It was left to Derrick Loop to finish things up in the ninth, which he did to earn his third playoff save and even the series at 2 games to 2.

Oliver Perez came in for the Tomateros to get the final out of the sixth inning, then pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to pick up the win. The 34-year-old Culiacan native appeared in 64 MLB games for the Nationals last summer, going 2-3 with a 4.95 ERA in a middleman role. After Gonzalez was lifted, six pitchers combined to hold Mochis scoreless on four hits from the fourth inning on. Julian Arballo took the loss for the Caneros in a hard-luck outing. The former Yankees minor leaguer pitched well enough to win, allowing two runs in seven innings, but it's hard to get the W when your teammates score only one run and go 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
HERMOSILLO 2-6-1, Mexicali 1-6-1

After allowing 24 runs over two losses in Mexicali, the Naranjeros needed a good pitching performance to keep from falling behind 3-0 in their series with the Aguilas and Barry Enright provided the tonic. The former D-backs and Dodgers hurler turned in a sparkling eight-inning start, letting in just one Mexicali run while scattering six hits and striking out five as Hermosillo pulled off a 2-1 come-from-behind win.

Enright and the Orangemen fell behind, 1-0, in the top of the fourth when Yuniesky Betancourt stroked a leadoff double, eventually moved to third when Hermosillo centerfielder Jason Bourgeois misplayed Efren Navarro's fly ball, and then scored the first run of the night when Agustin Murillo grounded out to Naranjeros shortstop Jorge Flores. It looked like that one run might hold up, as Mexicali starter Kameron Loe pitched beautifully, retiring eleven batters in a row before giving up a Tim Torres double in the fifth. The Naranjeros were able to load the bases with two out against Loe in the bottom of the sixth, but manager Lorenzo Bundy replaced Loe with Jose Meraz, who induced Dustin Martin to tap a comebacker to the mound for an inning-ending groundout. The Naranjeros finally tied the game in the bottom of the eighth when Bourgeois hit a leadoff single up the middle off Fautino De Los Santos, stole second, took third on a Carlos Gastelum single and scored when Aguilas closer Jake Sanchez (who may be human after all) allowed an O'Koyea DIckson single. Sanchez allowed another single to Jose Amador to score Gastelum, giving the Naranjeros a 2-1 advantage. Rafael Martin, who spent some MLB time with Washington last year, was brought in and got the final three outs, as pinch-hitter Adan Munoz struck out swinging to end the game.

It was a pitcher's night on both sides, with Gastelum collecting two singles for the only multiple-hit game for either team. Enright ran his playoff record to 3-0 with the win and Martin earned his third save in the postseason. Loe ended up going 5.2 innings and giving up just two hits and three walks. Neither run Sanchez allowed was charged to him, keeping his season-long total of earned runs allowed at one (1), while throwing 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes. For one night, though, the native of Brawley, Calfornia (as are Julian Arballo of Los Mochis and Culiacan's Sergio Romo, who has yet to pitch in the other semi) couldn't seal the deal.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

Erik Gonzalez (Leones del Escogido, 3B) - 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K - Even on a subpar night at the plate, Gonzalez still found a way to get on base, extending his on-base streak to 11 games. Gonzalez is currently hitting .254/.290/.407 with 6 RBI and 2 SB in 15 games in the Round Robin phase of the playoffs and .265/.310/.426 with 18 RBI and 4 SB in 36 games overall this winter season. Yesterday's loss eliminated Escogido from the Serie Final, so Erik's season will end Tuesday unless one of the finalists picks him up as a refuerzo.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE (LBPRC)

Joseph Colon (Cangrejeros de Sanruce, RP) - 0 IP, 1 R (earned), 3 BB - Colon walked all three batters he faced in his worst outing of the offseason since making his LBPRC season debut on the final day of the regular season (December 30).

<
POSTEMPORADA'2017:
GRANMA MAKES HISTORY, KNOCKS OUT MATANZAS 12-2
AND ADVANCES TO FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES OF CUBA

After 27 seasons in charge of the Alazanes granmenses, manager Carlos Martí was finally able to place his Eastern squad in a better position than the third place finish of the 1988-89 season, corresponding to the 28th National Series, and this could still improve, if the Granma team could reach an historic first title in their 40 seasons of existence.

This Sunday the right handed starter Lázaro Blanco was presented with the impossible task and Granma made history winning by way of a 'KO" 12-2 against Matanzas in only 7 innings, in the seventh game of the Semifinal Series of Cuban baseball, advancing, thus, for the first time to a national final series against the current national champion, Ciego de Avila, in a best of seven series which starts this coming Wednesday.

It was the calm manager, Carlos Marti, who was the first to show off a smile when, in a huge fifth inning, Yoelkis Céspedes' home run with the bases loaded against reliever Yoel Suarez rounded off a 10-run inning and put his team ahead 11-0. The confirmation of a final series appearance began to take shape on Saturday evening, when Granma gained an early advantage over Matanzas to tie the series by imposing a 9-6 victory and set the wheels in motion with the 12-2 win in the decisive game on Sunday.
Manager Victor Mesa and his team, Matanzas, will never forget this 2017 postseason. Throughout the tournament the team was a huge pre-tournament favorite. They would rise to the occasion as champions that the province has been waiting for 26 years under the name of Henequeneros de Sile Junco, the team that last won the championship for this territory. Under the name of Matanzas though, it was something like a spell had been cast on an area of ​​our country with the greatest baseball tradition of baseball since the beginnings of the sport. But it was not enough for a record 70 victories in the campaign imposed on others by the matanceros. In the end, manager Victor Mesa did not know - once again - how to keep his calm in a postseason, and his own actions put an end to a possible finals classification.
As in the 55th National Series against Pinar del Rio, Victor Mesa and his team deflated at the goal line, failing once again in the sixth and seventh games of the championship series despite having a 3-2 advantage heading int their own park Victoria of Girón. This time it was even worse than the defeat to that occurred in the campaign of 2015-16, when Pinar beat them 9-6 and 3-2 in the two defining games. In less than 24 hours the Granma team scored 21 runs in the face collapse against the Matanzas pitchers, while Granma's two starters, Noelvis Entenza and Lazaro Blanco, lifted their arms in the face of adversity, to first tie the series and later on Sunday, the final triumph.

If Entenza was not challenged for his six innings on Saturday, today Lázaro Blanco did much better, pitching all seven innings conceding 8 hits, 2 earned runs with 3 strikeouts and no walks. The righty, with his triumph, was voted as the best pitcher of the current campaign, obtaining 16 victories for the season 2016-17.
But, again, the misdirection of a manager who has been criticized for years for his manuevers, jumped to the forefront in this game also. Victor Mesa did not respect the basic rules of baseball and decided to pull very early from the game his starter, left-hander Yoanni Yera, when, after 3 1/3 innings only allowed one run with 3 hits. What happened from this point on changed the complexion of the game for Matanzas in this Game 7 of the semifinal series. A continuous parade of pitchers, especially after his first choice, Frank L. Medina, a man almost reserved to close this game, unleashed a madness of visits to the mound that did not stop until 9 relievers climbed the hill fruitlessly in order to stop the Granma attack. But, again, it was simply inexplicable that in a series of seven games, the relief pitchers had to work 61 innings when one of the best left-handed pitchers in the current Cuban baseball championship season, only pitched 3 1/3 innings. This way no baseball game in the world can be won.
But credit goes to those that deserve it. Granma turned out to be a superior team, and their manager, Carlos Marti, was even tempered and patient. It was not enough that during the qualifying stages of the tournament those of Matanzas dominated by 8-4 the granmen in their head to head series. But, since the second stage of the tournament Matanzas had a more difficult task and prevailed in the head to head games when they only finished with 5 wins against 4 losses. This Sunday, in a never ending fifth inning where Granma scored 10 runs, knocked out Matanzas preventing them from advancing to the championship series for the first time. And, by the way, this series could well end the era of Victor Mesa, at least as a manager, in Cuban ball.

There is not much more to say. With two pitchers Granma stole the series in which they were not favorites, and now, they seek to do the same against the most balanced team of current Cuban ball, Ciego de Avila.

The Cuban Finals will determine the team that will participate in the Caribbean Series 2017.

The games will begin this Wednesday at 7:15 pm on the fields of José R. Cepero stadium in Ciego de Avila and for the initial contest, projected starters wil be the righty Vladimir Garcia of the Tigers and Yoelkis Cruz or Noelvis Entenza for the Alazanes.

Results of the Series, Granma won the series 4-3

Game 1 : Grm 8 Mtz 3 G : L. White, P : F. Montieh

Game 2 : Mtz 2 Grm 1 G : R. Liquor, P : Y. Cruz JS: FL Medina

Game 3 : Grm 11 Mtz 3 G : N. Entenza, P : Y. Suarez

Game 4 : Mtz 9 Grm 3 G : L. Moinelo, P : L. White

Game 5 : Mtz 13, Grm 3 G : FL Medina, P : Y. Torres

Game 6 : Grm 9 Mtz 6 G : N. Entenza, P : J. Martinez

Game 7 : Grm 12 Mtz 2 G : L. White, P : Y. Yera

1/16/17

VENEZUELA SEMI FINAL SERIES Game 1: La Guaira 7, Lara 6
Game 2: La Guaira 5, Lara 9
Game 3: Lara 9, La Guaira 3
Game 4: Lara 3, La Guaira 3
Cardenales de Lara lead series 3-1
Game 5: 01/17 7:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/19 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/20 7:00 p.m.

Game 1: Zulia 3, Caribes 2
Game 2: Zulia 1, Caribes 7
Game 3: Caribes 2, Zulia 3
Game 4: Caribes 3, Zulia 5
Aguilas del Zulia lead series 3-1
Game 5: 01/17 7:00 p.m.
Game 6: 01/19 7:00 p.m.
Game 7: 01/20 7:00 p.m.
Eagles one step away from the final

Aguilas del Zulia proved to be a strong contenders for the title of the Venezuelan ball by defeating 5-2 the Caribbean Anzoategui and placed themselves just one win from the finals.

The stadium Luis Aparicio "El Grande" of Maracaibo was the ideal place to see Zulia mix timely hitting with excellent work from their bullpen who managed to hold off the powerful offense of the Caribes.

Zulia, who swept the Aragua Tigers in the first round of the playoffs, started by taking a three - run lead in the first inning, courtesy of consecutive walks to Freddy Galvis and Jose Tabata and two singles in a row by Jose Pirela and Alex Romero.

Zulia starter, Misael Siverio , held off the torrid Caribe offense, but in the fifth inning gave up a pair of walks, a hit, and a double to Denis Phipps for a pair of runs.

With the game 3-2 in favor of Zulia, everything seemed destined to become dramatic until the end, but the offense of the Westerners responded when it was needed.

In the fifth inning jordany valdespin scored the fourth run for the Eagles , driven by major leaguer Freddy Galvis and in the eighth, Jose Pirela put the last nail in the coffin to bury the Caribes hopes with a lone run.

The zuliano reliefers were one of the keys to the triumph, throwing five scoreless innings, allowing only onehit, granting two walks and striking out two.

The victory went to Romulo Sanchez , while the reverse went to Angel Ventura . With the win, Aguilas del Zulia stands just one win away from the final series since the 1999-2000 season and could do it tomorrow at home .
Cardinals puts the Sharks in check

Cardinals one step from the Final / AVS

Third game of the series between the Sharks and Cardinals resulted in another victory for Lara over the Sharks of the Guaira and lleft them virtually in intensive care beating them 5-3.

The Red birds went up on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning when Gustavo Molina hit a homer. In the fourth inning, they added to their lead scoring two more runs and headed to victory putting the board at 3-0.

La Guaira reacted in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring two runs, and would tie the game in the eighth inning. They tried to take the lead but the defensive of the birds dominated the situation.

The birds reacted in the ninth inning when Paulo Orlando hit a double fdrivin in Querecuto and Vargas sentencing the game. The cardinals would not let La Guaira come closer and achieved the victory.

The game was won by Jose Cisnero (1-0) , the defeated was Gregory Infante (0-1). The saveto Hassan Pena . In this way the team Lara is left a victory away from the finals of campaign 2016-2017

1/16/16

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ROUND ROBIN Lions bleached 4-0 at the hands of the Eagles

SANTIAGO

Zoilo Almonte sent a homer with one on board, Angel Franco LIGO three doubles and the Cibao Eagles imposed a 4-0 shutout over the Lions of Escogido, last night, in their final game of the Round Robin in the Cibao Stadium.

The win was No. 13 for the Eagles against four losses, while the Lions suffered reverse 12, with five wins, in their worst performance in the semifinal round of the current decade.

Six Eagle pitchers combined to leave the Lions with three hits, in a game without meaning in the standings for both teams.

The Aguilas finished the Round Robin with a 6-3 record at home and have a 7-1 road record.

For the Eagles, debutant Jarret Leverett, who pitched three innings, gave way to Juan Sandoval (4), Esmeilin de la Rosa (6), Nefi Ogando (7), Richard Rodriguez, and Josh Judy (9). Judy is still unscored upon in the season including playoffs.

For the Lions, Carlos Pimentel started, followed by Junior Noboa (4), Rayni Lara (5), Carlos Contreras (8)

The Eagles were led by Ángel Franco with two doubles, Zoilo Almonte a homer and two RBIs, Johan Camargo double and single, Luis Gonzalez and Rainel Rosario, a hit.

For the Lions Jose Rosario picked up two doubles and Rafael Bautista one hit.
The Tigers beat the Cibao Giants and tied for the 2nd

SANTO DOMINGO.-

The Tigres del Licey survived an elimination game by beating the Giants of the Cibao 10-1 at the Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal last night, adding more tension to the semi-finals.

Last night it was the Giants who were full of mistakes which the Tigers took advantage of to define the victory and thus overcome the bad moment they experienced Sunday at the Julian Javier Stadium in San Francisco de Macoris, when after having the game in their back pocket, mistakes, bad pitching and questionable decisions, failed to win the game.

The Giants (8-9) and Tigers (8-9) are desperately struggling for the only ticket to the final series, with the Cibao Eagles already seeded since last Friday.

The Mexican left-hander, Arturo López, had a nice debut in Dominican ball for Licey with 5.1 innings of two hits, an earned run, two walks and three strikeouts.

Contrary to Lopez (1-0), Wily Peralta (0-1) held in there for 2.1 innings in which he tolerated two unearned runs.

In the first inning, Sergio Alcántara reached on an error and stole second. Anderson Hernandez batted in Alcántara.

In the second came another run, this time Mel Rojas was hit by the pitch, stole second. Austin Wynns grounded out third to first but Rojas scored on a bad throw by first baseman Jason Krizan.

In the fourth, Mel Rojas Jr. reaches on a throwing error. Austin Wynns also reached on a fielding error. Mel Rojas Jr. to 3rd. Austin Wynns to 2nd. Donovan Solano singled. Mel Rojas Jr. scored. Austin Wynns to 3rd. With two out, Donovan Solano stole (1) 2nd base. Sergio Alcantara singled. Austin Wynnsand Donovan Solano scored.

The Giants scored one in the sixth, which was charged to Licey starter Arturo López. Ketel Marte opened with a single. Leury García flied out to shortstop. Garabez Rosa shot a double that left men on third and second. Cam Perkins grounded out but Marte scored.

The Tigers scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Juan Francisco and Mel Rojas Jr. lead off with base hits. Pinch-runner Rymer Liriano replaced Juan Francisco. Austin Wynns doubled (3) home Rymer Liriano and Mel Rojas Jr. Donovan Solano grounds out. Austin Wynns to 3rd. With two outs, Emilio Bonifacio singled. Austin Wynns scored. Sergio Alcantara walked. Emilio Bonifacio to 2nd. Anderson Hernandez doubled (2) home Emilio Bonifacio and Sergio Alcantara.

In the eighth, the Giants filled the bases but could not score. Final 10-1 in favor of the Licey Tigers

In case of a tie

In case of a playoff game between the Gigante and Tigers, the meeting will be held at Quisqueya Stadium because Licey won the season series four games to two. The game will be tomorrow at 7:30 pm. That will happen in case of a tie between the two teams. The Giants will face the Eagles at home in the Julian Javier stadium and the Licey Tigers will visit the Lions.

1/16/17

MEXICO SEMI FINAL SERIES Game 1: Culiacan 0, Los Mochis 5
Game 2: Culiacan 2, Los Mochis 14
Game 3: Los Mochis 3, Culiacan 7
Game 4: Los Mochis 1, Culiacan 4
Game 5: Los Mochis 3, Culiacan 2
Caneros de los Mochis lead series 3-2
Game 6: 01/18 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/19 7:30 p.m.

Game 1: Hermosillo 7, Mexicali 8
Game 2: Hermosillo 6, Mexicali 16
Game 3: Mexicali 1, Hermosillo 2
Game 4: Mexicali 1, Hermosillo 4
Series tied 2-2
Game 5: 01/17 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: 01/18 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: 01/19 7:30 p.m.

Gastelum drives in three as Hermosillo ties series, Mochis wins as Romo earns save

The Hermosillo Naranjeros have bounced back from two thrashings in Mexicali to tie their series with the Aguilas after winning Game Four, 4-1, Monday night in Mexcan Pacific League semifinal action before 18,156 (mostly) hometown fans in Estadio Sonora. Jeremy Kehrt earned the victory with an effective start for the Orangemen, who got three RBIs from Carlos Gastelum. In the other MexPac semi matchup, Isaac Rodriguez' run-scoring double gave visiting Los Mochis a fifth-inning lead they would never relinquish as the Caneros went on to best Culiacan, 3-2, as 16,039 looked on at Estadio de los Tomateros. The win, which marked the first time a home team has lost in this series, gives Los Mochis a 3-games-to-2 lead in the set.

Game Five of the Aguilas-Naranjeros semi is scheduled for Tuesday night in Hermosillo. The Caneros and Tomateros will take a travel day off before playing Game Six Wednesday night in Los Mochis.
HERMOSILLO 4-8-3, Mexicali 1-7-1

Neither team put a run on the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Hermosillo's Carlos Gastelum (pictured above in mid-air) sliced a bases-loaded double to left off last winter's LMP Pitcher of the Year, Javier Solano, that brought in Tim Torres and Sergio Burruel to give the Naranjeros a 2-0 lead. That was more than enough cushion for Jeremy Kehrt to carry a lead into the seventh. Kehrt did allow a Mexicali score in the top of the fifth when Ramon Rios singled Luis Juarez across home plate, but the Dodgers farmhand all but took the bats out of the Aguilas' hands by allowing the lone run on four hits in 6.2 innings pitched.

Hermosillo posted another run in the sixth as Gastelum's single up the middle brought in Jorge Flores from second to open their lead to 3-1, followed by another run in the seventh when Jose Amador crushed a Yair Loaiza delivery over the center field wall to put the Orangemen up by three. Jose Samoya and Rafael Martin held the Aguilas scoreless over the final two innings to close out the win, with Martin earning his fourth playoff save.

Kehrt kept the Mexicali batters off balance en route to his first playoff win. Solano fell to 0-3 in January by giving up Hermosillo's first two runs in 3.2 innings on four hits and four walks as both starters battled occasional control issues. Gastelum ended up going 2-for-5 with three ribbies while Amador added a pair of two-baggers to augment his longball for the Naranjeros. C.J. Retherford had two singles for the Aguilas and Yuniesky Betancourt rapped an eighth-inning double. Mexicali has now scored a total of two runs in Hermosillo the past two nights after piling up 24 runs in two tilts back home to open the series.

Los Mochis 3-11-0, CULIACAN 2-6-0
Los Mochis wasted no time bothering the scorekeeper as Eugenio Velez belted a leadoff homer to left against Tomateros starter Patrick McCoy, but Culiacan responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the initial frame when Maxwell Leon and Ryan Lollis starting things off with consecutive doubles off Caneros opener Manny Barreda (who signed with Atlanta last month shortly after tossing the season's only no-hitter).

The score remained at 1-1 until the top of the fifth, when McCoy gave up doubles to Juan Carlos Gamboa and Isaac Rodriguez, the latter giving Mochis the lead back. Culiacan skipper Che Reyes replaced McCoy with Hector Navarro, who threw two strikesas to Lew Ford before Ford punched Navarro's third delivery past second base to plate Rodriguez with the Caneros' second run of the inning to put the visitors on top, 3-1. Ramiro Pena brought the Tomateros one run closer in the bottom of the fifth by lashing a double to center off Barreda, scoring Leon all the way from first base. From that point on, Barreda and four Mochis relievers combined to hold the hosts to two singles the rest of the way, a good thing for the Caneros since their offense was likewise scoreless over the final four innings.

Barreda got the win to go to 3-0 in the playoffs. It wasn't a smooth outing for the righty from Arizona, who allowed five hits and five walks in 5-2 innings but only allowed two runs as the primary beneficiary of the Tomateros going just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. McCoy ended up allowing three runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings of work to take the loss. MLB free agent Sergio Romo earned his fourth playoff save in his first appearance of the series. Romo has caused a stir in Mexico this week after a writer quoted him talking about racial discrimination he's faced on both sides of the border as a Mexican-American. That piece will run in translated form on BBM within the next few days.

I try to skim as quickly as possible for names I remember. Here's one of my old favorites:

defeat was in the arms of Kelvin De La Cruz (1-2).

6-5 lefty peaked at age 18 and 19. Now 28 he's been in Indy ball since 2014

CIV !

The only Indian Representatives left standing are Erik Gonzalez, Ronny Rodriguez, and Joe Colon.

Here's a few you may remember:

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (LIDOM)

Charlie Valerio (Leones del Escogido, starting C) - 0-3, 1 K - Valerio has seen far more playing time in the postseason (15 AB in 6 games) than the regular season (1 AB in 3 games), with most of that playing time (14 AB in 4 games) coming since January 10. Valerio spent 2016 with the (now defunct) Joplin Blasters and Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks (who are not defunct) of the independent American Association and is signed with the Redhawks for the coming summer campaign.

Jose Constanza (Aguilas Cibaenas, PH-backup LF) - 0-1 - A nondescript evening for Constanza, who is batting .300 in the playoffs.

Hector Luna (Aguilas Cibaenas, starting 1B) - 0-1 - Luna was pinch-hit for in the third inning after only one plate appearance, so his departure from the game may have been injury-related.

Anderson Hernandez (Tigres del Licey, 2B) - 2-5, 1 R, 2 K - Hernandez extended his hitting streak to five games with his third two-hit game in that stretch.

Jairo Asencio (Tigres del Licey, RP) - 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (both unearned), 1 BB (intentional) - Bad pitching and bad fielding combined for an ugly ending to an ugly day for the Tigres' pitching staff.

Colt Hynes (Gigantes del Cibao, RP) - 0.2 IP, perfect - Since allowing an earned run without recording an out in his winter season debut on November 23, Colt has not allowed another run (earned or unearned) in 11.0 IP in 13 appearances for the Estrellas Orientales in the regular season and the Gigantes in the Round Robin. Even if the Gigantes fail to obtain the second spot in the Serie Final, a reliever this dominant will be hard for the finalists to pass up in the refuerzo draft.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE (LBPRC)

J.C. Romero (Cangrejeros de Santurce, RP) - 0 IP, 1 BB - Romero walked the only batter he faced on Sunday.

Fernando Cabrera (Cangrejeros de Santurce, CP) - S (3) - 2 IP, 2 K - The lone bright spot of the day for any Indian (current or former) in the Puerto Rican Serie Final yesterday, Cabrera picked up the two-inning save after cleaning up the mess left by Colon's sudden loss of control.

Saul Rivera (Criollos de Caguas, RP) - BS (1), 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB (intentional) - The blown save was due to an inherited runner scoring, not the one charged to him.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE (LVBP)

Luis Valbuena (Cardenales de Lara, starting 1B) - 1-5 - An atypically pedestrian effort from Valbuena, who batted .393/.469/.464 in 8 regular season games and is .333/.500/.389 in 10 postseason contests this Venezuelan season.

Carlos Rivero (Cardenales de Lara, 3B) - 1-5, 2 K - Rivero continues to struggle in the playoffs, during which he is batting only .227/.244/.432.

Kelvin De La Cruz (Tiburones de La Guaira, SP) - L (1-2), 3.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R (all earned), 1 BB, 1 K - Even for a pitcher who has had as difficult of an offseason as Kelvin, this was an ugly day on the mound.

Niuman Romero (Caribes de Anzoategui, starting 1B) - 1-4, 1 BB - Romero reached base twice and grounded into a double play before being pulled for pinch runner Luis Domoromo in the top of the the ninth.

Luis Hernandez Caribes de Anzoategui, 2B) - 1-4, 1 K,1 E - Hernandez's playoff batting average increased to .167 with this effort.

1/17/17

VENEZUELA SEMI FINAL SERIES Game 1: La Guaira 7, Lara 6
Game 2: La Guaira 5, Lara 9
Game 3: Lara 9, La Guaira 3
Game 4: Lara 5, La Guaira 3
Game 5: Lara 2, La Guaira 1
Cardenales de Lara wins series 4-1

Game 1: Zulia 3, Caribes 2
Game 2: Zulia 1, Caribes 7
Game 3: Caribes 2, Zulia 3
Game 4: Caribes 2, Zulia 5
Game 5: Caribes 0, Zulia 1
Aguilas del Zulia lead series 4-1

Águilas del Zulia is the first qualifier to the finals

The long wait of 17 years to return to the highest level of the LVBP, ended with the Eagles of Zulia Tuesday when they defeated 1-0 the Caribes de Anzoategui in its nest, the Luis Aparicio El Grande de Maracaibo.

In the Zulian capital, the Eagles would win a luxury victory for their fans in the fifth game of the semifinal series against the Caribes. Zulia finished the series 4-1 in their favor.

A solid start by Carlos Hernandez for Zulia led to victory coupled with the brilliance of the dominincano jordany valdespin at the close of the second inning, who with men on the corners perpetrated a squeeze play to bring Jose Pirela home reached first base safely.

Hernandez meanwhile worked for 7.0 innings on four strikeouts and only allowed four singles with two walks.

The starter, who came in with three wins (3-0) in the present post-season was backed by a bullpen that only allowed one hit. Edgar Alfonzo pitched two thirds of an inning with a strikeouts; Romulo Sanchez one strikeout and Silvino Bracho sealed the win with two strikeouts and his third save of the playoffs.
Cardinals dispatched Sharks and meet with Eagles in the grand finale

The Lara Cardinals beat the Tiburones de La Guaira in a tight game 2-1 dispatching the Sharks 4-1 in the semifinal series.

The first run of the game was driven in by Luis Nuñez at the top of the second inning when he connected for a single to drive in the Cuban Rangel Ravelo.

La Guaira refused to surrender without a fight and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning when Heiker Meneses drove in Danry Vasquez.

The Cardinals lead by manager Luis Dorante broke the tie in the top of the sixth inning when Carlos Rivero, one of their spark plugs on offense, singled to left, brought home Luis Valbuena who scored in a controversial play that required review by video and the race to victory was completed.

The winner was Ángel Calero (1-0), the defeat was charged to Luke Irvine (0-1), and the save was credited to Cuban Hassan Pena (3) who put the padlock on the game in the ninth to consolidate the victory for Lara.

Thus the Cardinals again in the Venezuelan baseball final after four years when they fell in four games against the Magallanes Navigatorsand seek a title which has been elusive for 16 years, in the 2000-2001 season.

1/17/17

PUERTO RICO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES BEST OF 9 Game 1: Caguas 1, Santurce 0
Game 2: Santurce 6, Caguas 3
Game 3: Caguas 4, Santurce 0
Caguas Criollos lead series 2-1
Game 4: 01/18 7:15 p.m.
Game 5: 01/19 7:15 p.m.
Game 6: 01/21 7:15 p.m.
Game 7: 01/22 4:15 p.m.
Game 8: 01/25 7:15 p.m.
Game 9: 01/26 7:15 p.m.
Caguas wins again in Crab Cave

The Criollos beat Santurce 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in the Winter Ball Final Series

With just four hits, Caguas came out again in the cave of the crab to resume the advantage in the Final Series of the winter league.

The Criollos scored two runs on two Santurce errors in the opening inning, and David Vidal struck a solo homer to lead the Criollos to a 4-2 win over the Santurce Cangrejeros on Tuesday night in the third game of the final series on a rainy night at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

It was the second victory for the Creoles to dominate the series, 2-1.

The series, a maximum of nine games, will continue tomorrow, Wednesday, in the State Yldefonso Solá Morales with the fourth game. Lefty Frank Del Valle will pitch for the Cangrejeros and the righty John Brownell for the Creoles.

Four Creole pitchers combined to limit two runs and eight hits to the Cangrejeros. Caguas's pitching has only allowed two runs to Santurce in two games in the finals at Bithorn in 18 innings. Caguas had solid work from starter Jose De la Torre, who scored the win by completing 5.2 innings and conceding just five hits with two unearned runs. Ricardo Gómez had a two-innings save when, in the ninth, he eliminated Iván De Jesús, Jr., with two runners on base to seal the win.

Caguas only needed four hits on the night to win the game. And they connected them in each inning when they scored runs: one in the first; One in the fifth; And two in the ninth.

Caguas took advantage of two errors by midfielder Abiatal Avelino in the opening inning to score the first two runs of the game.
Jorge Padilla reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Abiatal Avelino. Henry Ramos doubled (1) Jorge Padilla to 3rd. Rey Navarro reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Abiatal Avelino. Jorge Padilla and Henry Ramos scored.

Caguas increased the lead 3-0 in the fifth inning on a solitary home run by David Vidal against Burgos, after a first break of more than 25 minutes by rain. Burgos completed the fifth inning and left the mound. He conceded only two hits and one run. He was charged with the setback.

Santurce reacted with two runs in the sixth inning against starter Jose De la Torre, who only allowed two hits in the first five innings.

Ivan De Jesus Jr, and Reymond Fuentes singled to start the inning off before Neftali Soto struck out. Then, Juan Silva reached base on an error by shortstop Jack Lopez to fill the bases with one out. And it was Avelino's turn with the opportunity to vindicate himself. Avelino, however, grounded into a force out allowing De Jesus to score the first Santurce run.

That was all for De la Torre on the night. He was replaced by Will Oliver and receiver Christian Vázquez greeted him with a double bringing Silva home for a 3-2 lead.

Caguas added an important fourth run in the ninth against closer Fernando Cabrera. Navarro singled and Randy Ruiz batted him in with a double with two outs.

1/17/17

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ROUND ROBIN The Tigers return to the Final Series by beating Lions 3 for 1

SANTO DOMINGO.-

The Licey Tigers are back in the finals and there they will meet with the Eagles Cibaenas in a rivalry that has challenged for supremacy in the last 30 years. The two teams have monopolized the distribution of titles between the decades of 1990 and 2000 when they did not give space to any other teams.

The Tigers won their ticket on Monday night by beating Escogido 3-1 and taking advantage of the Giants' setback against the Eagles in San Francisco de Macoris. Only a Giants triumph would have forced sudden death playoff game that would have been played on Wednesday.

The right César Valdez pitched 5.2 effective innings and the Licey relief pitchers were in charge of neutralizing the Escogido bats the rest of the way and Juan Francisco fired a homer in the win.

It will be the twentieth occasion in 64 championships that Licey and the Aguilas have faced each other in a series that has Licey leading 10 wins to 9 wins for the Eagles.

The last time these two teams faced off against each other was in the 2007-2008 campaign when the Eagles won 5-3 and both teams attended the Caribbean Series in Santiago won by the Tigers.

Escogido finished the tournament by losing their last five games.

The winner was Valdez (2-0), losing was Marco Carrillo (0-2) and the save to Jairo Asencio (6).
Las Águilas Cibaeñas eliminated the Giants Cibao from the tournament with a 4-3 win

SAN FCO DE M.-

The designated Hector Luna connected for a two run hit in the seventh inning leading the Aguilas Cibaeñas to a tight 4-3 victory over the Cibao Giants and by that way eliminated the local team from tournament.

Luna's bases loaded hit in the seventh inning was off of the veteran Jose Valverde that defined the game.

The winning pitcher was reliever Malcolm Culver, losing, the veteran Jose Valverde and Kelvis Valerio got the save.

With the victory, the eagles combined with the victory of Licey in Santo Domingo eliminated the Giants from the semi finals.

Aguilas scored a run in the fifth inning after one out. Rafael Ynoa and Juan Carlos Perez singled. Kenny Vargas drove in Ynoa with a hit to center.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Giants tied the game on a solo homer by Ketel Marte.

In the seventh, Aguilas scored three runs after one out, with consecutive transfers to Johan Camargo and Rafael Ynoa. Kennys Vargas batted in Camargo witha double to left. Alfredo Marte received an intentional walk and Héctor Luna drove in Ynoa and Perez with a hit to right field.

The Giants scored two runs at the bottom of the seventh. Melvin Mercedes singled. Ketel Marte drove in Mercedes with a hit to center. Marte stole second and scored on a base hit to center by Leury García.

The best batters for the Eagles were Kennys Vargas double and single, Alfredo Marte two singles, Hector Luna a double, and Jonathan Villar, Juan Carlos Perez and Orlando Carlixte a hit each.

For the Giants Ketel Marte homered and singled, Leury García a double and two singles, Aneury Tavarez a double, and Melvin Mercedes and Jason Krizan a hit each.