VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Caribes de Anzoategui 8, Cardenales de Lara 7 — (Game 1) Los Cardenales were looking good when they scored 5 runs in the top of the 5th, including a pinch-hit grand slam by Hernan Iribarren. Former Pirate farmhand RF Ray Sadler made his Venezuelan debut for Los Cardenales and went 1-for-4 with a single in the 7th. Los Caribes scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st, on a double, a walk by LF Jose Tabata, and a 3-run homer. Tabata also walked (intentionally) in the 2nd inning, to load the bases. A single drove in two runs, though Tabata was thrown out at third base. After Lara took a 7-5 lead in the 5th, Los Caribes got the lead back with a 3-run 6th inning. A walk, a hit batter, and a throwing error loaded the bases. One single scored 2 runs to tie the score, and the next single brought in the third run of the inning, which gave Los Caribes the win. Tabata also walked in that inning, for the third time in the game.
Cardenales 5, Caribes 0 — (Game 2) Los Caribes were held to just 3 hits in the night-cap, while Lara scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning on a grand slam, and added another solo homer in the 6th. Tabata did not play in the second game, and Sadler went 0-for-4.
Tigres de Aragua 7, Tiburones de La Guaira 3 — Los Tiburones out-hit Los Tigres 11-5, but Los Tigres still came out on top. La Guaira posted a run in the top of the 2nd, and Los Tigres tied it up in the bottom of the inning — LF Lastings Milledge was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a wild pitch by Los Tiburones’ starter Ryan Vogelsong, and scored on CF Jorge Cortes’ RBI single. Los Tigres broke the tie with 2 runs in the 4th. 1B Hector Gimenez walked, and after a hit batter, Milledge doubled into left field, driving in one run. A steal of home plate accounted for the second run of the inning. Milledge doubled again in the 5th, this time bringing in two runs, including Gimenez, who had walked again. Gimenez walked for the third time in the 6th, and with a fielding error and an RBI single, Los Tigres had another run. They made it 7 runs with one more in the 7th — Milledge was hit by a pitch and stole second base, but was replaced by a pinch runner. Cortes walked, and a hit batter loaded the bases, and a ground out plated the final run.
Bravos de Margarita 8, Navegantes del Magallanes 3 — Anthony Claggett earned his third Venezuelan win for Los Bravos, with 5 solid innings of work. He gave up 2 runs on 3 hits — the two runs came on a walk and a homer in the 2nd inning. Claggett also gave up singles in the 3rd and 5th. He hit a batter in the 1st and walked another in the 5th. Claggett got plenty of run support, with 3 runs in the 1st, 2 runs in the 2nd, and one more in the 3rd. After Claggett was relieved, Los Bravos scored 2 runs in the 6th. Los Navegantes posted one more run in the 9th inning. Corey Hamman pitched in the 4th inning for Los Navegantes, coming on in relief after a lead-off single. He retired all three batters he faced, leaving the runner stranded.
All of the winter leagues have the day off on Monday
