Tigres make it 3 in a row

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Caracas 1 at Aragua 3

W: J. Karnuth (2-1, 1.35); L: R. Sanchez (0-2, 8.22); SV: F. Butto (13)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Aragua made it 3 wins a row, defeating los Leones del Caracas in a battle feline Sunday.

Los Leones got on the board first, with Jesus Guzman (Seattle) knocking a triple off Aragua starter Henry Bonilla (LA Angels). A single by Marco Scutaro (Toronto) served to plate him. It would be all the Leones could get though, as Bonilla worked through 6 innings, allowing 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3.

Aragua however found themselves limited by Caracas' Brian Slocum (Cleveland) who held the Tigres to 3 hits and 1 walk over 6.1 innings while striking out 5.

One of those hits would be a single by Wilfredo Romero (F/A) in the 7th inning. Alex Romero (Arizona) reached on a fielding error and a sac-bunt by Luiz Maza (LA Dodgers) moved the pair around. A solid hit to center field by Alex Delgado (F/A) brought in the duo, giving the Tigres the win.

Martin Prado (Atlanta), pinch hitting for Romero, would bring in Mike Aviles (Kansas City) in the 8th for the insurance marker.

Romero finished off 0-for-2 at the plate with a run, while Maza was 1-for-2. Former Twins catcher Henry Blanco (Chicago Cubs) was 2-for-4 for los Leones with a double and walk.

The Tigres face los Cardenales de Lara Monday at 8:30 PM AST, and los Tigurones de La Guaira on Tuesday at 7:30 PM AST.

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Tigres de Aragua

Left handed pitcher Dave Gassner, a member of the Rochester Red Wings for the past four season was not offered a new contract by Minnesota, becoming a free agent. Gassner posed a 6-12 record with a 4.95 ERA for the Twins AAA affiliate in 2007, with 83 strike outs, issued 42 walks and allowed 17 home runs.

Tigres top Leones "en Duelo De Felinos"

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 8 at Caracas 6

W: V. Moreno (3-0, 2.25); L: G. Moscoso (1-1, 4.08); SV: F. Butto (10)
HR: ARA: M. Rivera (1). CAR: A. Cabrera (7).

After a somewhat lackadaisical week at the plate, los Tigres de Aragua erupted for 8 runs on 15 hits Friday, downing los Leones del Caracas. Former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) picked up his 3rd win of the season, pitching in relief.

Aragua took an early lead in the top of the 3rd inning, with Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) doubling his way onto base. After Mike Aviles (Kansas City) struck out, Mike Rivera (Milwaukee) would homer to give the Tigres 2.

They'd add to that total in the 5th, with Cedeno doubling again, moving to 3rd on Aviles ground out and crossing the plate on Rivara's sac-fly to right.

Starter Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs) would keep the Leones off balance for 5 innings but with 2 outs in the bottom of the 5th, he'd allow a single to Jesus Guzman (Seattle) and a walk to Marco Scutaro (Toronto). Moreno would be called into the game to replace him, giving up a home run to Alex Cabrera (F/A) to tie up the contest.

Los Tigres answered back in the top of the 7th though, with Luza Maza (LA Dodgers) and Aviles doubling. With 2 out, Hector Gimenez (Houston) would walk before free agent Willie Romero singled to bring in Aviles, giving Aragau a 2 run lead.

In the top fo the 8th with one out, Luis Figueroa (San Francisco), Maza and Cedeno all singled to load the bases. Leones pitcher Edwin Moreno (F/A) then issued a walk to Aviles to force in a run. After a strike out by Rivera, Gimenz's line drive single brought in Maza and Cedeno for a five run lead.

Caracas however began a late rally in the bottom of the inning with Guzman and Scutaro both singling off Minnesota's Yohan Pino. After Cabrera flew out, Jose Castillo (Pittsburgh) reached on a fielding error by Aviles which plated Scutaro. Mario Lisson (Kansas City) brought in Castillo on a single, before Oswaldo Soso (Minnesota) was brought in to replace Pino, getting Roger Cedeno (F/A) out on strikes to end the inning.

Frank Buto (F/A) would hold the Lions at bay for the ninth, as the Tigres hung on to a two run for the win.

Moreno picked up both the blown save and the win, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks in 1 inning worth of work. Pino allowed 3 runs on 3 hits in 1 inning worth of work, while Sosa had just the lone strike out for .1 inning worth of work.

Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 0-for-5 for the Tigres, while Maza as 2-f0r-6 with 2 runs.

The Cats take on los Bravos de Margarita for a pair of games on Saturday and Sunday to finish off the week feline.

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Tigres de Aragua

Tigres fall to hot Leones bats

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Caracas 4 at Aragua 1

W: E. Cyr (1-2, 5.31); L: R. Garcia (1-1, 0.87)
HR: CAR: H. Blanco (1), C. Mendez (1).

Lack of hitting has plagued los Tigres de Aragua since the start of the season, so it wasn't surprising to find the week feline starting out Tuesday with the same deficit. Los Tigres only put six hits on the board compaired to los Leones del Caracas' 15.

Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs) worked three scoreless innings for Aragua, being replaced in the top of the 4th by Rosman Garcia (Baltimore). With one out Jose Castillo (Pittsburgh) singled, Carlos Maldonado (Atlanta) and Franklin Gutierrez (Cleveland) all singled to load the bases. Garcia then issued a walk to Mario Lisson (Kansas City) to force in a run for los Leones. He would get former Minnesota Twins catcher Henry Blanco to strike out and Drew Macias (San Diego) to ground out to end the inning without further damage.

Frank Mata (Minnesota) took the mound for the top of the 5th walking Omar Vizquel (San Francisco) and allowing a single to Marco Scutaro (Toronto). A wild pitch would move the pair around. After taking Alex Cabrera (F/A) out on strikes, Castillo would hit a sac fly to make it 2-0, Leones.

Blanco would homer off Mata in the 6th, for Caracas' 3rd run of the evening.

Jose Mijares (Minnesota) worked one out, allowing a single in the 7th before being replaced by Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota). The southpaw from Tovar would work 1.1 innings before giving way to Jose Guanchez (F/A), who finished off the top of the 8th for Aragua.

Despite several pinch hitting substitutions in the 8th, it appeared that Aragua was looking to be shut out by Caracas. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) would take to the mound for the top of the 9th, giving up a home run with 1 out to Mendez. After allowing a single to Castillo, he'd issued two straight strike outs to retire the side.

With free agent Jorge Julio on the mound for los Leones in the bottom of the 9th, Ronney Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) would single, but would be taken out at 2nd when Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) hit into a force out. Martin Prado (Atlanta) singled, and the pair was moved when Julio, who played in the 2007 season for the Jupiter Hammerheads, unleashed a wild pitch. Ruben Salazar (F/A) would hit a sac-fly to right to bring in Rodriguez, ending Caracas shut out aspirations. Hector Gimenez (Houston) would strike out swinging however, to end the contest.

Cedeno would be the only Tigre with multiple hits, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Prada, Gimenez and former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) had the other hits for Aragua.

Caribes de Anzoategui visits Aragua on Wednesday, while los Aguilas de Zulia visit on Thursday. Los Tigres sleep on Friday, which is good since I really want to hit up the Target 2-day Sale-a-thon.

Former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) has been placed on the DL and will be out for at least one week following a bout of Mononucleosis. He is resting at home, and will be re-evaluated next week to determine when he may be available to the Tigres again.

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Tigres rally falls short

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 2 at Caracas 3

W: J. Norrito (2-1, 2.14); L: C. Bailey (1-3, 4.18); SV: V. Garate (1)
HR: None.

A change of scenery did not seem to help los Tigres much, as they fell to los Leones del Caracas, 3-2 Sunday afternoon.

Caracas took an early lead off Aragua starter Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs) when Carlos Mendez (Atlanta) doubled to start off the second inning. Mario Lisson's (Kansas City) ground out moved him to 3rd. Former Minnesota Twin Henry Blanco (Chicago Cubs) would take a walk and Cesar A. Quintero (Houston) would be called out on strikes. Gregorio Petit (Oakland) then singled out to right to score Mendez, while Blanco moved to 3rd. Carl Loadenthal's (Atlanta) single brought Blanco over the plate for the 2 run lead.

It would stay that way through 7th inning, with the Tigres being limited to 5 hits. Rosman Garcia (Baltimore) would replace Bailey on the mound for los Tigers, and allowed a single to Blanco to start off. Blanco would be caught stealing through. Quintero and Petit would both single and a throwing error by former Miracle Luis Rodrigez (San Diego) put a runner on 3rd. Loadenthal would ground out, but it brought Quintero across the plate. Jason Karnuth (Detroit) would be brought into the game for Aragua and would walk Roger Cedeno (F/A) before getting Alex Prieto (F/A) to line out to end the inning.

The Tigres staged a rally in the 9th, when Mike Aviles (Kanasas City) singled and Alex Romero (Arizona) walked. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) would ground into a force out that stopped Romero, but Aviles would stay safe on 3rd. Ruben Salazar's (F/A) single moved Maza to 2nd, loading the bases. Willie Romero (F/A) would ground out, but Aviles would come home on the play. Alex Nunez (F/A), batting for Raul Chavez (NY Yankees), would be hit by a pitch. Jose Martinez (St Louis) coming into the game as a pinch hitter for Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) would reach on a force attempt, and Maza would be plated by the play. Unfortuantely the rally failed with Rodriguez flew out to end the inning.

Minnesota's Frank Mata pitched .1 inning for the Tigres, the only active Minnesota player to appear in the contest.

The Tigers take Monday off, and start the new week feline against los Cardenales de Lara on Tuesday at 7:30 PM AST. Aragua finishes the week with 2 wins and 4 losses, and is in 5th place in the league, 5.5 games behind the Division leading Caribes.

Former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was named the Tigres player of the week, while Kyle Middleton (Houston) earned pitcher of the week honors.

Minnesota Twins Minor League Player of the Year Brian Buscher left the team for the United States due to "last minute personal problems." The press release from Aragua seemed to think that Buscher will be the Twins 3rd baseman in 2008.

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Leones rally past Tigres, 7-6

Francisco Butto/Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Caracas 7 at Aragua 6

W: P. Abraham (1-1, 3.00); L: F. Butto (0-1, 3.68); SV: J. Plummer (2)
HR: ARA: A. Delgado (1).

Los Leones del Caracas rallied past the Tigres de Aragua on Saturday night to pick up a 7-6 win on the road in the first game of the home-and-home series.

Caracas got on the board in the 2nd inning, when Mario Lisson (Kansas City) singled his way onto base. With 2 outs, a Gregorio Petit (Oakland) fly ball brought in Lisson to give the Leones 1. Carl Lodenthal (Atlanda) singled and Roger Cedeno (F/A) would be hit by a pitch before Josmir Romero (F/A) found the last out to retire the side.

Aragua answered back in the 3rd, with Willie Romero (F/A) kicking things off with a double. Alex Delgado (F/A) and Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) followed up with singles which plated Romero. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) ground bunt forced Delgado out at 3rd. Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) would strike out swinging before Kansas City's Mike Aviles singled out to center to plate Feliciano.

Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) took over the Tigre's mound for the third. Henry Blanco (Chicago Cubs) would pop out and Luis A. Rodriguez (F/A) would strike out before Petit singled his way onto base. Sosa then walked Loadenthai and Cedeno to load the bases. Alex Prieto's (F/A) fly out to right brought in 2, and Cedeno made it three when hit crossed the plate in Jose Castillo's (Pittsburgh) fly ball. The Tigres would then relieve Sosa by bringing in Yohan Pino (Minnesota) who got Carlos Mendez (Atlanta) to strike out to end the inning.

Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) walked to start the bottom of the fourth. With 2 outs on the board, Delgado then put one over the left field wall to tie the game up at four each.

Pino would stay on the mound and work 1.2 inings, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 1. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) would then come in for 2 innings, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 4.

The Tigres wouldn't score again until the bottom of the 8th. Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) drew a walk off Carlos Bohorquez (Cincinnati) and moved to 2nd on Aviles sac-bunt. Alex Romero (Arizona) was intentionally walked before Maza's fly ball to center plated Cedeno. The Leones called for a pitching change, bringing in Victor Garate (Houston), but pinch-hitter Jose Martinez (St Louis) managed a sac-fly to right to give the Tigres an insurance run. Maza would be caught stealing to end the inning.

Unfortately the Leones would not say down. After Prieto walked, Castillo doubled off Fracisco Butto (F/A) to bring him in. Marcos Yupez (Washington) drew a walk which prompted the Tigres to bring in Victor Moreno (Baltimore) to try to preserve the game. A sac bunt by Lisson moved the pair to 2nd and 3rd and a fielding error by Rodriguez allowed Blanco onto base to load them up. A Cesar Quintero (Houston) single ground in Castillo to tie the game up again, and a Petit sac-fly allowed Yepez over the plate for the game winning run.

Butto picked up the loss, his first of the season, and was charged with 3 runs, 2 earned on 1 hit and 2 walks. Moreno was credited with the blown save, but his record reflects him allowing on 1 hit as all the runner that scored were inherited. Josmir Romero would be charged for 1 run (earned) on 4 hits while striking out 2 in 3 innings, while Sosa gave up 3 runs (all earned) on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 1.

The two teams rematch Sunday at 1:00 PM MST in Caracas.

The Tigres worked a trade with the Navegantes del Magallanes sended pitcher Victor Zambrano (Pittsburgh) to Magallenes in return for Hector Gimenez and Franciso Caraballo. Both of the players received by Los Tigres belong to Houston. Gimenez did not see action this year with the Astros due to Labrum sugery, but is now advanced enough in his rehab to be allowed to see limited action. Caraballo played in for the Corpus Christi Hooks, where he batted .256 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs.

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Leones down Tigers in extra innings

Photo courtesy of los Leones del Caracas

Aragua 1 at Caracas 2 (14 innings)

W: O. Trias (1-0, 9.00); L: J. Delgado (0-1, 6.75)
HR: None.

It was a LONG game played out on Saturday that lead to former Dunedin Blue Jay Orlando Trias (Toronto) picking up the win for the Leones del Caracas over the Tigres de Aragua.

The Tigres started off the scoring in the 4th inning when Mike Aviles (Kansas City) crossed the plate after Martin Prado (Atlanta) hit into a double play.

Los Leones tied it up in the 7th, when Roger Cedeno (Chicago cubs) hit out to center, moved to 3rd on a Jose Castillo (Pittsburgh) double and was pushed over the plate by Carlos Mendez (Atlanta) ground out to short.

A double by Christian Lara (Boston) with 2 outs plated Mario Lisson (Kansas City) to win the game in overtime.

Former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) was 0-for-4 at the plate, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was 0-for-6.

Victor Moreno (Baltimore) was charged with the blown save, allowing 1 run on 2 hit sand 2 walks while striking out 1, Jose Mijares (Minnesota) allowed 1 hit while facing only 1 batter, and Frank Mata (Minnesota) went 2.2 innings, striking out 3.

The Tigres take on Magarita on Sunday at 1:00 PM AST, then rest on Monday before facing La Guaira on Tuesday.

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Tigres rip Leones

Caracas 1 at Aragua 7

W: C. Bailey (1-0, 0.00); L: B. Knox (0-1, 3.60); SV: F. Butto (1)
HR: ARA: B. Buscher (1).

The Tigers de Aragua defeated the Leones del Caracas Friday in Aragua. Twins 3rd base prospect Brian Buscher hit a 2-run homer in the first inning, his first of the Venezuelan Winter League season to give the Tigres the early lead. Former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) had singled his way onto the bags off Leones' starter Brad Knox (Oakland).

Aragua added to their lead in the 4th when another former Miracle, Alex Romero (Arizona), doubled in Ruben Salazar (F/A) and Mike Aviles (Kansas City). A throwing error by Gregorio Petit (Oakland) made Romero think he could make his way home as well, but he was taken out the plate by former Twins catcher Henry Blanco (Chicago Cubs).

Avilies doubled in Ronny Cedeno (Chi Cubs) and Buscher in the bottom of the 8th. A Salazar ground out had plated Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets), who had singled his way onto the bags, earlier in the inning.

The only Leones run came in the top of the 7th when Roger Cedeno (Chi Cubs) doubled off Yohan Pino (Minnesota) the came in off an Angel Castillo (LA Angels) double off Bobby Korecky (Minnesota).

Maza finished up the game 1-for-4 with 1 run, Romero was 1-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBIs, Buscher was 1-for-2 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks. Pino was tagged for 1 run off 2 hits, in 1.1 innings, Korecky allowed 1 hit and struck out 1 in 1.0 innings and Jose Mijares allowed a hit to the one batter (Carl Loadenthai - Atlanta) he faced in the top of the 8th innning.

The Tigres visit Lara for face the Cardenales on Saturday at 5:30 PM AST and then stay on the road against the Navegantes del Magallanes on Sunday for a 5:30 PM (local time) game.

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Leones, Tigers spit pair

Jose Mijares pitching at Terry Park in 2006

Aragua 2 at Caracas 3

W: C. Bohorquez (1-0, 0.00); L: Y. Pino (0-1, 6.75); SV: J. Plummer (1)

HR: ARA: M. Aviles (1).

The Leones de Caracas defeated the Tigres De Aragua 3-2 Friday in Venezuelan Winter League play.

Former Miracle pitcher Yohan Pino took the loss, giving up 1 run on 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1 in 1.1 innings worth of work.

Twin prospect Brian Bass took the start, working 4 innings for the Tigres. Caracas' Carl Loadenthai (Atlanta) singled on a ground ball to center to start out the Leones offense, then stole 2nd. Peeter Ramos (Philadelphia) ground out, but Loadenthai moved to 3rd. A passed ball by Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) saw Lodenthai across the plate for the first run of the game.

The Tigres answered back in the 3rd, when former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) doubled out to right. He was followed onto base by Fort Myers Alumni Alex Romero (Arizona) who reached on a fielding error. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) sac-fly brought in Maza to give the Tigres their run. Twin prospect Brian Buscher singled, moving Romero to second, but Ramon Castro (f/a) ground into a force out to end the inning.

Bass final line would be 1 run, earned on 3 hits and no walks, while striking out 3 in 4 innings. Rosman Garcia (Baltimore) would replace him on the mound, getting into a jam in the 6th inning with 1 out. Again, it would be Loadenthai that picked up the run when he reached on a sac-bunt. He would again steal second, and would move to 3rd, this time on a fielder's choice that took Cesar A. Quintero (Houston) out at home. A pitcher change did not help, as he scored off Eduaro Perez's (LA Dodgers) single.

Aviles would homer for Aragua in the 7th. Pino would allow a double to Mario Lisson (Kansas City) in the bottom of the inning, and a fielding error by Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) moved him to 3rd. He come home on Gregorio Petit's (Oakland) sac-bunt for the game winner.

Buscher would be 2-for-4 at the plate with Romero going 0-for-5 and Maza taking 2-for-5 with a run. Former Twins catcher Henry Blanco was 0-for-4 for the Leones. Former Miracle Jose Mirajes worked .1 innings in relief of Pino and Frank Mata finished up the game, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1 in 1 inning.

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Caracas 0 at Aragua 4

W: V. Moreno (1-0, 0.00); L: J. Cummings (0-1, 7.36)

HR: ARA: J. Martinez (1), R. Salazar (1).

The Tigers got out of the slump on Saturday, blanking the Lions 4-0 at home. Former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) picked up the win, working 1.2 hitless, walkless, innings while striking out 2. Rochester's Bobby Korecky threw 2 innings of relief ball, allowing 1 hit, walking 1 and striking out 1.

All in all, 6 Aragua pitchers held Caracas to only 3 hits and 1 walk in the game.

Alex Romero (Arizona) capitalized on a walk in the 4th, scoring on Jose Martinez's (St. Louis) home run. The Tigres also got runs from Ruben Salazar (f/a) and pinch runner Aarom Baldiris (f/a) who replaced designed hitter Alex Nunez (f/a) in the game.

Jeremy Cummings (Toronto), who spent time this last season in Rochester, suffered the loss for Caracas, giving up 3 runs (earned) on 5 hits and 1 walk in 3.2 innings worth of work.

Aragua host Margarita on Sunday for a 4:00 PM (Venezuelan local time) game.

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