Monthly Archives: November, 2009

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Two throwing errors and three walks nearly handed the Desert Dogs the win in the 9th inning of Tuesday's AFL action. Japan's Tooru Murata held on to get the final out, though, and preserve the victory for the Scorpions.

CF Jose Tabata singled three times for the Scorpions and contributed an RBI. 2B Chase d'Arnaud began the bottom of the 1st inning with a single into left field, and he proceeded to score his 10th base of the AFL season. 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) followed with a triple to score d'Arnaud, and Tabata brought Crawford in with an RBI single. Tabata also stole third base in the inning, but was left there when the inning ended.

Scottsdale added another two runs in the 3rd inning. With two outs, Diamondbacks' DH Brandon Allen and LF Cole Gillespie both walked. A single by C Wilin Rosario (Rockies) plated Allen, and SS Troy Hanzawa's (Phillies) single brought in Gillespie.

The Scorpions enjoyed that 4-0 lead until the 7th inning. Starter Michael Cisco (Phillies) pitched 4 shutout innings, allowing only one hit and 2 walks, with one hit batter. Edgar Garcia (Phillies) and Kenta Abe (Japan) each added one scoreless inning. Michael Schwimer (Phillies) took the mound for the Scorpions in the 7th, that's when the Desert Dogs broke the shutout, with a solo home run by 1B Adam Loewen (Blue Jays). Scott Mathieson gave the Scorpions a scoreless 8th inning.

An extra run in the bottom of the 8th turned out to be more than just another insurance run for the Scorpions. Wilin Rosario led off with a single, and Troy Hanzawa reached on a fielding error. Rosario tagged up and went to third on Chase d'Arnaud's fly out, and then he scored on Brandon Crawford's sacrifice fly. Jose Tabata also singled in the inning.

Things got dicey in the top of the 9th. Craig Baker (Rockies) came on in relief of Scott Mathieson, and he began the inning by giving up a single to the first batter, and making a throwing error on a pick-off attempt, to move the runner to second base. After a fly out and a walk, the next batter lined out to Chase d'Arnaud at second base. D'Arnaud tried to double off one of the runners, but his throw was wild, and the two-base error allowed the lead runner to score and put the following runner on third base. Two consecutive walks loaded the bases, and that was all for Baker. Tooru Murata took over, but he gave up a single up the middle to the first batter he faced, bringing in 2 runs to put the Desert Dogs within one run of the Scorpions. At that point, Murata bore down and got a grounder to second to end the game and keep the win for the Scorpions.

The Scorpions have two more games remaining. I'll be away for a few days, but I'll catch up with the final AFL scores and stats when I get back.

The Venezuelan and Mexican Pacific Leagues were scheduled to have the day off on Monday. Both games in the Puerto Rican League were postponed due to wet grounds. That leaves just the Dominican League, where they had one game originally scheduled and one make-up game.

Toros del Este 3, Aguilas Cibaenas 1

Los Aguilas were held to just 3 hits on Monday night, but couldn't capitalize on the 7 walks they were handed. Their one run came in the 5th inning, on lead-off homer by 2B Dionys Cesar. C Erik Kratz walked in the 4th inning but was erased in a double play, and struck out twice.

Gigantes del Cibao 1, Estrellas De Oriente 0

This pitching duel was scoreless until the top of the 9th inning, when Los Gigantes scored on a walk, a ground out, and a double. Each team had 5 hits and walked 3 times. 1B Brian Myrow had two of Los Estrellas hits -- both were singles, and both times his single was followed by a double play. Los Estrellas bounced into a total of four double plays. They had two base runners on twice. In the 2nd, an error and a walk put two runners on, but one of those double plays ended the inning. A single and a walk put two runners on again in the 8th, but both were left on base. DH Robinzon Diaz went 0-for-4.

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The Scottsdale Scorpions' bats were all but shut down, held to just two hits, as they began the final week of AFL play. 3B Chase d'Arnaud and LF Thomas Neal (Giants) were the only Scorpions to get hits. Neal and RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) each had a walk. The only other Scorpion to reach base was 2B Brian Friday, when he was hit by a pitch to lead off the 4th inning. No word available at this point as to where Friday was hit, but he was immediately removed from the game and replaced with pinch-runner Pedro Ciriaco (Diamondbacks), who remained in the game to play second base.

Neal was the only base runner for the Scorpions over the first three innings of the game, when he walked in the 2nd inning. After Ciriaco replaced Friday in the 4th, he was immediately erased when CF Jose Tabata bounced into a double play. Neal singled and stole second in the 5th, and Chase d'Arnaud singled and stole second base in the 6th. It was d'Arnaud's league-leading 9th steal. Domonic Brown's walk came in the 7th inning.

Bryan Augenstein (D'backs) pitched 4 innings in his start for the Scorpions. He gave up a run in the 1st on a single, a walk, and a single. Then he kept the Saguaros scoreless over the next three innings. Cesar Valdez (D'backs) gave up a solo home run in the 5th. Tom Layne took the mound in the 6th, and that's when disaster struck. Layne surrendered four singles and two walks, accounting for 3 runs. C Buster Posey (Giants) prevented another run from coming in when he picked a base runner off first. Tony Watson relieved Layne with one out and runners on second and third base. He struck out the first batter he faced, then walked the next three batters, forcing in 2 more runs. All of the runs were charged to Layne. Finally, a fly out ended the inning. Steve Edlefsen (Giants) pitched the 7th inning for Scottsdale, and allowed an unearned run, on a triple and a fielding error by Pedro Ciriaco at second base. Matt Reynolds (Rockies) finished up with a scoreless 8th inning.

The Scorpions have three more games to play before the AFL regular season comes to an end.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Leones del Caracas 8, Bravos de Margarita 6

Margarita scored 4 runs in the 4th, but Caracas came back with 3 runs in the 5th and 4 more in the final two innings to get the come-from-behind win. 3B Neil Walker got the rally started in Margarita's 4th inning when he walked. After a fielding error, three consecutive doubles brought in the 4 runs. CF Frank Diaz walked to lead off the 5th, and Walker followed with a single, moving Diaz to third base. Caracas brought on Ronald Uviedo in relief, and Diaz scored from third base when 2B Jose Castillo made a fielding error. Uviedo struck out three batters in the 5th and was not responsible for the run scored in that inning. He did give up a run in the 6th, though, on a walk, a stolen base, a ground out, and a sacrifice fly. Neil Walker walked again in the 7th, but was left on base. Michael Tejera made the start for Los Bravos, and gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in 4.2 innings.

Caribes de Anzoategui 3, Tigres de Aragua 2

Los Caribes took the early lead with a run in each of the first two innings. Aragua got one run back in the 4th, on a single by 1B Hector Gimenez and an RBI double. SS Ronny Cedeno singled in the 6th inning, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI single to tie the game. Los Tigres threatened in the 7th when they loaded the bases on three singles, one by Gimenez. Pinch hitter Raul Chavez lined out to end the inning without a run scoring. Los Caribes retook the lead in the bottom of the 8th, when a wild pitch on a strikeout put a runner on base. A sacrifice bunt and a double brought in the winning run.

Aguilas de Zulia 9, Navegantes del Magallanes 5

Zulia scored 7 runs over the first four innings, and Magallanes could not catch up. LF Mike Ryan went 0-for-4 for Magallanes, and SS Argenis Diaz was hit by a pitch and grounded out in his two plate appearances. Los Navegantes scored 3 runs in the 6th on a throwing error, a walk, a double, a single, and a wild pitch. 1B Brian Dopirak added two more runs in the 8th with a 2-run homer.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Lobos de Arecibo 9, Criolles de Caguas 3

Caguas scored all three of their runs in the 5th inning on back-to-back ground rule doubles, a walk, and a 2-run double (which stayed on the field) by SS Luis Figueroa. Figueroa also stole third base in that inning, and he led off the 8th with a single. CF Luis Matos walked and was hit by a pitch in 4 trips to the plate for Cagua. Arecibo capped off their game with a 4-run 9th inning.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 3, Mayos de Navojoa 2

Two Pirates' players were involed in two of Mazatlan's three runs. SS Brian Bixler led off the bottom of the 1st inning by beating out an infield single. He moved to third base on a double, and scored on an RBI ground out. Two doubles gave Los Venados another run in the 3rd inning. RF Rogelios Noris picked up what became the game-winning RBI in the 6th inning with a sacrifice fly after a walk and a double. Noris also singled i the 2nd inning to move a runner to third base, but he was caught stealing second base. Bixler led off the 5th inning with another single, went to second base on a walk, and to third base on a grounder that turned into a double play, but was left there at third when the inning ended. Navojoa scored one run in the 2nd inning and an unearned run in the 5th.

Tomateros de Culiacan 5, Caneros de Mochis 2

Culiacan scored all their runs in the 1st inning. A single and a double gave them the first run. A throwing error brought in another run, and a 2-run homer followed. LF Luis Cruz singled after the homer, and he scored on another double. Cruz also singled in the 8th inning but was out on a double play. Mochis scored one run in the top of the 1st, and then were held scoreless until they scored one more run in the 8th on a single and a double.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Aguilas Cibaenas 8, Tigres del Licey 2

Four runs in the 5th inning pushed Los Aguilas past Los Tigres. Ramon Aguero pitched the final inning for Los Aguilas. He gave up a single and struck out two batters.

Leones del Escogido 2, Estrellas de Este 1

1B Brian Myrow had two of Los Estrellas' five hits, and C Robinzon Diaz provided their only RBI with a single in the 1st inning. Myrow singled in the 4th inning and went to second on a wild pitch, but was out at third on a fielder's choice. He also doubled to open the 7th inning, but was doubled off when LF Fernando Tatis lined out to the shortstop. Those were the only other innings in which Los Estrellas made any kind of scoring threat. Former Indy Indian Roberto Giron was charged with the loss when he gave up 2 runs to Los Leones in the 7th inning on a single, a triple, and another single.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Gigantes de Carolina 6, Criollos de Caguas 3

Former Pirate farmhand RF Luis Matos was responsible with all three of Caguas' runs, when he doubled with the bases loaded in the 8th inning. 2B Luis Figueroa had 2 hits for Los Criollos. He singled and was on base in the 8th when Matos cleared the bases, and also doubled to lead off the 4th inning, but was out at the plate on a fielder's choice.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Leones del Caracas 8, Bravos de Margarita 2

Former Indy Indian Tim Harikkala stepped in to make the start for Margarita when the originally scheduled starter, Alberto Bastardo, had to sit out due to the flu. Harikkala lasted just 3 innings and gave up 4 runs on 5 hits. Caracas scored 2 runs in each of the 1st and 3rd innings. They continued scoring after Harikkala was relieved, adding another run in the 5th, 2 in the 8th, and one final run in the 9th. Los Bravos scored only twice. With two outs in the 6th, CF Frank Diaz singled, and advanced to third base when 3B Neil Walker's singled on a pop up to short. Diaz scored from third on a wild pitch. RF Rene Reyes provided the only other run for Margarita with a 2-run homer in the 8th. Walker was 1-for-4 in the game.

Caribes de Anzoategui 2, Tigres de Aragua 0 (Game 1)

Los Tigres were held to just 4 hits, with DH Hector Gimenez, pinch-hitter Raul Chavez, and C Alex Delgado all hitless in the game. Los Caribes scored a run in the 1st on a triple and a single, and another in the 2nd with a solo homer. Adenson Chourio came in to play shortstop for Los Caribes in the 7th inning, but did not get either a fielding opportunity or a plate appearance.

Tigres 7, Caribes 4 (Game 2, 8 innings)

A 3-run homer in the top of the 8th, gave Los Tigres the extra-inning (for a double header) win. Los Caribes scored one run at a time, with single runs in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th. SS Adenson Chourio was hit by a pitch in the 1st inning and grounded out in the 3rd, then was later removed in favor of a pinch-hitter. Aragua scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning, on SS Ronny Cedeno's single and 2B Ramon Castro's 2-run homer. 1B Hector Gimenez picked up an RBI with a single in the 4th inning, and he scored on another RBI single. The game was still tied going into the top of the 8th. DH Raul Chavez started the rally with a double, and Gimenez was intentionally walked. They both scored on the game-winning homer by pinch-hitter Alex Nunez.

Aguilas de Zulia 6, Navegantes del Magallanes 5

This marathon ended after 15 innings, when Zulia scored a run in the top of the inning on a single, a sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk, and an RBI single. Magallanes couldn't come back, despite two walks in the bottom of the inning. The game had been tied since the bottom of the 8th, when Magallanes tied the game with a solo homer. DH Mike Ryan walked in the 2nd inning and was the runner on third base with the bases loaded, but was forced out at the plate o a grounder. He also singled in the 9th inning, but was left on base. Jean Machi pitched two scoreless innings for Magallanes, allowing a walk and a single. Chris Hernandez pitched two scoreless innings for Zulia, and gave up two singles.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 3, Mayos de Navojoa 2

Mazatlan scored all their runs in the first two innings, and then held off Navojoa for the win. Two runs came across in the bottom of the 1st with two singles, a fielding error, and a grounder force out. In the 2nd, C Miguel Ojeda led off with a double, and 2B Brian Bixler walked. An RBI single by RF Christian Quintero plated Ojeda. Navojoa scored a run in the 4th and another in the 5th, but Los Mayos were held to just two hits over the rest of the game. Bixler was hitless in two other trips to the plate.

Tomateros de Culiacan 4, Caneros de Los Mochis 3

Culiacan scored 2 runs in the 1st with three singles and a double. They added an unearned run in the 3rd inning and another run in the 4th. Los Caneros scored a single run in the 1st, 5th, and 9th, but could not catch up. LF Luis Cruz went 0-for-4 for Culiacan.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey 15, Estrellas de Oriente 5

Los Estrellas jumped out to a big lead with 6 runs in the top of the 1st and 3 more in the 2nd inning. Six more runs came across the plate in the late innings. Los Estrellas scored two runs in the 2nd inning. 1B Brian Myrow led off with a walk and C Robinzon Diaz singled, moving Myrow to third base. A grounder force out scored Myrow and moved Diaz to third base, and another single brought in Diaz. Diaz also picked up an RBI with a single in the 3rd inning. Three singles added another run for Los Estrellas in the 4th. In the bottom of the 9th, Los Estrellas made one last attempt and scored one final run on two singles, including one by pinch-hitter Maiko Loyola, and an RBI ground out.

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The Scorpions surprised the Rafters with 4 unanswered runs in the late innings, while the bullpen shut down the Rafter's bats, to get the come-from-behind win in Saturday's AFL action.

With starter Chaz Roe (Rockies) on the mound, the Rafters recorded one run in the bottom of the 1st inning on a solo home run by SS Reese Havens (Mets). Roe gave up three more hits and a walk over the first three innings, but erased one runner with a double play and his C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) picked another off first base. The remaining two were left stranded. In the 4th inning, Roe gave up a single and an RBI triple to 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) for the Rafters' second run.

That was all the scoring the Rafters would do. Takanobu Tsujiuchi and Tooru Murata, both from the Japanese leagues, each pitched a scoreless inning. Danny Moskos, the only one of the Pirates' farmhands to appear in the game, took care of the 7th inning. He gave up a lead-off single, but got the next batter to bounce into a 5-4-3 double play, then got a ground out to end the inning. Scott Mathieson (Phillies) and Andrew Johnston (Rockies) finished the game with a scoreless inning each.

Rafters' starter Aaron Crow (Royals) held the Scorpions to just one hit, a 1st inning double by CF Cole Gillespie (Diamondbacks), over his 4 innings. The Scorpions also went down in order in the 5th. Finally, in the 6th, the Scottsdale bats got going. 2B Pedro Ciriaco (D'backs) walked with two outs. He stole second and scored on Gillespie's single and a throwing error. 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) gave the Scorpions the lead in the 7th inning with a 2-run homer. They added an insurance run in the top of the 9th, when Tuffy Gosewisch singled and LF Steve Susdorf (Phillies) doubled him in.

The AFL has Sunday off, and then there are only 4 more days of regular-season games. The championship game will be played next Saturday. The Scorpions have a 12-15 record and even if they win all the rest of their games to get to a 16-15 record, and the first-place Phoenix Desert Dogs lose all the rest of their games to end with a 17-15 record, the Scorpions still won't overtake them. The Mesa Solar Sox, the other team in the AFL East, could still beat the Desert Dogs on percentage points if they win their remaining 4 games, so the Desert Dogs have not yet clinched the division title. In the AFL West, the Peoria Javelinas have clinched the division title, with a 17-10 record.

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game story featuring Chase d'Arnaud

The Scorpions poured it on, scoring 7 runs in the last two innings, to defeat the Saguaros in Friday evening's AFL play. 3B Chase d'Arnaud led the way with 3 hits and 2 RBI, while 2B Brian Friday and CF Jose Tabata contributed one hit each.

Joe Martinez (Giants) made the start for the Scorpions. He gave up one single over the first two innings, while striking out three. In the 3rd inning, Martinez walked the lead-off batter, who then moved to third base on a wild pitch and a ground out. An RBI single brought that runner in and gave the Saguaros a 1-0 lead.

Jose Tabata put the Scorpions on the board in the bottom of the 4th. He began the inning with a single into left field, and when the Saguaros' pitcher tried to pick him off first base, Tabata went to second base on the throwing error. He stole third base, and when the catcher's throw to third went sailing into left field for the second throwing error of the inning, Tabata scrambled home. The Scorpions took a 2-1 lead in the next inning. With two outs, SS Hector Gomez (Rockies) reached base safely on a ball tapped back to the pitcher, then stole second base. Chase d'Arnaud singled to the right side of the infield, scoring Gomez. D'Arnaud stole second base, but was left there when Brian Friday grounded out to end the inning.

Relievers Daniel Turpen (Giants) and Tom Layne (Diamondbacks) each pitched a scoreless inning for the Scorpions. Steve Edlefsen (Giants) took the mound for the 7th inning, and gave up two walks and a single, as Peoria scored the tying run. Edlefsen was charged with a Blown Save, but his teammates rallied so that he also earned the win. In the bottom of the 7th, LF Thomas Neal (Giants) led off with a walk. C Wilin Rosario (Rockies) doubled into right field, putting Neal on third base. Chase d'Arnaud picked up his second RBI of the game with a line drive single into right field, scoring Neal and moving Rosario to third. D'Arnaud stole second base for the second time in the game (and a league-leading 8th of the AFL season). Brian Friday plated Rosario with a sacrifice fly, and when the Peoria right fielder made a throwing error, d'Arnaud also scored. Jose Tabata was hit by a pitch, but was still on first base when the inning ended.

The Scorpions had a 5-2 lead, but they weren't done yet. DH Buster Posey (Giants) began the bottom of the 8th with a walk, and 1B Brandon Allen (D'backs) was hit by a pitch. Thomas Neal brought both of them in with a triple into center field. Hector Gomez plated Neal with an RBI single. Chase d'Arnaud also singled, his third in the game, and Brian Friday's single scored Gomez to give the Scorpions 4 runs in the inning. The inning ended when Jose Tabata lined out right at the second baseman, who was able to double Friday off first base.

With just a week left in the AFL season, the Scorpions are in third (last) place in the AFL East division (11-15 record). They have 5 games left in the regular season, with the last game on Thursday Nov 19th.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 6, Mayos de Navojoa 0

It was all Mazatlan, as starter Pablo Ortega held Los Mayos to 5 hits and one walk in 7 scoreless innings of work. The Mazatlan batters were also quiet for the first three innings, but then scored in each of the next four innings to give Ortega plenty of run support. Two runs scored on a double and two singles in the 4th. 2B Brian Bixler led off the 5th inning with his third homer with Los Venados. A walk and two singles added another run in the 6th. Los Venados scored two more in the 6th, when Bixler led off with a single. He went to second on SS Heber Gomez's walk, but was forced out at third base on a grounder back to the mound, leaving runners on first and second. A single brought in Gomez, then a walk loaded the bases, and another run was forced in when CF Ruben Rivera was hit by a pitch.

Bixler went 2-for-4, raising his overall average to .282. He has hit 13-for-36 (.361) in his last 8 games, including all three of his homers, plus 6 RBI. Bixler is in the lead photo on Los Venados' home page today.

Caneros de los Mochis 4, Tomateros de Culiacan 3

Two runs in the bottom of the 8th by Culiacan were not enough to catch up to Los Caneros. The inning began with a walk, then a single by 3B Luis Cruz. A wild pitch put both runners into scoring position, and two consecutive ground outs brought in both runners. Cruz went 1-for-4 at the plate, and started Culiacan's only double play at third base.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 2, Leones de Caracas 1

A walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 9th gave Margarita the win. RF/CF Frank Diaz opened the inning with a single. 3B/1B Neil Walker tried to bunt him to second, but instead of going down, the bunt went up and became a pop-out to the first baseman. Diaz got to second on his own, with a steal, and then continued to handle things on his own by stealing third base. DH Rene Reyes lined a single into left field, bringing in Diaz with the winning run. Margarita scored their first run in the 4th inning on three singles. Caracas' only run came in the 3rd inning and was unearned -- a fielding error put a runner on base, and he scored on a single and a ground out. Neil Walker began the game at third base, but was moved over to first in the top of the 9th. He did not get the opportunity to make a play, as reliever Ken Ray (Cleveland Indians) struck out all three batters he faced. CF Jonel Pacheco had a single in two trips to the plate. Reliever Ronald Uviedo began the 8th inning for Caracas, and gave up a single and an intentional walk while getting two outs before he was relieved.

Caribes de Anzoategui 5, Tigres de Aragua 2

SS Ronny Cedeno had 2 hits for Los Tigres, who could not answer the 3 runs by Los Caribes in the bottom of the 8th. Aragua scored first, in the top of the 1st, when the first four batters of the game reached base on two walks and two hit batters. One was picked off second base, but when C Raul Chavez was hit by a pitch, it loaded the bases for 1B Hector Gimenez, whose sacrifice fly brought in one run. The 2nd inning also started off in an odd way. Cedeno hit two pop fouls, both of which were dropped for errors, one by Los Caribes' first baseman and one by their third baseman. Cedeno took advantage of his third chance, and singled into center field, then stole second base, though he was left stranded.

Los Caribes scored a run in each of the 2nd and 3rd innings. Aragua tied it up with another run in the 4th, on a double, a walk, and an RBI single. The tie remained until the bottom of the 8th. A single, a throwing error by Aragua's pitcher, and a walk loaded the bases with one out. The next batter grounded to second base, and a throw to C Raul Chavez forced the lead runner out at the plate, but when Chavez tried to throw to first for a double play, his throw went wild and two runs scored. Another single brought in the third run of the inning. Adenson Chourio pinch-ran for Los Caribes in the 7th inning and remained in the game at shortstop.

Navegantes del Magallanes 11, Cardenales de Lara 10

Four singles and an intentional walk in the bottom of the 9th gave Magallanes the win. The two teams combined for 31 hits and left a total of 18 runners on base (12 for Lara, 6 for Magallanes) as they traded the lead back and forth. Lara scored first, with a run in each of the 2nd and 3rd innings. Magallanes took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd, when SS Argenis Diaz doubled and scored on a single, and C Robinson Chirinos added a 3-run homer. Lara tied the game with 2 runs in the 4th (double, triple, and single) and regained the lead in the 5th with 2 more runs (double and three singles). With the score 6-4 going into the bottom of the 6th, Los Navegantes came roaring back with a 5-run rally that included three doubles, two walks, and a run-scoring wild pitch. But Lara tied the game again with one run in the 7th and 2 in the 8th. Los Cardenales added another run on a double, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly in the top of the 9th to take a 10-9 lead, but Los Navegantes made one more effort in the bottom of the inning for the win.

Tiburones de La Guaira 10, Aguilas de Zulia 1

Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Belisario (Dodgers) made his winter league debut with a scoreless 9th inning for La Guaira. Jorge Velandia pinch-hit for Los Tiburones in the 8th inning and struck out, then finished the game at third base.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey 6, Estrellas de Oriente 3

A 5-run 5th inning, including a 3-run homer gave Licey the edge over Los Estrellas. Los Tigres scored 2 runs in the 4th inning. RF Fernando Tatis singled and 1B Brian Myrow walked with one out. Both scored on C Robinzon Diaz's singled into right field, which was complicated by a fielding error by the right fielder (Diaz was credited with one RBI). Los Estrellas added one more run in the 7th on a single and an RBI double.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Criollos de Caguas 7, Leones de Ponce 5

Reliever RJ Rodriguez was back to his usual form as he pitched two perfect innings for Ponce, including one strikeout. Caguas got to Rodriguez's pitching colleagues, though. They scored 5 runs before Rodriguez took the mound, beginning with a solo homer in the 2nd. In the third, former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa doubled and another former Indian, RF Luis Matos was hit by a pitch, then a walk loaded the bases. A single and a fielding error scored all three runners. Matos added an RBI double in the 4th inning. DH Raul Casanova gave Ponce 4 runs in the bottom of the 4th with a grand slam. A hit batter and two singles added another run for Ponce in the 7th to tie the score. A single, a walk, and a 2-RBI double in the top of the 8th by Caguas broke the tie and gave Los Criollos the win.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 14, Yaquis de Obregon 4

Mazatlan staged a 5-run 1st inning and a 7-run 3rd inning and posted a total of 19 hits to run over Obregon. 2B Brian Bixler went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. The RBI double brought in the 5th run of the 1st inning. Bixler had one of six singles in the 3rd inning, when Los Venados opened the inning with a solo homer and ended up sending 12 batters to the plate. Mazatlan added a single run in the 5th and another in the 6th, when Bixler opened the inning with a single, moved to third base on another single, and scored on a sacrifice fly. Rogelios Noris pinch-hit for Mazatlan in the 7th inning (struck out) and then remained in the game to play center field.

Algodoneros de Guasave 7, Naranjeros de Hermosillo 1

Ty Taubenheim suffered his second loss for Hermosillo, as he surrendered 5 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits in 5.1 innings. Taubenheim gave up a run in each of the 2nd, 4th, and 5th innings, all of which were earned. The 6th inning began with an out, then a single and a batter reaching on a throwing error. Taubenheim was relieved, but those two base runners came in to score, both charged to Taubenheim. Hermosillo was held to just 5 hits, and did not score until the bottom of the 9th, with a single and an RBI double.

Mayos de Navojoa 8, Tomateros de Culiacan 4

Navojoa plated 5 runs in the 3rd with an RBI fielder's choice followed by a grand slam, plus 3 more runs in the 5th, leaving Culiacan trying to catch up. Los Tomateros scored one run in the 2nd inning, and a 2-run homer in the 6th. In the 8th, LF Luis Cruz walked, advanced to third base on a fielding error, and scored on a sacrifice fly. Cruz had also walked and stole second base in the 4th inning, but was left on base.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 12, Tigres de Aragua 7

Aragua jumped onto the scoreboard first, but Margarita quickly caught them up and passed them for the win. Los Tigres loaded the bases in the top of the 1st, and DH Raul Chavez walked, forcing in the first run. LF Justin Huber (Twins) brought in two more with an RBI single. A lead-off homer and two singles complicated by a wild pitch and a throwing error by the Margarita pitcher gave Aragua 2 runs in the 5th inning. 1B Hector Gimenez walked to lead off the 8th inning, moved to second base on Chavez's ground out, and scored on Huber's triple, then Huber scored on SS Ronny Cedeno's RBI ground out. Neither Chavez, Gimenez, nor Cedeno had a hit in the game.

Margarita took the lead with a grand slam by 1B Dennys Abreu in the bottom of hthe 2nd inning. They added to the lead with 3 runs in the 3rd inning, taking advantage of a hit batter and two wild pitches. 3B Neil Walker doubled in a run for Los Bravos in the 5th inning, then scored after two ground outs. Another RBI double gave Margarita a 10 - 5 lead after 5 innings. Two walks, including one to Walker, and an RBI double added 2 more runs to Margarita's total in the 6th inning. Walker also singled in the 8th inning, but was left on base.

Caribes de Anzoategui 6, Navegantes de Magallanes 4

SS Argenis Diaz was hitless in two trips to the plate for Magallanes, and was replaced with a pinch-hitter in the 7th inning. Adenson Chourio was a 9th inning defensive replacement at shortstop for Los Caribes, but did not get either a fielding opportunity or a plate appearance.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Gigantes de Carolina 7, Leones de Ponce 3

Reliever RJ Rodriguez began the 7th inning on the mound for Ponce with a strikeout. The next batter reached on a throwing error, and he scored on an RBI double. Rodriguez was relieved at that point, but the base runner later scored, and those two runs were charged to Rodriguez. They were insurance runs, as Carolina had already plated 2 runs in the 2nd and 3 more in the 5th. Ponce scored single runs in the 2nd, 6th, and 7th. Greg Picart pinch-hit in the 9th inning, and grounded out to second base for the final out of the game.

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For the second day in a row, two Pirates' farmhands had two hits each, but those hits were not enough to keep teammate Donnie Veal from suffering his first loss in the AFL on Thursday afternoon. Veal retired the Saguaros in order in the 1st inning, and allowed a solo homer in the 2nd inning, though with the 2 runs the Scorpions scored in the top of the 2nd, Veal still held the lead. But, the bottom of the 3rd inning, Veal loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. After a chat with his pitching coach, Veal gave up a 2-run single, got a foul pop out, then walked another batter to load the bases again. That sent Veal to the showers, and Edgar Garcia (Phillies) came on in relief. Garcia got a grounder to third, where 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) fired the ball to C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) for the force out at the plate. A ground out ended the inning, but the Saguaros had taken a 3-2 lead.

Edgar Garcia gave up an unearned run in the 5th, on a fielding error and an RBI single. Cesar Valdez (Diamondbacks) gave up a run in the 6th, and Michael Schwimer (Phillies) gave up a solo homer in the 8th. Tony Watson pitched a perfect 7th inning.

Three Pirates' farmhands made up the top third of Thursday's lineup. Leadoff batter SS Chase d'Arnaud went 2-for-5 with a double and a single. 2B Brian Friday did not have a hit today (he had two yesterday) but walked twice and started a double play. CF Jose Tabata had two hits for the second day in a row. Friday walked but was picked off/caught stealing in the 3rd inning. Tabata singled in that inning, but was left on base. D'Arnaud singled and stole second base in the 5th. The three loaded the bases after a run scored in the 7th inning. D'Arnaud doubled, Friday walked, and Tabata singled, but a ground out ended the inning with the Pirates still filling the bases.

The Scorpions scored their first two runs in the 2nd inning. RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) led off with a double, and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. He scored on DH Brandon Allen's (D'backs) double, and then Allen stole third base. LF Cole Gillespie (D'backs) doubled Allen home for the second run. Gillespie doubled again to lead off the 7th inning. He tagged up and moved to third base on a fly out, and scored on Tuffy Gosewisch's ground out.