Dominican Republic Gets its First Win

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Kevin Barker (Nationals) went 2-for-4 a two-run double in the third and hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to lead the Dominican Republic (Toros del Este) to its first victory in the Caribbean World Series, a dramatic 6-5 win over Venezuela (Caribes de Anzoategui).

Barker hit a two-out solo shot to right field in the bottom of the seventh inning off Venezuela reliever Reynel Pinto (Marlins).

The drama unfolded in the top of the 9^th inning as Venezuela, down by 6-3, mounted a two-out rally to pull within one run of the Dominican Republic champions, Los Toros.  After two quick outs, Venezuela catcher Eliezer Alfonzo (Mariners) singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jose Constanza (Braves). Outfielder Jackson Melian (Tigers) homers on a fly ball to left field, scoring in Alfonzo.

Reliever Julio Manon (Orioles) came in to relieve Winston Abreu (Blue Jays) and ended Venezuela’s threat by recording the final out of the inning.

Venezuela’s first-baseman Luis Jimenez went 2-for-3 with a pair of homers off Dominican starter Anuery Rodriguez (Astros) and 3 RBIs. Both starters had a no decision, allowing three runs in less than five innings.

MEXICO LOSES THEIR FINAL GAME 4-2

Por Guille Esquivel
Exclusive for www.eBeisbol.com

Tigres del Licey beat Venados de Mazatlán, 4-2, to avoid losing five of six games. The last time that a Dominican team lost five games was in the 1996 Caribbean Series where they were represented by the Aguilas Cibaenas. Licey finished with a 2-4 record while Mexico remained at .500 with the loss.

The Dominican Republic scored first when Jose Bautista grounded into a double play allowing Willy Aybar to cross the plate and give them the 1-0 lead. Later in the inning Ronny Paulino hit a homerun to center, his second of the series, to give them the 2-0 lead.
Mazatlan cut the lead in half in the third inning when Christian Quintero doubled to left scoring Heber Gomez to make it 2-1.
The Dominican Republic scored in the fifth on Salvador Paniagua’s 2-run homerun to add to their lead, 4-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Mexico cut the lead in half again when Quintero singled to left scoring Freddy Sandoval to make it 4-2. Quintero went 2-3 with two runs batted in.

Mazatlan did not go quietly in the ninth, Ruben Rivera singled to open up the inning. Freddy Sandoval lined out to right. He was followed by Hector Paez who battled with Manon and fouled off fourteen pitches before being struck out by Julio Manon. Heber Gomez also went down swinging to end the game.