Left-hander Gustavo Chacin (Astros) went seven scoreless innings allowing five hits as Caracas evened the Venezuelan Winter League’s championship series at 3-3 to force a deciding game seven versus Magallanes. Caracas scored five runs in the top of the fourth inning. Carlos Maldonado hit a two-run homerun, outfielder Josh Kroeger added a solo homerun (2 hits), and second baseman Jose Lopez (Mariners) also added a solo homerun. There were over 16,000 fans in attendance.

Carlos Maldonado

There was excitement in the air in Venezuela as the top two teams squared off for the winter league title and a shot at representing the host country in the Caribbean Series. Even Pablo Sandoval was given special permission from the SF Giants to return to Magallanes for the decisive Game 7 to DH and help his team win (he went 1-for-4). Unfortunately for Magallanes, Caracas’ Jason Standridge was too much as he went seven innings allowing an earned run on seven hits to lead Caracas to a 7-2 title-clinching win. Julio Manon, Orber Moreno, and Juan Gutierrez combined to go three no-hit innings in relief of Standridge. Caracas’ offense was also too much as they scored four runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back (they had 16 hits total). Maldonado went 4-for-5 with a double and two RBIs and outfielder Gregor Blanco (Braves) had a solo homerun and scored two runs to pace Caracas. Yurendell de Caster had two hits, drove in a run, and scored a run for Magallanes. It was Caracas’ first title since 2006 and over 16,000 fans were in attendance.

Aaron Bates

The Puerto Rican Winter League finals lasted just five games with another extra inning affair. Through seven innings, Mayaguez led 5-3 but Caguas stormed back to tie the game at 5-5 in the eighth inning. Cesar Nicolas and Aaron Bates (Red Sox) hit back-to-back homeruns to tie the game. Both teams scored a run in their half of the tenth, but in the eleventh Mayaguez scored two runs to win the game. Both Jesus Feliciano (Mets) and Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) scored a run in the eleventh to take the championship series 4-1. Angel Sanchez went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI and Bates also doubled and scored two runs to pace Mayaguez to its first championship since 2005.

Mazatlan forced a decisive Game 7 in the Mexican Pacific League’s championship series by taking Game 6 4-3 over Hermosillo. Sergio Gastelum singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning as well as compiling three RBIs. Veteran Ruben Rivera homered again for Mazatlan. Mazatlan squandered a 3-0 lead in the game. Veteran Vinny Castilla drove in two runs while fellow veteran Geronimo Gil had three hits for Hermosillo. Veteran Esteban Loaiza went 6.2 innings allowing eight hits and two runs for Mazatlan while minor league veteran Travis Blackley went 6 innings allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out three in the loss.

Outfielder Chris Roberson led off Game 7 for Hermosillo with a triple and scored the game’s only run on a Castilla double. Roberson also made the key defensive play of the game in the sixth inning as he made a sliding grab of Robert Saucedo’s fly ball and doubled Rivera off of second base to end Mazatlan’s best threat. Mexican League veteran Juan Delgadillo went 7.2 innings allowing six hits while striking out three to earn the 1-0 title-clinching win. The hard-luck loss went to Walter Silva who gave up just the one run on two hits over eight innings while striking out seven. Hermosillo won the title for the second time in four years.

Tags:

Aaron Bates, Angel Sanchez, Caribbean Series, Carlos Maldonado, Chris Roberson, Gustavo Chacin, Jason Standridge, Jose Lopez, Mexican Pacific League, Pablo Sandoval, Puerto Rican Winter League, Randy Ruiz, Ruben Rivera, Venezuelan Winter League, Vinny Castilla

Chris Roberson with Ottawa

Mazatlan took a 2-1 series lead over Hermosillo in their Game 3 8-7 victory. Veteran Ruben Rivera continued to hit and hit for power as he homered and drove in three runs. Rivera’s homerun was the game winner, as he hit a two-run blast off of Mexican League veteran pitcher Jose Vargas in the top of the ninth inning. Outfielder Jon Weber also continues to hit, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Both teams had ten hits. Close to 13,000 fans turned out in Hermosillo.

Hermosillo tied the championship series up at 2-2 over Mazatlan in Game 4. Outfielder Chris Roberson fell a triple short of the cycle, going 4-for-5 with a homerun, two runs scored, and four RBIs. Mexican League veterans, catcher Geronimo Gil and shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval both went 2-for-4. Left-hander Juan Oramas went 6.1 innings allowing just two hits while striking out six. He allowed just one run in the win despite walking six batters. In the loss, Rivera hit another homerun, one of Mazatlan’s four hits. Over 13,000 fans were in attendance for Game 4.

Randy Ruiz

Game 1 of the Puerto Rican Winter League finals got underway and it took extra innings to declare a winner. Mayaguez won 7-6 over Caguas in ten innings. Andres Torres hit a game-tying two-run triple in the ninth inning for Mayaguez off of losing pitcher Joe Torres. First baseman Donny Leon and Angel Sanchez both collected three hits in the win. DH Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) collected two doubles and scored two runs. In the loss, outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) collected two doubles and an RBI. Also for Caguas, second baseman Jose Castro and DH Cesar Nicolas went 3-for-4. Veteran pitcher Mike Maroth started for Mayaguez, going 4.1 innings allowing seven hits, four walks, and three runs, while striking out three.

Game 2 was also a one run game that went to Mayaguez. Ruiz was the offensive hero as he went 2-for-3 with two doubles while he drove in all five of the team’s runs. In the 5-4 loss, Edgardo Baez had a three- run homerun. Winning pitcher Juan Padilla went 5.2 innings allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three, as he gave up Baez’ homerun. Veteran infielder Alex Cora went 2-for-3 and catcher Raul Casanova went 2-for-4 in the loss.

In the Venezuelan Winter League finals, Magallanes took a 3-2 series lead over Caracas to come within one win of the title and a trip to the Caribbean Series. Shortstop Elvis Andrus (Rangers) went 3-for-4 with a homerun and two runs scored in the 3-0 win. First baseman Yurendell de Caster continues hit hot-hitting as he went 2-for-4. Raul Valdes continued his playoff dominance as he went seven innings allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out four. Jean Machi and Francisco Rodriguez (who got the save) combined to go two one-hit innings in relief of Valdes. Veteran Ramon Ortiz went 5.1 innings allowing four hits and two runs while striking out five in the loss. Over 20,000 fans were in attendance.

Tags:

Chris Roberson, Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Elvis Andrus, Jon Weber, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Ramon Ortiz, Randy Ruiz, Raul Valdes, Ruben Rivera, Venezuelan Winter League

Juan Francisco

With the Dominican Winter League’s championship series all tied up at 2-2, Gigantes took Game 5 by a 3-2 score over Escogido. Jose Capellan went six innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four in his second championship start. Reds prospect Juan Francisco went 2-for-3 and drove in all three runs for Gigantes. Kevin Barker provided the only offense for Escogido, with a two-run homerun, which was his third of the postseason.

In Game 6, Escogido again tied the best-of-nine series, this time at 3-3. Heath Phillips (Royals) continued his dominance in winter league by striking out seven in six innings and allowing one run on six hits. In the 5-4 victory, catcher Wilkin Castillo drove in two runs. Infielder Alexi Casilla (Twins) accounted for three of Gigantes four runs as he delivered a bases-clearing triple.

Game 7 was a pitcher’s duel, as Gigantes outlasted Escogido 2-0 to take a 4-3 series lead. Former big league pitcher Victor Zambrano went 5.1 shutout innings allowing three hits while striking out four. Left-hander Antonio Bastardo (Phillies) got the win, going 1.2 scoreless innings of relief allowing one hit while striking out three. Left fielder Lucas Montero went 3-for-4 for Gigantes. In the loss, veteran Nelson Figueroa went 7.1 innings allowing seven hits and two unearned runs while striking out four.

Eddy Martinez-Esteve with Single-A San Jose

The Puerto Rican Winter League’s semifinal series both came to an end with Game 7’s. Caguas took their Game 7 over Carolina 3-1 behind the arm of Andrew Baldwin (Mariners) who scattered two hits in his eight innings of work. Baldwin allowed just one run while striking out eight. Saul Rivera (Indians) worked the ninth for the save. Outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) continued his hot-hitting in the playoffs, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Caguas scored all three of their runs in the third inning.

Mayaguez won their Game 7 over Arecibo 5-2 as Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) hit a solo homerun and Andres Torres blasted a two-run homerun for Mayaguez. Shortstop Angel Sanchez went 2-for-4 in the win. Brodie Downs went four innings for Mayaguez without giving up a run. Mayaguez will face-off against Caguas in the championship series for a spot in the Caribbean Series in Venezuela.

Caracas took Game 3 of the Venezuelan Winter League championship series 5-3 over Magallanes to shrink the lead to 2-1. Raul Padron and Carlos Maldonado both contributed RBI doubles and two hits. Caracas got three innings of shutout baseball from their relievers. Magallanes scored all three of their runs in the second inning, with two scoring on Emilio Bonifacio’s (Marlins) single. Over 20,000 fans showed up to cheer on Caracas.

Jose Lopez

Game 4 of the series also went to Caracas to tie the championship series at 2-2. However this game ended in dramatic fashion in the tenth inning. Jackson Melian hit a walk-off three-run homerun off of Yoel Hernandez to send Caracas to a 10-7 victory. Infielder Jose Lopez (Mariners) had a double and drove in four runs for Caracas. Caracas scored seven runs from the seventh inning on, with outfielder Gregor Blanco (Braves) tying the game off of closer Francisco Rodriguez (Mets) with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning with a solo homer. Each team tallied 11 hits. This was another game in which over 20,000 fans were in attendance.

Tags:

Alexi Casilla, Andrew Baldwin, Antonio Bastardo, Dominican Winter League, Heath Phillips, Jose Capellan, Jose Lopez, Juan Francisco, Nelson Figueroa, Puerto Rican Winter League, Randy Ruiz, Venezuelan Winter League, Victor Zambrano

Robinson Chirinos

The Venezuelan Winter League’s championship series got underway as Magallanes blasted Caracas 9-0 in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. Robinson Chirinos continued his playoff hot-hitting, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Michael Ryan contributed a two-run double and scored twice. NY Yankees prospect Reegie Corona also went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Raul Valdes (who was previously pitching in the Dominican Winter League) went five scoreless innings allowing six hits while striking out six. Over 16,000 fans were in attendance for Game 1.

Game 2 was a high-scoring affair, as Magallanes beat Caracas 12-10. Alex Escobar went 4-for-5 with a homerun, four RBIs, and three runs scored. Netherland’s alum Yurendell de Caster had three hits and two RBIs as Magallanes took a 2-0 series lead. Magallanes blasted three homeruns off of Caracas starter Gustavo Chacin, who went just 3.1 innings allowing 10 hits and six runs. Josh Kroeger, Gregorio Petit, and Luis Maza all had three hits a piece for Caracas. Lots of crooked numbers were put up on the scoreboard, as Magallanes had a five-run inning and a four-run inning, while Caracas also had a four-run inning. Over 14,000 fans were in attendance.

Ruben Rivera

The Mexican Pacific League championship series began over the weekend as Mazatlan took Game 1 by a score of 5-3 over Hermosillo. Former Major Leaguer Ruben Rivera had a two-run homerun and Christian Quintero went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored. Reid Brignac, John Lindsay, and Jon Weber each had two hits in the win. Outfielder Chris Roberson went 3-for-4 with a double for Hermosillo. Pablo Ortega went 6.2 innings allowing three runs on seven hits for Mazatlan as a little over 15,000 fans were in attendance.

Game 2 went to Hermosillo as Travis Blackley went 5.2 innings allowing five hits and no runs while striking out four. In the 4-2 win, former big leaguer Vinny Castilla homered and drove in two runs to tie the series at 1-1. NY Yankees minor leaguer Jon Weber went 4-for-5 in the loss with two RBIs.

Levale Speigner with the Nats

In Puerto Rico, Arecibo and Mayaguez had to play another doubleheader, but this time the sweep went to Arecibo. In the first game, Radames Nazario went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while D’Angelo Jimenez also drove in a run. Levale Speigner went 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up the 3-2 win. Juan Padilla pitched a complete game in the loss. In the second game, Speigner pitched 3.1 shutout innings to pick up another win as Arecibo scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning. Edwin Maysonet went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Jeffrey Dominguez added an RBI single in that ninth inning. Game 7 was suspended.

In the other Puerto Rican semifinal series, Carolina won 6-4 over Caguas to take a 3-2 series lead. Pedro Valdez went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and Andy Gonzalez also drove in two runs. Outfielder Bradley Coon delivered an RBI triple and also scored two runs. The bullpen for Carolina went 4.2 innings allowing just two runs on five hits. The top of the order for Caguas (Adrian Ortiz, Luis Figueroa, and Eddy Martinez-Esteve) accumulated seven of the team’s eleven hits. In Game 6, Caguas tied up the series at 3-3 with a 5-4 victory as Edgardo Baez delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to go along with his other two hits.

Tags:

Alex Escobar, Edwin Maysonet, Jon Weber, Levale Speigner, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Robinson Chirinos, Ruben Rivera, Travis Blackley, Venezuelan Winter League

The Mexican Pacific League’s semifinals did not last long as Hermosillo swept Culiacan 4-0 and Mazatlan beat Obregon 4 games to 1. In the Game 4 win, former Major League veteran Vinny Castilla homered. Juan Oramus allowed one run on just three hits over seven innings for the win. Over 7,000 fans showed up to watch Hermosillo clinch. Hermosillo is led by centerfielder Chris Roberson at the top of the order as he is hitting .324. First baseman Luis Garcia, a Mexican League veteran in the middle of the order, is hitting .361 in the playoffs.

Walter Silva

In Mazatlan’s Game 4 5-2 win, right-hander Walter Silva struck out eight over seven innings. Silva gave up just two hits and one run. Tampa Bay Rays prospect Reid Brignac continues to hit as he had two hits and he scored two runs. Former Major Leaguer Ruben Rivera also belted a 2-run homer. Game 4’s attendance in Obregon was over 11,000. Mazatlan’s Game 5 clinching win took them twelve innings. Miguel Ojeda hit his second homerun of the game, a two-run shot in the 12^th inning as Mazatlan won 6-4 heading into the championship series. Rivera also added another homerun. Over 8,000 fans showed up for the twelve inning affair. Outfielder Jon Weber (.348) and Edgar Gonzalez (.310) are the only members of Mazatlan’s lineup hitting above .300. However their pitching staff has been the best in the playoffs (2.48 ERA in 109 innings pitched). The finals for the Mexican League begin on January 22^nd.

Gustavo Chacin with the Blue Jays

In the Venezuelan League, Gustavo Chacin struck out six over six innings of work as Caracas defeated Magallanes 6-3 to clinch the final spot in the championship series versus Magallanes. Chacin, whose career has stalled since his 2005 13-9 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, allowed an earned run (three runs total) on five hits. Chacin is 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA in the playoffs. Minor league veteran outfielder Josh Kroeger, who spent 2009 with Triple-A Charlotte (Chicago White Sox), had a three-run homerun.

Caracas has had the best pitching staff so far in the playoffs (3.70 ERA in 141 innings pitched). Caracas has three starting pitchers with ERAs under 3.00 (Jose Ortegano at 0.69, Chacin at 2.84, and Galarraga at 2.94). Jason Simontacchi of Magallanes is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in 3 playoff starts. Both teams have a closer with 5 saves, though Juan Gutierrez of Caracas’ ERA is better than Jean Machi of Magallanes (2.45 to 4.76). Magallanes has been the best offensive team in the playoffs by far (.317 average, a .378 on-base percentage, 19 homeruns, 40 doubles, and 97 RBIs) and none of the other teams come close in any offensive statistical category. Caracas is last in batting average at .261, as second baseman Luis Maza in the only member of the lineup hitting over .300 (.305). However they are first in stolen bases (17). This should be a series of whether or not good pitching can slow down a good offense.

The Puerto Rican League playoffs were set to begin over the weekend but so far the games between Mayaguez and Arecibo, and Caguas and Carolina have been postponed. The Dominican Winter League championship series began yesterday (more on that game tomorrow).

Tags:

Chris Roberson, Edgar Gonzalez, Gustavo Chacin, Jon Weber, Josh Kroeger, Luis Garcia, Luis Maza, Mexican Pacific League, Miguel Ojeda, Reid Brignac, Ruben Rivera, Venezuelan Winter League, Vinny Castilla, Walter Silva