Miracle Alumni abound in Aragua's 10-3 win over Lara

Aragua 10 at Lara 3

W: K. Middleton (1-0, 0.93); L: R. Rowland-Smith (0-1, 4.32)
HR: ARA: M. Aviles (2), R. Salazar (2).

A big sixth inning by the Tigers de Arauga put Saturday's Venezuelan League Game way out of recach for the Cardenales de Lara who managed a 3 run 8th, but nothing more.

Mike Aviles (Kansas City) homered in the top of the 2nd to get things rolling for the Tigres. They added on another run in the 5th when former Miracle outfield Alex Rodriguez (Arizona) drew a walk, and moved to 2nd off Raul Chavez's (NY Yankees) sac-bunt. Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) singled Romero in. Ryan Rowland-Smith (Seattle), an Aussie pitcher the Twins had taken in the Rule V Draft several years ago but did not keep, suffered the loss in that inning.

Ivan Blanco (Seattle) would replace him. He'd find trouble in the 6th when Ruben Salazar (F/A) started off with a yard ball to left. Aviles singled his way onto base and moved to second on Brian Buscher's (Minnesota) ground out. Alex Nunez (F/A) and Romero followed that up with singles of their, scoring Aviles before Javier Nieves (Toronto) was brought into replace Blanco. Chavez would fly out, but Luis Maza (LA Dodgers), another Miracle alumni, would draw a walk to load the bases. A wild pitch saw Nunes across the plate and Feleciano walked them full again. Ronny Cendro's (Chicago Cubs) line drive would score Romero and Maza before Lino Urdaneta (F/A) was brought in to get the final out.

Pinch hitter Edwar Gonzalez (NY Yankees) singled in Carlos Mendoza (NY Yankees), who'd singled his way onto base, for Lara in the 8th. Throwing error by Salazar and Cedno would lead to a run for Wiki Gonzalez (Chicago White Sox) and Luis Ugueto (F/A) would double in Jesus Guzman (Seattle) for Lara. Jose Mijares (Minnesota) would be brought in to get the final out and retire the side.

The Tigres made it back up in the 9th though, with Ailves taking a walk and Buscher singling his way onto the bags. Ramon Castro's (F/A) double brought Aviles in, while Romero's single out to right served to plate Buscher. Chavez would single to bring in Castro, but Yovany D'Amico (Kansas City) would get Maza to line out and Feliciano to ground out to end the inning.

Frank Mata (Minnesota) closed the game in the 9th, allowing 1 hit, but using a pair of ground outs and a fly outs to salt the Cardenales away.

Buscher would finish up 1-for-5 at the plate with 1 run. Ugueto was 1-for-4 with 1 RBI.

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