Monthly Archives: November, 2009
AFL: Two Hits Each For Tabata and Friday
Two four-run innings helped the Desert Dogs take a bite out of the Scorpions in Wednesday evening's AFL action. Despite two hits each by CF Jose Tabata and SS Brian Friday, along with another two hits by RF Domonic Brown (Phillies), the Scorpions could not keep up. Scottsdale recorded 9 hits, just one fewer than Phoenix's 10, but the Scorpions stung themselves with 4 errors -- two by Brown, one by Friday, and one by 3B Darin Holcomb (Rockies).
The Scorpions fell behind early. Starter Michael Cisco (Phillies) gave up a run in the 1st inning without a hit -- on a walk, a stolen base, a tag-up, and a sacrifice fly. Four runs scored in the 2nd inning, though only one was earned. After a triple and an RBI single for the first run, RF Domonic Brown made a fielding error, putting runners on second and third bases. The next batter hit a sacrifice fly, but Brown made a second fielding error, allowing two runs to score and putting that batter on third base. Another sacrifice fly brought him in with the fourth run of the inning.
The Pirates' hitters were key in scoring the two Scorpions' runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. With one out, Brian Friday walked, and Jose Tabata followed with a single. A wild pitch to 2B Chase d'Arnaud let both runners advance 90 feet. D'Arnaud grounded to the third baseman, and on a fielder's choice, he was safe at first, but Tabata was tagged out. D'Arnaud stole second base (his 5th in the AFL), and then a single by Domonic Brown plated both Friday and d'Arnaud. That cut the Desert Dogs' lead to 5-2.
Danny Moskos was first out of the bullpen for the Scorpions, and he had another difficult outing. The first batter he faced to lead off the 4th inning tripled, and the next batter walked. A grounder force out let the runner from third base score, and a throwing error by Brian Friday put a runner on third base. He scored on another single. Moskos got the next two batters out to end the inning. In the 5th, he gave up a lone single and got a strikeout.
Things were quiet until the 7th inning, when Takanobu Tsuijiuchi (Japan) gave up a single anda shomer, then a walk and two doubles, and the Desert Dogs had 4 more runs. Another batter reached on a throwing error by 3B Darin Holcomb, but Japan's Kenta Abe relieved Tsuijiuchi and ended the inning. Phoenix added one more run in the 8th, when reliever Scott Mathieson (Phillies) gave up a walk, a wild pitch, and an RBI double.
Jose Tabata collected an RBI in the 9th inning. After a single and a double play, Brian Friday singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Tabata's single into right field brought Friday in with the Scorpions' third run. Friday also singled and Chase d'Arnaud walked in the 5th, and Tabata walked in the 7th inning.
Bixler Homers, Cedeno Triples; Kratz Joins In
In Wednesday's winter league action:
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Venados de Mazatlan 11, Yaquis de Obregon 4
Los Venados posted 16 hits on their way to 11 runs to pound Obregon. It started with 2 runs in the 1st inning, on two walks, a passed ball, a double, and a sacrifice fly. The 4th inning began with a walk, then 2B Brian Bixler singled. SS Heber Gomez had an RBI double, then two RBI singles scored two more runs, including Bixler. Mazatlan did the rest of their scoring with a series of 2-run homers: DH Robert Saucedo smacked a 2-run homer in the 5th, Bixler blasted a 2-run homer in the 7th, and CF Ruben Rivera did the same in the 8th. It was Bixler's second home run for Mazatlan, both coming in less than a week. Rogelios Noris had a pinch-hit single in the 9th inning. He remained in the game in left field, and made two of the three outs in the bottom of the 9th.
Mayos de Navojoa 7, Tomateros de Culiacan 3
Back-to-back homers in the 1st inning got Culiacan off to a good start, but that was all the scoring they were able to do. Navojoa took the lead with a 4-run 3rd inning, aided by two fielding errors. They added an insurance run in the 6th, with another Culiacan error, and two more in the 7th. 2B Luis Cruz went 0-for-3 with a walk in the 6th.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Tigres de Aragua 5, Bravos de Margarita 0
Aragua pitching shut down Margarita, holding them to just 5 hits -- one by 3B Neil Walker and one by LF Jonel Pacheco. Pacheco's single came after a batter had reached on a fielding error in the 5th, but a strikeout ended the inning with the two runners still on base. Walker and RF Rene Reyes hit back-to-back singles with two outs in the 6th, but again both were left on base when the inning ended. After those two hits, Los Bravos went down in order for the remaining three innings.
Meanwhile, Aragua was busy recording 12 hits, including 3 by 1B Hector Gimenez. They got onto the scoreboard with 4 runs in the 2nd inning. C Raul Chavez and Gimenez opened the inning with singles, and LF Justin Huber (Twins) reached on a fielding error. SS Ronny Cedeno cleared the bases with a triple, then scored on an RBI single. Los Tigres loaded the bases again in the 3rd inning, including another single by Gimenez, but Cedeno lined out to end that inning. Gimenez singled for the third time in the 5th inning, and was again left stranded. Aragua added one more run in the 9th, on a walk and two singles.
Navegantes del Magallanes 10, Caribes de Anzoategui 9 (12 innings)
Magallanes got the game-winning run on a solo homer in the top of the 9th. The next batter was hit by a pitch, and the ensuing scuffle resulted in both the pitcher and the batter being ejected. Los Caribes could not respond in the bottom of the 12th inning as they had in the 10th, when Magallanes had also taken the lead with a home run, but Los Caribes had tied it again with two singles. Adenson Chourio, who had not appeared in a game for Los Caribes in a month, made a pinch running appearance in the 7th inning, and reached 3rd base before being stranded. Argenis Diaz entered the game for Magallanes in the 9th inning as a defensive replacement at shortstop, and struck out in his only plate appearance. Jean Machi pitched a scoreless 9th for Magallanes, but was responsible for Los Caribes' tying run in the bottom of the 10th.
Cardenales de Lara 10, Tiburones de La Guaira 4
Bobby Livingston made the start for La Guaira but did not get out of the 1st inning. He gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, then a single. After a fly out, he surrendered two singles, a double, an RBI ground out, and another double before being relieved. One more run scored after that, making Livingston responsible for 6 runs on 6 hits, and he was ultimately charged with the loss. Lara scored 2 more runs in each of the next 2 innings. La Guaira scored 3 in the 3rd and one more in the 4th. Former Indy Indian Giovanni Carrara pitched two scoreless innings for Lara. Former Pirate Romulo Sanchez earned the win with his two perfect innings.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Leones del Escogido 7, Aguilas Cibaenas 2
C Erik Kratz made his debut with Los Aguilas, entering the game in the 7th as a catching replacement. Kratz had two plate appearances -- a ground out and a strikeout. Escogido had a big 3rd inning, scoring 5 runs, to breeze past Los Aguilas.
“El Duque” No Match For Aragua
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Mayos de Navojoa 5, Tomateros de Culiacan 3
Three runs in the top of the 9th gave Navojoa the come-from-behind win over Culiacan. Los Tomateros scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the 2nd on 3B Mike Cervenak's (Phillies) solo homer. Cervenak's single in the bottom of the 8th contributed to a 2-out rally, with 2 walks and 2 singles. CF Luis Cruz doubled in the 3rd inning, but was left on base.
Yaquis de Obregon 5, Venados de Mazatlan 4 (10 innings)
A walk-off single with runners on second and third bases gave Obregon the win in the bottom of the 10th inning. Mazatlan scored all of their runs on homers -- a solo homer by 1B John Lindsey in the 7th, followed by CF Ruben Rivera's double and DH Robert Saucedo's homer in the same inning. In the 8th, SS Heber Gomez led off with another solo homer. 2B Brian Bixler went 0-for-4, with 3 strikeouts.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Bravos de Margarita 1, Tigres de Aragua 0
Pitching ruled in Margarita, as Michael Tejera pitched 5 scoreless innings for Los Bravos, allowing 3 hits and 3 walks, with 4 strikeouts. He got out of a bases-loaded situation in the 1st inning, when SS Ronny Cedeno singled, 3B Wilson Ramos walked, and DH Raul Chavez singled. But Tejera got 1B Hector Gimenez to bounce a grounder to 3B Neil Walker, who forced Chavez out at second base to end the inning without a run scoring. Tejera had little trouble after that. He walked two, including Gimenez, in the 4th inning, but ended that inning with a double play. Orlando Hernandez made his debut for Margarita when he relieved Tejera in the 6th. "El Duque" gave up a single and walked Gimenez, but struck out two and got another grounder to Walker to end the inning. Four more pitchers added their assistance to preserve the shutout for Margarita. Ronny Cedeno singled again in the 8th, but was erased in a double play. CF Jorge Cortes had one at-bat for Aragua and then was replaced in center field.
Margarita scored their only run in the 4th inning. CF Frank Diaz was hit by a pitch, and Neil Walker singled into right field. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, and a sacrifice fly scored Diaz. Walker also walked in the 6th inning and stole second base -- his first steal in the Venezuelan League.
Navegantes de Magallanes 6, Caribes de Anzoategui 1
Los Caribes were held to 4 hits and their only run came on a solo home run. Magallanes scored 2 in the 2nd on a homer, then a walk, a single, and an RBI ground out. They added 4 more in the 5th inning. With the bases loaded on a walk, a single, and a hit batter, a walk to 1B Brian Dopirak forced in one run, then RF Richard Hidalgo doubled in two more runs. DH Mike Ryan reached base on a missed catch error at first base, and that allowed the 4th run to score. Ryan was hitless in his other 4 trips to the plate.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Aguilas Cibaenas 7, Leones del Escogido 2
Los Aguilas recorded 15 hits and poured it on with 4 unanswered runs in the last two innings. Ramon Aguero pitched the final inning for Los Aguilas. He hit a batter and had another reach on a fielding error, but got a line out and a strikeout to end the inning.
Gigantes del Cibao 5, Estrellas de Oriente 3
1B Brian Myrow singled twice for Los Estrellas but was out in a double play and left on base. He walked in the 7th inning, and scored when DH Nelson Teilon homered. Los Estrellas scored again in the 8th on a double and two ground outs, one by Myrow. Los Gigantes scored one in the 2nd and 3 more in the 4th. Estrellas' Roberto Giron relieved starter Alfredo Figaro after two of the runs came in in the 4th, and Giron's wild pitch allowed the third run to score. Juan Perez pitched to one batter in the 7th for Los Gigantes, and got a ground out.
AFL: Six Scorpions Pitchers Combine For Shutout
Scorpions' starter Bryan Augenstein (Diamondbacks) earned his first AFL win on Tuesday afternoon with 4 shutout innings of work. He scattered 3 singles and a walk and struck out two batters. When Augenstein left, his bullpen colleagues took up where he left off. Tom Layne (D'backs) pitched a perfect 5th. Daniel Turpen (Giants) pitched 0.2 scoreless innings, though he loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter. Steve Edlefsen (Giants) finished the 6th inning for Turpen, then pitched a scoreless 7th with a walk and a batter reaching on an error. Craig Baker (Rockies) also retired the side in the 8th. Matt Reynolds (Rockies) earned his second save with a scoreless 9th inning, allowing just the fourth hit of the game.
The Scorpions had at least one runner on base in every inning but the 6th, but they only scored in the first two. 2B Pedro Ciriaco (D'backs) opened the game with a double into left field, and after ground outs by 3B Chase d'Arnaud and DH Jose Tabata, Ciriaco scored on an RBI single by RF Domonic Brown (Phillies). It only took one hit to score another run in the 2nd inning. LF Steve Susdorf (Phillies) walked, and he scored from first base on SS Hector Gomez's (Rockies) double. Gomez was the only batter with more than one hit -- he doubled again in the 7th inning. Jose Tabata singled in the 3rd inning, and Chase d'Arnaud singled in the 5th. The only other Scorpions' hit was Susdorf's double in the 4th. Susdorf also reached base twice more on walks, and Tabata had a third walk, but was caught stealing second base.
Lynchburg Relocates To Bradenton
Diaz On A Roll In Dominican League
Estrellas de Oriente 6, Toros del Este 4
C Robinzon Diaz continued his hot hitting with another 2 hits and 2 RBI in last night's game, lifting his average to .397. Teammate 1B Brian Myrow also had 2 hits and 2 RBI in Los Estrellas' win. Los Estrellas did most of their scoring in the first three innings. In the top of the 1st, Myrow came to the plate with runners on first and second base, and his RBI single brought in the runner from second base. Diaz followed with another RBI single, to give Los Estrellas a 2-0 lead. A fielding error, a bunt, and a wild pitch in the 2nd inning increased the score to 3-0. A double and Diaz's second RBI single of the game made the score 4-0 in the 3rd inning, and Diaz scored also, after another single and a double. Los Toros got one of the runs back in the bottom of the 6th, but Myrow reclaimed it in the top of the 2nd with his RBI double. Los Toros did score 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th, but got no further. Former Pirate farmhand Maiko Loyola came into the game in the 8th inning as a defensive replacement in left field. He grounded out in his only plate appearance.
AFL: Solar Sox Outshine Scorpions
Not a lot of hitting going on in Mesa today. The Scottsdale Scorpions posted 7 hits on their way to ony 2 runs, while the pitching staff held the Solar Sox to just 5 hits. Unfortunately, the Solar Sox made better use of the hits they did get, scoring 3 runs to win the game.
The Scorpions scored one run right out of the box. In the top of the 1st, with one out, 2B Brandon Crawford (Giants) doubled, moved to third on RF Domonic Brown's (Phillies) single, and scored when LF Thomas Neal's (Giants) grounder to third base was only a force out at second instead of a double play. SS Hector Gomez (Rockies) provided the only other run, with a solo homer over the left field wall in the 3rd inning.
There were not even very many threats by the Scorpions' batters. CF Jose Tabata made it as far as third base in the 6th inning. He bounced one back to the mound, but a throwing error by the Mesa pitcher allowed Tabata to reach second base. A wild pitch sent him to third base, but he was left there when Domonic Brown struck out to end the inning. Scottsdale had a runner reach third base in the 8th inning, the only other inning in which the Scorpions put more than one runner on base. Hector Gomez doubled to lead off the inning, and 2B Brian Friday's single advanced Gomez to third base, but three strikeouts left the runners on the corners. The Scorpion batters struck out a total of 8 times during the game. Tabata went 0-for-4, and Friday was 1-for-3.
Rockies' Chaz Roe started and pitched 3 scoreless innings for the Scorpions. He allowed 2 hits, no walks, and struck out 4 batters. Cesar Valdez (Diamondbacks) pitched the next two innings, and was charged with a Blown Save when he allowed a 2-run homer in the 5th. Edgar Garcia (Phillies) suffered the loss, as he gave up the winning run in the 6th inning. Mesa's 2B Starlin Castro (Cubs) singled to begin the inning, stole second, tagged up and took third on a fly out, and scored on a sacrifice fly.
Tony Watson pitched a perfect 7th inning, including a strikeout. Scott Mathieson (Phillies) pitched a scoreless 8th inning. He allowed a walk, but erased the runner with a double play.
Sunday’s Winter League Action
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Bravos de Margarita 13, Aguilas de Zulia 7
Neil Walker was listed in the original lineup to start at first base, but before Los Bravos even took the field in the bottom of the 1st, their 2B Eider Torres, who had grounded out in the top of the inning, had to leave the game. Some infield shuffling occurred, and Walker was moved to third base. Margarita got onto the scoreboard first with 2 runs on 2 singles and a double in the 3rd inning. Zulia scored 2 runs in each of the next two innings to take a 4-2 lead. In the top of the 6th, Los Bravos retook the lead. SS Ray Olmedo led off with a single, and after he moved to 3rd on a hit-and-run, Walker's RBI single brought him in. Two more singles plated Walker, and two more walks forced in the third run of the inning. A single, a throwing error, a walk to Walker, and another single scored the first run in the top of the 7th. Two more runs, including Walker, scored on a fielding error, giving Margarita an 8-4 lead. Zulia came back with 3 of their own in the bottom of the inning, but Margarita sealed their win with a rally in the 9th. LF Jonel Pacheco, who had entered in the 7th inning, singled and scored on C Henry Blanco's double. Two more singles and a walk scored two more runs. Neil Walker's single brought in two more runs, for a total of 5 runs in the inning.
Neil Walker had originally been under contract with Los Bravos through December 10th, but now the plan is to have him stay only through November 19th.
Tigres de Aragua 4, Cardenales de Lara 2
1B Hector Gimenez and CF Jorge Cortes each posted a single and a double for Aragua, and SS Ronny Cedeno added a single. Aragua scored first, with a double by Gimenez, a ground out, and a wild pitch in the 2nd inning. A walk, Cedeno's sacrifice bunt, a single, and an RBI grounder added another run in the 2nd. Gimenez and Cortes had two of the three singles in the 4th, and Cortes picked up an RBI, as Los Tigres scored twice.
Leones del Caracas 8, Navegantes del Magallanes 6
Reliever Ronald Uviedo pitched 1.1 scoreless innings for Caracas to earn a Hold. He entered the game in the 6th, with two out and two runners on base, and got a ground out to end the inning. Then Uviedo retired the side in order in the 7th. DH Mike Ryan singled twice, walked twice, and scored twice for Magallanes. He singled and scored in the 2-run rally in the 2nd inning and again in the 2-run rally in the 9th. That last rally fell short, though, as Magallanes could not catch up to Caracas. SS Argenis Diaz was hitless in two trips to the plate.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Tigres del Licey 8, Estrellas de Oriente 6
Licey scored 5 runs in the 5th and 3 more in the 6th to overcome Los Estrellas. Los Estrellas scored one run in the 2nd inning, on a walk and a double, and added 3 more runs in the 3rd inning. After a walk and a fielding error put two runners into scoring position, DH Robinzon Diaz singled to bring both runners home. Diaz was caught stealing second base, then 1B Brian Myrow tripled, and he scored on another double, and Los Estrellas had a brief 4-0 lead. Los Estrellas scored two more runs in the top of the 9th, on a double and two singles, but the inning ended before they could catch up to Los Tigres.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Venados de Mazatlan 13, Caneros de Mochis 3
Mazatlan posted 18 hits, with every member of the starting lineup collecting at least one hit. SS Brian Bixler singled, doubled, and walked, though he also made a throwing error. Los Venados started with 5 runs in the 1st inning, when the first 5 batters of the inning had a hit -- Bixler's double, and the rest singles -- for 3 runs. Another double brought in two more runs. Bixler also singled to lead off the 2nd inning, but was erased in a double play. Mazatlan scored 2 more runs in the 3rd inning, on a double and two singles. Two singles scored another run in the 5th inning, and then Los Venados wrapped it up with 5 runs in the 7th. That inning began with a throwing error, followed by a walk and two singles, bringing in two runs. Bixler walked, then a single plated two more runs, and Bixler scored on an RBI grounder. Another photo of Bixler, turning two, is on Los Venados' website.
Tomateros de Culiacan 15, Algodoneros de Guasave 4
Los Tomateros held a hit-fest, posting 19 hits and scoring 5 runs in the 2nd inning and 6 runs in the 6th. CF Luis Cruz had an RBI double in the 2nd inning, then walked and scored on a home run in the 6th. Cruz singled in the 9th, and was forced out on a double play.
AFL: Rising Stars — West Beats East
Saturday night's Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars game showcased the All-Stars among the all-star prospects. The League teams divided into West and East, based on the teams' location around the Phoenix area -- Peoria and Surprise are suburb cities on the west side of Phoenix, and Scottsdale and Mesa are on the east side of town, with the Phoenix team joining them for the East team. Three of the six Pirates' players participating in the AFL were invited to join the East team: OF Jose Tabata, INF Chase d'Arnaud, and reliever Danny Moskos. Starter Donnie Veal, with his 3-0 record and league-leading microscopic 0.54 ERA, was not invited, though it seems he has earned the honor; he would not have been able to pitch, since he had just made a start on Friday night, but still.... Six other members of the Scottsdale Scorpions were also on the East team: C Buster Posey (Giants), 1B Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks), OF Domonic Brown (Phillies), RHP Andrew Johnston (Rockies), RHP Toru Murata (Japan), and LHP Matt Reynolds (Rockies).
The East came charging out of the gate, sending 11 batters to the plate in the top of the 1st, and scoring 7 runs (6 earned) off West starter Mike Minor (Braves). Jose Tabata began the game with an infield single. SS Starlin Castro (Cubs) also singled, and after a fly out that allowed Tabata to tag up and move to third base, LF Grant Desme (A's) also singled, scoring Tabata. 1B Brandon Allen blasted a 3 run homer to center field, and the East had a 4 runs start. C Buster Posey followed the homer with a single and RF Domonic Brown doubled. Posey scored on 3B Josh Bell's (Orioles) sacrifice fly, which was the second out of the inning. After a walk to 2B Jemile Weeks (A's), a throwing error brought Brown across the plate. Tabata singled for the second time in the game, plating Weeks. That was all for Mike Minor, who was relieved by Josh Fields (Mariners). Fields ended the inning with a fly out, but the East had a 7 run advantage.
East starter Tommy Mendoza (Angels) gave up a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st inning to LF Chris Heisey (Reds), and Reidier Gonzalez (Blue Jays) retired the West in order in the 2nd inning. But the West took advantage of Danny Moskos in the bottom of the 3rd. Moskos gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, SS Carlos Triunfel Mariners). Two quick outs followed, but then Moskos gave up a single and three consecutive doubles, for 3 more runs, and the West had closed the gap to 7-6.
The pitchers took over for the next four innings. The East batters managed one hit in the 4th, and went down in order against former Pirates' draft pick Tanner Scheppers (Rangers) in the 5th. Chase d'Arnaud led off the 6th inning with a pinch-hit single into right field, but was forced out at second base on a grounder by Jemile Weeks. Bryan Petersen (Marlins), who replaced Tabata in center field, singled, and 1B Brandon Snyder (Orioles) walked to load the bases for the East, but LF Rene Tosoni (Twins) flied out to end the inning without a run scoring. The East threatened again in the 7th, when Domonic Brown walked and d'Arnaud singled for the second time, but both were left on base when Weeks struck out to end the inning.
East pitchers Matt Gorgen (Rays), Dustin Richardson (Red Sox), Andrew Johnston, and Blake Parker (Cubs) kept the West from scoring through the 7th inning, scattering 3 hits and a walk. With Drew Storen (Nationals) on the mound, the bottom of the 8th began with a single and a 2-run homer by C Matt McBride (Cleveland Indians), giving the West a one-run lead. But the East managed only a walk by Brandon Allen in the 9th, and the West got the win.
As usual, the AFL has Sunday off, and play will resume on Monday.
NOTES: Just in case you're wondering... the 2010 Minor League season begins 5 months from today.
Bixler Homers for Mazatlan
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Venados de Mazatlan 9, Caneros de Mochis 2
SS Brian Bixler hit his first home run for Mazatlan, giving Los Venados their first insurance run in the 4th inning. There's a photo on Los Venados' web site. Bixler is mentioned lower down in the article, which says that Bixler hit his first homer of the season, which left the yard to give Mazatlan a 4-2 lead, and also had an RBI in the 7th.
CF Ruben Rivera added a 2-run homer in the 5th inning. Los Venados loaded the bases on a single and two walks in the 7th, and brought in one run on a fielding error. Bixler came to the plate with the bases still loaded, and grounded to second for the force out there, but he beat out the throw to first base, so the runner from third base scored, with Bixler picking up the RBI. Three more singles and another RBI grounder gave Mazatlan one last run in the 8th.
Algodoneros de Guasave 9, Tomateros de Culiacan 2
CF Luis Cruz doubled in the 6th inning for Culiacan, but did not score, as Los Tomateros were held to just 2 runs.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Bravos de Margarita 4, Aguilas de Zulia 3 (Game 1)
The first 7 batters of this game all struck out. Zulia's Josh Schmidt (Yankees) struck out the side in the top of the 1st, and then struck out the first batter he faced in the 2nd. He went on to retire the next 5 batters in order too, before giving up Margarita's first hit, a double to 2B Eider Torres (White Sox) to lead off the 4th. But Schmidt only faced the minimum in that inning too, as Torres was the second out in a double play when he was thrown out at the plate after a fly out. Margarita finally got to Schmidt in the 5th inning, when DH Rene Reyes singled and LF Selwyn Langaigne walked. Neil Walker, who started the game at first base, dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Both runners scored on a fielding error to tie the score at 2-2. Margarita took the lead with 2 more in the 6th inning, on a single, a fielder's choice and two errors by Zulia. Walker was moved over to third base for the final inning of the game. On the other side, Margarita's starter Carlos Monasterios struck out the side in the 1st inning, then gave up a run in each of the 2nd and 3rd innings. Each starter finished with 5 strikeouts.
Zulia 7, Margarita 5 (Game 2)
Zulia took the nightcap, pushing past Margarita with a 4-run 5th inning. Chris Hernandez earned his 7th save for Zulia with a scoreless 7th inning. Zulia began the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. Margarita came back with 2 to tie it up in the 2nd inning. After a walk by Rene Reyes and a single by Selwyn Langaigne, Neil Walker (back at third base for the second game) walked to load the bases. The next batter bounced into a double play, scoring one run, but forcing Walker out at second. A single by C Henry Blanco (Padres) brought in the tying run. A double, a wild pitch, and two singles gave Margarita a 4-2 lead in the 3rd inning, and they picked up one more run in the top of the 5th with two walks, a sacrifice bunt, a double steal, and an RBI ground out. Former Indy Indian Tim Harikkala made the start for Margarita, and he got into trouble in the 5th inning, when he gave up two 2-out doubles. Reliever Jesus Silva took over for Harikkala, and faced three batters -- for an RBI single, a 2-run homer, and then a hit batter. Another former Indy Indian, Michael Tejera came on next, and he ended the inning with a strikeout, but the damage was done and the Mazatlan batters could not respond. Neil Walker went 0-for-2 besides the walk.
Navegantes del Magallanes 2, Tiburones de La Guaira 1
Jean Machi earned his 7th save with a scoreless 9th in this low-scoring and low-hitting game. Los Tiburones were held to just 4 hits and scored only one run, on a double, a stolen base, and a throwing error by the Magallanes' catcher. Los Navegantes had just 6 hits, and their only scoring was on a walk and a 2-run homer by 1B Brian Dopirak (Blue Jays). DH <mike Ryan went 0-for-4 for Magallanes, and SS Argenis Diaz was 0-for-2 with a walk in the 7th inning.
Tigres de Aragua 6, Cardenales de Lara 2
1B Hector Gimenez walked three times and scored once for Aragua, and C Raul Chavez added an RBI single. Lara scored one run in the top of the 1st, but Los Tigres came roaring back with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. After a walk and a double put runners on second and third, Chavez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Gimenez picked up an RBI as he was walked, forcing in a run. LF Justin Huber (Twins) singled, plating two runs. That chased Lara's starting pitcher, and former Indy Indian Giovanni Carrara came on to finish that inning and pitch the next two scoreless frames. After Carrara finished his night's work, Aragua started scoring again. They got one run in the 4th on a walk and two errors. In the 5th, Gimenez reached on Lara's third error of the game, then scored on a RBI single. Chavez's RBI single came after a single and a walk in the 6th inning. CF Jorge Cortes went 1-for-4 with a single in the 7th inning. SS Ronny Cedeno went 0-for-4, dropping his batting average to .182.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Gigantes del Cibao 4, Aguilas Cibaenas 3 (10 innings)
A two run homer in the 9th tied the game, and a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th gave Los Gigantes the win. Starling Marte got into the game as a late-inning defensive replacement in right field for Los Aguilas, but did not get a plate appearance.
Toros del Este 8, Estrellas de Oriente 6
Two runs by Los Toros in the top of the 8th broke a 6-6 tie, and Los Estrellas could not respond. 1B Brian Myrow had a walk and a single in 3 trips to the plate. He singled in the 3rd, and scored when LF Henry Mateo homered.
Win For Taubenheim, Homer For Walker
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Caneros de Mochis 3, Venados de Mazatlan 1
This pitching duel lasted until the 13th inning. Mochis scored one run in the 5th on two singles and a sacrifice bunt. Mazatlan tied the score in the bottom of the 9th, on a single and a double, sending the game into extras. Los Venados barely threatened in the bottom of the 10th, when 2B Brian Bixler led off with a double, but he was out at third on a fielder's choice. In the 11th, Mazatlan loaded the bases on a single and two walks, but the inning ended when Rogelios Noris lined out to second base. Bixler led off the 12th with a triple, and two walks loaded the bases again for Mazatlan, but a line out and two strikeouts left three more runners on base. Mochis scored twice in the top of the 13th, on a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and three singles. Bixler was 2-for-6 in the game, and Noris went 0-for-5 with a walk.
Algodoneros de Guasave 7, Tomateros de Culiacan 6
Culican could not catch up after Guasave scored 5 runs in the 1st inning. CF Luis Cruz singled in the 8th inning, the third consecutive single to begin that inning, knocking in the first of 3 runs. Cruz scored two singles later.
Naranjeros de Hermosillo 11, Mayos de Navojoa 5
Ty Taubenheim earned his first win for Hermosillo. He pitched 6 innings, and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, with two strikeouts and no walks. Taubenheim retired the first 10 batters he faced in order, before he gave up two singles in the 4th inning. Those two runners were left on base. Taubenheim also pitched a 1-2-3 5th inning. The two runs he gave up came in the 6th, on a single, a double, and a sacrifice fly. Navojoa scored 3 more runs in the 9th inning, but it was no match for the 16 hits and 11 runs by Hermosillo.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Aguilas de Zulia 7, Bravos de Margarita 6
3B Neil Walker hit his 4th homer of the winter league season for Margarita, to tie the game in the 7th inning. Walker also walked in the 4th inning, but was left on base. When the game went into extra innings, Walker was moved across the diamond, where he played two innings at first base. He made one out at first, on a grounder to lead off the 10th, but that was the only fielding opportunity he had. Zulia singled twice in the bottom of the 11th, and had the first runner race around to score from first base for the win. Jonel Pacheco pinch ran for Margarita, and remained in the game to play two innings in right field. Chris Hernandez pitched one inning for Zulia, and retired the side in order.
Navegantes del Magallanes 3, Caribes de Anzoategui 1
Magallanes recorded only 5 hits, but made them count, with a walk and a double for one run in the 4th, a solo homer in the 5th, and a walk and two singles following the homer for a second run in the 5th. Los Caribes scored their run in the top of the 5th with a single, a walk, and a double. SS Argenis Diaz singled for Magallanes in the 7th inning. Gorkys Hernandez pinch-rat for Los Caribes in the 9th inning, but was left on base.
Tigres de Aragua 9, Tiburones de La Guaira 6
Another extra-inning game -- Aragua took this one in the bottom of the 12th, when RF Jorge Cortes led off with a single, and C Alex Delgado also singled, then with two outs, LF Justin Huber (Twins) blasted a 3-run walk-off homer, which was his second homer of the game. Cortes was a late-inning defensive replacement, and that was his only trip to the plate. C Raul Chavez went 3-for-4 for Aragua, with 2 doubles. He led off the 4th with a double, and scored on Huber's first homer. Chavez led off the 6th with a single, and reached third base, but was left there. He doubled again in the 8th inning, and was replaced by a pinch-runner, who was eventually thrown out at the plate. 1B Hector Gimenez and SS Ronny Cedeno were hitless in the game.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Tigres del Licey 3, Aguilas Cibaenas 0
Ramon Aguero pitched a perfect bottom of the 8th inning for Los Aguilas, including 2 strikeouts, in the losing effort.
Leones de Escogido 6, Estrellas de Oriente 3
1B Brian Myrow made his winter league debut with Los Estrellas, but went 0-for-3. C Robinzon Diaz went 3-for-4 with a double for Los Estrellas. He doubled and scored in the 4th inning, then singled in the 6th and in the 9th. Four runs by Los Leones in the 7th inning gave Escogido the lead and the win.
AFL: Veal Wins His Third For Scorpions
Scorpions' starter Donnie Veal made his 5th start and earned his 3rd win in AFL play on Friday afternoon. Veal pitched 4 innings and struck out 5 batters, while allowing only one unearned run on 3 hits. Veal gave up a single to the first batter he faced in the game, then retired the next 6 batters. He gave up another single to begin the 3rd inning, but erased that runner with a double play. The only run Veal allowed came in the 4th inning. A double opened the inning, and that runner moved to third base on a ground out. He scored on a passed ball by C Wilin Rosario (Rockies).
Japan's Kenta Abe, who had just joined the Scorpions this week to replace pitcher Ken Nishimura, relieved Veal to begin the 5th inning. Abe struggled, as the first batter he faced blasted a solo home run. He then gave up two walks and a double, before being relieved by Tom Layne (Diamondbacks). A sacrifice fly brought in the third run of the inning, all charged to Abe. Layne pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 6th. Three more pitchers, Daniel Turpen (Giants), Steve Edlefsen (Giants), and Michael Schwimer (Phillies) each pitched a perfect inning, and each struck out one batter.
Wilin Rosario began the Scorpions' scoring with his third home run in two days in the 2nd inning. DH Hector Gomez (Rockies) followed the homer with a double, and he scored on a fielder's choice complicated by a fielding error. 1B Thomas Neal (Giants) doubled in the 3rd inning, and scored on LF Cole Gillespie's (D'backs) RBI single.
The 4th inning brought another two runs. 2B Pedro Ciriaco (D'backs) led off with a single, and he moved up to second base when SS Troy Hanzawa (Phillies) reached on an error. The two pulled off a double steal, and then CF Jose Tabata walked to load the bases. RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) also walked, forcing in Ciriaco, and Hanzawa scored on a ground out by Thomas Neal.
The Scorpions added two more runs in the 5th inning. Three consecutive singles, by Rosario, Gomez, and Ciriaco, began the inning. Troy Hanzawa's sacrifice fly plated Rosario. 3B Chase d'Arnaud hit a fly for another sacrifice, scoring Gomez, but it turned into a double play when Ciriaco was out at second on the throw in from the outfield (Gomez had already scored). D'Arnaud and Tabata both singled in the 8th inning, and because d'Arnaud had stolen second base, he was able to come around to score from second on Tabata's hit. Tabata and d'Arnaud each had a hit, a walk, and an RBI in the game.
