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.

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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Eagles soar over Tigres, 7-6

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Zulia 7 at Aragua 6

W: H. Totten (4-0, 3.03); L: K. Tolar (0-1, 1.86); SV: R. Garces (11)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Aragua managed run on 6 hits, but couldn't rally past the Aguilas de Zulia, falling 7-6 Thursday at Jose Perez Stadium in Maracay.

Aragua did get onto the board first, Michael Rivera (Milwaukee) took a walk, then moved to second on a wild pitch from Zulia starter Henry Rodriguez (Oakland). Jesus Feliciano (NY Yankees) would double him in.

Gerardo Avila (Seattle) doubled in the top of the third inning for Zulia, then moved to 3rd base when former Miracle Henry Bonilla (LA Angels), who was making his second start of the season, unleased a wild pitch. Rodney Medina (F/A) then doubled up the middle to plate the runner.

Consecutive hits by Luis Figueroa (F/A), Yurendell DeCaster (Pittsburgh) and Randy Ruiz (San Francisco) filed the bags in the 4th. Bonilla then walked Carlos Gonzalez (Arizona) to force in a run, while Medina's single scored DeCaster. A double play by Luis Oliveros (Seattle) ended the Eagles' threat.

Los Tigers roared in the bottom of the fouth. With one out, Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) walked. After Alex Delgado (F/A) stuck out and was then ejected for arguing the same, Ronney Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) hit to right field. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) then walked to fill the bases. Moses Melendez (Philadelphia) was called up to the mound for Zulia, but Ruben Salazar (F/A) put a 2-2 pitch into center field to bring in two runners, with Maza making it to 3rd. Rivera then walked to fill the bases again before Hector Gimenez (Houston) went deep out to right to bring in 2 more, but Rivera would be tagged out at 3rd to the inning.

Bonilla would work 5.1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3. Jose Guanchez (F/A) would relieve him for only one out before being replaced by Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota).

With one out, Sosa allowed consecutive hits to Figueroa and DeCaster. Ruiz would hit to center to drive in Figueroa. Kevin Tolar (F/A) would enter the game for the Tigres and Gonzalez singled to bring in DeCaster, tying up the game again.

Medina got on base for Zulia in the 8th with a single and moved to second on a pop out. Alberto Callaspo (Arizona) hit out to right, putting Medina on 3rd, and a misplay by Martin Prado (Atlanda) moved Callaspo to 2nd. Medina would come home on a wild pitch, and Carlos Leon (Philadelphia) plated Callaspo for the game winning run.

Rodriguez would come home on a Cedeno hit in the 9th, but it was all the Tigres could manage against Aguilas closer Rich Garces (F/A).

Former Miracle (and SaraReds) Jan Grandado (F/A) worked 1 inning for Zulia, striking out 1. Maza would finish up 0-for-3 with a walk and a run for the Tigres, Rodriguez was 1-for-3 with a walk and 2 runs, and Alex Romero (Arizona) as 0-for-2.

Obviously, this corrects Wednesday's recap as the Tigres played Zulia, not Lara on Thursday. Hey, you know, they were both birds. After taking Friday off, the Tigres rematch against Zulia ot 6:00 PM AST Saturday and 4:00 PM AST Sunday to finish off the week feline.

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Tigers crush Eagles, 13-1

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 13 at Zulia 1

W: B. Bass (3-1, 2.22); L: V. Nunez (0-3, 3.65)
HR: ARA: R. Cedeno (1).

Brian Bass (Minnesota) allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 over 5 innings, and los Tigres de Aragua responded with 20 hits, to crush los Aguilas de Zulia, 13-1.

Zulia's only run came in the bottom of the 4th inning when Gerardo Parra (Arizona) singled, moved to 2nd on Pete Orr's (Atlanta) ground out and was plated by Carlos Gonzalez (Arizona) fly ball single.

The Tigres on the other hand, wasted no time getting on the board as Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) homered off Zulia starter Vladimir Nunez (Chicago White Sox). Aragua was not happy with that though, as with 1 out, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) drew a walk, moved to second on Hector Gimenez's (Houston) single and scored on Mike Aviles (Kansas City) fly ball single to right.

They tacked on 2 more in the 2nd inning when Willie Romero (F/A) doubled and was followed onto base by Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets), who singled. After Alex Delgado (F/A) was taken out on strikes, a fielding error by Zulia's Orr allowed Cedeno to reach and Romero to score. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) single brought in Feliciano, making it 4-0 Tigres.

Willie Romero doubled again in the top of the 4th, moved to 3rd on a Feliciano single and scored when Delgado hit into a double play.

The top of the fifth saw Maza double off Albert Vargas (F/A). He swapped placed with Gimenez, who then moved to 3rd on Aviles ground out. An Alex Romero (Arizona) sac-fly plated Gimenez.

Zulia turned to Yoann Torrealba (F/A) to stop the bleeding, but Delgado doubled and Cedeno was hit by a pitch. A walk to Rodriguez loaded the bags. Maza would single in Delgado before Leonardo Martinez (Oakland) was brought to the mound. He did get Gimenez to pop out before walking Aviles to force in a run. Zulia then trotted out Sarasota native James Morrison (F/A), while Jose Martinez (St Louis) came into the game for Aragua to pinch hit for Alex Romero. Martinez ground into a force out which saw Rodriguez out at home, but the bags stayed loaded. Willie Romero then singled to bring in Maza and Aviles, before Feliciano would line out to end the inning.

A run by Cedeno in the 7ths and Feliciano in the 9th finished off the scoring for the Tigres.

Frank Mata (Minnesota) worked 2 innings of relief for Aragua, allowing 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 1.

Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs in the contest, Maza was 2-for-4 with 1 walk, 3 runs and 1 RBI and Alex Romero was 0-for-2 with 1 RBI.

Aragua hosts los Navegantes del Magallenas on Friday at 7:30 PM AST and the league leading Caribes de Anzoategui on Saturday at 5:30 PM AST.

Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs, 5-3, 2.86 ERA) will take the start for Aragua against Juan Pulido (F/A, 1-0, .93 ERA).

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Tigres stay in win column

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 2 at Zulia 1

W: J. Karnuth (1-0, 0.00); L: J. Figueroa (1-2, 3.86); SV: F. Butto (3)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Arague scratched out a win against the Aguilas de Zulia Wednesday. The Tigres would be kept off the board until the 7th inning and would not find the game winning run until the 8th, rallying past the Eagles for the win.

Yurendell de Caster (Pittsburgh) singled in the bottom of the 5th inning for Zulia, moved to second on a walk to Randy Ruiz (San Francisco) and progressed to 3rd when Gerardo Avila (Seattle) hit into a double play. Alberto Callaspo's (Arizona) single brought de Caster over the plate to give los Aguilas the lead.

Hector Gimenez (Houston) drew a walk in the top of the 7th for the Tigres. Alex Nunez (F/A) doubled out to center and Alex Romero (Arizona) was intentionally walked. A sac-fly by Jose Martinez (St Louis) brought in Gimenez to tie up the constest.

Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) doubled to start out the top of the 8th. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) hit into a sac-bunt, but a throwing error by catcher Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) allowed Cedeno to come home for the game winning run.

Former Miracle Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) pitched .1 inning for the Tigers, walking a man and striking out another. Bobby Koreckey (Minnesota) and Jose Mijares (Minnesota) also pitched .1 inning each, with Korecky allowing a walk.

Rodriguez would be 0-for-2 in the game with a walk, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) as 0-for-4, and Romero was 1-for-1 with a double and a walk.

The two teams rematch tonight at 7:30 PM AST.

Former Miracle pitcher Henry Bonilla (LA Angels) will be joining the Tigres on November 11th Aragua announced in a press release. Bonilla spent parts of the 2002 and 2003 seasons in Fort Myers, and played in the Twins organization from 2000 to 2006. Last season he posted a 5.78 ERA with a 12-8 record in 165 innings pitched (29 games) for the Salt Lake Bees of the Pacific Coast League.

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Aragu drops two

Bobby Korecky

Aragua 0 at La Guaira 9

W: J. Bennett (1-1, 1.00); L: H. Estrada (0-1, 7.50)
HR: LAG: C. Suarez (1).

Tiburones de La Guaira blanked the Tigres de Aragua 9-0 Tuesday, limiting the Tigers to only 5 hits on the game.

Twins prospect Brian Buscher had one of those hits in the 9th, but Mike Aviles (Kansas City) ground into a force out that nabbed Buscher at 2nd. Former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) extended his hitless streak, maintaining his .000 batting average on the season.

Former Miracle pitcher Frank Mata gave up 3 runs - none of them earned - on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1 in 1.2 innings. Horacio Estrada (F/A) suffered the loss for the Tigres.

Atlanta's Gregor Blanco was 2-for-2 with 3 runs and 2 walks for the Tiburones, Seattle's Luis Oliveros was 1-for-4 with 2 runs, and Boston's Chris Carter was 2-for-5 with 1 run and 4 RBIs.

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Zuilia 3 at Aragua 1

W: C. Rojas (1-0, 0.00); L: B. Korecky (0-1, 0.00); SV: R. Garces (3)
HR: None.

The Tigres did not fair any better against the Aguilas de Zulia on Wednesday. Twins prospect Bobby Korecky suffered the 3-1 loss for Aragua, giving up 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 1 in 1.1 innings.

Brian Bass took the start for the Tigres, working through 4.1 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4.

Carlos Leon (Philadelphia) bunted his way onto base in the top of the sixth, then moved to 3rd on Darnell McDonald's (Minnesota) ground ball single and a missed catch by Tigre's first baseman Ruben Salazar (F/A). He would come home on Yurendell de Caster's (Pittsburgh) sac-fly to put the Eagles on the board.

They would take two more in the top of the 8th, when former Miracle pitcher Victor Moreno hit Leon with a pitch. McDonald would double him in. After de Caster ground out, Moreno would intentionally walk Carlos Gonzalez (Arizona). Randy Ruiz (San Francisco) singled a line drive out to center to put McDonald over the plate for Zulia.

Brian Buscher reached on a throwing error in the 9th inning by Leon, which went into the dugout, putting the Twins prospect on 2nd. He moved to 3rd on Salazar's fly out and scored on a throwing error by Zulia short stop Luis Bolivar (Cincinnati). That would be all the Tigres could manage though as Ramon Castro (F/A) flew out to end the inning.

Buscher would be 1-for-3 at the plate with 1 run and 1 walk. Fort Myers Alumni Alex Romero (Arizona) finally got his first hit of the VWL season. Jose Mijares worked .2 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 2.

Aragua takes on the Cardenales de Lara on Thursday at 7:30 PM, AST.

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