Day 2 started with the game between the two 1-0 teams: the Dominican Republic and Mexico. The Dominicans got to Mexico’s starter Hector Rodriguez early and often. In the top of the first inning, DH Willis Otanez hit a two-run double. Later in the inning, outfielder Fernando Martinez (Mets) blasted a two-run homerun. In the top of the second inning after two straight hits, outfielder Freddy Guzman blooped a single to center field, scoring two more runs. After just two innings, the Dominican Republic had a 6-0 lead. Rodriguez settled down a bit after that to strike out the side in the fifth inning, but he only lasted into the sixth inning.

Nelson Figueroa

On the other side, Nelson Figueroa (Mets) followed the footsteps of starter Raul Valdes from the day before-he dominated and threw strikes. Figueroa continued his impressive performance in the Dominican Winter League by throwing a complete game against Mexico and giving the Dominicans a 2-0 record in the Caribbean Series. So much for missing Francisco Liriano; Figueroa is proving to the NY Mets that he may be a valuable piece to their 2010 pitching staff. Figueroa had retired 13 in a row before Mexico’s second baseman Carlos Valencia hit a solo homerun in the eighth inning, a hit that made Figueroa mad because he wanted a shutout. Figueroa ended up allowing just three hits while striking out eight and throwing 106 pitches to earn the 7-1 win.

Not just centerfielder Chris Roberson can thrown runners out at the plate for Mexico as leftfielder Nelson Teilon threw out Brayan Pena (Royals) in the sixth inning.

Teammates congratulate Raul Padron on his HR

Day 2 ended with the 0-1 teams playing against each other: Puerto Rico against host Venezuela. Both pitchers had quick first innings but the troubles began for Puerto Rico’s Juan Padilla in the second. Venezuela’s DH Raul Padron hit a two-run homerun in the second. In the third inning both catcher Carlos Maldonado and Padron produced two out RBI singles. The third inning ended Padilla’s night and the bullpen for Puerto Rico did their best to keep the game close. Puerto Rico’s Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) hit a solo homerun off of Venezuela starter Jason Simontacchi in the fourth inning and when Ruiz came to bat again in the fifth inning with two men on base and two outs, Venezuela went to the bullpen. In came Darwin Cubillan, who struck out Ruiz on just three nasty pitches.

However Cubillan gave up two singles and a walk in the sixth inning to load the bases, which ended his night. In came Edgar Estanga (Blue Jays), who got Jesus Feliciano (Mets) to fly out to end the inning. Feliciano had two hits on the night for Puerto Rico while shortstop Angel Sanchez added three hits. Estanga picked up the win in relief for Venezuela, going 1.1 perfect innings while throwing just 15 pitches.

With former big leaguer Orber Moreno in to save the game for Venezuela, Puerto Rico could not muster a rally. Moreno closed out the 5-2 win to give Venezuela a 1-1 record in the Caribbean Series. Puerto Rico, who has scored just three runs in two games, dropped to 0-2. Day 3 pits Mexico against Puerto Rico in the afternoon and host Venezuela against the Dominican Republic in the much anticipated nightcap.

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