COLOMBIA PRESENTE EN LA SERIE DEL CARIBE 2009

Por Fabio Poveda
de www.teamrenteria.com

 

Es una verdadera fiesta la que se vive en Mexicali, México con motivo de la Serie del Caribe. Una excelente organización ha recibido con los brazos abiertos a todos los asistentes a este majestuoso evento.Y entre esos asistentes está la delegación colombiana, conformada por Edinson Rentería, presidente de la Liga Colombiana de Béisbol Profesional, Jorge Baladi, gerente de los Tigres de Cartagena, y este servidor.

Por primera vez Colombia asistió a un congresillo técnico de una Serie del Caribe. En la reunión, que se celebró en el Hotel Araiza, estuvieron presentes todos los presidentes de las ligas de México, Venezuela, República Dominicana y Puerto Rico. También asistieron representantes de casi todos los equipos que participan en las diferentes ligas invernales.

Luego de dar a conocer los rosters de las novenas participantes, tocar temas concernientes a la organización y debatir puntos importantes sobre la futura negociación del acuerdo con MLB, Juan Francisco Puello, comisionado de la Confederación, expresó su agrado porque Colombia asistiera, ya como socio pasivo, en la apertura de la “pequeña serie mundial”.

La próxima reunión de la Confederación se desarrollará el 7 de Febrero, antes de jugar la jornada final del evento. Ahí Colombia entregará detalles de lo que fue la temporada 2008-2009.

ESTRELLAS PRESENTES

Muchas son las figuras que se han hecho presente, como es costumbre en este tipo de eventos. Lou Meléndez, Vicepresidente de MLB Internacional, Al Ávila, directivo de los Tigres De Detroit, ex - grandes ligas como Mike Pérez y Jorge Bell y otros activos como Esteban Loaiza, se pueden ver deleitándose con esta fiesta del béisbol.

Mañana le entregaremos detalles de declaraciones de Lou Meléndez, quien fue pieza importante para que Colombia recibiera el aval de MLB, en la que expresa que para el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol del 2013 habrá una expansión y allí seguramente estará una selección colombiana.

MEXICO LOSES THEIR FINAL GAME 4-2

Por Guille Esquivel
Exclusive for 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.

PUERTO RICO BEATS CHAMPION VENEZUELA 9-1

By Guille Esquivel
Exclusive for ebeisbol.com

Ponce beat 2009 Caribbean Series champions Aragua, 9-1. After snapping their 11 game losing streak, Ponce started a new streak winning two consecutive games. Manager Eduardo Perez said that he wanted to leave Mexicali with wins in their final games and that they did.

Perez said that he always has to find a reason to motivate the team. Today he chose to cite that the only team that has won a Caribbean Series by going undefeated has been a Puerto Rico team. This definitely served as motivation as they not only defeated Aragua, but they did it convincingly.

After beating the Dominican Republic 3-0 on Friday, stellar pitching from Ponce continued as they only allowed one run in the victory. Giancarlo Alvarado pitched six innings allowing one run on four hits while walking two and striking out five. Travis Minix and Edward Buzachero followed with three innings of scoreless relief.

Ponce scored all nine runs in the third inning coming one shy from the record of runs scored in an inning in a Caribbean Series. Andy Gonzalez singled to center scoring Eli Marrero. Carlos Rivera also singled to center allowing Jesus Feliciano to score. Jorge Padilla hit a three run shot to left to put the game at 6-0. Iggy Suarez singled to center bringing Fernando Cortez across the plate. Luis Figueroa singled to right to score Suarez and the last run was scored by Feliciano who crossed the plate on Gonzalez’single to center to put the game away 9-0.

Venezuela’s sole run came when Ramon Castro singled to center to score Selwyn Langaigne. Venezuela’s pitching had been brilliant only allowing nine runs over the first five games before they allowed nine in their last game of the series.

VENEZUELA 2009 CARIBBEAN SERIES CHAMPIONS

 

 

By Guille Esquivel
Exclusive 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.

PUERTO RICO WINS FIRST GAME IN SERIES, 3-0

 

By Guille Esquivel
Exclusive for eBeisbol.com

Puerto Rico finally broke through to record their first win in the Caribbean Series by beating the Dominican Republic 3-0. Josue Matos pitched five scoreless innings in the shutout and got the win. Dominican starter Julio Mateo was charged with the loss after pitching 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on five hits. Ivan Maldonado got the save for Puerto Rico.
Ponce got on the board early coming off the bat of Jose Feliciano who hit the ball to right for the solo shot. The Leones added two more including another solo shot by Andy Gonzalez in the sixth.

Aside from being winless through their first four games, Ponce had impressive pitching since the beginning of the series where they had allowed only 9 earned runs and had lost two of the games by only one run. With that win they also put an end to the Ponce losing streak that had reached eleven last night. Hermosillo holds the longest losing streak that stands at 12 games.
Games between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico always have something riding on them regardless if there is a crown involved or not. Eduardo Perez said that they would put a competitive team on the field regardless of the circumstances. “We are not going to give up,” Perez said.

The Dominican team suffered their fourth loss in five games and can only look to finish on a positive note when they face Mexico tomorrow in a game that can be important depending on the outcome of the matchup between Mexico and Venezuela.

MEXICO’S CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES ALIVE AFTER BEATING PUERTO RICO

 

By Guille Esquivel
Exclusive for eBeisbol.com

Venados de Mazatlan’s victory over the Leones de Ponce kept the Mexico’s hopes to win a title alive as they are the only ones who can dethrone undefeated Venezuela.

Mazatlan defeated Ponce 5-1 improving their record to 3-1 with just two games left in the series. With the game tied at 1 in the top of the twelfth, Mexico finally found their bats and broke it open scoring four. Christian Quintero singled in Miguel Ojeda, Freddy Sandoval later doubled to right pushing in two more and Edgar V. Gonzalez continued his hot hitting streak doubling to right allowing Freddy Sandoval to cross the plate.

After a night where 21 runs were scored in Thursday’s nightcap between Mexico and Dominican Republic the series reverted back to a pitching oriented battle and tonight was a flashback to game one where Mexico and Puerto Rico were locked in a low scoring battle through eleven innings.
In the third inning, Ponce’s Luis Figueroa was the first to cross the plate when he scored on a sac fly by Carlos Rivera to take the 1-0 lead.
Venados tied the game at 1 in the fifth when Edgar V. Gonzalez singled to get on base and Miguel Ojeda brought him in on a long single to right.

Puerto Rico threatened in the bottom of the ninth when a runner reached third base before Jose Luis Garcia struck out Rivera to end the rally and send the game into extra innings. Ponce was unable to bring any runs across the plate as they left 13 runners on base. “We had a chance to get runs, but leaving that many runners on base things don’t turn out the way we want,” Eduardo Perez said.
Venados loaded the bases in the eleventh, but Jon Weber hit a grounder to the first baseman to end the inning and the threat.
Mazatlan’s Pablo Ortega pitched 6.1 innings only allowing 1 run. Jose Luis Garcia pitched 2.1 innings in relief to get the victory. Ponce’s Bill Pulsipher pitched 6.1 innings only allowing 1 run and Juan Padilla took the loss.

Ponce extends their losing streak to eleven dating back to 1982. Even with their losing streak anything can happen on the field and they still have a chance to play a key role in this Caribbean Series with a chance to defeat Venezuela when they square off on Saturday. Perez made reference to the streak, “I am not focusing on streaks that we cannot control, but rather on getting this team to 1-4 or even 2-4.”
On Friday, Puerto Rico will face the Dominican Republic in a battle between eliminated teams who are mostly playing for bragging rights rather than a title. “We are motivated against the Dominican Republic and are rivals and we want to win,” Perez added.
Mexico will face off against unbeaten Venezuela in the nightcap. “We know that Venezuela is the team to beat and the revenge factor will definitely play a role in tomorrow’s matchup,” Freddy Sandoval said.

A victory for Aragua would give them their first title ever, three years after Caracas won Venezuela’s last title in 2006. That year Venezuela won the championship preceding the first ever World Baseball Classic and this time around they are looking like a potential champion on the eve of the second World Baseball Classic.

VENEZUELA PLAYS SPOILER ELIMINATING THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, 3-2

 

By Guille Esquivel
Exclusive for eBeisbol.com

Tigres de Aragua beat the Tigres del Licey 3-2 dashing their hopes of repeating as Caribbean Series Champions. Licey who is the winningest team in Caribbean Series history with ten crowns has never won back to back titles.

The Tigres del Licey were on the brink of elimination going into Day 4 of the Caribbean Series and tried their best to stay alive another day. After displaying their great offensive power on Wednesday night putting up nine runs against Mexico, the Dominican Republic reverted back to the team that struggled to get runs on the board. They opened up the game scoring a quick two in the first inning to take the early lead, 2-0 on Ronny Paulino’s 2-run homerun to right field. That would be the last time that the Dominican Republic would be heard from again.

Aragua scored in the third when Jackson Melian hit an infield single to first scoring Ramon Castro cutting the deficit in half, 2-1. Later in the inning, Venezuela added two more to take the 3-2 lead while never looking back.
Venezuela elected to start Yohan Pino who had previously appeared against the Tigres del Licey in the first game where they beat them, 3-2. Pino lasted two innings allowing two runs on five hits before giving way to eventual winner Oswaldo Sosa who worked two scoreless innings of relief. Francisco Butto got the save to become the leader in saves in this edition with three.

The Tigres del Licey who arrived on Sunday night after having not played since the previous Sunday because of their sweep of the Gigantes del Cibao did not seem to be in tune out on the playing field having committed six costly errors in their first four games. Ronnie Belliard of the Tigres del Licey is not one for excuses, but did mention that the lack of playing for over a week definitely played a role in their performance. The Dominican Republic has a chance to finish the series at .500 if they win their last two games.

Friday will feature a match up between two eliminated teams in the form of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

ADRIAN GONZALEZ HITS HISTORIC 3HRS in 12-9 WIN OVER THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

By Guille Esquivel
ebeisbol.com

Mexico won a shootout 12-9 as both teams’ bats finally woke up and the Venados capitalzed on the Tigres’ errors. Adrian Gonzalez made history when he became the first player in Caribbean Series history to hit three homeruns in a game.

In the first, Anderson Hernandez scored on Dominican Juan Pena’s wild pitch taking the early 1-0 lead.

Venados answered back in the second when Heber Gomez singled to left scoring and left fielder Timo Perez misplayed the ball allowing Christian Presichi and Saul Soto.

Licey drove Pena out of the game scoring three more runs off of him. Pena only lasted 2.1 innings allowing four runs on three hits, walking four while striking out three.

Compatriot Jorge Sosa did not fare that much better. Mazatlan tagged him for three runs in the fourth inning when Agustin Murillo hit an infield single to second scoring Gomez. Adrian Gonzalez brought Murillo in on a long homerun to left center field taking the brief 6-5 lead.

Licey would add another one in the fourth when Jose Bautista hit a soft fly ball to right scoring Willy Aybar tying the game at 6.

In the fifth, Gomez reached base on a force attempt and a missed catch error by Ronny Paulino allowed Ruben Rivera to score. Next batter, Jon Weber singled to right pushing in local Presichi taking the 8-6 lead, both runs were scored off reliever Jailen Peguero. Presichi went 3-5 and scored two runs.

The end of the fifth was followed by a 41 minute delay due to the blackout of some stadium lights. That time was filled by mascot competitions and the Banda Limon who came out on the field and played briefly.

Licey reliever Valerio De Los Santos came out to open up the sixth and Adrian Gonzalez greeted him with a long solo shot to left field to put Mexico up 9-6. Robert Saucedo scored on a wild pitch by Oneli Perez and Gomez hit a sac fly to left scoring Edgar V. Gonzalez widening their lead to 11-6.

Licey got within striking distance in the eighth when Erick Aybar doubled in Ronnie Belliard to make it 11-7. Later in the inning, Ronny Paulino doubled to center and Jon Weber misplayed the ball allowing Erick Aybar and Hernandez to score and get within two, 11-9.

In the ninth, Adrian Gonzalez added an insurance run with his solo shot to left field to make it 12-9.

Rafael Martin came away with the victory pitching in three innings of relief. Sosa took the loss pitching 4.1 innings allowing 8 run (5 of them earned), walking two while striking out two. Hector Navarro came out in the ninth and recorded the save.

VENEZUELA REAMINS UNDEFEATED

 

 

By Guille Esquivel
Exclusive for eBeisbol.com

Venezuela beat Puerto Rico 5-2 to remain undefeated in Caribbean Series play. The Leones are on the brink of elimination after suffering three straight losses making it a difficult situation to come back from. Ponce committed three errors and Aragua capitalized scoring two unearned runs. Aragua’s five runs were the most scored by any team in the last five games.

After four games where pitching was key, both Venezuela and Puerto Rico scored early. Aragua struck first when Ramon Castro hit a bloop single allowing Wilson Ramos and Alex Delgado to score and take the 2-0 lead.

Puerto Rico came back with a run of their own when Luis Figueroa hit a soft fly to left center and Raul Gonzalez crossed the plate to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.

The Tigres added to their lead in the fourth when Delgado singled to center pushing in Ramos and Luis Ugueto to go up 4-1.

In the sixth Selwyn Langaine scored on the catcher’s erroneous throw into center field allowing Aragua to go up 5-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, Ponce put another run on the board when Figueroa got his second RBI of the game scoring Gonzalez on a sac fly to center.

Horacio was the winning pitcher pitching 5.1 innings and only allowing one run while striking out three. Orlando Roman took the loss and Francisco Butto got the save for Vemezuela.

Aragua will face Tigres del Licey tomorrow trying to remain undefeated while Puerto Rico will face Mexico in the nightcap.

UNDEFEATED VENEZUELA ON TOP OF THE STANDINGS

By Guille Esquivel 
Exclusive ebeisbol.com

Hector Gimenez ended an extra innings affair in the bottom of the eleventh when he took Jose Cobos deep to right field to end the game and beat Mazatlan 1-0.

A theme of blown opportunities for Mexico highlighted most of the night.  Venados threatened again getting a runner to third in the eleventh, but failed to bring him into score when Marcos Carvajal struck out Miguel Ojeda to end the inning. Venados stranded seven batters in their last three at bats.

Adrian Gonzalez came through in the clutch with his defense when in the bottom of the tenth Aragua had runners at the corners and Ramon Castro hit a grounder to him and he started the 3-6-3 double play to keep Mexico’s hopes for a victory alive.

 Venados failed to capitalize in the tenth when Edgar V. Gonzalez singled to left to open up the inning.  Oscar Robles and Christian Quintero laid down successful bunts, but Jon Weber swung at the first pitch flying out to left and Agustin Murillo struck out to end the inning.   

Aragua had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the ninth inning when Medina opened with a double down the left field line.  Last night’s hero and Lorenzo Bundy’s AAA superman, Luis Maza, struck out failing to advance the batter.  Gimenez drew the walk, Raul Chavez flew out to left and Selwyn Langaigne grounded out to pitcher Tim Lavigne to end the inning.

In the ninth, Jon Weber opened the inning with a single to right field.  Murillo laid down the bunt advancing him to second.  Adrian Gonzalez was intentionally walked and hometown boy Christian Presichi struck out before Freddy Sandoval flied out to left to end the rally.

Mexico squandered a scoring opportunity in the eighth when Edgar Gonzalez opened up the inning with an infield hit to third.  Miguel Ojeda bunted him over to second base.  Oscar Robles grounded to short, but Gonzalez reached third base safely.  Christian Quintero grounded out to short to end the inning.  

Mexico blew a chance to score in the seventh inning when Presichi doubled to center and Agustin Murillo ignored the third base coach’s sign to stop at third and was gunned down at home on the 8-4-2 play.

The nightcap of the second day of the Caribbean Series featured two undefeated teams in the form of Mazatlan and Aragua.   Excellent pitching continued in the fourth game as Edgar G. Gonzalez carried a no hitter for 4.1 innings before Jackson Melian singled to left to end his bid.  Gonzalez left with a no decision pitching seven scoreless innings allowing two hits while striking out nine batters.  American Tim Harikkala pitched six scoreless innings allowing two hits while striking out three and also left the game with a no decision.

Jose Cobos was charged with the loss while Carvajal came away the winner. 

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