VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Caribes de Anzoategui 6, Tigres de Aragua 3 — Los Caribes were quiet for the first half of the game, but then did all their scoring in the 2nd half. A 3-run homer in the 5th got them going. In the 7th, a triple and a sacrifice fly added another run, then a pair of walks, including one to DH Jose Tabata, and an RBI single brought in the second run of the inning. A solo homer gave Los Caribes their final run in the 8th. Tabata was hitless in his other 3 trips to the plate. Los Tigres’ first run came on a solo homer in the 2nd. In the top of the 5th, 1B Hector Gimenez led off with a walk. Another walk and a bunt that turned into a force out erased Gimenez at third but left runners on first and second bases. CF Jorge Cortes drove in the runner from second base with an RBI double. A walk, a single, and two ground outs brought in Los Tigres’ last run in the 9th. SS Ronny Cedeno led off the 6th with a single, but was out in a double play.
Aguilas de Zulia 6, Navegantes de Magallanes 3 — New Pirate Fernando Nieve made the start for Los Navegantes, but did not get out of the 2nd inning. After his teammates left the bases loaded in the top of the 1st, Nieve gave up two singles and an intentional walk to load the bases in the bottom of the frame, then unintentionally walked in a run. A sacrifice fly brought in another run for Los Aguilas. Nieve retired the first two batters of the 2nd inning, then gave up a walk and two singles, which combined with a throwing error to allow two runs to score. Another run came in on Nieve’s second wild pitch of the inning. After another single, Nieves was relieved. Zulia scored again in the 3rd inning on two singles and another error. Los Navegantes put base runners on in all but one inning, but could not push any runs across the plate until the top of the 9th, when two singles, a double, and two RBI ground outs gave them 3 runs.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Tomateros de Culiacan 4, Venados de Mazatlan 0 — Former Pirate 2B Luis Cruz blasted a 2-run homer in the top of the 1st, and that followed a solo homer, giving Los Tomateros a very quick 3-run lead. Another solo homer in the 5th was all the scoring they needed, as Los Venados were held to just 4 hits. Tomateros’ starter Francisco Campos retired the first 19 batters he faced, taking him into the 7th inning, before he gave up a walk, then a single. He gave up a lead-off double in the 8th, then was relieved. RF Rogelios Noris went 0-for-2 at the plate for his home town Mazatlan.
