Cats fall in season finale

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 8 at Magallanes 9

W: I. Maldonado (1-3, 3.54); L: K. Tolar (0-2, 3.94)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Aragua dropped the last game of the regular Venezuelan Winter League season to finish in 3rd place in the standings, 7 games back from the League leading Caribes de Anzoategui. As always with the last game of the season, the goal was to see which team could get the most players in their line up.

With 2 outs in the bottom of the second inning Arturo Rivas (F/A) walked for los Navegantes del Magallanes and moved to 2nd on an Erold Andrus (Tampa Bay) line drive. Gustavo Molina (Baltimore) doubled Rivas in, Andrus would be taken out home plate to end the inning.

The Cats answered back in the top of the 3rd with Alex Delgado (F/A) getting to first on a single to center, then moving to 2nd on a wild pitch by Navegantes starter Jean Machi (Toronto). Following a strike out to Jose Martinez (St Louis), Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was hit by a pitch. Former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) went down swinging for the 2nd out, but another wild pitch by Machi saw Delgao to 3 and Rodriguez to 2nd. Mike Aviles (Kansas City), also struck out, but pitch went went wild allowing Delgado to score, Rodriguez to move to 3rd and Aviles to first. An errant throw on a pick off attempt by Machi saw Rodriguez cross the plate and Aviles get to 3rd before Gimenez would like out to end the inning.

With one out in the top of the fifth, Martinez doubled, followed by a Ramon Castro (F/A) single. Maza reached on a fielding error allowing Martinez to score. Aviles lined out, but Giminez singled to bring in Castro, who'd replaced Rodriguez in the line up. Ruben Salazar (F/A) doubled bringing in the two runners to give Aragua a 6-1 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Oswaldo Soso (Minnesota) replaced starter Cory Bailey (Cichago Cubs) on the mound for the Cats. Gustavo Molina (Baltimore) opened with a single. Johan Silva (F/A) walked and Richard Paz (F/A) singled to load the bases. A sac fly by Edgardo Alfonzo (F/A) brought in Molina. Jose Leon (F/A) then doubled to bring in Silva. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) would be brought in to replace Sosa. He allowed a single to Pablo Sandoval (San Francisco) which plated Paz before getting Jesus Merchan (Philadelphia) to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Wilson Ramos (Minnesota) who had been with the Aragua developmental team that recently won the 2007 Championship, entered the game to pinch hit for Delgado and lined out to right. Martinez and Castro would hit back-to-back singles before another pitching change for los Navegantes saw Clevelan Stanteliz (Chicago White Sox) on the mound. Maza ground out, but Martinez was able to score on the play. A wild pitch moved Castro to 3rd, and a single by Aviles served to bring him home, making the score 8-4.

But Magallanes did not rest, as Rivas doubled and Andrus was hit by a pitch. Saloman Manriquez (Texas), pinch hitting for Molina, ground into a double play, but Silva followed that up with a triple that plated Rivas. Following a walk to Paz, Jose Mijares (Minnesota) would replace Korecky on the mound. Marcos Vechionacci (NY Yankees) reached on a throwing error by Castro that also allowed Silva to score before Jose Leon (F/A) struck out swinging.

The bottom of the 8th saw Andrus score. He'd reach on a missed catch by Aragua pitcher Jason Karnuth (Detroit) and moved to 3rd on a single by Manriguez.

Kevin Tolar (F/A) would be brought in to close out the game for the Cats, but a single to Vechionacci and pinch hitter Jose Munoz (Pittsburgh) followed by a sac bunt by Sandoval put 2 runners in scoring position. A single to Merchan brought in the pair, giving los Navegantes the go ahead run and ending the game.

Ramos finished up 0-for-2 catching the rest of the game after the replaced Delgado. Rodriguez was 0-for-1 with a run. Maza was 0-for-5 with a run and 2 RBIs. Romero was 0-for-3, and finishes up the season hitting .186. Merchan, a former Miracle, was 1-for-3, while Andrus was 1-for-3 with a run.

On the pitching end off things, Sosa allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk in .1 inning, finishing up the season with a 5.63 era in 23.2 innings pitched. Korecky faired a bit better, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned) on 3 hits in 1.1 inning and end with a 3.08 era in 36.2 innings pitched. Mijares struck out 1 in .2 innings, concluding the regular season with a 1.86 era in 18.2 inning pitched.

Yohan Pino (Minnesota), who did not play in the game finished up with a 2-2 record and a 1.69 era in 26.2 innings pitched.

The first games of the round-robin playoffs are being played in Puerto La Cruz and Barquisimeto Wednesday, January 2nd, with the Bravos facing los Caribes and the Cardinales going up against los Tigers. MLB.com does not list the games, so I do not know if they'll be covering the playoffs.

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Tigers de Aragua

Tigres can't get past Navegantes

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Magallanes 3 at Aragua 4

W: G. Gonzalez (1-1, 6.04); L: H. Bonilla (1-2, 2.72); SV: I. Maldonado (15)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Aragua could not rally past los Navegantes del Magallanes Thursday, falling 3-2 in front of a home town crowd.

Melvin Mora (Baltimore) opened up the top of the 4th inning with a line drive off Tigres starter Henry Bonilla (LA Angels). Richard Hidalgo (F/A) followed that up with a single to center. Former Twins prospect Luis Rivas (F/A) reached on a force attempt on throwing error by Aragua first baseman Mike Aviles (Kansas City). Mora would come home on the play, leaving 2 men on. Following a line out by Juan Rivera (LA Angels), Bonilla would issue an intentional walk to Jorge Cortes (Cubs) to load the bases. A single by Jesus Flores would bring in Hidalgo and Rivas before Bonilla could get the last 2 outs to end the inning.

Magallenes starter Geremi Gonzalez (F/A) would keep the Tigres off the board for six innings, limiting them to 4 hits. With one out, Aviles drew a walk in the bottom of the 7th. Alex Romero (Arizona) would follow that up with a triple to put the Tigres on the board. A sac fly by Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) would bring in Romero, but would be all the Cats could manage.

Twins prospects Oswaldo Sosa and Yohan Pino worked an inning a piece, allowing 1 hit each in relief. Bobby Korecky worked 2 more, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1. Jose Mijares struck out the 1 batter he faced in the top of the 9th.

Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) as 1-for-4, batting 3rd and playing 3rd base. Alex Rodriguez (San Diego) was 1-for-3 with a walk. Romero was 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI and Maza was 1-for-2 with a triple, as well as an RBI.

Rivas was 0-for-4 with a run for los Navegantes. Former Miracle Erold Andrus (Tampa Bay) replaced Mora in center field late in the game, but did not bat.

Aragua takes Friday off, and hosts los Caribes de Angoategui on Saturday for a 5:30 PM AST game.

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Tigres de Aragua

Evidently the Tigres Development League was crown champion of the 2007 tournament, defeating los Leones developmental team by sweeping the best of three series. Twins catching prospect Wilson Ramos had a home run in the second game of the series. Ramos' power was stressed as being vital to the team in securing the championship. Tigres

I was looking for some kind of playoff schedule for the Venezuelan Winter League Championship, but evidently the other three teams who will be participating in the round robin style tournament have yet to be determined.

Tigres cut off by Navegantes, 3-1

Photo courtesy of los Navegantes del Magallanes

Aragua 1 at Magallanes 3

W: J. Pulido (3-1, 2.48); L: H. Bonilla (0-1, 3.43); SV: I. Maldonado (11)
HR: ARA: M. Aviles (5).

Time off did not seem to help los Tigres de Aragau any, as they began the week feline Wednesday with yet another loss to los Navegantes del Magallanes. The Tigres were limited to 8 hits in the game, their only run came in the top of the 2nd inning, when Mike Aviles (Kansas City) went yard over the center field wall.

Former Miracle Henry Bonilla (LA Angels) worked 5.2 innings for Aragua, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned on 9 hits and 2 walks while striking out 1.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Bonilla issued a walk to Richard Paz (F/A). An Edgardo Alfonzo (F/A) singled moved him to second, and following a pop out to Richard Hidalgo (F/A), he scored on a Juan Rivera (LA Angels) line drive. to put the Navegantes on the board.

Avilla tied it up in the 2nd with his 5 home run blast of the season for the Tigres.

A pair of singles in the 5th put Gustavo Molina (Baltimore) and Endy Chavez (NY Mets) on base and a sac-bunt by Paz moved the pair. A line drive by Alfonzo brought the pair in, giving Magallanes the lead and an insurance marker.

Juan Pulido worked 7 innings for los Navegantes, allowing 7 hits to the Cats and striking out 1. The feline visitors could locate no offense off relievers Elio Serrano (F/A) and Ivan Maldonado (F/A), and never threatened in the late innings of the contest.

Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) worked 1 inning of relief for Aragua, striking out 1. Victor Moreno (Baltimore) returned off the disabled list to pitch the 8th, allowing 1 hit Luis Rivas (F/A), a former Twins prospect.

Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was 2-for-4 in the game, Alex Romero (Arizona) was 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 1-f0r-4.

The Tigres take on los Bravos del Margarita at 7:30 PM AST on Thursday and los Leones del Caracas at the same time on Friday.

As previously noted on the Twins Minor League Discussion board, it does not appear that the Venezelan Winter League played an All-star game on Tuesday as their was no reporting on it by either MLB or on the League website.

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Tigres de Aragua

Minnesota pitching does in Tigres

Aragua 4 at Magallenes 5

W: C. Baker (2-0, 2.30); L: B. Korecky (0-3, 3.00); SV: I. Maldonado (11)
HR: ARA: R. Cedeno 2 (3). MAG: R. Paz (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua finished off a weak week Saturday with a 4-5 loss to los Navegantes del Magallanes which saw them drop to 4.0 games behind the division leading Caribes despite hanging on to 3rd place overall.

The Cats actually got on the scoreboard first for once, taking an early lead in the second on a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) homer. Cedeno went yard in the top of the 4th as well, making it 2-0 Cats.

Cedeno wasn't finished though, singling in the top of the fifth, then moving to second on an Alex Delgado (F/A) sac-bunt and scored on a Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) single. Aragua looked to be rolling, with Horacio Estrada (F/A) keeping the Navegantes off the board for 3 innings, and limiting them to 3 hits while strike out 2. Henry Bonilla (LA Angels) worked a scoreless 4th inning, giving way to Jose Mijares (Minnesota) in the 5th.

Mijares allowed a single to Luis Orndaz (Pittsburgh), then got Ruben Gotay (NY Mets) to pop out. Endy Chevez (NY Mets) laid down a nice bunt to move Ordaz to second, and he proceeded to 3rd on a throwing error by Mija. Yohan Pino (Minnesota) was brought into the game at that point, and following a delay for a coaching visit the mound and an injury check on a player, allowed a double to Richard Paz (F/A) a that brought in Ordaz. He'd get the next two outs however, holding the Tigre's lead.

After Kevin Tolar (F/A) replaced Pino with one out in the 7th, and following an ejection to Magallanes coach Clemente Alvarez, got former Miracle Jesus Merchan (Philadelphia) to ground out. Chavez would single however and Paz blasted a ball over the center field fence to tie up the game.

Minnesota's Bobby Korecky pitched the 8th inning, allowing a single to Juan Rivera (LA Angels). A sac-bunt by Thomas Perez (Chicago White Sox) moved Rivara to 2nd, while Korecky chose to intentionally walk Jorge Cortes (Chicago Cubs). That move backfired when Ordez doubled, driving in both runner to give the Navegantes a 2 run lead.

Aragua got one back in the 9th, when Mike Aviles (Kansas City) doubled then came home on a Mike Rivera (Milwaukee) single, but it was all the Cats could managed as Rodriguez was called out on strikes to end the game.

Korecky picked up his 3rd loss of the year, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 in 1 inning. Mijares was taged for 1 run on 2 hits in .1 inning, while Pino gave up 1 hit and struck out 2 in 2 innings worth of work.

Rodriguez finished up 1-for-4 with 1 walk and 1 RBI, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was also 1-for-4 but with a double. Merchan was 0-for-1 after going into the game late as pinch runner for Magallanes.

Following a short break for elections and the League All-star showcase, the regular season resumes on Wednesday with Aragua still on the road against Magallanes for a 7:30 PM game.

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Tigres de Aragua

Cats flat vs. Navegantes

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Magallanes 6 at Aragua 1

W: V. Zambrano (2-1, 3.60); L: C. Bailey (2-5, 3.77)
HR: MAG: R. Hidalgo (7).

Los Tigres de Aragua in their attempts to make contact Friday against los Navegantes del Magallanes, managing only 1 run on 7 hits.

Magallanes starter Victor Zambrano (F/A) tossed 6 innings, allowing only 2 hits and walking 3 while striking out 3 to keep the Tigres off the board. Los Navegantes lost no time jumping on Tigres starter Corey Bailey (Chicago Cubs).

With one out, Richard Paz (F/A) and Edgardo Alfonzo (F/A) hit back-to-back singles before Richard Hildago (F/A) put a fly ball over the center field wall to give the visiting team 3.

Bailey would last 4.1 innings, giving up the 3 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1. He'd be replaced by Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) who worked 1 inning.

Sosa started the sixth inning by getting Tomas Perez (Chicago White Sox) to fly out before issuing a walk to Jose Leon (F/A). Gustavo Molina (Baltimore) singled, which moved Leon to 3rd. Former Miracle Jesus Merchan (Philadelphia) was inserted in the game as a pinch runner for Leon. Sosa then issued a walk to Ruben Gotay (NY Mets), loading the bases. A single by Paz bought in Merchan. Frank Mata (Minnesota) replaced Sosa on the mound at that point, and would issue a walk to Alfonzo, which forced in Molia. A sac-fly by Hildago brought in Gotay before Mata got Juan Rivera (LA Angels) out on strikes to end the inning.

The Navegantes would go with Juan Pulido (F/A) to start the 7th inning. With one out, Alex Nunez (F/A), Martin Prado (Atlanta) and Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) all recorded line drive singles which brought in Nunez. However, Jose Martinez would line into a double play which ended the Tigre threat.

Pulido, Elio Serrano (F/A) and Clevelan Santeliz (Chicago White Sox) combined to keep Aragua off the board for the remainder of the game. Back-to-back singles and a walk in the 8th loaded the bases for the Cats, but they were unable to convert as duo fly outs ended the inning.

Sosa was charged for 3 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks in 1 inning, Mata allowed 2 walks and struck out 2 in 1.1 innings.

Merchan would finish up 0-for-2 with a run for Magallanes, while Maza would go 2-for-4 with 1 RBI. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 1-for-3 with a walk, and Alex Romero (Arizona) was 0-for2, spliting time with Prado in right field.

The two teams rematch on Saturday, with Sunday and Monday being idle days for the league. Tuesday is, I believe, the All-star game for the League, which is supposed to be played at 7:30 PM. I don't have any specifics on that one yet. The regular season ends December 30th.

I apologize for the delay in this write up, as I was a bit under the weather yesterday.

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Tigres de Aragua

Tigres back in win column

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 4 at Magallanes 2

W: J. Mijares (1-0, 4.26); L: R. Cova (1-1, 4.26); SV: F. Butto (4)
HR: None.

I like doing game reports better when the Tigres win. If I wanted to write about victory challenged felines, I'd cover Florida Panthers games.

That being said, los Tigres de Aragua got back into the win column against los Navegantes del Magallenes on Sunday.

Agagua got onto the board first, when Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) singled in the second inning, then scored on Luis Maza's (LA Dodgers) follow up single to right. Richard Hidalgo (F/A) could not get a hold of Maza's ball, giving Chavez plenty of time to get to the plate for the first run of the game.

Magellanes came back in the bottom of stanza though, with Edgardo Alfonzo (F/A) taking a walk. Tomas Perez (Chicago White Sox) and Hidalgo followed that up with back-to-back singles to load the bases. A wild pitch by Kyle Middleton (Houston) brought in Alfonzo, and Perez would come home on Luis Ordaz's (Pittsburgh) ground out. Gustavo Molina (Baltimore) would walk before former Miracle outfielder Erold Andrus (Tampa Bay) hit into a double play to end the inning.

The Cats tied the game up in the fourth. Hector Gimenez (Houston) would double and Willie Romero's (F/A) single moved him to 3rd. Chavez walked to load the bags. Maza would ground into a force out that took Gimenez down at the plate, but Martin Prado (Atlanta) followed it up with a single that pushed Romero over the plate. With the bags still full, Jose Martinez (St Louis) would ground into a double play to end inning.

Middleton would work 5 innings, allowing the 2 runs (earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks while stirking out 3. Jose Guanchez (F/A), Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) and Jose Mijares (Minnesota) would combine to work the 6th and 7th.

Aragua's offense got to work in the 8th with Gimenez singling and Willie Romero walking. Alex Romero (Arizona) would come into the game as a pinch runner for Gimenez, and Alex Nunez (F/A) would be inserted as a pintch hitter for Chavez. Nunez would single to load the bases. A sac-fly by Maza brought in Alex Romero, and Prada's follow up single brought in Willie. Rafale Cova (F/A) would be charged with the loss, while Mijares, who again worked just .1 inning, picked up his first win of the Venezuelan Winter League season.

Victor Morina (Baltimore) worked 1 inning, while Kevin Tolar (F/A) and Francisco Butto (F/A) mopped up.

Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 1-for-2 at the plate, Alex Romero was 0-for-1 but had the one run for Gimenez, and Maza was 1-for-3 with 1 RBI.

Los Tigres nap on Monday, then face Margarita on Tuesday and Wednesday for 7:30 PM EST games. Brian Bass (Minnesota) is scheduled to pitch Wednesday's game. Former Twins prospect Henry Bonilla (LA Angels) is likely to take a start on Saturday as part of a double-header against the Caribes.

Free agent Willie Romero was named the Tigres Player of the Week. Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) received honorable mention, as did Moreno as Pitcher of the Week.

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Over in the Dominican League, Alexi Casilla his hitting .320 (16 hits, 50 at bats, 12 games) with 9 runs and 1 RBI. Julio Depaula has a 3.38 ERA, a 0-1 record, and has pitched 5.1 innings in 5 games, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.

Tigres fall to Navegantes, 3-2

Magallanes 3 at Aragua 2

W: J. Pulido (2-0, 1.10); L: C. Bailey (1-4, 4.18); SV: I. Maldonado (4)
HR: MAG: L. Scott (3).

Los Tigres de Aragua could not hold an early lead against los Navegantes del Magailanes, falling 3-2 on Friday in Venezuelan Winter League play.

Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) singled in the first, moved to 2nd on a Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) ground out, then came home on a Hector Gimenez (Houston) single to put the Cats on the board.

Aragua starter Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs) surrendered back-to-back singles to Richard Paz (F/A) and Marcos Vechionacci (NY Yankees), which hurt when Luke Scott (Houston) doubled the pair in, to make it 2-1 Navegantes.

Scott homered in the 8th off former Miracle Jose Mijares (Minnesota) for the insurance point, which Magailanes would need.

Alex Romero (Arizona) would make to 3rd base with 1 out in the 8th, but was left stranded when Maza and Gimenez were called out one strikes.

Mike Aviles (Kansas City) singled to start off the ninth, then moved to second when Ivan Maldanado (F/A) unleashed a wild pitch. Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) would fly out, but Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) doubled Aviles in. Unfortuantely, the two Romeros - Willie, a Free Agent, and Alex - flew out and poped out stranding Feliciano and ending the game with the Cats at a deficit.

Aragua trails Caribes by 5 games in the standings, they will host the Caribes on Saturday at 5:30 PM AST, before attempting to get revenge on Magallanes on Sunday for a 5:30 PM game to finish up the Week Feline.

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I was sort of chuckling at the Mirale baseball site today, the poll of which reads "Now that Baseball's done until mid-February...how do kill time in the off-season?" Given that I'm writing 2 to 3 game reports a day, I guess I wasn't sure that baseball had ended, and the last I checked, I'm good until at least the end of the December, although we do slow down after the Arizona Fall League and IBaF World Cup finish up this month.

Granted, following the few prospects we've got in the Venezuelan Winter League seems a bit of stretch at times, it is sort of nice to see how some of our old Miracle players are fairing. And it sort of beats jumping every trade rumor - most of which are shot down before they even get started - that the other Twins bloggers are spending time on.

As Dirty says "Well, it keeps you busy." Not that De San needs to worry about what I'm keeping myself busy with. Speaking of which Allen, why aren't you busy in Chinese Taipei? I thought you were the very best catcher in the whole wide world?

Tigres double up Navegantes, 10-5

Magallanes 5 at Aragua 10

W: K. Middleton (2-0, 1.71); L: C. Hernandez (1-2, 5.40)
HR: MAG: E. Alfonzo (1), E. Andrus (1).

The defending Venezuelan Winter League Champion Tigres de Aragua put four runs on the board in the 2nd inning and continued to pound out runs against los Navegantes del Magallenes, finishing off with a 10-5 victory over the visiting team.

Mike Aviles (Kansas City) tripled to get things started in the 2nd, followed by Ruben Salazar (F/A) taking a walk to first. Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) singled out to left to plate Aviles. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) then singled to load up the bases. Willie Romero's (F/A) double cleared them out again, although Maza was taken out at home plate. Still the three runs were worrysome to the Navegantes who brought Jose Rodriguez (Houston) into the game to replace Carlos Hernandez (F/A) on mound. No worries for the Tigres though, as Jose Martinez (St Louis) singled to score Romero. Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) hit into a double play to end the inning.

The Navigators took one back in the top of the 3rd when former Miracle Erold Andrus (Tampa Bay) homered off starter Kyle Middleton (Houston). Middleton went on to work 5.1 innings, allowing 3 runs (all earned) on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3.

Salazar would reach in the bottom of the fourth on a fielding error by former Miracle Jesus Merchan (Philadelphia). Chavez then doubled, but Salazar would not go home until Martinez it into a ground out after Romero was intentionally walked.

Aragua added to their lead in the 5th, when former Rochester middle infielder Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) both singled their way onto base. Aviles would fly out and Salazar would strike out, before a Chavez singled scored the pair.

Middleton got into trouble in the 6th, when he walked Andrus, and then allowed a home run to Edgardo Alfanzo (F/A). He got Marcos Vechionacci (NY Yankees) out on strikes but allowed Richard Hildago (F/A) to double. That would finish it up for Middleton, as Yohan Pino (Minnesota) came out to the mound. Pino got Mark Saccomanno (Houston) out on strikes, while a Luke Scott (Houston) fly out retired the side.

The Tigers were not distressed though, As Feliciano singled, and Rogriguez walked his way onto the bags. A wild pitch by Jean Machi (Toronto) moved the pair. He'd strike out Cedeno, then walked Aviles to get at Salazer. Aragua inserted Alex Nunez (F/A) into the game as a pinch hitter though, and his ground ball single brough in Feliciano. The Navigators then brought Jim Magrane (Washington) onto the mound. He'd walk Chavez to force in run before taking Maza out on strikes.

Pino would walk Jorge Cortes (Chicago Cubs) in the top of the 7th, but Cortez ended up stranded at 2nd at the end of the inning.

Aragua's offense continued to roar however, as Romero scored off a Rodriguez single.

Rochester's Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) replaced Pino for the top of the 8th inning, allowing Singles to Richard Hidalgo (F/A) and Scott, before Cortes would double the pair in. However, Hector Gimenez (Houston) ground out to end the inning, and the scoring, as Francisco Butto (F/A) allowed only a single in the 9th before sending Magallanes back to the dugout.

Aragua plays a pair against LaGuaira on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM AST before returning home to face Caracas on Saturday at 5:30 PM AST.

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Brian Buscher was named the Twins Minor League player of the year for 2007, while former Miracle starter Kevin Slowey earned the 2007 Twins Minor League Pitcher of the year honors.

Buscher had 21 runs on 41 hits in 40 games (132 at bats) for the Rochester Red Wings. He earned his promotion mid-season from New Britain, after batting .308 (37 runs, 76 hits, 247 at bats) while knocking in 37 runs in AA. Buscher was selected by the Twins in the minor league protion of the 2006 Rule V draft. He played previously in the San Francisco Giants organization.

A Jacksonville, Florida, native, Buscher has a .275 average with the Tigres, with 7 runs on 11 hits in 11 games (40 at bats) while batting in 1 during the first 2 weeks of the season feline.

Slowey posted a 10-5 record for the Wings, with a 1.89 ERA, allowing 31 runs on 110 hits in 133.2 innings pitched through 20 games. Slowey allowed only 4 home runs and walked only 18 batters during 20 appearances with Rochester in 2007.

Tigres stick to winning ways

Agragua 7 at Magallenes 2

W: H. Estrada (1-1, 3.75); L: M. Tejera (0-1, 11.57)
HR: ARA: M. Aviles (3).

Mike Avilles (Kansas City) homered for his second straight game and the Tigres jumped out to an 6 run lead to pick up a win over the Navegantes del Magallenes Sunday.

Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) doubled in Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) and Jesus Feliciano (NY Yankees) to start the scoring for the Tigers. He'd come home on a Ruben Salazar (F/A) single, giving Aragua a 3 run lead in the first.

They added to that in the 3rd when Aviles drove one over the left field fence.

An Aviles double and an intentinal walk to Brian Buscher (Minnesota) followed by a wild pitch and an Alex Romero (Arizona) single led to two more runs for the Tigres. One of the runs would be unearned though for Magallenes pitcher Alvis Ojeda (LA Dodgers) due to a throwing error on the play.

Los Navegantes picked up a run in the seventh off Jose Mijares (Minnesota). Luke Scott (Houston) would double out to left. Mijares was replaced by former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) after only facing one batter and allowed a walk to Richard Hidalgo (F/A). Mark Saccomanno's (Houston) single would score Scott with the run being charged to Mijares.

Moreno allowed got his own run in the 9th when former Miracle Jesus Merchan (Philadelphia) doubled in Jesus Gamero (F/A). Yohan Pino (Minnesota) would be called in to replace the faultering Moreno.

The Tigers added one more in the 9th, when Jesus Felciano (NY Yankees) walked, stole 2nd base and then came home on a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) single.

Buscher, who was as serving as designed hitter, was 0-for3 at the plate with a walk and a run. Maza was 1-for-5 with a run, and Alex Romero (Arizona) was 1-for-4. Merchan, who has made it to AAA in the Phillies organization, was 1-for-1 with 1 RBI as a pinch hitter for Magallanes.

Los Tigres de Aragua have Monday off. They face Los Tiburones de La Guaria (I believe those are sharks) at home on Tuesday at 7:30 PM AST.

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