Cats drop last home game to Caribes

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Caribes 5 at Aragua 3

W: O. Montero (1-1, 4.32); L: R. Garcia (3-3, 2.32); SV: M. Palmer (3)
HR: ORI: A. Camacaro (1).

Los Caribes de Anzoategui dropped the home town los Tigres de Aragua 5-3 on Saturday.

The Cats got onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) hit a single out to right, then moved to second with a similar hit from Hector Gimenez (Houston). Mike Aviles (Kansas City) and Alex Romero (Arizona) both recorded fly outs, but Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) connected for a double to bring in the two runners. Luis Fegueroa (San Francisco) singled Cedeno in.

Detroit's Eleazar Aponte worked 3.2 innings, getting charged for all 3 runs on hit and 1 walk before being replaced by Free Agent Oscar Montero.

The visitors answered in the top of the 5th. Armando Carnacaro (Cleveland) hit a solo home run over the left field wall. Henry Guerrero (St Louis) followed that with a single before Cesar Salazar (San Francisco) reached on error by Cedeno. Andres Torres (Detroit) moved the runners with a sac bunt before Billy Rojo (Cincinnati) would double in the runners to tie up the game.

Carnacaro hit for a single in the top of the 6th, and moved to second on a single by Guerrero. Salazar's line drive to center brought in Carmacaro to give control of the game to the Caribes.

A pair of errors in the 9th, led to 2 more runs for the Caribes to finish off the scoring.

Cabrera was 1-for2 at the plate with a run. Former Miracle Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) and Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) were both 2-for-5 at the plate but did not figure into the scoring. Romero was 0-for-2 with a walk.

Baltimore's Rosman Garcia suffered the loss on the mound for the Cats, hit 3rd of the season. Victor Moreno (Baltimore) pitched 2 innings of relief, walking 1.

The Tigres finish off the 2007 regular season on the road Sunday against los Navegantes del Magallanes. The playoffs begin on January 2nd and will include the Cats, los Caribes, the Cardinales, Braves and Sharks.

Aragua will likely face los Cardenales de Lara for the semifinal pairing.

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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.

Collazo, Sharks dominate Cats

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 1 at La Guaira 4

W: W. Collazo (3-2, 3.02); L: H. Estrada (3-3, 2.45); SV: F. Rodriguez (6)
HR: LAG: O. Salazar (7).

Having made it into the playoffs, the Cats fell back to their old ways Sunday, managing only 5 hits off los Tiburones de La Guaira. Sharks starter Willie Collazo (NY Mets) worked 8 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits while striking out 3.

Los Tigres lone run came in the top of the second when Ruben Salazar (F/A) singled, then made his way over to 3rd on a Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) single. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) hit a sac fly to bring him in.

Hector Estrada (F/A) pitched the first 3 innings for Aragua in fine form, but fell apart in the 4th, pitching to 7 batters and not managing to get an out.

Los Tiburones started out that inning with a home run by Oscar Salazar (Baltimore). Ruben Mateo (Milwaukee) and Ron Acuna (F/A) both singled before Jorge Velandia (Pittsburgh) reached on a force attempt. A throwing error by Estrada saw Mateo and Acuna across the plate on the play, making it 3-1 Sharks. Edwin Bellorin (Colorado) then singled in Velandia to make it 4-1.

The bleeding may have continued as Liu Rodriguez (F/A) and Gregor Blanco (Atlanta) hit back-to-back singles before field manager Buddy Bailey called for a pitching change, bringing in Minnesota's Yohan Pino, who got Danny Sandoval (Philadelphia) to fly out and Alex Sanchez (Chicago White Sox) to double out at first.

Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) was 0-for-2 working as designed hitter in the clean up spot. Former Rochester Red Wing Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 2-for-4, while Maza finished up 0-for-2.

Pino would work 2 innings, striking out 1. Jose Mijares (Minnesota) worked 1 in and also struck out one.

The league now takes a 2-day break for the holidays. Los Tigres de Aragua do not play again until Thursday when they host los Navegantes del Magallanes for a 7:30 PM AST game.

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Tigres de Aragua

Tigres back in win column, and in playoffs

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

La Guaira 4 at Aragua 6

W: H. Bonilla (1-1, 2.54); L: N. Acosta (0-1, 3.12); SV: F. Butto (15)
HR: ARA: M. Aviles (6).

Los Tigres de Aragua bounced back in front of a home town crowd Saturday, taking a 6-4 win over the visiting Tiburones de La Guaira.

Aragua opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. with one out, Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) was hit by a pitch. A throwing error by Nibaldo Acosta (Arizona) on the pick off attempt saw Cedeno to 2nd. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) hit for a single, but moved to 2nd on the throw, which also scored Cedeno. Hector Gimenez (Houston) drew a talk before Mike Aviles (Kansas City) doubled to bring in Cabrera.

Los Tiburones took one back in the top of the 2nd with Jorge Velandia (Pittsburgh)and Edward Bellorin (Colorado) hitting back-to-back singles off starter Henry Bonilla (LA Angels). Following a line out by Liu Rodriguez (F/A), Gregor Blanco (Atlanta) hit a sac fly to bring in Velandia.

The Tigres added an insurance run in the bottom of the 3rd, with Aviles going yard over the center field wall.

Bonilla would work six innings for the Tigres, allowing the one run on six hits and three walks while striking out 3.

The Cats would add two more runs to their total in the fifth. Following a ground out by Cedeno, Cabrera singled and moved to 2nd on a while pitch. Gimenez then doubled him in, and a second double by Aviles pushed Gimenez over the plate. Kendy Batista (Texas) would come in to replace Acosta at that point for La Guaira, getting a pair of former Miracle, Alex Romero (Arizona) and Luis Maza (LA Dodgers), to ground out to end the inning.

Jose Guanchez (F/A) replaced Bonilla on the mound at the top of the 7th and promptly allowed a double to Blanco. Denny Sandoval (Philadelphia) and Alex Sanchez (Chicago White Sox) hit back-to-back singles with scored Blanco. Following a pitching change that saw Minnesota's Oswaldo Sosa take over the mound, Oscar Salazar (Baltimore) then doubled to bring the runners. Sosa would get the next three batters out however, ending the Sharks rally.

The Tigres found their final run of the evening in the bottom of the inning, when Cedeno singled then stoled 2nd base. Cabrera's single plated him, to make it 6-4 Aragua.

Cabrera, who played 3rd base, finished up the game 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 0-for-5 in the lead off position. Romero and Maza were both 0-for-4.

Sosa worked 1 inning allowing 1 hit and strike out 2.

The win puts the Tigres four game behind Caribes de Anzoategui with four games left to play. The two teams rematch on Sunday at 4:00 PM AST before the league takes a 3-day holiday break.

The win on Saturday combined with a twin bill sweep of los Aguiles de Zulia by los Cardenales de Lara puts the Tigres into the round-robin style playoffs for their sixth consecutive season.

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Tigres de Aragua

Tiburones end Tigres streak

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 7 at La Guaira 8

W: A. Tovar (3-1, 4.24); L: V. Moreno (4-2, 3.71)
HR: LAG: R. Mateo (1).

Los Tiburones de La Guaira ended los Tigres de Aragua win streak Thursday night, rallying past the visiting team in the 9th inning to pick up an 8-7 victory.

Aragua got on the board early, with Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) starting off with a triple. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) brought him in on a sac-fly.

The Tigres added to their total with Alex Nunez (F/A) singling. Alex Rodriguez (Arizona) doubled one out later to move Nunez to 3rd. He'd come home on a sac fly by Martin Prado (Atlanta).

La Guaira answered back though in the the bottom of the 2nd, with Ruben Mateo (Milwaukee) hitting a double out to left. With 2 outs and a walk to Alvin Colina (Cincinnati), Luis Hernandez (Baltimore) would single to bring in Mateo, making it 2-1 Tigres.

The game would work through 3 more scoreless innings before Cabrera led off the top of the 6th with a walk. Hector Gimenez (Houston) doubled moving Cabrera to 3rd. A single by Nunez served to plate the Tigre's 3rd baseman, and a throwing error advanced Nunez to 2nd. A sac-fly by Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) brought in Gimenez, to make it 4-1 Aragua.

The Cats could not hang on the lead though. Alejandor Freire (F/A) doubled off Minnesota's Frank Mata in the bottom of the 6th. That was followed up by Maeteo going yard over the center field wall to cut the Tigres lead to just 1 run. Liu Rodriguez (F/A) singled, Colina walked and Hernandez would single to drive Rodriguez and tie up the game. The Tigers called for a pitching change with Jose Mijares (Minnesota) taking the mound. He'd allow a single to Greg Blanco (Atlanta) that moved the runners before getting Danny Sandoval (Philadelphia) to strike out. A single to Alex Sanchez (Chicago White Sox) brought in Colina, giving the Sharks the lead.

Los Tigres answered back in the top of the 7th however, with Luis Figueroa (San Francisco) and Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) both drawing walks off Richard Salazar (Baltimore). La Guaira brought Gerardo Casadeigo (Colorado) into the game. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) reached on a force attempt that saw both runners score and Maza end up at 2nd base on a throwing error by Casadiego. After a ground out to Cabrera and a fly out Giminez, Nunez would reach on a fielding error which allowed Maza to score, giving the Tigres a 1 run lead.

With former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) on the mound in the 9th, Sanchez would single and Oscar Salazar (Baltimore) would triple him in to tie up the game. Moreno would then intentionally walk Ron Acuna (F/a) and Mateo. After L-Rod popped out to L-Rod, Javier Colina (F/A) would hit a sac-fly to driving Salazar, ending the game with a Tiburones win.

Cabrera finished up the game 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a run, Maza was 0-for-5 with a run, L-Rod was 2-for-4 with a walk and 2 runs and Romero was 2-for-2 with a double.

Kyle Middleton (Houston) made his last start for the Cats, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2 in 3.2 innings. As per the terms of his contract, he'll be returning to the States.

Mata was charged for 5 runs (all earned) on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1 in .1 inning worth of work. Mijares was not charged for any of the inherited runs, allowing 2 hits and striking out 1 in 1 inning worth of work. Moreno took his 4th loss of the season as well as suffering the blown save, allowing 2 run, both earned on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 in 2 innings worth of work.

The Cats take Friday off. The two teams rematch on Saturday with Aragua hosting los Tiburones and Sunday with La Guaira again playing host to los Tigres.

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Tigers de Aragua

Tigres scratch out 6th straight win

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 4 at Lara 1 (15 innings)

W: R. Garcia (3-2, 2.27); L: R. Duarte (0-5, 5.66); SV: K. Tolar (6)
HR: None.

Los Tigers de Aragua pulled out a lengthy game against los Cardenales de Lara, having to go 15 innings before they could find the game winning run.

Lara took a 1 run lead in the 4th inning when Adam Jones (Seattle) doubled, moved to 3rd on a Robert Perez (F/A) ground out and came home on a Jose Lopez (Seattle) single to left.

It appeared the the Tigres win streak would come to end, as Aragua was blanked by Lara starter Rich Dorman (Florida), who allowed only 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 7 over 5 innings. Relievers Moises Hernandez (Atlanta), Jesse Carlson (Toronto), Marcos Carvajal (Florida) and Cesar Jimenez (Seattle) all combined to baffle the Cats.

Not until the 9th inning, with Minnesota's Juan Rincon on the mound for the Cardenales did the Cats find some offense. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) lead off with walk. A single to right by Hector Gimenez (Houston) moved Cabrera to 3rd. Alex Nunez (F/A), entering the game as a pinch hitter, ground out, but Cabrera crossed the plate on the play, tying up the game.

Chicago's Cory Bailey took the start, working 5.1 innings and allowing the only Lara run on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3. Jose Mijares and Bobby Korecky, both from the Minnesota farm system) combined for 2.2 innings with Korecky allowing 1 hit and Mijares 1 walk.

Jason Karnuth (Detroit), Jose Guanchez (F/A), Rosman Garcia (Baltimore) and Kevin Tolar (F/A) all kept Lara off the board as the game stretched into extra innings.

Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) would single off righthander Renny Duarte (F/A) to lead off the top of the 15th. Cabrera would follow that up with a double. 2 outs later, Duarte would intentionally walk Alex Romero (Arizona) to lead the bases. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) singled to bring in Cedeno and Cabrera, and a wild pitch by Duarte saw Romero across the plate.

The Tigres win streak now stands at 6.

Cabrera finished up the game 2-for-6 with a walk and 2 runs in the designated hitter position, Romero was 0-for-5 with a walk and a run, Maza was 1-for-7 with 2 RBIs. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) returned to the line up finishing up 0-for-6 with a walk.

The Tigers will play their next 3 against los Tiburones de La Gauaira and will finish up after a break for the holidays with 2 games against Magallanes and one against league leading Caribes.

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Tigres de Aragua

The Twins have anounced the dates and times for their annual free youth clinics in Southwest Florida. The clinics are open to children ages 5 to 16. Please click here for details on times and locations.

Twins host Free Youth Clinics in Southwest Florida

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund will host nine free Minnesota Twins Youth Clinics from Jan. 12 through Feb. 16, 2008, in Southwest Florida. The Minnesota Twins Youth Clinics, presented by the Lee County Parks and Recreation and the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, give youth from throughout Southwest Florida the opportunity to learn the games of baseball and softball.

The two-hour clinics require no registration and are open to boys and girls ages 5 to 16. Twins clinicians will teach hitting, fielding, and throwing at each clinic. Parents are encouraged to participate with their sons or daughters in the sessions.

The Minnesota Twins have held Spring Training at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers since 1991. In addition, the Fort Myers Miracle, a Twins Class A affiliate, plays at the Lee County Complex.

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins. The Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Twins Community Fund annually distribute more than $3.6 million in community support.

The Youth Clinic Program was created in 1961 by longtime Twins scout Angelo Giuliani. Since that time, more than 850,000 youth have participated in a Minnesota Twins Youth Clinic.

Minnesota Twins 2008 Southwest Florida Youth Clinics Schedule
(Subject to change)

Jan. 12	10 a.m. to 12 p.m.	Minnesota Twins/Lee County Sports Complex 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33912 Jack Nelson -- 239-292-5240
Jan. 19	10 a.m. to 12 p.m.	Buckingham Little League 9800 Buckingham Road Fort Myers, FL 33905 Pat Shannahan - 239-936-8561
	1 p.m. to 3 p.m.	Lehigh Little League 1400 West 5th Street Lehigh Acres, FL 33972 Darrel Willis - 239-823-6126
Jan. 26	10 a.m. to 12 p.m.	Cape Coral Little League / Pelican Complex 4128 Pelican Boulevard Cape Coral, FL 33914 Art Avellino - 239-772-423
Feb. 2	10 a.m. to 12 p.m	DeSoto Little League Speer Recreation Center 185 West Winifred Street Arcadia, FL 34266 Tara and Matt Anderson - 863-990-0529
	1 p.m. to 3 p.m.	Charlotte County Little League Harold Ave Recreation Center Port Charlotte, FL 23400 Lou Augsto - 941-629-6552 or 941-629-0114
Feb. 9	10 a.m. to 12 p.m.	San Carlos Little League 18215 Three Oaks Parkway Three Oaks Park Fort Myers, FL 33912 Todd Backster - 239-989-5868
	1 p.m. to 3 p.m.	Immokalee Little League Tony Rosdough Little League Field Immokalee, FL 34142 Jack Nelson - 239-292-5240
Feb. 16	10 a.m. to 12 p.m.	South Fort Myers Little League/Rutenberg Complex 6500 S. Pointe Blvd Fort Myers, FL 34142 Jack Nelson - 239-292-5240

All questions, concerns or information regarding the clinics should be directed to the Twins Community Fund staff:

Stephanie Johnson
Twins Community Fund
34 Kirby Puckett Place
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Direct: 612-375-7523
Fax: 612-475-7480
stephaniejohnson@twinsbaseball.com

Tigres roll to 5th straight win as Cabrera joins team

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

La Guaira 3 at Aragua 4

W: V. Moreno (4-1, 3.28); L: G. Casadiego (2-2, 1.59); SV: F. Butto (14)
HR: LAG: A. Freire (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua extended their winning streak on Tuesday against los Tiburones de La Guaira, moving into 2nd place in the League standings, 4 games back with 7 left to play.

Minnesota's Yohan Pino worked 2.1 innings in the starting roll, allowing only 1 walk to La Guaira and striking out 4. Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) followed up with 2.2 innings, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk.

Los Tiburones would finally get to Aragau in the sixth inning when Danny Sandoval (Philadelphia) ripped a triple out to right field off reliever Frank Mata (Minnesota), then scored on Luis Hernandez (Baltimore) sac-fly.

In the Seventh, Ron Acuna (F/A) took a walk off Victor Moreno (Baltimore) and was plated when Aljandro Freire (F/A) went yard.

Los Tigres finally answered back in the bottom of the inning. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) tripled out to right. Following a Martin Prado (Atlanta) strike out and a Alex Delgado (F/A) fly out, Luis Figueroa (San Francisco) plated Maza with an infield hit. After a pitching change for the Sharks with saw starter Willie Collazo (NY Mets) exit the game and Gerardo Casadiego (Colorado) enter, Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) doubled. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) making his first Venezuelan Winter League appearance walked to fill the bases. Hector Gimenez (Houston) entered the game as pinch hitter and took a ball deep into center for a double, clearing the bases to make it 4-3 Tigres.

Cabrera finished up 2-for-3 with a walk and a run. Maza was 3-for-4 with 1 run, falling just a home run shy of the cycle.

Morena took the win improving his record to 4-1. The former Miracle worked 1.1 innings and allowed 2 run (earned) on 1 hit and 2 walks.

Agarua faces los Cardenales de Lara on Wednesday and then plays three against La Guaira starting on Thursday.

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Tigres de Aragua

Tigres general Manager Dr. Rafael Rodríguez Rendón moved heaven and earth to get permission from Detroit to allow Cabrera to play according to an article at tigresdearagua.net.

"I am happy to play here in my country with the Tigers," Cabrera said in the article. "We fight for a place in the playoffs and need to win more games. We look forward to achieving a new championship for all our fans."

"Earlier when belonged to the Florida Marlins, the Venezuelan star has shown an improvement in his performance with his participation in the local tournament," the article goes on to say. "Given that affects your body and skills with a view to spring training and therefore has always reflected a big first month season in the major."

Tigres double up Cardenales

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Lara 3 at Aragua 6

W: F. Mata (3-1, 3.07); L: S. Kahn (0-2, 6.48); SV: B. Korecky (1)
HR: LAR: S. Langaigne (5), J. Lopez (4). ARA: H. Gimenez 2 (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua stayed in the win column Monday, taking a 6-3 victory over los Cardenales de Lara. Minnesota's Frank Mata picked up his 3rd win of the season, while Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) recorded his first save.

Former Miracle Luis Ugueto (F/A) started out with a double for the Red Birds and moved to 3rd on Asdrubal Cabrera's (Cleveland) ground out. Adam Jones (Seattle) plated him with sac-fly to right field.

Lara extended their lead in fourth on a pair of solo home runs, one by Jose Celestiano Lopez (Seattle) and the other by Selwyn Langiagne (F/A). The Cats though coughed up one of their own when Hector Gimenez (Houston) when yard in the bottom of the inning.

Cardenales starter Giovanni Carrera (LA Dodgers) worked 5.1 innings, allowing 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2. It would be the sixth inning that caused him problems.

Gimenez would connect for his second home run of the night with one out, and Martin Prado (Atlanta) would get on base with an infield single before Carrera was taken from the mound. Alex Romero (Arizona) would record the second out off reliever Roger Luque (F/A), who was then replaced with righty Stephen Kahn (Seattle). Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) drew a walk, followed with a single to center by Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) to bring in Prado. Alex Nunez (F/A) connected to bring in Maza, and Chavez scored off a Luis Figueroa (San Francisco) single to left. Ivan Blanco (Seattle) would finally come into the game for the Red Birds, and issued a walk to Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) before he could get to Mike Aviles (Kansas City) for the 3rd out.

Chavez would drive Gimenez in during the 7th inning for the final run.

Maza would strike out 1 over 1.1 innings, Jose Mijares (Minnesota) allowed a walk before issuing a strike out for .1 inning, and Korecky struck out 1 and walked 1 in the final 1.2 innings.

Hector Estrada (F/A) worked 5.2 innings for the Cats allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4.

Ugueto was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run for the Red Birds, while Romero went 1-for-3 with a walk and Maza was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run for the Tigres.

The Cats play host los Tiburones de La Guaira on Tuesday before heading over to Lara to face the Cardenales again on Wednesday.

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Tigers de Aragua

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 take pair from Lara

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 6 at Lara 4

W: J. Guanchez (1-1, 2.08); L: S. Kahn (0-1, 4.32); SV: F. Butto (12)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Aragua swept a double header Saturday against los Cardenales de Lara, pounding out 11 hits in each game against Red Bird pitching.

In the first game, los Cardenales jumped out to an early lead with former Miracle Luis Ugueto (F/A) drawing a walk off Tigres starter Kyle Middleton (Houston) to open the game. After striking out Asbrudal Cabrera (Cleveland), Adam Jones (Seattle) was also walked. Robert Perez's (F/A) line drive to center plated Ugueto. Bryan LaHair (F/A) drove in Jones with a hit to left field.

The game was suspended by rain at that point. When it resumed, Wilfredo Romero (F/A) and Alex Romero (Arizona) got on base with back-to-back hits. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) then sent Wilfredo home with a hit out to left field.

The Tigres would tie the game up in the 3rd. Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) walked with one out, then stoled 2nd base. Following a Mike Aviles (Kansas City) strike out Lara's Marcos Carvajal (Florida) unleashed a pair of wild pitches that brought Cedeno home.

Perez doubled in the bottom of the inning, then moved to 3rd on a LaHair single. A fielding error by Cedeno led to Perez crossing the plate, and put Lahair at 3rd. A Jose Lopez (Seattle) double brought in the runner to make it 4-2 Lara.

Alex Romero walked in the 4th, then moved to 2nd on a Jose Martinez (St Louis) hit out to center. A double by Alex Delgado (F/A) served to score the pair, tying up the game again.

Hector Gimenez (Houston) doubled out to left, but Wilfredo hit into a force out which took Gimenez down at 3rd. Alex Romero singled his way onto the bags and a double by Maza brought the pair home.

Minnesota's Bobby Korecky and Jose Mijares each worked 1 inning in relief, with Korecky allowing 1 hit, and Maza striking out 2.

Romero was 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 runs, and Maza as 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs. Ugueto was 0-for-3 with a walk and a run for los Cardenales.

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Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 6 at Lara 1

W: R. Garcia (2-2, 2.41); L: R. Duarte (0-4, 5.45)
HR: LAR: J. Lopez (3).

In the nightcap, los Tigres took a 3 run lead in the 3rd and never looked back, burying los Cardenales 6-1.

Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) started off with a hit off to left. Raul Chevez (Pittsburgh) moved him around with a single. Jose Martinez (St Louis) connected for a single, but Maza was called out a home. The play however put runners at 2nd and 3rd, and a hit by Luis Figuroa (San Francisco) loaded the bases. Following a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) strike out, Mike Aviles (Kansas City) drove in a run. Hector Gimenez's (Houston) single to right served to plate Martinez and Figueroa.

Gimenez tripled in the 6th inning, and was brought home by a Martin Prado (Atlanta) single. Gimenez then connected for a double in the 7th inning with brought in Figueroa and Aviles who had singled their way onto base.

The Red Bird's only run came on a last chance home run by Jose Celestino Lopez (Seattle).

Rosman Garcia (Baltimore) earned the win, allowing 3 hits in 5 innings while striking out 2. Kevin Tolar (F/A) and former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) closed out the game.

Luis Ugueto (F/A) was 1-for-3 in the second game for Lara, while Maza was 1-for-3 for the Tigres. Alex Romero (Arizona) hit 1 for-2 in the 2nd game of the Twin bill.

These two teams rematch on Monday for an 8:30 PM AST game. The Lions and Tigers battle on Sunday night at 6:00 PM AST.

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Tigres de Aragua

Zulia shuts out Aragua in 10 inning contest

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Zulia 2 at Aragua 0

W: N. Darley (1-0, 0.84); L: J. Karnuth (1-1, 1.59); SV: R. Garces (17)
HR: None.

Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs) and three relievers, including Minnesota's Jose Mijares and Yohan Pino would hold los Aguiles de Zulia scoreless through nine innings Friday, but los Tigres de Aragaua still fell, 2-0.

Francisisco Plasencia (Washington) drew a walk off Jason Karnuth (Detroit) in the top of the 10th, and moved to second on a Luis Oliveros' (Seattle) sac bunt. Gerardo Perra's (Arizona) single plated Plasencia to break the 9 inning deadlock for the game winning Zulia run. The Aguiles were then helped when Karnuth mis-threw a pick off attempt that put Parra on 2rd. Parra would then steal home, and the Tigres would turn to former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) to get the last two outs, which he did by getting Juan Diaz (F/A) to hit into a double play.

Four Zulia pitcher held the Tigres to only 5 hits and 2 walks in the game. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) had one of those hits, going 1-for-4 at the plate.

Mijares pitched .1 inning, issuing a strike out, and Pino allowed 2 hits in .0 innings.

Aragua travels to Lara on Saturday, looking for a turn of fortune on the road. The Tigres play Sunday against los Leones del Caracas, and Monday against los Cardenales de Lara for the make up of the rained out game earlier in the season.

Aragua is in 4th place, 7 games behind the league leading Caribes. It seems unlikely that they will be repeating as Venezuelan Winter League Champions at this point.

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Former Twins prospect Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) left the team to travel to the United States to be with his wife for the birth of their child. He is expected to return after the happy event.

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed former Twins prospect Luis Rivas (Cleveland) to a one-year contract. He was one of four Venezuelans added to the Pirates system this week. Tigres catcher Raul Chavez, formerly of the NY Yankees organization, was also inked by the Pennsylvania team.

The Twins signed former Houston Astro Mike Lamb to a 2-year, 6.6 million dollar deal with an option for 2010. Lamb is expected to fill the hole at 3rd, a problem since Corey Koskie left in the 2004 season. The 32-year-old Lamb batted .289 with 11 homes and 40 RBIs in 311 at bats for the Astros last season. Lamb has played both third base and first base in four seasons with the Astros. He was entrenched behind Morgan Ensberg at third for much of that time and never really had a chance for a full-time role. Lamb is expected to compete against minor league slugger Brian Buscher for the position in Spring Training, but there's a good chance that Lamb will lock up the job quickly.

Eagles shut out Tigers, 9-0

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Zulia 9 at Aragua 0

W: H. Mercado (3-2, 2.57); L: H. Estrada (3-2, 1.75)
HR: ZUL: G. Parra (1).

Hitting woes continued for los Tigres de Aragua as four Zulia pitchers, including former Miracle Jan Granado (F/a), held the Cats to only 6 hits and no runs. Meanwile, Aguilas batter put up 9 runs on 14 hits and 3 errors.

Horacio Estrada (F/A) lasted only 2.1 innings, and was victimized by Tigres errors, starting out with a fielding error by second baseman Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) which allowed Juan Diaz (F/A) to get on base to start off the second inning. After a line out to Randy Ruiz (San Francisco), a strike out to Guillermo Rodriguez (San Franscisco), and a single to Jorge Moreno (F/A), Gerardo Parra's (Arizona) single would plate Diaz. Alberto Callaspo (Arizona) would single to bring in Moreno. Former Rochester Red Wing Donaldo Mendez (F/A) then reached on a force attempt when shortstop Luis Figueroa (San Francisco) misplayed the ball to load the bases. A walk to Rodney Medina (F/A) forced in the 3rd run of the inning.

Estrada walked Diaz to start out the 3rd, and after getting Ruiz to line out, allowed singles to Rodriguez, Moreno and Parra to give Zulia two more runs. Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) then made his way to the mound, getting Callaspo to line into a double play to end the inning.

Sosa would pitch 2.2 innings, but the respite from runs was short, lasting only 1 inning. Diaz, Ruiz and Rodriguez would all single their way onto base in the fifth. Sosa induced Moreno to hit into a double play, but Diaz was able to cross the plate, making the Aguilas lead 6-0.

Yohan Pino (Minnesota) took over the pitching chores in the sixth, allowing a double to Callaspo, but keeping Zulia from progressing further.

Los Tigres turned to Rosman Garcia (Baltimore) in the seventh, with Ruiz doubling and Rodriguez singling before Parra put a line drive over the center field wall to bring the total up to 9 runs for the visiting team.

Jason Karnuth (Detroit) and Frank Butto (F/A) would finish off the pitching for Aragua.

L-Rod would go 2-for-4 at the plate, with Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) hitting 1-for-3.

Aragua rests on Thurday and rematches against Zulia on Friday at 7:30 PM AST.

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Miguel Cabrera's work outs with los Tigres de Aragua were haulted on Wednesday when the Detroit Tigers denied him permission to play with the Venezuelan Winter League team, citing the large investment they'd already made in him after giving up a number of top prospects to the Marlins. Tigres

The Twins non-tendered outfielder Jason Tyner, who now becomes a free agent. He hit .287 in 304 at-bats last season with the Twins, and also belted his first Major League home run. Tyner became expendable after the Twins acquired outfielders Craig Monroe and Delmon Young in separate trades last month. Along with last year's starting outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, the addition of Monroe and Young gives the Twins four players for the two outfield corner positions.

The Twins tendered a total of 28 contracts Wednesday for the deadline, including five to their remaining arbitration-eligible players Cuddyer, Kubel, Justin Morneau, Matt Guerrier and Juan Rincon.

In a separate more the Twins agreed to terms with free agent shortstop Adam Everett. Everett, 30, was limited to 66 games with the Astros last season after suffering a fractured right fibula on June 14. He batted .232 (51-for-220) with 11 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 15 rbi. Everett played in 302 games over the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He has a career batting average of .248 (531-for-2145) with 102 doubles, 14 triples, 35 home runs and 214 rbi in 649 games. The 6-foot-0, 170-pounder was originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the first round (12th overall) of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft. He was traded to Houston along with pitcher Greg Miller in exchange for outfielder Carl Everett on December 16, 1999.

Caribes pound Tigres, 9-1

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Caribes 9 at Aragua 1

W: A. Bastardo (1-2, 3.47); L: V. Moreno (3-1, 2.53)
HR: ORI: E. Alfonzo (9).

The Caribes probably didn't need a 5 run eighth inning to beat the Tigres, but that's what they got on Tuesday, leading to a 9-1 slaughter.

Aragua got onto the board first in the bottom of the 4th. Hector Gimenez (Houston) and Mike Aviles (Kansas City) would hit back-to-back singles. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) bunted into a force out at 3rd that nabbed Gimenez. A wild pitch by Ariel Prieto (F/A) pushed Aviles to 3rd, and he'd come home on Luis Maza's (LA Dodgers) sac-fly.

For a while, the Cats cruised. Henry Bonilla (LA Angels) limited Caribes to 2 hits over 6 innings while striking out 4.

He'd allow a single to Luis Gonzalez (F/A) in the top of the 7th, that got the visiting team rolling. Following a pitching change, Jose Mijares (Minnesota) got Rico Washington (St Louis) to strike out, then left the mound in favor of Victor Moreno (Baltimore). The former Miracle pitcher would allow a home run to Eliezar Alfonzo (San Francisco) to give Caribes 2, and a one run lead.

Kevin Tolar (F/A) took over in the top of the 8th and allowed a double to Jonathan Herrera (Colorado). A sac bunt by Andres Torres (Detroit) and a throwing error by Aviles saw Herrera home. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) was then called onto the mound for the Cats. Omar Infante (Detroit) doubled, moving Torres to 3rd before Gonzalez ground out. Korecky issued an intentional walk to Washington, but the move backfired when Alfonzo droved the ball deep to the center for a double, bringing in 2 more runs. Korecky would then intentionally walk John Rodriguez (St Louis) before field manager Buddy Bailey called Frank Mata (Minnesota) to the mound. Lino Connell (F/A) greeting him with a ground ball single that plated Washington. Following a strike out to Luis Lopez (F/A), a wild pitch by Mata would bring in Alfonzo, giving the Carbies a 7-1 lead.

They'd added 2 more runs in the 9th when Torres doubled and Infante tripled. A Washington ground out would bring in Infante before Jose Guanchez (F/A) could get the final two outs in relief of Mata.

L-Rod finished off 0-for-3 at the plate, while Maza as 1-for-3 with an RBI. Alex Romero (Arizona) was 1-for-4 with a double but did not factor into the scoring.

Korecky was tagged for 3 runs, all earned on 2 hits and 2 walks in .1 inning worth of work. Mata would surrender 2 runs, both earned, on 3 hits while striking out 1 in 1 inning.

The Cats take on los Aguiles de Zulia on Wednesday for a 7:30 PM AST game. They are idle on Thursday and rematch Zulia on Friday.

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Miguel Cabrera took fielding and hitting practice with los Tigres for the first time on Monday in preperation of his debute with Aragua. A date for his first appearance has yet to be released.

Brian Bass left the team at the end of November to return to the States, finishing off 3-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 42.2 innings pitched. He was said to have "gastritis" which plagued him over his last 2 starts, in which he allowed 8 runs (7 earned) on 10 hits. (Dude, didn't they warn you not to drink the water over there?)

The Twins signed Craig Monroe to a one-year, $3.82 million deal on Tuesday. He can make up to $155,000 in incentives if he reaches 450 plate appearances, and would also receive a $25,000 bonus if he is named the comback player of the year. It's non-guaranteed contract however, which means that Monroe could be released out of spring training.

Arbitration contracts are due today on 6 other Twins players: Justin Morneau, Juan Rincon, Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer, Matt Guerrier, and Jason Tyner. Rumor has that Tyner will be non-tendered however, become a free agent. The Twins would like to get Morneau signed to a long term deal, but will likely look to get through arbitration now, and work out the specifics of a long term contract at a later date.

Tigres claw out 3-1 victory

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 3 at Margarita 1

W: J. Mijares (2-0, 2.63); L: C. Monasterios (2-1, 1.97); SV: F. Butto (11)
HR: ARA: A. Delgado (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua scratched out 3-1 win Sunday over los Bravos de Margarita. Kyle Middleton (Houston) took the start, pitching 4 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1, but would come away with a no decision.

Jose Mijares (Minneosta) picked up his second win of the season, tossing a scoreless 5th inning.

The Tigres got onto the board in the second inning when former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) singled, then moved to 3rd on a Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) double. A fielder's choice took Maza out at 3rd, while Romero scored the Tigres first run.

The score would stay that way until the 7th. With 2 outs, Jose Martinez (St Louis) singled his way onto base then came home when Alex Delgado (F/A) knocked a ball over the left field wall for a 2-run home run.

Margarita would answer back when Victor Rodriguez (F/A) took a walk off Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) and then Alberto Gonzalez (NY Yankees) walked off Yohan Pino (Minnesota). Darryl Brinkley (F/A) would single to bring in Rodriguez, but Pino got the next 2 outs to end the scoring threat.

Sosa worked 1.1 inning allowing 1 run on 2 walks, while Pino threw 1 inning allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.

Romero ended up 1-for-4 in the game with a run, Maza was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles.

Aragua starts out Tuesday against los Caribes de Anzoategui for a 7:30 PM AST game.

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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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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

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 blank Bravos, 2-0

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Margarita 0 at Aragua 2

W: H. Estrada (4-1, 1.26); L: W. Ledezma (0-2, 1.84); SV: F. Butto (9)
HR: None.

Free Agent Horacio Estrada (not Bobby Korecky as per the MLB boxscore) put in another masterful performance Thursday, throwing 6 innings while allowing 4 hits and 1 walk and striking out 3 to blank los Bravos de Margarita, 2-0. Estrada got all the run support he needed in the bottom of the 2nd inning.

Hector Giminez (Houston) doubled, then moved to 3rd on a Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) ground out. Mike Rivera (Milwaukee) drew a walk, before Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) singled to bring in Gimenez. Rivera would try to come on an Alex Romero (Arizona) fly ball single, but was taken out at the plate. Luis Figueroa (San Francisco) singled to bring in Rodriguez, but Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) fouled out to right to end the inning.

Korecky, a Minnesota reliever, worked 2 innings striking out 1, and Frank Butto (F/A) picked up his ninth save of the season, pitching the 9th inning for the Cats, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.

Rodriguez finished up the game 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI, Romero was 1-for-3, and Maza finished up 0-for-4 with 2 strike outs.

The Tigres face los Leones del Caracas at 7:30 PM AST on Friday and rematch against los Bravos on Saturday and Sunday.

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Six players exit in Rule V Draft

Tim Lahey

The Minnesota Twins remained remarkably quiet during the Rule V draft Thursday at baseball's winter meetings.

After all the rumors surrounding the Santana Sweepstakes failed to materialize, General Manager Bill Smith sat back and passed on all potential Rule V picks, perhaps the most intriguing of which was Tampa's Evan Meek, who went to Pittsburgh with the 2nd pitck.

The Rays, picking first overall, selected Minnesota reliever Tim Lahey. Lahey split last season between AAA Rochester and AA New Britain, posting a 9.00 ERA in 2 games in Rochester, and a 3.45 ERA with a 8-4 record and 13 saves for New Britain in 78.1 innings pitched. The New Britain stats look promising, the 3 innings in triple a did not.

A converted catcher out of Princeton University, Lahey is a hard worker who's gone through a lot to catch up with the rest of the Minnesota pitching staff. While it was possible he'd have stuck in the Rays bullpen, they Rays then sold Lahey to the Chicago Cubs for $150,000. It's extremely unlikely that the competative Cubs will keep him in the major league line up for the year, which means they will have to work a deal with the Twins if they intended to keep him.

Seattle selected R.A. Dickey, a free agent right-hander the Twins had signed to play in Rochester for the upcoming season in the 12th round. This is a puzzling selection as Dickey really hasn't displayed anything in the past that would indicate the 33-year-old could handle a full time major league roll. Dickey had a 13-6 record with a 3.72 ERA for his hometown Nashville Sounds in 2007, earning himself a spot on the PCL Post Season All-Star team. He walked 60 and struck out 119 in 169.1 innings pitched. He will have to earn a spot in the Seattle bullpen out of Spring Training.

Going in the 30th round to the Washington Nationals, was Garrett Guzman. This maybe wasn't such a surprise, as the Nat's had shown some interest in the California native before. Guzman finished up last season with the AA Rock Cats batting .312 with 14 home runs and 88 RBI's and sported a .453 slugging and .359 on base percentages. The big question would be if Guzman has what it takes to make a major league roster for the Nats. That's a really iffy pick for Washington, since we've not seen what Guzman is capable of at the Triple A level.

Outfielder Rashad Eldridge was a free agent signee for the Twins in 2007 and spent last year in New Britain, where he hit for a .291 average with 65 runs, 41 RBIs and 7 homre runs. This Eldridge will wear a Durham Bulls jersey as we has selected by Tampa Bay with the first pick of the Triple A portion of the draft.

The Twins resigned former Miracle Josh Hill to a minor league contract earlier this fall, but he won't be in a Minnesota uniform. The Aussie right-hander was picked up by Pittsburgh with the 2nd pick in the Triple A phase of the draft. He does not have to be placed on Pittsburgh 40-man roster, so he'll likely be playing for AAA Indianapolis or AA Altoona next season.

Hill posted a 3-2 record with a 3.00 ERA in 17 games for the Fort Myers Miracle last year, moving from the bullpen into the starting rotation, before earning a long overdue promotion to New Britain. He went 3-2 with the Rock Cats with a 4.36 ERA in 53.2 innings, walking 27 and striking out 46. The 24-year-old still projects well as a major league reliever, but he's never been a fast-track prospect.

J.P. Martinez was taking in the AA portion of the draft, this time by Baltimore. The 6'2" right hander from New Orleans split time between the Rochester Red wings and the New Britian Rock Cats last season, as well as making one apperance with the FSL Fort Myers Miracle. Martinez compiled a 3-6 record with a 4.19 ERA in AA New Britain, where he walked 33 and struck out 48 in 53.2 innings, earning 2 saves in relief. His brief 2 game appearance in Triple A was less then memorable, as he posted a 12.0 ERA in 3 innings.

The Twins under Terry Ryan were always very active in the Rule V draft, which makes me wonder if Terry just liked taking part to keep busy at winter meetings. Smith seems somewhat disinclinded to play the game. The change of organizational philosophy is certainly of interest.

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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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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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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Lara drops Aragua, 7-1

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 1 at Lara 7

W: S. White (2-1, 2.45); L: R. Garcia (1-2, 1.69)
HR: None.

Some days, I feel like I'm back to writing Miracle game reports.

Los Cardenales de Lara clobbered los Tigres de Aragua 7-1 Thursday, with the Cats only managing 6 hits in the contest.

Seattle's Sean White worked through 7 innings, walking one and striking out three. Aragua's lone run came in the 4th inning when Hector Gimenez (Houston) doubled, moved to 3rd on a Mike Rivera (Milwaukee) single and came home on a sac-fly by Willie Romero (F/A).

It was a day of rest for the Twins as not of their current prospects participated in the game, although several former Miracle players were in uniform for both teams.

Lara was quick to get on the board, taking three runs in the first inning off Tigre's starter Rosman Garcia (Baltimore). Hernan Iribarren (Milwaukee) walked to start the inning. Luis Ugueto (F/A) then tripled him in. Ugueto was plated by Robert Perez's (F/A) ground out. Following a fly out by Jose Lopez (Seattle), Adam Jones (Seattle) singled, then stole 2nd. Selwyn Langaigne (F/A) walked before Wladimir Balentien's (Seattle) single brought in Jones.

Former Miracle Josmir Romero (F/A) replaced Garcia for the top of the 5th. He'd allow a single to Iribarren to start out. Following a pop out by Ugueto, Perez and Lopez hit back-to-back singles to bring in Iribarren, giving them a 4-1 lead.

In the bottom of the 7th, Ugueto singled. Following a fly out by Perez, Lopez moved Ugueto over to 2nd on a gorund ball. Jesus Delgado (Florida) replaced J. Romero on the mound and issued a walk to Jones to load the bases. Langaigne's single to right brought in two, and a wild pitch served to plate Jones before Delgado could find the final two outs to retire the side.

Ugueto was 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 1 RBI for the Cardenales. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 0-for-4 for the Cats, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was 0-for-3 and Alex Romero (Arizona) was 1-for-3. Josmir Romero worked 2.1 innings for Aragua, giving up 3 runs on six hits while striking out 2.

Los Tigres play a home-and-home pair against los Navegantes del Magallenes Friday and Saturday. Friday's contest beings at 7:30 PM AST. They are scheduled to take on the Red Birds again on Sunday but all of Sunday's games are showing as postponed by the league. This has something to do with a referendum on Constitutional Reform by the National Electoral Council. Make up dates are yet to be announced.

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Tigres rally past Lara for win

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Lara 3 at Aragua 5

W: F. Mata (2-0, 2.88); L: S. Patterson (1-2, 1.40); SV: F. Butto (8)
HR: ARA: R. Chavez (1).

Minnesota's Frank Mata picked up his 2nd win of the season pitching in relief of former Miracle Henry Bonilla (LA Angels) as the Tigres de Aragua downed the Cardenales de Lara, 5-3.

Lara got on the board early when Hernan Iribarren (Milwaukee) doubled, moved to 3rd on a sac-bunt, then came home on a Robert Perez (F/A) single.

Cardenales starter Giovani Carrera (LA Dodgers) kept the Tigres off the board until the fifth. Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) both singled. Chevez came home on a Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) sac fly.

Lara answered back in the top of the 6th with former Miracle Luis Ugueto (F/A) singling, then moving to 3rd on Jose Lopez's (Seattle) double. Bonilla was taken from the mound at that point, being replaced by Jose Guanchez (F/A). Selwyn Langaigne (F/A) reached on a fielder's choice, while Ugueto made it safety across the plate for the run.

The visitors kept rolling in the top of the 7th, with Jairo Ramos (F/A) singling. Milwaukee's Alcides Escobar replaced him a pinch runner and moved to 2nd on a sac-bunt by Carlos Mendoza (NY Mets). Irbarren's ground out pushed him to 3rd, while was plated by Ugueto's ground ball single to right.

Aragua roared back in the bottom of the inning with Chavez going yard off Cesar Jimenez (Seattle). With 2 outs, Rodriguez singled, then crossed the plate on a Mike Aviles (Kansas City) triple to tie up the score. Hector Gimenez (Houston) reached on a throwing error by Ugueto, which brought Aviles home, giving the Tigres the lead.

Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) replaced Mata for the 8th inning, getting 1 out and allowing a runner on base. Field manager Buddy Bailey sent Jose Mijares (Minnesota) to the mound, and he induced Langaigne to hit into a double play to retire the side.

Back-too-back doubles by Alex Romero (Arizona) and Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) added an insurance marker to the Tigres total, while Frank Butto (F/A) shut down Lara in the 9th for the win.

Bonilla finished up allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 in 5.1 innings. Mata worked 1.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits and striking out 1.

L-Rod went 2-for-4 at the plate with a 1 run and an RBI, Romero was 2-for-4 with a run, and Maza was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The two teams rematch today at 7:30 PM AST with Lara hosting the game. The Tigres then take on los Navegantes del Magallanes on Friday and Saturday to finish off the week feline.

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The big news today was the trade between the Twins and the Rays, with Minnesota recieving 22-year old Rookie of the Year Delmon Young, short stop Brendan Harris and outfielder Jason Pridie in exchange for pitchers Matt Garza and Eduardo Morlan and short stop Jason Bartlett. The Twins also came to terms on a one year contract for righthander Brian Bass, and minor league contracts for pitchers R.A. Dickey and Mariano Gomez.

Garza posted a 5-7 record with the Twins in 2007, with a 3.69 ERA, 67 strikes and 32 walks over 83 innings. Barlett hit .265 with 75 runs, 4 home runs, 43 RBIs and stolen bases in 140 games. Morlan, who pitched the 2007 season for the Fort Myers Miracle, finished up with a 4-3 record and a 3.15 ERA and 18 saves in 65.2 innings. He's expected to start in the Devil Rays minor league system next year, most likely for AA Montgomery.

Young hit .288 with 65 runs, 13 home runs, 93 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Harris hit .286 with 72 runs, 12 home runs and 59 RBIs in 137 games for the Devil Rays last season.

Pride, who the Twins tried to take a couple of years ago in the Rule V draft, spent the 2007 season spliting time between AA Montgomery and AAA Durham, hitting .303 with 89 runs, and 14 home runs in 134 games with 66 RBIs. He will have a chance to make the big league club out of spring training, but will likely start the season in Rochester. Dickey played the 2007 season with the AAA Nashville Sounds in the Milwaukee system, posting a 13-6 record with a 3.72 era in 169.1 innings pitched. He struck out 119 and walked 60.

Bass, who is 3-3 in the Venezuelan Winter League with the Tigres, finished up 7-3 with a 3.48 ERA for the AAA Red Wings in 103.1 innings pitched. Gomez, played last year in AA Akron for Cleveland, putting together a 3-3 record with a 4.05 ERA in 66.2 innings with 2 saves. He struck out 53 and walked 24. Gomez is currently pitching for the los Aguilas del Zulia in the Venezeluan Winter League.

Tigres start out week with win

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Zulia 1 at Aragua 3

W: H. Estrada (3-1, 1.54); L: H. Rodriguez (1-1, 2.54); SV: K. Tolar (5)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Aragua started out the new week feline on a winning note, downing los Aguilas de Zulia, 3-1.

Horacio Estrada (F/A) took the start for Aragua, limiting the Aguiles to only 1 hit and striking out 5 over six innings.

Zulia's only hit came in the 7th off Yohan Pino (Minnesota) when Alberto Callaspo (Arizona) singled, then stole 2nd base. After hitting Guillero Rodriguez (San Francisco) with a pitch, Pino would allow a single to Yurendell de Caster (Pittsburgh) that served to bring Callaspo home.

A Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) single got the Cats going in the bottom of the 1st. Cedeno then stole 2nd and moved to 3rd on Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) ground out. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) plated Cedeno, then moved to 2nd on a throwing error by Zulia starter Henry Rodriguez (Oakland) on a pick off attempt. Hector Gimenez (Houston) would double him in to give the Tigres 2.

Aragua added an extra run in the bottom of the 8th when L-Rod doubled, then came home on Aviles single.

Jose Mijares (Minnesota) worked the 8th inning for the Tigers, allowing 1 hit while striking out 1. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) added 2 outs in the 9th, allowing a single to Orlando Munoz (F/A) before giving way to Kevin Tolar (F/A) who ended the game.

L-Rod was 1-for-4 with 1 run for the Aragua, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was 1-for-2 with a walk, and Alex Romero (Arizona) returned to the line up, going 0-for-3. Randy Ruiz, who was signed as a free agent by the Twins last week, was 0-for-3 as the designed hitter for Zulia.

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Aside from Ruiz, the Twins also signed infielder Howie Clark, catcher Elie Whitside and outfielder Jon Knott. All are expected to play for Triple-A Rochester in the coming season.

Former Miracle pitchers Ricky Barrett and Errol Simonitsch have been outrighted to Rochester. Righthander Bobby Korecky, infielder Matt Macri and former Miracle Matt Tolbert were all added to the Twins 40 man roster.

Deibinson Romero, who split time between Elizabethton and Beloit last season was named the 3rd baseman for the Topps Company Short A/Rookie All Star-Team. Deibinson batted .316 with 9 home runs and 52 RBI's for the E-Twins, sporting a .406 on base percentage and a .506 slugging percentage. Starting pitcher David Bromberg from the Elizabethton Twins and closer Danny Rondon (GCL Twins) were also named to the team.

Tigres win in extra innings

Picture courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 7 at Zulia 5 (14 innings)

W: O. Sosa (3-0, 4.97); L: J. Figueroa (1-5, 5.25)
HR: None.

Former Miracle Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) picked up his 3rd win of the Venezuelan Winter League season as los Tigres de Aragua clawed out a win in extra innings Sunday over los Aguilas de Zulia.

The Tigres started out the scoring in the top of the 4th when Willie Romero (F/A) doubled, and Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) followed up with a walk. A double by Jose Martinez (St Louis) brought in Romero. Maza would come home on a Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) ground out to give Aragua a 2-0 lead.

They would add to it in the top of the 5th when Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) doubled, moved to 3rd on a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) sac-bunt and came home on a throwing error by Zulia's Andres Blanco (Kansas City).

Aragua starter Corey Bailey (Chicago Cubs) found trouble in the bottom of the 5th, issuing a walk to Carlos Gonzalez (Arizona) to start off. With one out, Rodney Medina (F/A) would single to move him to 2nd, and a wild pitch by Bailey would progress the pair. Alberto Callaspo (Arizona) doubled them in to cut the Tigres lead to just 1.

In the top of the 7th with former Sarasota Reds pitcher Jan Granado (F/A) on the mound, Rodriguez, Cedeno, and Rivera would all single to load the bases. A sac-fly by Mike Aviles (Kansas City) plated L-Rod, but the Aguilas would bring out Freddy Ballestas (Philadelphia) to get Romero to fly out to retire the side.

With one out in the bottom of the 7th, Medina would single. Free Agent Jose Guanchez would replace Yohan Pino (Minnesota) on the mound for the Tigres. Guanchez would hit the first batter he faced, Jonel Pacheco (Pittsburgh). Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) would then trot out to the hill for Aragua, and after a brief warm up, saw Callaspo hit a double off him that tied up the game.

Zulia continued to roll in the bottom of the 8th, with Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) knocking a double off Korecky to start out. Gerardo Parra (Arizona) would be brought in to run for G-Rod. Yurendell de Caster (Pittsburgh) would then reach on a fielder's choice, but Korecky could not make the play on Parra, who found himself safe at 3rd. After striking out Randy Ruiz (San Francisco) Koreckey found himself taken from the game in favor of Kevin Tolar (F/A). A sac fly by Gonzalez would bring in Parra, putting the Eagles up by one.

Milwaukee's Mike Rivera would single for the Tigers with one out in the top of the 9th, and then be replaced by pinch runner Ramon Castro (F/A). Aviles and Romero would both draw walks to load the bases, and a sac-fly by Maza would bring in Castro to tie the game.

The score would stay tied until the top of the 14th inning, when, with two outs, Martin Prado (Atlanta) walked and Chavez singled. Hector Gimenez (Houston) would come into the game as a pinch hitter, and would slam a double to center to bring in the pair for the Aragua win.

Pino would work 1.1 innings giving up 1 run on 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 1. Korecky worked 1 inning, allowing 1 run on 2 hits, while striking out 1 for his 2nd blown save of the season. Sosa would work 3 innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 1 for the win. Granado, a former Miracle, would give up 1 run on 3 hits in 1.2 innings for Zulia.

L-Rod was 2-for-8 at the plate with 2 runs and a double, Maza was 2-for-4 with 2 walks, 1 run and 1 RBI.

Following their marathon game, the Tigres deserved their Monday off. They will start out the new week feline on Tuesday, hosting Zulia for a 7:30 PM AST game.

Cedeno was again named the player of the week for Los Tigres. Former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) was removed from the active roster after contracting conjuntivitis. He's due to return to the team this coming week.

The Tigres remain in 3rd place in the league, 3 games behind los Caribes de Anzoategui.

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Aguilas defeat Tigres at "Nest"

Jose Mijares/Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 3 at Zulia 7

W: J. Lopez (3-1, 1.73); L: B. Bass (3-3, 3.38); SV: R. Garces (13)
HR: ZUL: R. Ruiz (6).

Minnesota's Brian Bass has been on a losing streak of late, suffering his 3rd straight loss Saturday, this time to the Aguilas de Zulia. Bass lasted only 3.2 innings, allowing 4 runs, all earned on 5 hits while striking out 3.

The Tigres got onto the board first when Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) singled out to right field with 1 out. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) walked, but Mike Rivara (Milwaukee) struck out. Ruben Salazar (F/A) then walked to fill the bases, and a Willie Romero (F/A) hit to center to plated Rodriguez.

Randy Ruiz (San Francisco) homered in the bottom of the 2nd for Zulia, tying up the score.

With one out in the forth, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) singled out center. After Alex Delgado (F/A) moved Maza to 2nd, Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) would double to bring him in,

The Eagles however, responded in the bottom of the inning. Andres Blanco (Kansas City) hit out to center, and Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) moved him over to 2nd. Yurendell Decaster (Pittsburgh) hit into a double play, which left Blanco at 3rd. Ruiz brought Blanco home with a hit to center, and was followed onto the bags by Carlos Gonzalez (Arizona) who also found a weakness with Maza in center. Gerardo Avila (Seattle) hit to center as well, which lead to the removal of Bass in favor of favor of Jose Guanchez (F/A).

Frank Mata (Minnesota) was brought onto the mound for the bottom of the 5th. He walked Luis Bolivar (Cincinnati) to start, and then Bolivar stole 2nd. Alberto Callaspo (Arizona) doubled him in. Blanco's sac fly moved Callaspo to 3rd, G. Rodriguez connected for a single but Callaspo was taken out at the plate, to save a run. Ruiz then tripled, which led to Mata's removal, in favor of Jose Mijares, who did managed the 3rd out. Mata would finish up with 3 runs on 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1 in .2 innings.

Mijares would stay in for the 7th sixth inning and would keep Zulia off the board. Baltimore's Rosman Garcia would pitch the 7th and the 8th, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk.

The Tigres would get one run in the top of the 9th, when Rodriguez walked off Albert Vargas (F/A) and moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Aviles hit to center moved him to 3rd, and Rivera would drive him in, but that's all the Cats would get.

L. Rodriguez finish up 1-for-4 at the plate with a walk and 2 runs. Maza was 1-for-4 at the plate with a run.

The teams rematch on Sunday in Zulia at 4:00 PM AST.

All I can say is "thank you" to the Tigres for putting together a great website. MLB takes forever to get the scores up and then leaves out the Log half the time. The Tigres site is informative and interesting, with constant updates on the players, even if it is all in Spanish.

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