Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Cats start off new week with a loss

Vs. Bravos
Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua


Aragua 2 at Margarita 5

W: J. Silva (4-1, 1.69); L: B. Korecky (0-1, 2.19); SV: A. Serrano (6)
HR: None.

Sadly, los Tigres de Aragua started off the new week feline with another loss Tuesday, this time, falling 5-2 to los Bravos de Margarita.

The Braves got on the board in the bottom of the second, after Rene Reyes (F/A) struck out and Miguel Montero (Arizona) ground into a force out that took Frank Diez (Washington) out at 2nd base. Back-to-back singles by William Bergolla (San Francisco) and Alberto Gonzalez (NY Yankees) served to bring him home.

Tigers starter Brian Bass (Minnesota) kept Margarita quiet until the bottom of the sixth. Meanwhile, Aragua took a brief lead when Alex Romero (Arizona) doubled and Jose Martinez (St Louis) reached on a fielder's choice. Evidently, Margarita shortstop Alberto Gonzalez (NY Yankees) chose to make an error, and Romero found his way to 3rd. Alex Delgado (F/A) would get plunked by a pitch to load the bases, and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) would walk, forcing in Romero for the Tiger's first run. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) ground into a double play, but Martinez cross the plate to give Aragua a 1 run lead.

They wouldn't keep it long though. With one out, Diez singled in the bottom of the sixth. Bass was lifed from the mound in exchange for Jose Guanchez (F/A). Diaz then stole 2nd, and moved to 3rd when Guanchez unleashed a wild pitch. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) would come into the game at that point and allowed a single to Bergolla that plated Diez and tied up the game.

With one out and one man on, Ray Olmedo (Toronto) would hit into a force out for the Braves which took out Joe Thurston (F/A). A throwing error by Cedeno moved Olmedo to 2nd, and he came home off a Victor Rodriguez (F/A) single to give the Braves the lead.

With that play, Korecky suffered his first loss of the season, being charged for 1 run on 3 hits, while striking out 1 in 1.2 innings worth of work.

Frank Diaz would ground out to start the bottom of the 8th after Aragua mades several defensive changes. They would make one more, putting Jesus Delgado (Florida) on the mound to relieve Korecky. Montero would ground out, but Bergolla and Gonzalez both singled their way onto base, then came home when J.C. Boscan (Cincinnati) cracked a double out to center field. Jose Mijares (Minnesota) would come into replace Delgado, with Thurston reaching on a fielding error by Aragua's Rodriguez before Boscan was caught stealing home to end the inning.

Aragua could find nothing in the 9th, with Mike Aviles (Kansas City) grounding into a double play to end the game.

Bass would work 5.1 innings, giving up 2 runs on six hits and 1 walk while striking out 3. He has a 2.41 ERA thus far in the Venezuelan Winter League Season. Bass, who was expected to make Wednesday's start, took Tuesday's game instead when Horacio Estrada (F/A) came down with the flu. Estrada did not make the trip with the team, but is expected to be available to Saturday's twin bill against the Caribs.

Former Miracle Luis Rodriguez would finish up 1-for-4 at the plate, while Romero was 1-for-2.

Ricky Barrett (Minnesota) pitched .1 inning for the Braves allowing 1 hit, he has a 1.93 ERA so far this season.

The two teams rematch Wednesday and Thursday for a pair of 7:30 PM EST games.

Boxscore
Log
Tigres

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