Dominican Republic Dominates Venezuela, Series

by Michael Ferrin

Most of the drama was gone early, as the Dominican Republic scored 4 runs in the first, and cruised to a 7-4 victory over Venezuela, winning the 2010 Caribbean Series championship.

Los Leones del Escogido needed a victory to assure themselves of the title, and avoid a championship tilt with a red hot Puerto Rican Squad.

The first inning was a prime example of what went right for Escogido in The Series, and what went wrong for the 1-5 Leones de Caracas.

Venezuelan starter Ramon Ramirez, walked Freddy Guzman to start the game. Ramon Santiago tried to sacrifice Guzman to 2nd, but instead pushed the ball past the pitcher an beating it out for an infield later.

After Juan Francisco fanned, Guzman tried to steal third with cleanup man Kevin Barker at the plate. Venezuelan Catcher Jose Lobaton, rifled the ball into left field, that allowed Guzman to trot home with the first run,and sending Santiago to second.

This was just the beginning of Venezuela’s struggles in the inning. After walking Barker, Ramirez struck out Willis Otanez. Mets OF prospect Fernando Martinez hit a ball back through the middle, that glanced off the glove of diving Caracas shortstop Gregorio Petit. Santiago scored easily, and Barker came around to make it 3-0, when Center Fielder Jose Duarte’s throw to third sailed into the third base dugout.

Ramirez then balked Martinez home, making it 4-0 Dominican Republic. Ramirez night was over after just an inning and 43 pitches.

Martinez, ranked as the #3 prospect in the Mets system by Baseball America, was named Series MVP. He hit .348 with a pair of homers. Martinez struggled in a big league audition last season, before undergoing knee surgery in July.

It was 4-1, Dominican Republic when Reds 3B Prospect Juan Francisco added an RBI double in the 5th, giving him 6 RBI over the final 3 games of the tournament. Kevin Barker added an RBI single in the inning giving Escogido a 6-1 lead.

Venezuela cut the lead to 2 in the bottom of the inning. Carlos Quintero, hitting 9th and making his first appearance of the series, cracked a 3 run homer to cut the lead to 6-4. With 2 Outs in the inning, Gregorio Petit reached on an error, but Dominican starter Raul Valdes got slugger Oscar Salazar to ground to short, ending the rally.

But despite the fact the Venezuelans made a game out of it, they couldn’t get out of their own way. Caracas committed 5 errors, and reliever Edgar Estaga walked 2 and threw a bases loaded wild pitch in the 7th making it 7-4 Dominican Republic. Venezuela’s 12 errors were the most of any team in the tourney, and they scored just 16 total runs. They had just 3 base hits in the finale.

For 5-1 Escogido, it marks their first Caribbean Series title in 20 years. They do it under first year General Manager Moises Alou, who was a member of the 1990 squad. The 2010 Championship marks the 18th for the Dominican Republic, most in Caribbean Series history, and the 6th since 2001.

Puerto Rico still alive after 7-1 win over Venezuela

by Michael Ferrin

Ebeisbol.com Exclusive

Puerto Rico’s been playing must win games the last 3 nights. They’ll get to play another Sunday, thanks to the work of 20 year old Efrain Nieves. The lefty entered a bases loaded jam in the 5th, fanned a pair and allowed a Sac Fly, squashing a rally, and keeping Los Indios de Mayaguez alive with a 7-1 win over Venezuela.

Now, Puerto Rico must beat Mexico Sunday afternoon, and hope Venezuela can upset the Dominican Republic to force a Championship Game Monday. Nieves was a major reason why Puerto Rico still has a chance.

Despite the fact he lead 4-0 and didn’t allow a hit until the 5th, Puerto Rico starter Brodie Downs couldn’t make it out of that inning. He departed with the bases loaded and nobody out, having walked 4 and hitting a batter in 4 plus innings.

Enter Nieves, to face the top of the Venezuelan order. The Brewers farm hand promptly fanned leadoff man Erold Andrus, allowed a sac fly to the Phillies Luis Maza, then fanned Padres 1B Oscar Salazar on a 3-2 breaking ball to escape with a 4-1 lead.

Los Indios offense jumped on Venezuela starter Heath Totten in the top of the third inning. 3 straight 2 out singles gave them a 1-0 lead, and it could have been more. Luis Figueroa was caught on a delayed steal to end the inning, and couldn’t stay in the rundown long enough to let Jesus Feliciano to score from 3rd.

In the Mayaguez 4th, Twins 3B Prospect Danny Valencia doubled the lead, clanging a 2-1 Fastball off the left field foul pole for his 1st home run of the series. Angel Sanchez reached on an error by SS Marwin Gonzalez, who was starting in part because Gregorio Petit had committed 4 errors over the past 4 games. Catcher Edwards Guzman singled Sanchez to 3rd, and he scored when Miguel Abreu hit into a double play making it 3-1 Puerto Rico.

Jesus Feliciano homered to right center, giving Los Indios a 4-1 lead, as Feliciano continued his torrid series. A Mets farmhand, through 5 games, the left handed hitting Center Fielder is 10-23. He’d add another RBI on a fielder’s choice as part of a 3 run Puerto Rico 6th.

But, the real hero was Nieves. A former 7th round pick of Milwaukee, Nieves fanned 3 in 2 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, gaining his 2nd win of the series.

Edwards Guzman added 2 hits and a RBI, Angel Sanchez also scored twice as Puerto Rico avenged a 5-2 loss earlier in the tournament. Jose Lobaton had 2 of Venezuela’s 4 hits on the night.

The defending champions & host Venezuela, have struggled offensively, and enter the final day 1-4, but with a chance to affect the outcome of the entire tournament, something Puerto Rico needs if it’s to have a chance to win the 2010 Series.

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.

Venezuela beats Puerto Rico 5-2 in a must win situation

by Guille Esquivel

Ebeisbol.com Exclusive

Leones del Caracas beat the Indios de Mayaguez 5-2 in what was an important game for both teams.

Mayaguez starter Juan Padilla played with the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the independent Can-Am League last season. He is a reliever by trade, but was used as a starter in the Puerto Rican Winter League in 2009 with the Leones de Ponce.

Venezuela got on the board early when Jesus Guzman singled to get on base and two batters later Raul Padron brought him in with a home run to right field off of Padilla to take the 2-0 lead in the second inning.

In the third inning, Venezuela did not let up and continued to punish Padilla. Carlos Maldonado singled to right scoring Oscar Salazar. Padron then singled to right scoring Guzman for his third RBI of the game. Padron went 2-4 with three RBI.

Mako Olivares, who entered the record books tying Francisco Paquin Estrada with seven appearances in the Caribbean Series, had seen enough and yanked Padilla in favor of Nelvin Fuentes.

Fuentes did not fare much better when he allowed back to back singles to open the fourth inning and Luis Maza proceeded to single to left scoring Gregorio Petit and giving his team the commanding lead, 5-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Puerto Rico showed signs of life when slugger Randy Ruiz hit a monster shot to center off Jason Simontacchi and ruined the shutout. Three batters later, Angel Sanchez reached base on an infield grounder and Edgardo Baez came in to score on shortstop Petit’s error and the Indios now trailed, 5-2.

Petit has committed three errors so far and is on pace to break Ivan DeJesus’ mark in a Caribbean Series.

Simontacchi pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing one earned run on eight hits, striking out five without allowing a walk.

Puerto Rico threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning loading up the bases on reliever Darwin Cubillan before he was pulled in favor of Edgar Estanga. Estanga induced an inning ending flyout to center to end the rally.

Venezuela and Puerto Rico had eleven hits apiece, but the Indios were unable to capitalize.

On Day 3 Puerto Rico will face Mexico in what is a do or die game for them. Puerto remains winless while Mexico has one victory and one loss.

Venezuela will meet the undefeated Dominican team in Thursday’s nightcap in what is the most anticipated matchup of the series.

Dominican Republic wins a close one over Puerto Rico, 2-1

by Guille Esquivel
Ebeisbol.com Exclusive

The Leones del Escogido got their first win as they squeaked by and beat the Indios de Mayagüez 2-1 in the first game of the 2010 Caribbean Series.

There is a great rivalry between these two teams and an exciting game is always expected. They never fail in providing entertainment when they meet and that was the case in this matchup.

The Puerto Rican team is managed by Mako Olivares who is the winningest coach in Puerto Rican league history with seven titles and he adds two Caribbean Series titles to his trajectory. The Dominican team is led by Ken Oberkfell who led the Leones del Escogido to their first title in 18 years.

Escogido is making their fifth official appearance as they were the league champions in 1981, but a Caribbean Series was not played that year. The Dominican Republic is looking for their 18th title making them the winningest team.

Puerto Rico who is second in titles is looking for their 15th title in their history. The Indios de Mayaguez are representing their team for the first since 2005 where they only won one game in Mazatlan . 

The Dominican team was first to get on the board when they capitalized on a sloppy first inning by the Puerto Rican defense. Freddy Guzman got on base on an error by first baseman Randy Ruiz. Guzman stole third and came around to score when third baseman David Valencia tripped and failed to make the throw home, Escogido took the 1-0 lead.

The first hit for the Dominican team came in the bottom of the fourth on a single off the bat of Willis Otanez against Puerto Rico starter Mario Santiago who belongs to the Royals’ organization.

Mayaguez’ Miguel Abreu opened the sixth inning with a single to center off of Raul Valdes and came around to score on Edgardo Baez’ fielder’s choice tying the game at 1. Valdes pitched six innings allowing one run, six hits while striking out eight batters.

The game did not remain tied for long as Kevin Barker the second batter for the Escogido in the bottom half of the sixth inning took Santiago deep to left field for the solo homerun. Dominican Republic took the 2-1 lead. The homerun along with the errors blemished an otherwise spotless outing for Santiago who pitched seven innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, walking one while striking out eight.

The Puerto Rican team went down fighting as they attempted to take advantage of the errors committed by the Dominican defense in the eighth inning. Ruiz got on base on the error by third baseman Alexander Valdez to open up the inning. Next batter, Raul Casanova hit an easy fly ball to left field that was dropped by Juan Francisco. Ruiz attempted to score from first and was gunned down at home ending the threat.

Joel Peralta pitched two scoreless innings in relief only allowing one hit, one walk and striking out one batter. Dario Veras came out in the ninth to close out the game for the Dominican Republic.