Tigres outhit Bravos, but fail to outscore Magarita

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 3 at Margarita 5

W: K. Olenberger (1-2, 4.21); L: F. Mata (2-1, 2.67); SV: A. Serrano (11)
HR: MAR: F. Diaz (7), R. Alvarez (3).

Los Tigres de Aragua managed 13 hits Saturday, but only 3 runs against los Bravos de Margarita, falling 5-3 on the road.

Margarita got on the board first, with Alberto Gonzalez (NY Yankees) taking a walk off Tigres' starter Rosman Garcia (Baltimore). A Rafael Alvarez single and a Julio Cordido (San Francisco) sac bunt saw him move to 3rd, where he was able to score on a Francisco Leandro (F/A) sac fly.

A Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) double saw Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) as far as 3rd in base in the top of the 4th, but the Tigres could not turn the run. Following a Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) ground out, Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) took a walk in the fifth inning off Bravos starter Evan MacLane (Arizona). Mike Aviles (Kansas City) doubled Cedeno in. A Mike Rivera (Milwaukee) ground out moved Cedeno to 3rd, while a Hector Giminez (Houston) single served to plate him, giving Aragua a brief lead.

Rafael Alvarez (F/A) would go yard for the Braves in the bottom of the inning to tie up the game.

Jose Mijares (Minnesota) entered the game in the bottom of the 6th, getting Dennys Abreau (F/A) to pop out and issuing a walk to William Bergolia (Sand Francisco), before being replaced by Victor Moreno (Baltimore). Moreno would work the next two outs, handing the mound over to Frank Mata (Minnesota) in the bottom of the 7th.

Rene Reyes (F/A) would single before Mata drew a pair of pop-outs. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) then came into the game. A wild pitch and a throwing error by Chavez allowed Reyes to score, giving the Bravos the lead again.

They would extended it in the bottom of the 8th, when Bergolla singled his way onto base, then came home on a Frank Diaz (Washington) 2-run blast over the left field wall.

Aragua managed a brief rally in the 9th, with Cedeno singling then stealing 2nd. Aviles singled him to 3rd, and he'd come home on a Rivera double play that took Aviles down at 2nd. Gimenez would fly out, ending the game.

The two teams rematch on Sunday to finish off the Week.

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Tigres De Aragua

Miguel Cabrera as win the Tigres Clubhouse on Friday, signing autographs, looking over the newly renovated Marcayero Stadium and talking about the trade and the possibility of getting into a Cats uniform before the season ends on December 30th.

"I think that was a good change," Cabrera said of his trade to Detroit. "I am happy with this news and now I hope to get to Spring Training to work with my new team. I think it will be interesting to play there."

Cabrera is waiting for the green light from Detroit management before he can suit up for his hometown Tigres. LVBP

Former Miracle Trent Oeltjen signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks with an invitation to major league spring training. While the Twins had been interested in retaining of the services of Oeltjen, his US Agent Joe Bick felt the D'Backs were a better fit for Trent and the right place to see his career blossom.

Oeltjen earned the Batting Title in the IBaF World Cup tournament in November as was also named as center fielder on the All-World team. BJS Player Managment

Colorado's Jayson Nix from Team USA was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Tampa's Justin Ruggiano was cited for Most Home runs. Nix was also named to the All-World team as was St. Louis's Colby Rasmus. IBaF