VENEZUELA 2009 CARIBBEAN SERIES CHAMPIONS

Venezuela winners of the 2009 Caribbean Series

By Guille Esquivel
Exclusive www.ebeisbol.com

Venezuela crowned themselves champions as they defeated a strong Mexico team, 5-3. That was Aragua’s first title ever and Venezuela’s seventh overall. Venezuela’s last title was when Leones de Caracas won in the 2006 Caribbean Series.
Tigres de Aragua remained undefeated with a 5-0 record heading into their last game against the Dominican Republic on Saturday afternoon. With the loss the Venados de Mazatlan’s record became 3-2 with both losses coming at the hands off the Aragua team.
The game was tied at 2-2 until the seventh inning when Venezuela scored three runs to take the commanding 5-2 lead. Luis Maza opened the inning with a double and later came around to score on a groundout by Selwyn Langaigne. Jackson Melian scored the fourth run on Luis Uguetos’s single to left. Later in the inning, Jose Cobos who was also the losing pitcher in their first meeting came in in relief and Raul Chavez greeted him with a single scoring Wilson Ramos to make it a 5-2 game.
Mazatlan was the first to score when Adrian Gonzalez doubled to center allowing Christian Quintero to make the game, 1-0. Chavez singled in Langaigne in the second inning to tie the game, 1-1. Chavez’ bat was significant in the game as he went 3-5 with two RBI.
Erick Arteaga was the starting pitcher for Aragua pitching 2.2 innings of 3-hit ball while allowing one run. Venezuela has counted on their relief corps who has been exceptional throughout the series. “Having relievers starting games and you have to compliment the guys, they wanted to take the ball,” Buddy Bailey said.

Bailey was happy to get the championship and wondered why major league teams do not make it mandatory to play in the winter leagues. “There you have the responsibility, the accountability to play well or you are sent home. Playing in that hostile environment makes you grow up. You have a country who is riding on you, kind of like this series where there is so much emotion,” Bailey added.
Francisco Butto came in to pitch the ninth and got his fourth save of the Caribbean Series with that he established a new record for saves. Butto started shaky walking Oscar Robles, the first batter he faced. Robles advanced to second on a wild pitch. Butto then struck out Miguel Ojeda. Heber Gomez singled to center and Robles came around to score to make it a 5-3 game. Jon Weber grounded out to second before getting Christian Quintero to pop out to center to end the game. Butto commented on his feat, “I didn’t know that, knowing it makes me appreciate it more and it brings me joy.”

Mexico had a lot of missed opportunities in the game stranding eight runners. Lorenzo Bundy said that he believes that many fans hold him accountable for the loss. Having played here six years and coached for seventeen he understands the high expectations that the fans have. “Playing winter ball develops men, this is a man’s league where you get the job done or you go home,” Bundy said.
Venezuela will face Puerto Rico on Saturday looking to go 6-0 while Ponce is trying to get their second victory. Mexico will meet a reeling Dominican team who is trying to avoid going 1-5 in the series which would be the worst for Licey since going 1-7 in 1970.