Cleveland Sports Forum

12/22/22

Enyel De Los Santos (Licey, RP): 1 IP, perfect, 1 K – De Los Santos pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras.

Richie Palacios (Mayaguez, LF): 3-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 BB – Palacios showed why he;s the Indios’ leadoff hitter with this stellar effort.

Jonathan Rodriguez (Carolina, LF): 1-4, 1 RBI – J-Rod’s night was quieter but the All-Star drove in his 25th run of the season on a fifth-inning single.



RICHIE PALACIOS



JOHATHAN RODRIGUEZ


Carolina seizes second PLACE after defeating Mayagüez in winter baseball

The Mayagüez Indians fell on Thursday 5-4 against the Carolina Giants in a game held at the Roberto Clemente Stadium in Carolina, as part of the final stretch of the LBPRC regular season.

This is the second consecutive setback for the Mayagüezans who's record falls to 21-20, fourth in the standings. Carolina remained second at 24-18.

The game began dominated by the visitors, who scored a couple of runs in the first inning in the legs of Richie Palacios and Chavez Young .

Mayagüez, which dominated the game 4-1 in the fourth inning, saw its advantage disappear in the same inning, when José Sermo hit a three-run homer to right to tie the game.

Jonathan Rodríguez drove in the winning run off Bryan Torres with a single to right field in the fifth inning.

Richie Palacio finished the night with three hits in four opportunities and two scored in a lost cause for the Westerners.

Rob Whalen took the loss, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings. Jean Félix Ortega scored the victory in relief by working for four innings. Meanwhile, Miguel Romero saved the game by throwing the last two innings of the game.


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Dayan Frias (Monteria, SS): 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K – Frias extended his season-opening on-base streak to three games on Thursday.

Meibrys Viloria (Cartagena, C): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K – Viloria’s lone hit was one of the biggest ones in all of winter ball last night as his fifth-inning two-out grand slam broke a 9-9 tie in the 7 run 6th and brought the game to its eventual final score of 13-9.

BOT 5

Sanchez Adrian doubles down left field line. Romero Deibinson flies out to center field. F8. 1 out. Hernandez Ronaldo walks. Marriaga Montalvo Jesus Adalberto strikes out looking. 2 out. Avila Lopez Diover reaches on fielders choice. Sanchez Adrian to 3rd. Hernandez Ronaldo to 2nd. Perez Tapia Justin Andres walks. Sanchez Adrian scores on passed ball. Hernandez Ronaldo to 3rd on passed ball. Avila Lopez Diover to 2nd on passed ball. Pitching Change: #51 Ocampo Batista in for #14 Tineo. Pinch Hitter: #10 Nova for #23 Narvaez, Victor Nova walks. Hernandez Ronaldo scores. Avila lopez Diover to 3rd. Perez Tapia Justin Andres to 2nd. 1 RBI. Caro Roberto Hit By Pitch. Avila Lopez Diover scores. Perez Tapia Justin Andres to 3rd. Nova Victor to 2nd. 1 RBI. Viloria Oquendo Meibrys Jhon homers to deep right center. Perez Tapia Justin Andres scores. Nova Victor scores. Caro Roberto scores. 4 RBI. Sanchez Adrian grounds out 6-3. 3 out.


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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC


Tigres 6 Eagles 3

Santo Domingo. The Tigres del Licey produced three runs in the top part of the 11th inning, a rally capped by Jorge Bonifacio's two-round single, and the Tigres del Licey defeated the Águilas Cibaeñas 6-3 at Cibao Stadium. With the victory, the Tigers (2-2) take a break from their bad moment, after losing two straight games and tie with the Eagles (2-2) for second place in this round-robin semifinal to spend a Christmas party with less stress. The tournament recesses this Friday and returns to play next Tuesday, December 27.


Estrellas Orientales 4 Gigantes del Cibao 2


Santo Domingo . The Estrellas Orientales will spend the Christmas party period in first place in the round robin after winning their third straight game by beating the Gigantes del Cibao 4-2 this Thursday for the second night in a row, this time in their own home, the Tetelo Stadium Vargas. The Stars (3-1) head the position table and the Giants (1-3) are at the bottom of the table, of this round robin, which recesses until December 27. Estrellas scored one in the second on a home run by Lewin Díaz, his second of this tournament, and the Giants responded with two in the third to take a 2-1 lead, thanks to a home run by Erik González to the left center field stands. From then on, there were few opportunities to get on base cleanly, since only two hits were made. Only that in the eighth did the Stars produce the two winning runs with just one RBI hit and took advantage of a couple of errors by the Cibaeña defense. Gerson Bautista (1-0, 0.00) won the game for the Stars and the losing pitcher was Luis Perdomo (1-1, 4.50). Ronel Blanco (1) pitched a perfect ninth for his first save.


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12/23/22


PUERTO RICO


San Juan, Puerto Rico (Friday, December 23, 2022) – The winter Friday batch went to the locals. The Cangrejeros de Santurce defeated RA12 with a 5-1 final, the Leones de Ponce defended their home defeating the Gigantes de Carolina with a score of 3-2, while the Indios de Mayagüez defeated the Criollos of Caguas with a score of 5-1. The results keep Caguas in the first position with 27-16 (.628) followed by Carolina with 24-19 (.558), Santurce maintains third place with 23-20 (.535), Mayagüez plays for 22-20 ( .524), Ponce ranks fifth with 21-20 (.512) and RA12 has 10 wins in 42 games (.238). The winter league recesses this Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25, 2022 on the occasion of the Christmas festivities. The action in the finale of the regular season returns to the field this Monday, December 26, 2022 from 7:10 p.m. The Gigantes de Carolina will visit the Indios de Mayagüez at the Isidoro “Cholo” García stadium, while RA12 will host the Leones de Ponce at the Hiram Bithorn stadium.


VENEZUELA


Valencia.- Christmas Eve consummated surprises. Or at least that's how it seems, looking back on the championship. Navegantes del Magallanes defeated Caribes de Anzoátegui 8-4, to eliminate the Orientals for the first time, after 12 consecutive postseason qualifications. With the victory, the Navegantes moved into fourth and last place automatically qualifying in the Round Robin. The Navegantes took advantage of the Bravos de Margarita after they lost against the Águilas del Zulia, the other team out of competition.
* = Clinched Playoff
++ Eliminated

LVBP: How will the wild card game be played for the Round Robin?

The teams in the first four places are guaranteed to have their pass into round robin.
The teams who finish fifth and sixth respectively play in the elimination round.
The team that is in 5th place will only require 1 win to qualify.
The team that is in 6th place is required to win twice to advance.
That first game, due to championship conditions, will take place on December 29.
The second game will be played on the 30th.
In this case, the fifth place team will be the host team.


DOMINICAN REPUBLIC


Santo Domingo - Dec. 23, 2022 | 11:31 a.m.


The Dominican winter ball recesses for the Christmas holiday. Estrella are leading the standings.
Yesterday, in an extended game, the Tigres beat the Águilas Cibaeñas 6-3 at the Cibao stadium in Santiago in 11 innings.
The Estrellas team beat the Gigantes, 4-2, at the Tetelo Vargas in San Pedro de Macorís.
After four games Estrellas are ahead with 3-1 record.
Águilas and Licey are tied for second place 2-2.
in last place are the Gigantes with a 1-3 record.
The Leones del Escogido and the Toros del Este were disqualified in the regular round.
Of the teams participating in the round robin, the Tigres and Águilas are the top championship winners in winter ball tied with 22 wins
The Oriental Stars three and two for the Gigantes del Cibao .

The action in the round robin of the Dominican winter baseball recesses for the Christmas holiday, until Tuesday, December 27 when the Estrellas Orientales and the Águilas Cibaeñas and the Tigres del Licey and the Gigantes del Cibao face each other.


COLUMBIA


The Caimanes completed a sweep of the Toros and ends up leading at the Christmas break.
The championship will resume this Tuesday, December 27 with the games Toros vs. Vaqueros, in Montería, and Tigres vs. Alligators, in Barranquilla.


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CUBA




Champion of the 1st Elite League of Cuban Baseball to attend the Caribbean Series

Havana, September 9 (RHC) --

The champion of the First Elite League of Cuban Baseball, which will start next October 8, will defend the colors of Cuba in the Caracas-2023 Caribbean Series, according to Cuban baseball authorities.

The National Baseball Commission informed that the preparation of the First Elite League (I LEBC) continues with the definition of the management teams, the athletes of the league and those chosen by management to complete their rosters.

As a result of recent analyses, we can also inform that the champion of the event will represent Cuba in the Gran Caracas 2023 Caribbean Baseball Series, as well as that the players who make up the six teams form the basis of the national pre-selections for the coming year, along with the contracted athletes and other specific cases.

[I've been following Cuban baseball for well over 10 years. This is a new team. New names. NEW, NEW, NEW. I need a scorecard. The league has been decimated by defections. I guess Cuba is starting all over ?!?!?!]


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HERE IS WHAT I KNOW

Baseball: structure and dates of the new Cuban Elite League announced

June 29, 2022 Cuba

The National Baseball Commission (CNB) reported this Monday that starting October 8 2022-2023, the first edition of the Elite League of Baseball will take place. Cuban Baseball with the participation of six teams, official media on the island reported. [Original League Consisted Of 16 teams]

A press release released by the entity and quoted through the website Hitrealizes that the qualifying phase of the nascent tournament will be held until December 11 of this year, the semifinals will be from December 17 to 27, and the final from January 7 to 17, 2023.

The text points out that the participating teams will have a list of 32 players and 13 members of the management group, and each team will play a total of 50 games, 10 against each rival. The system of the contest dictates that the first four places will qualify for the crossed semifinals, which will be seven games to win four, as well as the final between the two winners in that instance, the publication specifies.

The information issued by the CNB explains that after submitting to a popular vote and the criteria of the press and managers at all levels, it was defined that the teams will be made up of geographical areas.

One of the teams will be made up of players from the western provinces of Pinar del Río, Artemisa and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud, another will be made up of players from the Industrial and Mayabeque teams, and a third will be based on members from Matanzas, Cienfuegos and Villa Clara.

Meanwhile, the three remaining teams will represent the eastern zone. One will come out of the merger of baseball players from Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey, the players from Las Tunas and Granma will be grouped in another team, and the last one will be made up of representatives from Holguín, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.

[ So! We Still Have the Original 16 Teams That Made Up The League (Series Nationale) But Those Teams Lost All Of Their "Fringe" Players. The 16 Teams Now Consist Of 6 Teams With The Best Players From Each Of The 16 Original Teams.]

The CNB established the formula for the integration of Managers and Coaches based on the results of each province in the National Series and the definition of the names of each team will be decided through a popular vote, enabled for 15 days on the website beisbolcubano and on the mobile application The ball.

[ The Teams As We Now Know Are The: 1.Agricultores 2.Centrales 3.Portuarios 4.Tabacaleros 5.Ganaderos 6.Cafetaleros ]


Although no further details are offered in the report, due to the characteristics and completion dates of the new tournament, everything indicates that its champion could be the Cuban representative for possible incursions into the Caribbean series.

The Elite League, according to the CNB, is a “key event” within the new development strategy of Cuban baseball and ends with an absence of almost three decades of a tournament that brings together the best players who play on the island. as the popular Selective Series did before.

Concentrating quality and thereby raising the level of the players who still play in the country, is the purpose of the island’s baseball authorities, highly questioned by fans due to the lack of good results in international tournaments in recent years. .

Champion of the 1st Elite League of Cuban Baseball to attend the Caribbean Series


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HERE IS WHAT I KNOW

Baseball: structure and dates of the new Cuban Elite League announced

June 29, 2022 Cuba

The National Baseball Commission (CNB) reported this Monday that starting October 8 2022-2023, the first edition of the Elite League of Baseball will take place. Cuban Baseball with the participation of six teams, official media on the island reported. [Original League Consisted Of 16 teams]

A press release released by the entity and quoted through the website Hitrealizes that the qualifying phase of the nascent tournament will be held until December 11 of this year, the semifinals will be from December 17 to 27, and the final from January 7 to 17, 2023.

The text points out that the participating teams will have a list of 32 players and 13 members of the management group, and each team will play a total of 50 games, 10 against each rival. The system of the contest dictates that the first four places will qualify for the crossed semifinals, which will be seven games to win four, as well as the final between the two winners in that instance, the publication specifies.

The information issued by the CNB explains that after submitting to a popular vote and the criteria of the press and managers at all levels, it was defined that the teams will be made up of geographical areas.

One of the teams will be made up of players from the western provinces of Pinar del Río, Artemisa and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud, another will be made up of players from the Industrial and Mayabeque teams, and a third will be based on members from Matanzas, Cienfuegos and Villa Clara.

Meanwhile, the three remaining teams will represent the eastern zone. One will come out of the merger of baseball players from Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey, the players from Las Tunas and Granma will be grouped in another team, and the last one will be made up of representatives from Holguín, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.

[ So! We Still Have the Original 16 Teams That Made Up The League (Series Nationale) But Those Teams Lost All Of Their "Fringe" Players. The 16 Teams Now Consist Of 6 Teams With The Best Players From Each Of The 16 Original Teams.]

The CNB established the formula for the integration of Managers and Coaches based on the results of each province in the National Series and the definition of the names of each team will be decided through a popular vote, enabled for 15 days on the website beisbolcubano and on the mobile application The ball.

[ The Teams As We Now Know Are The: 1.Agricultores 2.Centrales 3.Portuarios 4.Tabacaleros 5.Ganaderos 6.Cafetaleros ]


Although no further details are offered in the report, due to the characteristics and completion dates of the new tournament, everything indicates that its champion could be the Cuban representative for possible incursions into the Caribbean series.

The Elite League, according to the CNB, is a “key event” within the new development strategy of Cuban baseball and ends with an absence of almost three decades of a tournament that brings together the best players who play on the island. as the popular Selective Series did before.

Concentrating quality and thereby raising the level of the players who still play in the country, is the purpose of the island’s baseball authorities, highly questioned by fans due to the lack of good results in international tournaments in recent years. .

Champion of the 1st Elite League of Cuban Baseball to attend the Caribbean Series

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Defined the playoffs in the Elite League of Cuban Baseball

Farmers will host the Tabacaleros. Centrales will host Portuarios.

Saturday, December 24, 2022 10:27 PM

Havana.- Agricultores, Centrales, Portuarios and Tabacaleros obtained their tickets in that order for the playoff semifinals of the First Elite League of Cuban Baseball , after the results of the closing day of the qualifying stage.

In the Victoria de Girón stadium, in Matanzas, the farmers were at the top in the standings despite losing this Saturday 2-3 to their closest pursuers with a victory to Dariel Góngora (6-2), the third save by Noelvis Entenza and a defeat to Yasel Luis Labrada (2-3).

The hosts scored all three runs in the bottom of the first inning, and the visitors scored one in the sixth and one in the eighth.

Although they made two errors on defense and accumulated only five hits, the Centrales beat the farmers who played without errors and managed 11 hits.

The three Centrales scores were driven by Yusniel Ibáñez, who was 1-4. Yariel Duque went 1-2 with an RBI. The two runs for the Farmers driven in by Pedro Joaquín Almeida (2-4).


Portuarios was in third place after defeating Ganaderos in the bottom of the ninth inning, in which they scored the winning run. Mailon Cruz won (1-1) and the defeat went to Leomil González (0-3).

The Portuarios closed with seven hits, including a home run by Ariel Hechevarría, who went 2-4 with two runs scored and an RBI in the Nelson Fernández park, Ganaderos finished with nine hits and an error.


Cafetaleros achieved a 3-2 victory over Tabacaleros. They scored one run in the first, third and sixth innings. The Westerners scored one in the fourth and one in the seventh.

Ruben Rodriguez (1-3) won the game. Offensive star for the Cafetaleros was Yoelquis Guibert, who batted 2-3, scored one run and drove in another.

The semifinal play-offs will begin on January 4.


SERIES NATIONALE 2021-2022:

Granma defeated Cocodrilos de Matanzas, 4-0, in game seven of the Cuban National (Baseball) Series to repeat as league champions. The team from Bayamo has won four of the last six national championships, becoming the sixth Cuban squad to win at least four league titles. Granma came from behind in the series, recovering from a 3-2 deficit and winning the last two games at home stadium to win the Cuban baseball title in front of a sellout crowd. Granma is the sixth team to win at least four titles. The other five are the Industriales, Santiago de Cuba, Vegueros, Villa Clara and Pinar del Río. ]

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Cuba receives permission from the United States to include Major League players in its national team for the World Classic

Andy Ibáñez, from the Detroit Tigers, and Yoan López, from the New York Mets, are some of the players who confirmed their presence on the Cuban roster for the tournament

Sunday, December 25, 2022 - 3:09 pm

Havana -

Cuba has received a permit from the United States that will allow it to include baseball players who play in the Major Leagues in the national team that will participate in the World Baseball Classic .

"We have received a communication from the organizers of the Clásico announcing that the license requested by them was granted so that the Cuba team can register Cuban athletes, whether they are from MLB or not, who have residence in the United States," reported the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) in a note replicated this Sunday by the state media of the Caribbean country.

The fifth edition of the Baseball Classic will be held from March 8 to 21, 2023 in the cities of Taichung (Taiwan), Tokyo (Japan) and Phoenix and Miami (United States).

Andy Ibáñez (Detroit Tigers) and Yoan López (New York Mets) are some of the Cubans who confirmed their presence on the Cuban roster for the tournament.

The note signed by the president of the FCB, Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, recognizes "these gestures as positive steps" and points out that "it was the only fair solution to the issue" .

“It is arbitrary and discriminatory that a permit from the United States Government is needed so that the organizers of a sporting event can guarantee the participation of a country like Cuba,” affirms the federation.

He recalled that Cuba "is not only the founder of these contests, but also earned its inclusion by qualifying like the rest of the 19 teams that will participate in the V Clásico . "

“It is equally unfair that Cuban athletes, because the ones we are going to summon are Cubans, trained in our country and who, despite all the pressures, want to represent their people, also depend on an authorization from the US Government. to comply their dream of playing with the country that saw them born”, affirmed Pérez Pardo.

He also thanked the work of the MLB and the World Baseball and Softball Confederation in their role as organizers of the Classic.

Regarding the communication from the organizers of the contest, he indicated that they will soon inform the details of the license granted to Cuba and in this sense the FCB said that after that it will announce the pre-selection of the Cuba team.

In 2018, the Cuban authorities signed a historic agreement with the MLB that allowed island players to sign professional contracts to play in the Major Leagues without losing their residence on the island or their link with the FCB.

That agreement was annulled in April 2019 by the administration of then-President Donald Trump, who alleged that the Baseball Federation belongs to the Cuban government and violates US trade law.

At the beginning of last November, Pérez Pardo warned that "pressure and harassment" was being exerted against players in foreign leagues so that they would not play with Cuba in the Classic.

Baseball, declared Cultural Heritage of Cuba, is not going through its best moment on the island, which is suffering an unprecedented exodus of players.


((( More than 350 Cuban ballplayers have defected since the start of 2014, including more than 170 in 2015 alone, ))) according to Cuban journalist Francys Romero.

Some of the biggest stars in MLB have undertaken such treks, including Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Mets and Jose Dariel Abreu of the Chicago White Sox - all of whom have signed multiyear, multimillion-dollar contracts.

((( Cuban baseball players live a great life compared to other Cuban residents. They make approximately $40 to $300 a month with a few extra bonus incentives, a much better salary than the average Cuban's. They also get better housing, an annual bonus and the coveted privilege of traveling. ))), so the payoff was huge for the stars. But many of the Cuban defectors have languished in the minor leagues or were released.

Players who defected had to wait eight years before they could return to Cuba for a visit and gave up any hope of playing for Cuba’s national team.


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LIST OF CUBA DEFECTORS THRU 2022

https://www.baseball-reference.com/bull ... _Defectors


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PUERTO RICO

Carolina wins on the road in the West, while RA12 claimed their 11th win of the winter season

by LBPRC Press

December 26, 2022

San Juan, Puerto Rico (Monday, December 26, 2022) –

Beginning the last week of the year, the victories went to RA12 and the Carolina Giants, thus marking the route to the end of the winter baseball regular season.

Roberto Alomar's team defeated the Leones de Ponce 10-6 while Carolina defeated the Indios de Mayagüez 10-4. The Criollos from Caguas and Cangrejeros from Santurce had a day off.

Carolina maintains second place in the tournament with an away victory in Mayagüez

The Gigantes de Carolina took the victory at home, beating the Indios de Mayagüez 10-4, thus maintaining second place in the standings.

Héctor Santiago earned his fourth win of the tournament by pitching six complete innings, seven hits, two earned runs and five strikeouts. The went to Miguel Martínez who gave up eight runs, seven of them earned, in two and a third innings.

A five-run second inning gave the Giants the lead. With two out and bases loaded courtesy of three consecutive singles, Aldemar Burgos hit a bases-clearing double to bring the first three runs to the plate. Burgos was singled in by Anderson Feliz and Brian Navarreto lined to center to complete the first five runs for the visitors.

Jan Hernández hit a three-run homer in the top of the third and two runs were added with Johnathan Rodríguez's single in the sixth, sealing Carolina's ten streaks.

Johanthan Rodriquez 2-5, 2B 1, RBI 2, AVG .282

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12/27/22

Oscar Gonzalez (Estrellas, LF): 1-4, 2 K, 1 Outfield Assist, 1 E – Gonzalez had an uneven night in the Estrellas’ blowout loss.

Richie Palacios (Mayaguez – Game 1, 2B): 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K – Palacios still managed to be productive in a rare hitless effort in the opener.

Richie Palacios (Mayaguez – Game 2, 2B): 0-4, 1 K, 1 SB – His struggles continued in the nightcap, but he still stole his first base of the season after reaching on a K-PB to start the top of the seventh.

Jonathan Rodriguez (Carolina, LF): 0-4, 1 K – An 0-fer from the All-Star continued a surprisingly rough night for the Guardians org in Puerto Rico.

Eric Rodriguez (Carolina, backup C): 0-2, 1 K, 1 E – E-Rod dropped a ball for his first error of the Clemente League campaign to add the proverbial cherry on top of the sundae of futility that was Tuesday for Guardians prospects.

Dayan Frias (Monteria SS): 1-4, 2 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 RBI, AVG .158 - Frias walked and scored in the first on a home run by Andres Angulo. He singled and scored in the third on Andres Angulo's second homer of the game.

[ A 2-21 night for the good guys. ]

[ Except for Jonathan Rodriguez and Meibrys Viloria, our guys really struggled this winter. Jose Tena, Richie Palacios, Andres Gimenez, Oscar Gonzalez, Brayan Rochio, George Valera, Dayan Frias among others did not perform well. In fact, quite a few were replaced for under performing ]

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VENEZUELA

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* = Clinched
# - Wild Cards
++ = Eliminated

December 28 will be a free date, the Wild Card Series between Tigres and Braves will take place on Thursday and Friday.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Santo Domingo . Henry Urrutia hit a run-scoring single to break a tie and give the Gigantes del Cibao a 3-2 victory over the Tigres del Licey on Tuesday night at the Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal. The victory causes a tie between both teams in this semifinal round of the round robinl, now with a 2-3 record.

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SANTIAGO.- The Águilas Cibaeñas beat the Estrellas Orientales 6-0, for their third shutout in the round robin. With the victory, the Aguilas go to 3-2 and tied Estrellas in the semifinal series. The three victories have been by way of shutouts, with a 9-0 win against the Giants, 3-0 against the Tigres del Licey and 6-0 against the Estrellas.

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12/28/22



COLUMBIA



Vaqueros goes for 1st place, Everyone to the Stadium!

December 29, 2022 - 10:33 AM

Today more than ever, Vaqueros needs the support of the best fans in Colombia. With yesterday's 15-5 victory against Toros, the the Vaqueros are one victory away from 1st place and tonight at 7:00 pm begins a new series against the Caimanes at the 18 de Junio ​​Stadium, with the aim of closing the year at the top of the standings. Vaqueros needs the support of all its fans from Córdoba.

Dahan Frias (Vaqueros)
AB 3, R 3, H 2, RBI 0, BB 1, SO 0, AVG .208, OPS .742


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Tigres defeated Caimanes in extra innings and caught up with them in the standings

by Manuel Ortega Ponce | Dec 29, 2022

A three-run home run in the top of the twelfth inning by Ronaldo Hernández increased the lead for Tigres de Cartagena, who had already gone ahead with a run scored by Brallan Pérez, and rounded out an 11-8 victory over Caimanes de Barranquilla, to tie for 1st place in the Colombian Professional Baseball League.

For the second consecutive day, Hernández homered, this time against Dahan Batista and with Adrián Sánchez and Deibinson Romero on base. It was the Boston Red Sox player's eighth home run in the championship, tying him with teammate Meibrys Viloria and Derwin Pomare and Daniel Vellojín. both in Jeans.

Tigres and Caimanes now have a record of 21 wins and 13 losses, and a one-game lead over Vaqueros, who beat Toros 15-5 in Montería.

Meibrys Viloria (Cartegena)
AB 5, R 0, H 0, RBI 0, BB 1, SO 3, AVG .238, OPS .978

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12/28/22



DOMINICAN REPUBLIC



Licey defeated Estrellas for the second defeat in a row and caused a four-way tie in the semifinal

Santo Domingo . Emilio Bonifacio had two RBIs and Steve Moyers pitched dominantly through five innings to lead the Tigres del Licey to a 4-2 win over the Estrellas Orientales to set up a four-way tie for first place in the round-robin semifinal.

Tigres, Estrellas, Gigantes del Cibao, who defeated the Águilas Cibaeñas this Wednesday, all register a 3-3 mark, with 12 games remaining in this round robin semifinal.


Oscar Gonzalez (Licey)
AB 4, R 0, H 1, 2B 0, 3B 0, HR 0 RBI 0 BB 0, SO 0

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Águilas loses to Gigantes, round robin tied at 3-3

SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS.- The Gigantes achieved their third victory of the round robin and second in consecutive nights by defeating the Águilas 7-2, in a game held last night at the Julián Javier Stadium.

The victory of the the Gigantes ties them with the Aguilas in their particular series (1-1) and with the victory of the Tigers over the Stars, there is a four-way tie after six days of the round robin with records of of 3-3.

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12/28/22



PUERTO RICO



Two victories at home and one for the locals were the results in Wednesday's games in the Puerto Rican winter baseball

San Juan, Puerto Rico (Wednesday, December 28, 2022) – On the date that marks the last week of the regular season, it was the Cangrejeros de Santurce, Indios de Mayagüez and Leones de Ponce who claimed the victories on the night on Wednesday in winter baseball.

The crustaceans won as visitors at the Hiram Bithorn stadium against RA12 with a 2-1 score, the tribe defended their home against the Carolina Giants with a 5-3 final, while the jungle defeated the Criollos de Caguas at home with result 2 -1.

This day keeps Caguas at the top despite the setback with 28-17 (.622), while Carolina and Santurce tie with a record of 25-21 (.543), Mayagüez record at 24-22 (.522) followed closely by Ponce who has a 23-22 record (.511) and RA12 has 12 wins in 46 games (.261).

The Santurce Cangrejeros win as visitors against RA12

The Santurce Cangrejeros defeated the RA12 team as visitors 2-1, being the last game of the Crabs at the Hiram Bithorn stadium in the regular season.

RA12 were the first to score with Yadiel Rivera's RBI single in the second inning, but Santurce tied the game at one run per side at the top of the third inning with Roy Morales' RBI hit.

The tiebreaker occurred in the fourth inning when Rusney Castillo scored on a force play.

The victory went to Alejandro Sanabia, throwing five complete innings of five hits, one earned run, one walk and four strikeouts, the save by Andre Scrubb, while Rubén Ramírez lost giving up two unearned runs in four innings.

The Indios defeated the Giants at home

The Indios de Mayagüez defeated the Gigantes de Carolina with the final score, 5-3, to maintain their hopes of a playoff run in the winter tournament.

The reliever Nelvin Fuentes earned his third win of the season by pitching a third inning, the save was the first for Chavez Fernander, while José Fuentes lost allowing three singles, four runs – one of them earned – two walks and two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

The Indians took advantage scoring in the third inning with a sacrifice fly by Josh Palacios and in the fourth with an RBI double by Chavez Young to make the score 2-0.

Carolina tied the score in the top of the sixth inning with Anderson Feliz's triple with runners on the corners and took a momentary lead, 3-2, courtesy of Gabriel Cancel's double.

Mayagüez did not take long to take command of the game in the bottom of the sixth when, with two retired, a defensive error by the giant third baseman gave Danny Ortiz room to score the third run, while Young continued driving in Indians bringing Roberto Pérez to the plate with a single to left field.

Henry Ramos added one to the tribe's tally with a solo shot to right field in the eighth.

Jonathan Rodriguez (Carolina)
AB 4, R 0, H 0, RBI 0 BB 0, K 3

Richie Palacios (Mayaguez)
AB 1, R 0, H 0, RBI 0 BB 2, K 0, SB 2

The Leones de Ponce roar in Solá Morales defeating the league leaders Creole of Caguas

The Leones de Ponce scored their second consecutive victory defeating the Criollos de Caguas at home by a score of 2-1.

After trailing 1-0, the Leones scored a couple of runs in the top of the sixth to reverse the score after Iván De Jesús Jr.'s fielder's choice and Francisco Del Valle's RBI single.

Caguas scored his only run of the game on Luis Vázquez's sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Julio Torres picked up the victory working two innings giving up four hits and two strikeouts, Alexis Rivero saved, while Dereck Rodríguez lost allowing the two runs in one inning.

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For this Thursday, December 29, 2022, the winter league presents two games on the calendar at 7:10 p.m. The Indios de Mayagüez and Leones de Ponce will play at the Francisco “Paquito” Montaner stadium, while at the same time RA12 will have their last home game of the regular season hosting the Criollos de Caguas at the Hiram Bithorn stadium.

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12/28/22



VENEZUELA



Tigres and Braves fight for the Wild Card of the LVBP

Caracas.- For Tigres de Aragua and Bravos de Margarita, the pressure will be very high, since only one of the two will remain alive in the 2022-2023 postseason of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP), after the development of the Wild card, which will define the fifth and last place in the Round Robin, whose start is scheduled for January 2.

For the cats, sixth in the standings with a 25-30 mark, winning this Thursday, at 7:00 pm, at the Jorge Luis García Carneiro de Macuto Stadium will represent an obligation because a defeat against the Bravos would mean their elimination, since this is established by the championship conditions approved by the LVBP clubs.

In accordance with section 1.03.2 of the regulations applied for this wild card, Braves -fifth with a record of 26-29- will not only have the advantage of playing at home, but will also need the fewest number of wins (1) to advance because it achieved the best location between both teams in the standing. This will force Aragua to come out on top this December 29 to force a second and defining game on the 30th at the old Fórum La Guaira. The winner of that hypothetical second meeting will seal his ticket to the January Party.

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CONTINUED

12/28/22

Dayan Frias (3B, Vaqueros): 2-for-3, 3 R, 2B, RBI, BB HBP, E5T – Frias was active in the team’s blowout win Wednesday with three runs scored on four times reaching. He began by walking in the first and came around to score, then it was a bunt single that would result in a run off of a wild pitch in the third. Later in the frame, he was hit by a pitch and later scored in an 11-run inning. A double to right center in the fifth would conclude an eventful day at the dish. A throwing error with the game well in hand would be his only blemish on defense.

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Vaqueros swept bulls in Montería

December 29, 2022

Last night, the Vaqueros swept the bulls 15-1 in Game 3 at Estadio 18 de Junio. The team from Montería was impeccable in the batter's box, punished the weak pitching work of the Sincelejano team and homered three times. With the victory, Vaqueros closed the gap in the standings.

Adrés Angulo from Cali went 1-for-3 with a home run, with two runs scored and two more RBIs. The other one who homered was Francisco Acuña, who went 2-3 with three runs scored and four batted in. Finally, Pabel Manzanero hit the Vaqueros' third homer, the Venezuelan went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Dayan Frias went 2-3 with three runs scored, one double, one run batted in, one walk, and one hit by pitch.

Vauqeros won all three of their games against Toros and reaffirmed their supremacy over the sincelejana team. Now, the Monterinao team will seek to close the year with two victories to lead in the standings.

Last night, at the close of this edition, Tigres and Caimanes faced each other in Barranquilla. If the Tigers win, they tied in points with the Caimanes at the top of the standings.

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Meibrys Viloria (C, Cartagena): 0-for-5, BB – A rather uneventful day for the Cartagena backstop at the plate in Wednesday’s extra-inning affair. He reached via a base on balls for his only appearance on-base in six plate appearances.

Dahan Batista (RHP, Barranquilla): 0.1 IP, H, ER, 0 BBs, K – Batista entered the game in the 12th inning and got the final out in a losing effort. He received a no decision in the game, already trailing when he took the mound.

Oscar Gonzalez (DH, Estrelles): 1-for-4 – Gonzalez had a single for his only hit of the ballgame in the sixth inning with a line drive to right field. He reached base on a fielder’s choice as well, but did not score in either time rounding the bags.

Richie Palacios (2B, Mayaguez): 0-for-1, 2 BBs, HBP, 2 SBs – Despite not recording a hit, Palacios reached on three of four at-bats on Wednesday. He drew walks in the first and third innings and was hit by a pitch in the seventh. In the opening frame, Palacios swiped a couple of bases to go from first to third, but was left stranded.

Johnathan Rodriguez (LF, Carolina): 0-for-4 – A disappointing game for Rodriguez at 0-for-4 with three strikeouts while leaving a team-high four runners on base.

12/29/22


COLUMBIA


Dayan Frias (Monteria, SS): 3-5, 1 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI – Frias continues to rake in Colombia, likely due in part to the late start to his offseason campaign and the additional rest that comes with it. Last night’s pair of doubles were part of the second multi-hit game in a row for Dayan, who has reached base in six of seven games this Colombian season and is slashing .294/.424/.519. While the LPB may not be as well-known as some of the other winter ball leagues, it is a good level of baseball and Frias’ performance there is an extremely welcome sign.

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by Manuel Ortega Ponce | Dec 30, 2022 |

Caimanes de Barranquilla lost this Thursday night 8-3 in their visit to the Vaqueros de Montería at the 18 de Junio ​​stadium, with which the fight for the top of the Colombian Professional Baseball League remains spicy. .

The game winner was for Samuel Burgos (3-3) and the defeat to Cristian Quintín (0-1).

The home team imposed conditions early on with their first batter, Francisco Acuña, who hit a solo homer for the 1-0 lead.

The difference widened to 2-0 on a Brayan Buelvas groundout to third. Catcher Juan Camilo Zabala couldn't hold the ball and Derwin Pomare scored.

Daniel Vellojín stretched the difference again with another solo home run in the third inning, to make the game 3-0.

The lead increased to 4-0 on a hit to center field by Pabel Manzanero and Jordan Díaz scored.

Alligators reacted in the third inning to cut into the lead. Mauricio Ramos doubled and Gustavo Campero homered for the second night in a row, with a shot to the right, making it a 4-2 ballgame.

Vaqueros countered with a single by Dayan Frías that increased the lead to 5-2 keeping the Barranquillas away.

The offensive charge continued in the seventh inning, with a two-run home run by Daniel Vellojín, which made the game 7-2. Vellojín established himself as the home run leader of the championship with 10.

Alligators answered with a solo home run by Mauricio Ramos to cut the lead to 7-3.

The Monterianos continued unloading hits to make it 8-3 and in the eighth inning, a double by Dayan Frías to left center field brought Francisco Acuña home.

Caimanes y Vaqueros will return this Friday from 7:00 a.m., at the 18 de Junio ​​stadium in Montería.

Leading the Vaqueros charge were Daniel Vellojín 2-5 with two homers, two runs, and 3 rbis. Dayan Frias went 3-5 with one run scored, 2 doubles, and two rbis. Francisco Acuña 1-3, 1 homer, two walks, 1 rbi.

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Meibrys Viloria (Cartagena, DH): 0-5, 1 K – Viloria, who is in the running to be the backup catcher at the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario this coming season, did not fare as well as he extended his hitless streak to three games (0-for-12).


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DOMINICAN REPUBIC




Águilas go to the top of the round robin led by good pitching by Carlos Hernández

Santo Domingo . Jerar Encarnación had two RBIs and Carlos Hernández dominated the Gigantes during their five innings to lead an 8-0 shutout of the Gigantes del Cibao on Thursday night at Estadio Cibao.

The result of the game, which was played at the Cibao Stadium, left the Águilas (4-3) at the top of this round-robin semifinal tied with the Tigres del Licey (4-3), who also won tonight. Meanwhile, the Giants (3-4), who had just won their last two games, remain in second place.

Hernández (1-0, 0.00) received the support of Wendolyn Bautista, with great relief of three innings and Junior Fernández took charge of the ninth to complete the shutout.

The starter for the Giants, Jorge Martínez lasted only one third of the inning and allowed two runs, both earned and two hits.

All four teams entered their respective games tonight with an even 3-3 record. This Friday will be the last day of this year, due to the end-of-year festivities break. The Banreservas Cup tournament continues on January 2, 2023.

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Tigers extend the losing streak of the Stars with the good work of César Valdez

Santo Domingo . The Tigres del Licey defeated the Estrellas Orientales 7-4 to be on top of the round-robin semifinal of the Dominican Winter Ball a position they share with the Águilas Cibaeñas, who also won tonight.

The victory served as a prelude to what will be the last day of this year in this round robin with the two games this Friday.

The Tigres (4-3) remain tied with the Águilas (4-3), who beat the Gigantes del Cibao.

Stars and Giants trail 3-4. Estrellas had won three games in a row and finished leading the Christmas break with 3-1.

César Valdez (1-1, 2.45) confirmed his choice as Pitcher of the Year, a distinction awarded to him by LIDOM through the Santo Domingo Motors MVP of the Week award. The Licey starter threw five complete innings of nine hits and one earned run and seven of his 15 outs were by way of strikeout to earn his first victory of this phase.

Phillips Valdez pitched 1 1/3 innings of four runs, three earned and one walk against 13 batters to take the loss () 0-1, 6.35). Jairo Asencio (3) pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save.

[ OSCAR GONZALEZ DID NOT PLAY FOR THE ESTRELLAS TEAM )

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PUERTO RICO




The Indians shut out the Leones, while RA12 defeated the Criollos in action on winter Thursday

San Juan, Puerto Rico (Thursday, December 29, 2022) – This wintry Thursday brought victories for the Indios de Mayagüez and RA12 accounts.

In their last game of the season, the tribe whitewashed the Leones de Ponce at home with a 1-0 final, while Roberto Alomar's team defeated the Criollos de Caguas with a 5-3 score.

This day leaves Caguas in the first position with 28-18 (.609), followed by Carolina and Santurce who had a night off for which they maintain their tie 25-21 (.543), Mayagüez is close to half a game from the second position with 25-22 (.532), Ponce has a record of 23-23 (.500) and RA12 reaches its 13th victory in 47 games (.277).

RA12 returns to victory lane defeating the Criollos de Caguas

RA12 said goodbye to their last game at home with a victory over the Criollos de Caguas with a final score, 5-3.

Tribe shutout of Jungles brings them within half a game of second place

In their last matchup of the regular season, the Indios de Mayagüez whitewashed the Leones de Ponce with a final, 1-0, to come within a half game of second place in the standings.

Last day of 2022 in the winter league

To seal the dates of the year 2022 before the break for the New Year's festivities, the winter league presents three games for Friday, December 30, all starting at 7:10 pm.

The Cangrejeros de Santurce will visit the Indios de Mayagüez at the Isidoro "Cholo" García stadium, the Leones de Ponce will receive the Criollos de Caguas at the Francisco "Paquito" Montaner stadium, while RA12 and the Carolina Giants will measure forces in the Roberto Clemente stadium, a game that will be televised by WAPA Deportes.

Richie Palacios (Mayaguez, 2B): 0-3, 1 Sac Bunt – Palacios, the lone Guardian prospect playing outside of Colombia on Thursday, fared little better, managing a productive plate appearance via a sixth-innings sacrifice bunt.


VENEZUELA




Tigres force a second game in the wild card series

Aragua was forced to win to stay alive

The Tigres de Aragua continued this Thursday with their display of resilience and beat the Bravos de Margarita 10-4 in Macuto to force a final game in the wild card series.

The Bengalis arrived at the La Guaira Forum forced to win and took advantage of all the rival's miscues to stay alive for the last place in the Round Robin

The Tigers extended their lead to 5-3 in the top of the seventh on Alexi Amarista's double. And the Braves, refusing to die, responded with a run in the bottom of that inning.

Aragua scored two in the eighth and another three in the ninth to make a difference of six runs (10-4) that was impossible to overcome. Closer Adam Hofacket completed a perfect 1 1/3 inning of relief, also supported by a sensational play by Carlos Rivero, to seal the victory.

Rivero, 3-3, and Henry "el pollito" Rodríguez, 5-3, were the spark plugs for Tigres and both finished with two RBIs, as did Yorman Rodríguez (4-2).

Guillermo Moscoso (1-0) got the victory after a 2.0-innings of relief of just one run, Hofacket scored the save and Pedro Vasquez (0-1) charged with the loss.

The Braves, for finishing fifth in the standings, will have another opportunity this Friday in Macuto. The Tigres will look for the sweep in the all or nothing game.


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CUBA





Cuban Baseball Elite League: Will the playoffs save the tournament?

The regular stage has been plagued with dissatisfaction, both from the players and from the public, who have left the stadiums.

Starting on January 4, 2023, Cuban baseball will return to action. It will be a year of many international sporting events, but the first and most important thing lies in the closing of the first Elite Cuban Baseball League (LEBC) , which enters its semifinal phase with a very complicated matchup for the four classified teams: Agricultores versus Tabacaleros , and Centrales against Portuarios .

This Saturday the final positions of the I (First) Cuban Baseball Elite League were defined , a championship that concluded its qualifying stage of 50 games with many more sorrows than glories and with the stadiums practically empty .

In this way, the leader Agricultores, a team that remained in first place throughout the regular season, will receive Tabacaleros (occupants of fourth place) in Bayamo on January 4, in a playoff series for the best of seven games .

In the other semifinal matchup, Centrales and Portuarios (second and third place) will face each other, the two squads that had the best final stretch records, having the most wins this December.

The arrival of the postseason could be a lifeline for a tournament riddled with dissatisfaction, which the Cuban Federation of this sport was determined to carry out despite the economic and social crisis that the Island is experiencing, which has caused it to be perhaps the worst event in the entire history of Cuban baseball .

Playoff duels —always interesting in any league in the world— could draw the attention of those fans, who have turned their backs on the championship , among other things because they do not identify with the new regional teams, made up of several provinces, and who they carry horrendous names imposed by managers.

Until now, little has been done to attract the public. Scarce disclosure by the national media and a lousy promotional campaign have been added to the problems of public transportation and the needs of Cubans today, focused on surviving.

On the pitch , despite the motivation represented by the participation of the champion team in the upcoming 2023 Caribbean Series, there is a lot of discontent, caused by low wages, poor food, the poor conditions of some accommodation, and the lack of general resource for athletes.

Many have alleged personal problems to leave the league, others have emigrated , and the rest show disinterest and apathy above the uniforms, something that undoubtedly also scares fans away from the stands.

The news a few hours before Christmas that the United States Government granted permission to Major League players to play with Cuba in the World Classic is another factor that demotivates the players who are playing in this tournament , because they know that many of them will be displaced by the big leaguers .

The return of the official ball (Teammate-190) is a ray of sunshine in the midst of so much darkness, since the ball that had been used since the middle of the competition had a low bounce and made the home runs disappear, an essential element in a baseball game .

In summary, nobody knows what will happen in this postseason with the Elite League . Betting on full stadiums and for everything to flow perfectly in this last month seems like a quixotic idea, but the passion that Cubans feel for this sport should never be underestimated .

In the next comment we will analyze the possibilities of the teams that remain in competition and we will make our predictions.


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12/30/22


COLUMBIA

Dayan Frias (Monteria, SS): 0-2, 2BB – Frias didn’ follow up his three hit performance with another big hitting performance in this one but he drew a pair of walks, showing off his patience at the plate that hopefully isn’t passivity.



Caimanes closed the year with a defeat in Montería

Caimanes de Barranquilla lost this Friday night against the Vaqueros de Montería at the 18 de Junio ​​stadium, closing 2022 with a 21-15 record and in third place in the tournament. The game won was for Porfirio López (1-0) and the defeat was charged by José Santamaría (1-1). The Monterianos continued producing in the seventh inning, with a triple by Andrés Angulo that brought Dayan Frías to the plate. Angulo came on with wild pitching to make it 8-1.

Frias walked in the first and was caught stealing second, flied out in the 3rd, struck out in the 4th, walked and scored in the 7th


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Meibrys Viloria (Cartagena, 1B): 2-4, 2R, 2 RBI, BB – It was a big offensive night for Cartagena and Viloria was in the middle of it. More interesting that he was the DH in the contest on the 29th and then a 1B in this one. Maybe he is saving his catcher reps for Cleveland when spring training starts.


MEIBRYS VILLORIA

Dance and lead! Tigres defeated Toros in the professional baseball league

The Cartagena team remains at the top with 23 wins and 13 losses.

Tigres de Cartagena prevailed with authority over Toros de Sincelejo by a score of 18-5 in the Colombian professional baseball league. The team was much superior throughout the game and Toros showed a very lackluster effort, scoring just 4 runs in the first inning and 1 in the fifth inning, going scoreless for the rest of the game. With this win, the Tigres remain at the top of the standings with a record of 23 wins and 13 losses, while its rival is last with only 6 wins and 29 losses.

Meibrys Viloria grounded into a 3-6-3 dp in the 1st, singled and scored in an 8-run 3rd , bases loaded walk driving in a run in the 8-run 3rd, grounded out to first unassisted in the 5th, singled in a run and scored on a double in the 6th, was pinch hit for in the 7th.


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Colombian baseball is a matter of three teams: Toros is already eliminated

The Caimanes de Barranquilla continue to be determined to secure first place. That is yet to be seen because the fight with the Cartagena Tigers and the Montería Cowboys is fierce and hard-fought. What is a fact is that the Sincelejo Bulls are completely eliminated from the competition. The action will resume this Tuesday with games between the Toros y Vaqueros, in the capital of Córdoba (7 pm) and Tigres y Caimanes, in Barranquilla (7 pm).

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VENEZUELA




Tigres de Aragua qualified for the round robin

Aragua finished sixth in the regular round table with a 25-30 record, defeated Margarita -fifth with a 26-29 record- for the second consecutive day

Solomon Bates made a good start, Johan López and Yorman Rodríguez homered and Tigres de Aragua routed Bravos de Margarita 12-5 on Friday to sweep the Wild Card Series 2-0 and advance to the Round Robin of the Venezuelan Baseball League Professional (LVBP). Aragua, who finished sixth in the regular round table with a 25-30 record, defeated Margarita -fifth with a 26-29 record- for the second consecutive day and thus joined Leones del Caracas, Cardenales de Lara, Tiburones de La Guaira and Navegantes del Magallanes as the clubs that will perform in the semifinal phase of the 2022-2023 season, which will begin on January 2. On Thursday, Aragua beat its island counterpart 10-4 in the first game of the playoff crossover. Margarita on had to win one game in the series while Aragua was forced to win two games.


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PUERTO RICO

Johnathan Rodriguez (LF, Carolina): 2-4, R, K – Rodriguez is hitting a solid .273 in the Puerto Rican winter league and scored the game’s only run on a double play after his single in the fourth inning.


JOHNATHAN RODRIGUEZ

The Gigantes de Carolina and the Indios de Mayagüez were victors

The Gigantes de Carolina and the Indios de Mayagüez were victors in their respective games last night, the last of 2022 in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (LBPRC). On the one hand, Carolina beat RA12 1-0. The only score came in the fourth when Johnathan Rodríguez and Anderson Feliz hit back-to-back hits to put men on the corners with no outs. Rodriguez scored from third base on a double play at Gabriel Cancel's turn. Freddie Cabrera, who pitched seven complete innings allowing four singles and five strikeouts, got the win. Meanwhile, José Espada saved the game with an inning in which he struck out a batter. Meanwhile, Juan Marcano walked away with the loss after allowing one run in four innings.


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Indians to third place

Richie Palacios (DH, Mayaguez): 1-4, R – Not a huge performance from Palacios but he singled in the eighth and scored on a single by his brother Josh, which proved to be the game winning run.

On the other hand, Mayagüez defeated Santurce 2-1 and took third place in the standings, which was precisely what Santurce had. The Indians were the first to score in the third inning with Major League Baseball's Emmanuel Rivera's RBI single, but Santurce evened the hostilities at one run apiece with Norel González's solo homer, his first of the winter season. The tie was broken in the bottom of the eighth when Josh Palacios drove his brother Richie Palacios with a hit to center field on pitches from Andre Scrubb, who lost the game.


DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Oscar Gonzalez (Estrellas, RF): 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K


OSCAR GONZALEZ

Estrellas defeat Águilas and cause a four-way tie in the semifinal
The pitching of the Cibaeño team granted 11 walks

The Estrellas Orientales benefited from 11 walks granted by the Aguilas pitchers to defeat the Águilas Cibaeñas 10-6 this Friday night at the Tetelo Vargas Stadium, producing a four-way tie between the teams participating in the round robin. Águilas , Licey, Gigantes and Estrellas close 2022 with the same record of 4 wins and 4 losses. The semifinal series, which will resume next Monday night after the days off for the New Year, is now reduced to 10 games to define the two finalists. It was a night in which the Águilas pitchers were out of control, mainly starter Carlos Martínez, who faced five batters, gave up four walks, allowed one hit and three runs without making any out.

Edward Olivares, Roginson Canó and Oscar González had two hits and drove in two runs each, and Jaimer Candelario also had two hits and drove in one to lead the eastern offensive...

José José comes in to pitch for Martínez and struck out Canó but allowed a single to González to right field to drive in Díaz...

With runners on third and first, González hit into a double play driving in Olivares...

In the fifth, and against Delgado, the oriental bats exploded again, when Olivares and Canó received walks and González fired a double to left field batting in a run


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Enyel De Los Santos (RP, Licey): IP, H, ER, HR – De Los Santos allowed a homer in the loss as his only blip on his line but you can’t win a game without scoring a run, so this game was over before he even pitched.


ENYEL DE LOS SANTOS

Giants shutout the Tigers and defeated them for the third time

Santo Domingo . Luis Liberato hit a solo home run and the Gigantes del Cibao defeated the Tigres del Licey via a three-run shutout. It is the third victory in this round robin semifinal for the Gigantes over Licey in three games. Yamaico Navarro was once again a figure against his old team. In the third he drove in Luis Liberato with a slow grounder to third to make the game 1-0. In the fifth, Navarro receives a walk after one out and steals second, to later scores on Carlos Peguero's double to center field and put the lead 2-0. Then came Liberato's home run in the seventh, a stick to right field against Enyel de los Santos.

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Erisbel Arrubarrena.

First Year For The Cuban Baseball Elite League:

Predictions for the semifinal playoffs

ENRIQUE DEL POZO

Havana 02 Jan 2023 - 18:34 CET

This Wednesday, January 4, the playoffs of the First Elite League of Cuban Baseball will begin , when the Centrales team, second place in the qualifying phase, hosts Portuarios (third) at its home of Victoria de Girón de Matanzas, in a series where The first to reach four wins will get their pass to the final.

One day later, the Agricultores occupying the first place, will be the hosts in Bayamo of Tabacaleros, the last of the four teams that reached the playoffs by finishing in fourth place in the regular schedule of 50 games.

Making a forecast in a baseball tournament in Cuba is very complex , because the factors can change in less than 24 hours: Players who leave the country in the middle of the competition , hired in other professional leagues, and return when their teams are eliminated; Motivations that fluctuate, and even changes in the official ball that is used, as happened this season, are elements that affect the results of the games.

However, and taking into account the situation in which each team is at this minute, we enter the world of predictions as we promised last week.

Centrales and Portuarios

Armando Ferrer's Centrals are the wide favorites to win in this semifinal duel. Made up of players from Matanzas, Villa Clara and Cienfuegos, this team is the one with the fewest cracks on paper and demonstrated it in the qualifying phase by finishing second in offense (.288 Ave) and first in pitching (3.21 PCL) and defense (.979 Ave).

In addition, the incorporation of position players Erisbel Arruebarrena and Yadir Dreke, and left-handed pitcher Yoannis Yera, all from the Mexican Pacific League (ARCOS), rounds out a roster that looks far superior to its rivals.

Michael González's Portuarios, a union of players from Industriales and Mayabeque, are the surprise of this first version of the selective championship by getting their ticket to this semifinal after being victorious in 15 of their last 20 games , when no one counted on their presence in the playoffs.

It is that drive and motivation that their athletes have after performing this feat, a point in their favor in this series. The physical and mental shape with which any team reaches a defining phase is vital in any sporting competition and this has been demonstrated in other national campaigns.

The arrival of their star reliever Marlon Vega , Most Valuable Player of the last National Series, and starter Pedro Álvarez —already recovered from his injury— could push a team full of players with claws and capable of shattering any prediction.

Agricultores and Tabacaleros

The Farmers of four-time national champion Carlos Martí, a union of baseball players from Granma and Las Tunas, were the best team of the campaign from the very first day of competitions.

Although they reached this stage as the only ones with a negative record in the month of December, the truth is that they took over the top spot in the standings from the start and never left it. The lack of pressure perhaps made them slow down, reaching the playoffs several days before finishing their schedule.

With a list of players that have postseason experience, they were also the most effective team offensively (.299 Ave), and although it is not yet known if they will be able to count on their athletes who play in the Mexican Pacific League (ARCOS). (Carlos Juan Viera, and cousins ​​Roel and Raico Santos), have shown that without them they can meet their goals.

In the opposite side of the field are Alexander Urquiola's Tabacaleros, a team formed by the union of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, and the Isla de la Juventud, whose best weapon is pitching.

A hard blow to their aspirations was the refusal to participate in this playoff by their star pitchers Liván Moinelo and Raidel Martínez, the latter chosen as the best Latino player in the Japanese League , both focused on their training for the upcoming World Baseball Classic .

The same decision was made by the young talent Frank Abel Álvarez, also playing in those Asian lands in the Chunichi Dragons farm system, who declared on national television that he is also preparing for a possible call-up.

However, figures of the stature of Erlis Casanova, Vladimir Baños and Yuniesky Garcia, the latter involved in his best campaign since he returned to the country, with the offensive contribution of some individuals such as Dayán García, home run leader of the tournament, could put a lot of pressure on the opposing favourites.

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The National Commission announced a few days ago that it will be played again with the Teanmate-190 , a ball that has a suitable bounce capable of producing more home runs.

The spectacle continues to be unknown and few dare to predict full stands in the games, in a tournament that will go down in the history of Cuban baseball as the one with the lowest popular support , the product of multiple errors in its conception, of the needs suffered by the athletes and the chaotic situation (economic and social) that the country is experiencing.

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