The Puerto Rican League season ends today, with their playoffs beginning over the weekend. Meanwhile the other Caribbean leagues continue in playoff mode. In other news, SS Pedro Ciriaco has signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Navegantes del Magallanes 3, Tigres de Aragua 2
Los Navegantes got things going with 2 runs on a walk and 3 singles before an out was recorded in the bottom of the 1st inning. Los Tigres answered with a run in the top of the 2nd, when 1B Hector Gimenez walked, and scored on Jorge Cortes’ RBI double. Los Navegantes added an insurance run in the 6th, with former Pirate Romulo Sanchez on the mound for Los Tigres. a single, a stolen base, a wild pitch, and a throwing error allowed the run to score. Los Tigres squeezed out another run in the top of the 9th, on a walk, a single, and a sacrifice fly, but it was not enough. Wil Ledezma pitched to two batters in the 5th inning, for Los Tigres, and retiring both of them to finish the inning.
Caribes de Anzoategui 3, Aguilas del Zulia 1
Former Pirate C Carlos Maldonado had the only RBI for Los Aguilas, when he singled in a runner who had tripled in the 2nd inning. CF Gorkys Hernandez tied the game for Los Caribes with a solo homer to lead off the 4th inning. Another homer in the 7th inning gave Los Caribes a 2-1 lead, followed by a double, a stolen base, and a sacrifice fly to bring in an insurance run. Maldonado also singled in the 7th inning, and was hit by a pitch in the 4th, but was left on base both times.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Yaquis de Obregon 9, Algodoneros de Guasave 8
Los Yaquis took advantage of a 4-run 5th and a 3-run 6th to get the win, and they now lead this best-of-7 series 3 games to none. Guasave scored 3 runs in the 1st inning, then one each in the 2nd and 3rd. Los Yaquis scored one run in the 2nd inning, and also scored one in the 3rd. CF Corey Wimberly singled, then stole second base, and scored on two throwing errors on the play. Alfredo Amezaga gave Los Yaquis a 2-run homer in the 5th, and a double and two singles added another 2 runs in the inning. A hit batter, a bunt, and another single by Wimberly added a run in the 6th, and Amezaga homered again, bringing in Wimberly. Guasave tried to catch up with a solo homer in the bottom of the 6th and a 2-run homer in the 8th, but fell one run short.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Tigres del Licey 3, Leones del Escogido 0
Los Leones were held to 2 hits and one walk, and helped Los Tigres by committing 2 errors. Licey scored one run in the bottom of the 1st on C Ronny Paulino’s RBI double. Paulino reached base on an error in the 6th, and scored on another RBI double. A single added the second run of the inning. 3B Yamaico Navarro singled in the 7th inning and reached as far as third base before the inning ended. He also made a throwing error in the 6th inning, which did not result in a run.
AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE
Adelaide Bite 8, Melbourne Aces 5
Five runs in the 2nd inning got the Bite off to a good start. 1B Calvin Anderson began the inning with a single, then stole second base. He scored on a a home run, then moments later a 3-run homer gave the Bite a 5-0 lead before an out was recorded in the 2nd inning. The Bite loaded the bases in the 4th inning with a fielding error and two singles, then 3B Stefan Welch’s double drove in 2 of the base runners. Welch doubled again in the 6th, plating the Bite’s final run. The Bite also threatened in the 5th, when Anderson singled and advanced to third base on a double. The next batter flied out, but instead of a sacrifice fly and a run scoring, Anderson was gunned down at the plate. The Aces scored their first run in the 3rd inning, when a single and three walks forced in a run. Rinku Singh replaced the Bite’s starting pitcher to begin the bottom of the 4th. He gave up two singles but got out of the inning with a double play. Singh was not so lucky in the next inning, though, when a single, a double, and a homer brought in 3 runs. Paul Mildren earned the win, win an unusual (for him) relief appearance. Mildren pitched the 7th and 8th innings, allowing a single in the 7th. He had a batter reach on a fielding error by Anderson in the 8th, but immediately erased the runner in a double play.
Canberra Cavalry 7, Sydney Blue Sox 1
The Cavalry ran right over the Blue Sox, posting 14 hits, while holding Sydney to just 5. Four of those hits were scattered over the first 7 innings. The Blue Sox scored in the top of the 9th, helped by a fielding error and a wild pitch, driven in by a sacrifice fly. The Cavalry opened the bottom of the 1st with a double and a 2-run homer, then scored one run in the 4th on three singles, including one by C Travis Scott. Three singles and two doubles (one double by Scott) added 3 runs in the 5th. Another solo homer gave the Cavalry a run in the 7th, and Scott reached base on a throwing error after the homer, but got only to third base.
