Francisco, Phillips lead DR to Brink of Title

by Michael Ferrin

Ebeisbol.com Exclusive

Reds Prospect Juan Francisco, homered and drove in 3 and lefty Heath Phillips fanned 7 as the Dominican Republic clinched at least a berth in the 2010 Caribbean Series championship with a 7-2 win over Mexico.

As well as things turned out for Los Leones de Escogido, things didn’t start well for them or their starter Phillips. After allowing a leadoff single to Chris Roberson, Phillips served up a 2 out 2 Run home run to Mexico First Baseman Luis Garcia.

But Naranjeros de Hermosillo starter Walter Silva gave it right back. Dominican First Baseman Kevin Barker answered Garcia’s homer, crushing a 2 run blast of his own in the 1st, to tie the game.

With the score 2-2, in the Bottom of the 3rd, back to back singles by Pablo Ozuna & Freddy Guzman started a Dominican rally ]. After Ramon Santiago sacrificed them to 2nd & 3rd, Juan Francisco lined a sacrifice fly to right giving the Dominican Republic a 3-2 lead.

The Dominican offense, which had struggled in the tournament, collected 10 hits…including a solo homer from OF Fernando Martinez to make it 4-2 Leones in the 4th. The Mets #3 prospect according to Baseball America, Martinez, is hitting .316 though the first 5 games of the series with a pair of homers.

But the real offensive star was Francisco. Rated as the 5th best prospect in the Cincinnati System by Baseball America, the burly 3B made his presence felt reaching base safely in all 4 plate appearances including a 2 run homer in the 5th, that gave the Dominican Republic a 6-2 lead.

Francisco’s long ball showed his brute strength. His slicing opposite field homer stayed just fair inside the left field foul pole and just cleared the left field wall at Estadio Guatamare.

While Francsico was doing it at the plate, starter Heath Phillips silenced Mexico’s bats. The veteran lefty who signed a minor league deal with Tampa Bay last week, settled down after his shaky first. Phillips retired the last 12 hitters, and 16 of the last 17 he faced, allowing just, a lead off double in the 3rd following the 2 run first. Phillips big slow breaking ball kept Mexico off balance, as he fanned 7 over 7 innings of 2 run ball.

Mexican hitters continued to struggle. After hitting just .222 through their first 4 games, Los Naranjeros managed just 4 hits against Phillips and 2 relievers.

While the offensive doldrums continued, starter Walter Silva never really gave his teammates a chance. The Mexican starter was chased by Francisco’s homer after allowing 6 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, as the Mexicans fell to 2-3 in the Series.

At 4-1, The Dominicans could clinch the title before they next take the field Sunday Night against Venezuela. A Puerto Rico loss to the Veneluezans tonight, or Mexico tomorrow, will clinch Los Leones de Escogido their first Caribbean Series title in twenty years.