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.

Boxscore
Log
Tigres de Aragua

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.

Boxscore
Log
Tigres de Aragua

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.

Boxscore
Log
Tigres de Aragua

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.

Boxscore
Log
Tigres de Aragua

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.

Boxscore
Log
Tigres de Aragua

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.

Boxscore
Invisible Log
Tigres de Aragua