Tigres finish off Margarita, arm for Finals

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Bravos 5 at Aragua 6

W: J. Karnuth (1-0, 4.63); L: L. Ramirez (1-1, 2.45); SV: F. Butto (4)
HR: ARA: M. Prado (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua defeated los Bravos de Margarita in a relatively meaningless game to end the round-robin portion of the playoffs. The Tigres will take on los Cardenales de Lara on Wednesday for the start of the best of seven series final for the Venezuelan Winter League Championship.

Albero Gonzalez (NY Yankees) lead off for the Bravos with a single to start the game. William Bergolla (San Francisco) doubled him. Following a fly out to Frank Diaz (Washington), Rene Reyes (F/A) reached on a fielding error by Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) that also allowed Bergolla to score. One out later back-to-back singles by Raul Escalona (Florida) and Ray Olmedo (Toronto) allowed Reys to cross the plate, giving the Braves a 3-0 lead.

They would pick up another run in the second in nearly the same way: a single to Gonzalez and a double to Bergolla. This time however, a sac-fly by Diaz was need to plate the run.

Margarita extended their lead in the top of the third with Julio Cordido (San Francisco) finding his way onto base with a ground ball single, then coming home on J.C. Boscan's (Atlanta) double.

The Tigers finally found their scoring stroke in the bottom of the fourth when Cabrera took advantage of a fielding error by Olmedo to get on base. Martin Prado (Atlanta) went yard over the left field wall to give the Tigres their first 2 runs.

Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) singled in the bottom of the 5th and came home on a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) double. Singles by Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) and Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) saw Cedeno home to make it 5-4 Braves.

Prado singled to put the tying run on base in the bottom of the sixth. Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) drew a walk and Maza moved the pair on a sac bunt. Cedeno was then intentionally walked. Chavez singled out to right to bring in Prado to even the game, then Callaspo singled to center to score Gimenez for the go ahead run.

Horacio Estrada (F/A) took the start for the Tigres allowing 5 runs (3 earned) on 11 hits while striking out 5. Jason Karnuth (Detroit) picked up the win, pitching 2.2 innings of relief, allowing 1 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2.

Cabrera went 1-for-4 in game with a run, Maza as 1-for-3 with a run and former Miracle Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 0-for-3.

The Tigers travel to Lara for the first two games of the finals on Wednesday and Thursday, both set for 7:30 PM AST. They return home on Friday, and then will play Sunday and Monday (if necessary) at Jose Perez Colmenarez Stadium before returning to Lara for the final two games of the series.

Jesus Silva (Florida) and Juan Carlos Gutierrez (Arizona) joined the Tigres pitching staff and will start the 2nd and 3rd games of the playoffs respectively. Silva had been pitching for los Bravos in the playoffs while Gutierrez joins the team from La Guaira.

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Tigres de Aragua

The Twins exchanged figures with outfielder Michael Cuddyer and reliever Matt Guerrier on Friday in preperation of upcoming arbitration. Cuddyer is looking for $6.2 million for the upcoming season, $1.5 more than the Twins have offered him. Guerrier is seeking $1.15 million while the Twins are offering $750K.

Cuddyer and Guerrier are the last two players eligible for arbitration. The Twins settled with Juan Rincon on Friday, signing him a $2.475 million one-year deal.

There has been some speculation that Ron Gardenhire is thinking of playing Cuddyer in centerfield to replace Torii Hunter. My personal feeling is irregardless of what the Twins say, we'll see Delmon Young in center field by the end of the 2008 season.

Aragua blanks Bravos, 9-0

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 9 at Bravos 0

W: R. Garcia (1-0, 2.63); L: F. Paulino (1-2, 3.52)
HR: None.

Thursday proved a different story for los Tigres de Aragua as Rosman Garcia (Baltimore) and three relievers combined to blank los Bravos de Margarita 9-0.

The Tigres wasted no time getting onto the scoreboard. Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) and Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) lead off with walks. A passed ball by catcher J.C. Boscan (Atlanta - formerly Cinci) moved the pair which left room for Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera to be intentionally walked, loading the bases. Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) then singled out to right to score the first two runners.

In the top of the 4th inning, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) singled followed by a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) walk. A sac bunt by Alex Delgado (F/A) moved the pair. Callaspo singled to plate Maza and a sac-fly by L-Rod brought in Cedeno.

With one out in the fifth, Gimenez and Alex Romero (Arizona) both drew walks, then moved on a wild pitch by Margarita's Steve Kent (Atlanta). A single by Maza saw Gimenez score, but Romero would be taken out at the plate as he tried to hustle home as well. A Cedeno grounder to right plated Maza, giving the Cats a 6-0 lead.

Callaspo again walked to start out the top of the sixth. L-Rod singled, and another passed ball by Boscan moved the pair. Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) then walked to load the bases. A sac fly by Gimenez scored Callaspo and a wild pitch from Malvin Vasquez (Pittsburgh) saw Rodriguez home.

With a big lead, the Cats made some offensive changes in the 8th. Jose Martinez (St Louis) replaced L-Rod and drew a walk. Ramon Castro (F/A) came in for Cabrera and walked as well. Gimenez then walked to load the bases and a single by Romero would drive in the final run of the game.

L-Rod was 1-for-2 with a walk, 2 runs and an RBI. He was returning to the line up following some time off for a sore back. Maza was 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 1 RBI and Romero was 1-for-4 with a walk and 1 RBI. Cabrera, who is the subject of a new article on the Tigres website, was 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk.

Former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) pitched the ninth inning, striking out 2.

The win puts the Cats in a tie with los Cardenales de Lara, who lost Thursday, for first place in the round-robin playoffs.

Aragua plays a pair of games Friday and Saturday against Caribes de Anzoategui. They have Sunday off, and face Margarita again on Monday.

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Former Miracle Jason Kubel agreed to a $1.3 million one-year contract on Thursday, thereby avoiding arbitration with the Twins. Kubel hit .273 with 13 homers and 65 RBIs in 128 games last season. He has been sidelined by knee injuries and the Twins are hoping he can prove that he can stay health this season.

He showed promise toward the end of last season, finishing the year by hitting .323 in his final 10 games. He is expected to split time in left flield with newly acquired Delmon Young, as well as serve a left-handed designed hitter off the bench.

The Twins also agreed to a one-year $7.4 million deal with Justin Morneau, avoid arbitration with the 2006 MVP. Morneau hit .271 with 31 home runs and 111 RBIs last season, a drop of 50 points from the .321 he hit in 2006.

Minnesota now has three arbitration-eligible players remaining that they need to settle with -- outfielder Michael Cuddyer and right-handers Juan Rincon and Matt Guerrier. Arbitration figures are due to be released later today, which should reveal how close the team is to signing these players.

Tigres overcome by Margarita

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 2 at Bravos 5

W: L. Ramirez (1-0, 0.00); L: H. Estrada (0-1, 4.97)
HR: MAR: R. Hernandez (1).

The home game series ended Wednesday for los Tigres de Aragua and the win streak ended as well, when the Cats failed to rally past los Bravos de Margaria at the isle.

Horacio Estrada (F/A) took the start for Aragua, giving up a pair of runs in the first two innings to Margarita. Ramon Hernandez (Baltimore) went yard in the first inning for the Bravos.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Raul Escalona (Florida) doubled. He'd be plated by Jean Boscan's (Cincinnati) hit to center field.

Estrada would work 5.1 inning allowing the 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 4. He'd give way to Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) for two innings to allowed only 2 hits and struck out 1.

Jose Guanchez (F/A) took over the mound in the 8th. With one out Francisco Leandro (F/A) singled, followed by a walk to Rene Reyes (F/A). Jesus Delgado (Florida) was brought into the game to pitch at that point and walked Julio Cordido (San Francisco) to fill the bases. Following a strike out by Escalona, William Bergotta (San Francisco) triple to bring in the three runners.

The Cats narrowly missed being shut out when Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) singled and was brought home by a Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) double. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) then plated for Chavez for the final run of the game.

Aragua falls to second place overall in the round robin tournament, one game behind los Cardenales de Lara. I believe the tournament ends on Monday, January 21.

The two teams rematch Thursday for a 7:30 PM EST game.

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Former Miracle Jose Mijares was in a traffic accident in the early hours of Sunday and under went surgery Monday night to repair a fracture in his left elbow. The operation was deemed a success, but it will be 2 to 3 months before he will be able to start throwing again. Tigres

Tigres knock off Margarita

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Bravos 0 at Aragua 3

W: J. Santiago (2-1, 3.00); L: V. Zambrano (1-2, 6.23); SV: F. Butto (2)
HR: ARA: H. Gimenez (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua tossed blanks on Sunday, this time shutting down los Bravos de Margarita, 3-0, at los Jose Perez Colmenares Stadium of Maracay

The first four innings of the game would fly by in a scoreless frenzy, despite a double by Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) in the bottom of the third.

In the bottom of the 5th with one out, Edgard Alfonzo (Texas) would be plunked by a pitch. Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) then drew a walk. Former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) ripped a double out to left to score the pair, giving the Cats 2 runs on the board.

A home run by Gimenez in the bottom of the 7th would be the only other run in the game.

Luis Santiago (NY Mets) limited the Bravos to 4 hits and 2 walks over 6 innings. Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) allowed 2 hits in .2 innings worth of work in the 7th, with free agents Jose Guanchez, Kevin Tolar, and Frank Butto finishing off the Bravos.

Los Tigres face Caribes on Monday for a 6:30 PM AST game before taking Tuesday off.

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Former Miracle Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) sat out the games on Saturday and Sunday due to backpain. He is expected to return Monday or Wednesday. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, who was expected to rejoin the team on Sunday, also did not make an appearance.

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 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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Tigres take another win from los Bravos

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 3 at Margarita 2

W: C. Bailey (2-4, 3.82); L: M. Connolly (2-4, 3.64); SV: F. Butto (6)
HR: MAR: J. Thurston (1).

Los Tigres de Aragua kept rolling against the Bravos de Margarita, finishing up the 3 games series with 2 wins. The Cats took a 4th inning lead and managed hang on for the remainder of the game.

Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) and Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) would both draw walks off Michael Connolly (Kansas City) to start off the top of the 4th. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) hit a sac-bunt to move the pair. Connolly would then intentionall walk Ruben Salazar (F/A) to load the bases. A wild pitch would bring Cedeno home, and a ground out by Martin Pardo (Atlanta) would bring in Maza. Hector Gimenez (Houston) singled to bring in Salazar for a 3-0 lead.

Margarita took a run back in the bottom of the inning, with Rene Reyes (F/A) singling, and moving to 2nd on a wild pitch by Tigers starter Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs). A Frank Diaz (Washington) single would plate Reyes, while Diaz was taken out at 2nd trying to stretch the hit into a double. Margarita would threaten with walks to Miguel Monero (Arizona) and Julio Cordido (San Francisco) and a single by Alberto Gonzalez (NY Yankees) to load up the bases, but J.C. Boscan (Cincinnati) would fly out to end the inning.

Bailey would last for 5 innings, giving up 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4. He'd be replaced by Frank Mata (Minnesota) who pitched through the sixth, but ran into trouble in the 7th when Justin Thurston (F/A) homered out to left. Mata would have given up 2 hits in 1.2 innings on the mound.

The Tigres then turned to Bobby Korecky (Minnesota), who worked 1.1 inning, allowing only 1 hit.

Jose Mijares (Minnesota) would be brought in for the 9th getting Dennys Abreau (F/A) to ground out before giving way to Frank Butto (F/A), who ended the contest.

Ricky Barrett (Minnesota) pitched the 9th inning for the Braves, striking out 1.

Former Miracle Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 0-for-2, while Maza finished up 1-for-3 with 1 walk and 1 run. Alex Romero (Arizona) entered the game late as a pinch hitter, and then stayed in to play left field. He was 0-for-2 at the plate.

Los Tigres will now play 4 games over the next three days, all against the Caribes de Anzoategui, which leads the Venezuelan League standings. Aragua is in 3rd place, 6 games back from Caribes.

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Tigres down Bravos, 3-1

Oswaldo Sosa

Aragua 3 at Margarita 1

W: O. Sosa (1-0, 7.20); L: L. Ramirez (1-2, 4.08); SV: F. Butto (5)
HR: None.

Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) worked 1.2 innings of relief for los Tigres de Aragua Wednesday, allowing 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 1 for his first win of the Venezuelan Winter League season. Aragua held los Bravos de Margaritta to 5 hits total in the game, their only run coming in the 9th inning.

Both teams would be kept off the board until the 6th inning, although Aragua looked at scoring chances in the 2nd and 4th innings, they could not convert.

With 1 out in the 6th, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) tripled out to center, and then Margaritta's Luis Ramirez (Oakland) walked Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets). Raul Chevez (NY Yankees) singled in Maza, and then Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) would double to plate Feliciano. Julio Salazar (F/A) would be brought to the mound for los Bravos, issuing a walk to Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) to start off. Hector Gimenez (Houston) hit a sac-fly to bring in Chavez. Los Bravos would call for another pitching change, this time bringing in Kasey Olenberger (LA Angels), who got Ruben Salazar to ground out to end the inning.

Frank Diaz (Washington) would walk in the 9th for Margaritta, then move to 2nd on a defensive indifference call. Alberto Gonzalez (NY Yankees) would reach on a fielding error by Cedeno, and Diaz came home on the play with 2 outs for the Bravos lone run. Gonzalez would steal 2nd, but Frank Butto (F/A) got J.C. Boscan (Cincinnati) to strike out to end the game.

Minnsota's Jose Mijares pitched .1 inning of relief, getting Dennys Abreau (F/A) to fly out in the bottom of the 6th inning.

Former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) and Rodrigez were both 1-for-4 in the game, while Maza was 2-for-4 with a run.

The two teams rematch on Thursday for a 7:30 PM EST game. Aragua then faces Caribes, a team they have yet to beat this season, for four games, including a twin bill on Saturday to finish off the week feline.

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Cats start off new week with a loss

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 2 at Margarita 5

W: J. Silva (4-1, 1.69); L: B. Korecky (0-1, 2.19); SV: A. Serrano (6)
HR: None.

Sadly, los Tigres de Aragua started off the new week feline with another loss Tuesday, this time, falling 5-2 to los Bravos de Margarita.

The Braves got on the board in the bottom of the second, after Rene Reyes (F/A) struck out and Miguel Montero (Arizona) ground into a force out that took Frank Diez (Washington) out at 2nd base. Back-to-back singles by William Bergolla (San Francisco) and Alberto Gonzalez (NY Yankees) served to bring him home.

Tigers starter Brian Bass (Minnesota) kept Margarita quiet until the bottom of the sixth. Meanwhile, Aragua took a brief lead when Alex Romero (Arizona) doubled and Jose Martinez (St Louis) reached on a fielder's choice. Evidently, Margarita shortstop Alberto Gonzalez (NY Yankees) chose to make an error, and Romero found his way to 3rd. Alex Delgado (F/A) would get plunked by a pitch to load the bases, and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) would walk, forcing in Romero for the Tiger's first run. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) ground into a double play, but Martinez cross the plate to give Aragua a 1 run lead.

They wouldn't keep it long though. With one out, Diez singled in the bottom of the sixth. Bass was lifed from the mound in exchange for Jose Guanchez (F/A). Diaz then stole 2nd, and moved to 3rd when Guanchez unleashed a wild pitch. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) would come into the game at that point and allowed a single to Bergolla that plated Diez and tied up the game.

With one out and one man on, Ray Olmedo (Toronto) would hit into a force out for the Braves which took out Joe Thurston (F/A). A throwing error by Cedeno moved Olmedo to 2nd, and he came home off a Victor Rodriguez (F/A) single to give the Braves the lead.

With that play, Korecky suffered his first loss of the season, being charged for 1 run on 3 hits, while striking out 1 in 1.2 innings worth of work.

Frank Diaz would ground out to start the bottom of the 8th after Aragua mades several defensive changes. They would make one more, putting Jesus Delgado (Florida) on the mound to relieve Korecky. Montero would ground out, but Bergolla and Gonzalez both singled their way onto base, then came home when J.C. Boscan (Cincinnati) cracked a double out to center field. Jose Mijares (Minnesota) would come into replace Delgado, with Thurston reaching on a fielding error by Aragua's Rodriguez before Boscan was caught stealing home to end the inning.

Aragua could find nothing in the 9th, with Mike Aviles (Kansas City) grounding into a double play to end the game.

Bass would work 5.1 innings, giving up 2 runs on six hits and 1 walk while striking out 3. He has a 2.41 ERA thus far in the Venezuelan Winter League Season. Bass, who was expected to make Wednesday's start, took Tuesday's game instead when Horacio Estrada (F/A) came down with the flu. Estrada did not make the trip with the team, but is expected to be available to Saturday's twin bill against the Caribs.

Former Miracle Luis Rodriguez would finish up 1-for-4 at the plate, while Romero was 1-for-2.

Ricky Barrett (Minnesota) pitched .1 inning for the Braves allowing 1 hit, he has a 1.93 ERA so far this season.

The two teams rematch Wednesday and Thursday for a pair of 7:30 PM EST games.

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Tigres savor victory over Los Bravos

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Margarita 1 at Aragua 4

W: B. Bass (2-0, 0.46); L: M. Connolly (1-2, 3.94); SV: Y. Pino (1)
HR: MAR: R. Reyes (2). ARA: M. Aviles (4), J. Martinez (2).

Brian Bass (Minnesota) silence the Margarita offensive to reach his second victory of the Venezuelan Winter League season. Bass work 6.1 innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3.

Yohan Pino (Minnesota) picked up the game save, coming in to face one batter and get the final out.

Michael Connolly (Kansas City) suffered the defeat with a performance of 6 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits while striking out 3.

The only Braves run came off a Rene Reyes (F/A) home run in the ninth off Francisco Butto (F/A).

Bobby Koreckey (Minnesota) pitched 1 inning in relief for the Tigres, striking out 2 during his outing.

Brian Buscher (Minnesota) sat out his second straight game. Former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was 2-for-4 at the plate. Alex Romero (Arizona) was inserted into the game late and did not bat.

Kansas City's Mike Aviles had 2 for the Tigres runs, including a home run in the sixth inning.

Note: MLB has decided we don't need the game logs anymore, and neither the Tigres or the Bravos site was not particularly forthcoming, so this was the best I could do.

The Tigres rest up on Monday and return to action on Tuesday against the La Guaira.

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Tigres blanked by Bravos

Margarita 1 at Aragua 0

W: J. Silva (2-1, 0.92); L: Y. Pino (1-2, 3.68); SV: A. Serrano (3)
HR: None.

Former Miracle Yohan Pino suffered his second loss of the Venezuelan Winter League season, when he surrended run on 2 hits and a walk, while striking out 1 in 1.1 innings worth of work.

Aragua could find little offense against los Bravos de Margarita, managing on 6 hits in the 1-0 blanking Friday.

Twins 3rd base prospect Brian Buscher as 1-for-3 in the designated hitter spot, while former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was 0-for-4 and Fort Myers alumni Alex Romero (Arizona) was 0-for-3.

Florida's Jesus Silva pitched 6-1 innings, allowing 4 hits and striking out 2. Lefty Ricky Barrett (Minnesota) followed him up for .1 inning, and 4 other pitchers combined to shut down the Tigres.

Julio Cordido (San Francisco) batted in Rene Reyes (F/A) for Margarita.

Jose Mijares pitched .2 innings in relief of Pino.

Houston's Kyle Middleton made the start for Aragua, allowing 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4 over 6 innings.

Aragua takes on the Leones del Caracas on Saturday at 4:30 pm AST.

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Tigres down Bravos, 8-3

Alex Romero batting for the Miracle in 2004

Margarita 3 at Aragua 8

W: Y. Pino (1-1, 2.25); L: O. Lira (0-1, 0.00)
HR: MAR: R. Cabrera (1).

Former Miracle Yohan Pino pitched 2.2 innings of relief to pick up his first win of this Venezuelan Winter League season Sunday, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 2.

The Bravos opened the scoring in the game when Franciso Leandro (F/A) doubled, moved to third on Anderson Machado's (Cincinnati) ground out and came home J.C. Boscan's (Cincinnati) double. Tigres starter Kyle Middleton (Houston) allowed the run. He would finish up with 3 hits and 2 strike outs in 4.1 innings.

Aragua answered back in the bottom of the inning with Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) drawing a walk. Willie Romero (F/A) singled his way onto base and Twins prospect Brian Buscher reached on a fielding error to load the bags with one out. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) drew a walk to push one run over the plate. Former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) would pop out, but a Ruben Salazar (F/A) single would bring in 2 before Juan Lucena's (St. Louis) ground out ended the inning,

The Tigers picked up 4 more in the bottom of the 5th, when Buscher's single was followed by an Aviles' double that took him home. Singles by Salarzar and Jose Martinez (St. Louis), and a double by Lucena would bring in 2 more, with Chavez's sac-fly making it four.

Former Miracle Josmir Romero (F/A) got onto the mound in the sixth, and the Bravos would get a pair of runs off him in the seventh.

Rochester's Ricky Barrett pitched 1 inning for the Bravos, allowing 1 run (unearned) on 2 hits while striking out 2.

Jose Mijares pitched .1 inning again, striking out Dennys Abreau (F/A) before Pino came in to finish the game.

Buscher finished up the game 1-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs and a walk, Alex Romero was 0-for-5, and has yet to record a hit in four games.

The League takes Monday off, Aragua plays at La Guaira on Tuesday at 7:30 PM A.S.T.

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