Tigres rout Sharks, 11-4

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 11 at La Guaira 4

W: O. Sosa (1-0, 0.00); L: E. Gonzalez (0-2, 11.25)
HR: ARA: R. Cedeno (1), H. Gimenez (1).

Minnesota's Oswaldo Sosa picked up the win as the Tigre's bats were hot on Friday, knocking out 11 runs on 14 hits against los Tiburones de La Guaira.

Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) and Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) lead off with a pair of singles in the first. Following an Edgardo Alfanzo (Texas) ground out, Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) put one of the right field wall to give the Cats an early lead.

The Sharks answered back though when Danny Sandoval (Cleveland) and Alex Cabrera (F/A) and Ruben Mateo (Milwaukee) hit back-to-back doubles to bring in 2.

Following a scoreless 2nd inning, Callaspo lead off the third with a double, moved to 3rd on a throwing error by Alvin Colina (Cincinnati), and came home on an Alfonzo sac fly.

Doubles by Sandoval and Carbrera followed for La Gauira in the bottom of the inning, and also spelled the end of Horacio Estrada's (F/A) time on the mound as Sosa was brought in. A wild pitch by Sosa and a single by Oscar Salazar (Baltimore) tied up the game.

The Tigres were quick to untie it though, with Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) taking a walk in the top of the forth and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) homering him in.

Singles by L-Rod and Alfonzo combined with a fielding error lead to a run in top of the fifth when Gimenez singled out to 5th. Callaspo lead off the 7th with triple and came home on a sac-fly by Jose Martinez (St Louis).

A singled by Alex Romero (Arizona), a double by Willie Romero (F/A) and a single to Maza opened up the 8th with another run. Cedeno would then be hit by a pitch. Alex Delgado (F/A) knocked a sac fly out to right to bring in Willie, and Maza scored on a fielding error by Sandoval.

The Tigres were playing without Miguel Cabrera, who went to Detroit for a physical. He is expected to return to the team on Sunday.

Minnesota's Jose Mijares worked .1 inning for the Tigres, striking out 1, while Bobby Korecky piteched 2 inning, allowing 2 walks and striking out 2.

Los Tigers return home to host Caribes on Saturday and Margarita on Sunday.

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Tigres de Aragua

Juan Rincon picked up the save in the first game of a 7-inning double header between los Cardenales and los Bravos. He worked 1 innings, striking out 1.

Cats blank Sharks, 5-0

Photo courtesdy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 5 at La Guaira 0

W: J. Santiago (1-1, 5.00); L: W. Collazo (1-1, 4.63)
HR: ARA: W. Romero (1), R. Salazar (1).

Los Tigers de Aragua bounced back from the their loss on Monday to blank los Tiburones de La Guaira on Tuesday.

Jose Santiago (NY Mets) worked 5.2 innings allowing only 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1 to pick up the win. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) worked 1.1 innings in relief, walking 3, and Jose Mijares (Minnesota) struck out 3 in the 8th inning.

The Cats would not get on the board until the 5th inning when Willie Romero (F/A) went yard over the center field wall. Romero then tripled in the 7th, and following Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) getting plunked by a pitch, he'd be plated by an Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) single.

A walk to Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) would load up the bases. Following a pitching change and a line out to Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas), Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) clobbered a double out to left that brought in 2 more runners, making the score 4-0 Tigres.

Ruben Salazar's (F/A) home run in the 8th finished off the scoring.

Cabrera finished up 2-for-3 with a walk, a pair of doubles and 2 RBIs in the contest. L-Rod was 0-for-4 with a walk, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was also 0-for-4.

The Tigres host los Cardenales de Lara Wednesday night at 7:30 PM AST before taking a night off on Thursday.

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Tigers de Aragua

The Minnesota Twins today announced the team's annual Winter Caravan will include several community appearances in Southwest Florida this week. Twins pitchers Jesse Crain and Carmen Cali, Twins infielder Tommy Watkins, along with Twins Radio Network play-by-play announcer John Gordon are scheduled to appear Wednesday, January 9 through Friday, January 11 throughout the Fort Myers area. A brief description of this week's events is listed below.

Wed., Jan. 9
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Caloosa Harbour Seniors Residence
2525 1st Street, Fort Myers

Thurs. Jan. 10
10 a.m.
Lee Cancer Care, Lee Memorial Health System
2776 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers

1:30 p.m.
Health Park Medical Center
9981 Health Park Drive, Fort Myers

Fri. Jan. 11
10 a.m.
Royal Palm Exceptional Center
3050 Indian Street, Fort Myers

The Southwest Florida Youth Clinics schedule begins Saturday, January 12 at Lee County Sports Complex. You can find a complete schedule of the clinics HERE.

Tickets for individual Minnesota Twins Grapefruit League games also go on sale Saturday morning at Hammond Stadium, online at www.twinsbaseball.com, or by calling 1-800-33-TWINS. The Twins' 2008 Spring Training home opener will take place at Hammond Stadium on Friday, February 29 (7:05 p.m. EST) against the 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

Tigres hang on for first playoff win

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

La Guaria 3 at Aragua 4

W: F. Butto (1-0, 0.00); L: S. Randolph (0-1, 10.80)
HR: LAG: A. Colina (1).

Los Tigres de Aragua took a 3rd inning lead and managed to hang on to win, 4-3 over los Tiburones de La Guaira Friday night at José Pérez Colmenares Stadium.

With one out, Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) and Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) hit back-to-back singles to get the Tigres started. Following a Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) fly out, Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) singled to bring in Rodriguez. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) drew a walk before Ruben Salazar (F/A) doubled to clear off the bases, giving the Cats a 4-0 lead.

La Guaria started chipping away at the Tigres lead in the 5th. With 2 outs, Jorge Velandia (Pittsburgh) singled and Alvin Colina (Cincinnati) was hit by a Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs) pitch. Luis Hernandez (Baltimore) singled to bring in Velandia before Jose Mijares (Minnesota) was called to the mound to get the final out.

Colina homered off Jason Karnuth (Detroit) in the 8th inning. Hernandez and Gregor Blanco (Atlanta) both drew walks and a sac bunt by Danny Sandoval (Philadelphia) moved the pair. A wild pitch by Frank Butto (F/A) brought in Hernandez, but a ground out to Oscar Salazar (Baltimore) and strike out to Ruben Mateo (Milwaukee) ended the inning without further damage.

Butto picked up the win, pitching 2 innings, walking 1 and striking out 3.

Cabrera finished up the game 0-for-3 with a walk and a run, Maza was 0-for-4, Rodriguez was 3-for-4 with a run and former Miracle Alex Romero, who entered the game late as a pinch hitter, drew a walk in his only at bat.

Los Tigres take on los Cardenales de Lara on Sunday & Monday before facing the Sharks again on Tuesday.

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Tigres de Aragua

Minnesota's Juan Rincon picked up the save Saturday as the Lara defeated Caribes, 3-2. Rincon allowed a walk and struck out 1 in one innings worth of work. Former Miracle Luis Ugueto (F/A) was 2-for-4 with a walk for Lara in the same game. Rincon pitched .2 innings as well in Friday's 5-2 match between the same teams. He struck out one in Lara's victory. Ugueto was 1-for-4 with a walk, a run and one RBI in the contest.

The Twins signed a pair of free agent right handed pitchers, Landon Jacobsen and Heath Totten to minor league contracts. Jacobsen went 6-5 with AA Reading (Philadelphia) of the Eastern League last season, recording a 4.61 ERA in 93.2 innings pitched. Following a promotion to Ottawa of the AAA International League, he went 2-7 with a 4.80 ERA in 69.1 innings. Totten went 2-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 56.0 innings in AA Reading. He as 1-5 with a 7.09 ERA in 33.0 innings with Ottawa of the International League.

In a related move, former Miracle Eli Tintor as reinstated to club's active list.

Tigres drop 2nd playoff game to Tiburones

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

La Guaira 5 at Aragua 3

W: W. Collazo (1-0, 3.38); L: J. Santiago (0-1, 13.50); SV: F. Rodriguez (1)
HR: LAG: A. Cabrera 2 (2). ARA: M. Prado (1).

Los Tigres de Aragua could not hold an early lead Thursday against los Tiburones de La Guaira at Jose Perez Colmenarez Stadium, falling 5-3 in game two of their round-robin playoff campaign.

Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) reached on a fielding error in the first inning and moved to 2nd on a sac bunt by Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs). Edgar Alfonzo (Texas) doubled Callaspo in to put the Cats on the board.

La Guaira took the point back in the top of the 2nd though when Alex Cabrera (F/A) homered over the left field wall to tie the score. Martin Prado (Atlanta) answered back with a home run of his own in the bottom of the stanza to make it 2-1 Tigers.

But Tigres starter Jose Santiago (NY Mets) got into trouble in the top of the 3rd. After getting Gregor Blanco (Atlanta) out on strikes, he allowed a double to Danny Sandoval (Cleveland) and a single to Oscar Salazar (Baltimore). Cabrera then knocked his 2nd homer of the game over the left field fence to make it 4-2 Sharks.

In the top of the fourth, Luis Hernandez (Baltimore) singled for La Guaira then stole 2nd. Blanco's ground out moved him to 3rd, and he came was plated by a Sandoval single. Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) would take over the mound at that point, and would go on to work 2.2 scoreless innings allowing only 2 hits while striking out 2.

The Cats would get one more in the bottom of the sixth when former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) doubled then came home on a Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) single. Aragua could not complete the rally though, falling short, getting only 1 hit in the final 3.2 innings of the game.

Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) worked one inning for Aragua, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 1. Victor Moreno (Baltimore) worked 1.2 innings, striking out 1.

Tigre's 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) was 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk. Maza was 2-for-4 with a run, L-Rod was 1-for-4 with 1 RBI, and Alex Romero (Arizona) was 0-for-1, entering the game last as a pinch hitter.

The two teams rematch Friday night at 7:30 PM AST.

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Tigres de Aragua

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 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."

Sharks rip los Tigres

Photo courtesy of los Tiburones de La Guaira

Aragua 2 at La Guaira 6

W: S. Randolph (1-1, 2.57); L: B. Bass (2-1, 2.31); SV: G. Casadiego (1)
HR: ARA: W. Romero (2).

Brian Bass (Minnesota) allowed 5 runs (earned) on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4 over 3.2 innings to suffer his first loss of the Venezuelan Winter League season Friday. The Tigres were largely offensiveless, falling before los Tiburones attack and narrowly missing being shut out by La Guaira.

Jose Martinez (St Louis) opened with a triple in the 3rd inning for the Tigres, but Shark's starter Stephen Randolph (F/A) puched out Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets), Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) to end the inning. The Tigers also got two runners on base in the 4th, but former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) hit into a double play and Wilfredo Romero (F/A) struck out looking to end the side.

Gregor Blanco (Atlanta) put the Sharks on the board in the first period when he was driven in by Luis Hernandez (Baltimore). Louis Oliveros (Seattle) drove in one run in the second inning, while the another came off a sac-fly by Jorge Velandia (F/A).

Oliveros would go 2-for-3 in the game with a double and finish up with 3 RBIs. Chris Carter (Boston) was also 2-for-3 for the Sharks while Blanco finished off 2-for-4.

Maza doubled his way onto base in the ninth before Romero slugged one over the wall off reliever Jose Romero (Milwaukee). Romero then put runners on first and second before Gerardo Casadiego (Colorado) was called in to deal the last two outs, getting his first save of the season.

Frank Mata (Minnesota) pitched 2.1 innings for the Tigres, allowing no hits or run, but striking out only 1 during his time on the mound.

Rodriguez was 0-for-3 with a walk, while Maza finished up 1-for-4 with a double and a run.

The Tigres face los Leones del Caracas on Saturday at 5:30 PM AST and Sunday at 1:00 PM AST for a home-and-home series to finish off third "week feline".

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Tiburones

Tigres claw out win against La Guaira

Aragua 4 at La Guaira 3

W: R. Garcia (1-0, 0.69); L: R. Palma (1-2, 6.52); SV: F. Butto (2)
HR: ARA: W. Romero (1).

The Tigres took a 2 run lead out of the first inning and managed to hang on against the los Tiburones to take a 4-3 win over La Guaira Thursday.

Former Miracle Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) doubled a fly ball out to right to get things started and was plated by a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) ground ball single. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) doubled to bring Cedeno in. Luis Maza's (LA Dogers) ground ball to right scored Aviles and drove La Guaira starter Ricardo Palma (F/A) from the mound. Luis Pena (Milwaukee) would walk Willie Romero (F/A) before getting the third out to retire the side.

Aragua starter Horacio Estrada (F/A) let the Sharks onto the board when Gregor Blanco (Atlanta) singled his way onto base, worked his way around on a ground out and a single and came home on Oscar Salazar's (Baltimore) ground ball to center. But Estrada found the next two outs to end the inning.

La Guaira cut into the Cat's lead in the 5th when Salazar doubled, moved to 3rd on a Chris Carter (Boston) single and scored crossed the plate when Ron Acuna (F/A) ground into a double play.

Romero homered in the top of the 6th though to get the point back for los Tigres.

Acuna doubled for the home team in the bottom of the 7th and come home on an Alejandro Freire (F/A) single coupled with a fielding error by Romero. The Tigres shut down the Tiburones for the rest of the game however to preserve the win.

Jose Mijares (Minnesota) pitched .2 innings allowing 1 hit for Aragua, while former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) went 1.1 innings, allowing an unearned run (on Romero's error) on 2 hits while striking out 4.

Rodriguez finished off the game 1-for-4 at the plate with a run and a walk, while Maza also when 1-for-4, but with 1 RBI.

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

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Tigres nearly toothless against La Guaira

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

La Guaira 5 at Aragua 2

W: D. Carrasco (1-0, 2.04); L: C. Bailey (1-2, 4.58); SV: J. Albaladejo (2)
HR: None.

The Tigres could get little offense going Tuesday against La Guaira, managing only six hits in route to a 5-2 loss at the hands of los Tiburones.

Aragua actually got on the board early, when Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) singled to start things off and was followed onto the bags by Luis Mara (LA Dodgers). Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) reached on a fielding error by Boston's Chris Carter to load the bases. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) then hit into a force out that took Feliciano out at home. A similar play failed however, when Alex Romero (Arizona) reached first and Maza scampered home to put the Tigres on the board with only 1 out. But Martin Prado (Atlanta) would ground into a double play to finish off the first.

The Sharks got things moving in the 5th inning when Chicago Cubs starter Cory Bailey began to tire. Ron Acuna (F/A) knocked a ground ball to center to get on base, and Carlos Fernandez-Oliva (Boston) laid down a lovely bunt to follow him onto the basepaths. A sac-bunt by Alvin Colina (Cincinnati) moved the pair around. Danny Sandoval (Philadelphia) then cracked out triple out to right that brought them in. New York Yankee's catcher Raul Chavez managed to pick Sandoval off at 3rd, but Bailey issued a walk to Atlanta's Gregor Blanco. Cesar Suarez's (Tampa Bay) single put two runners on at which point the Tigres called for a pitcher change.

Former Miracle Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) came onto the mound for Aragua. I believe this was his first appearance of the season, despite being on the roster from the start. Alex Sanchez (Chicago White Sox) greeted him with a single that plated Blanco. Oscar Salazar (Baltimore) took a walk to load the bags, and Carter's single out to center scored 2 more runners. Acuna would fly out to end the long inning.

Los Tigres threatened for a time in the sixth, but could not get a runner past 2nd base against La Guaira's defense.

Aragua used a pair of walks, a wild pitch and a throwing error by Sandoval to get Cedeno over the plate in the bottom of the 8th, but Jonathan Albaladejo (Washington) got Prado to ground out to end the inning, then shut down the Tigres in the ninth.

Shark's starter D.J. Carrasco (Arizona) would pick up the win for La Guaira, while Bailey absorbed the loss for the Tigers.

Maza as 1-for-4 with a run for the Aragua, while Romero (Arizona) was 0-for-4 with 1 RBI.

Aragua takes on Magallanes Wednesday at 7:30 PM AST before playing a pair against the Sharks on Thursday and Friday.

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Tigres

Minnesota's Brian Bass was named Aragua's player of the week, collecting 2 wins in starts during the 3rd week of Venezuelan Winter League Action droping his ERA to 0.46. Last Tuesday in Maracay, he worked 5 innings, facing 17 batters allowed only 3 hits and struck out 2. Four days later against Margarita he worked 6.1 innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3. Kansas City's Mike Avilas received honorable mention in "the week feline". Tigres

Tigres blank Tiburones

La Guaira 0 at Aragua 4

W: B. Bass (1-0, 0.68); L: R. Palma (1-1, 4.00)
HR: None.

Brian Bass (Minnesota) limited los Tiburones de La Guaira to only 3 hits over five innings while striking out 2 to pick up the win in Tuesday's game at Aragua.

The Tigres got on the board in the 4th when Ruben Salazar (F/A) singled out to right field, moved to second on willie Romero's (F/A) grounder to center and came home on Martin Prado's (Atlanda) ground ball to right.

Former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) got on base on a fielding error in the fifth, but Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) hit into a ground out that took him out at 2nd. Feliciano then stole 2nd base. A Mike Aviles (Kansas City) ground ball to center plated Feliciano with 2 outs. Salazar then doubled to bring in Aviles, while a throwing error by La Guaria's Chris Carter (Boston) and a Romero single combined to bring in Salazar.

Brian Buscher (Minnesota) was 1-for-3 in the designated hitter role. Victor Moreno (Baltimore) pitched 2.1 innings allowing only 1 hit and striking out 4.

The Tigres face the the Caribes de oriente for the first time this season on Wednesday at 7:30 PM AST.

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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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