Tigres lock up winter league championship

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 9 at Lara 2

W: J. Silva (1-2, 3.18); L: G. Gonzalez (2-3, 4.19)
HR: None.

Boosted by late player additions, los Tigres de Aragua wrapped up their second straight Venezuelan Winter League Championship with a 9-2 trouncing of los Cardenales de Lara. It was the Tigres fourth championship in the last five years.

With one out in the top of the second inning, Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) and former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) hit back-to-back singles to get onto base. A Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) ground out and a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) single plated the pair giving Aragua its first two runs.

In the top of the sixth, an Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) double lead to another run. Alfonzo moved to 3rd on a Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) ground out. Following a pair of walks to Romero and Maza, Cedeno singled to drive him in, making it 3-0, Tigres.

Jesus Silva (Florida) kept Lara off the board through five innings. Cesar Izturis (St Louis) doubled in the bottom of the inning, moved to 3rd on a Luis Ugueto (F/A) ground out, and scored on a Marco Scutaro ground out. A walk to Jose Lopez (Seattle) would bring Yohan Pino (Minnesota) up to the mound. Pino, who is recovering from bronchitis, did not appear to be on his game. He'd walk Robert Perez (F/A) to load the bags and allow a single to Selwyn Langaigne (F/A), however, Lopez would be taken out at home for the 3rd out.

Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) singled in the top of the 7th, then moved to second on a Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) sac bunt. Following a ground out to Alfonzo, Cabrera would be intentionally walked by Lara's Ivan Blanco (Seattle). A pitching change to Roger Luque (F/A) also saw Gimenez draw a walk, loading the bases. Martin Prado (Atlanta) would come into the game to pinch hit for Romero, and yet another pitching change saw Marcos Carvajal (Florida) take over the mound for Lara. Prada would triple to clear the bags, making it 6-1 Tigres.

Pino would stay in the game to start the bottom of the 7th, allowing a walk to Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) before being removed in favor of Kevin Tolar (F/A). Tolar would put up two outs before allowing a double to Isturis what plated G-Rod, giving Lara their second run of the game.

An Alex Delgado (F/A) single and a walk to L-Rod paid dividends when Alfonzo doubled the pair in to tack two more runs onto the Cat's total.

Delgado would bring in Prado with a line drive in the top of the 9th to finish off the Tigre's scoring.

Cabrera was 0-for-3 with 2 walks and a run for the Cats. L-Rod was 0-for-4 with a walk and a run, Romero was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run, and Maza was 0-for-4. The last three were all former Twin prospects. Victor Moreno, currently with Baltimore, was also in the Twins system at one time, throwing 1.2 innings for Aragua and allowing a single during that period. Only Ugueto, 0-for-4 for Lara, represented a former Twin prospect on the Lara team.

The game finishes off the Caribbean Winter League season. I have received the minor league spring training schedule from Brad Steil in the Twins office, and will get that posted in the next day or so.

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The Twins traded lefty Johan Santana to the Mets for outfielding prospect Carlos Gomez and pitchers Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey. Minnesota will receive New York's Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 7 prospects, according to Baseball America's ranking.

Humber, a 25-year-old right-hander, has made one start and four relief appearances for the Mets during the past two years, and went 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA last season for Triple-A New Orleans. The 22-year-old Gomez batted .232 in 125 at-bats with New York last year and .275 with 19 steals in the minors.

Guerra, who turns 19 in April, was 2-6 with a 4.01 ERA at Class A St. Lucie, and Mulvey, who will be 23 in May, was 12-10 with a 3.20 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Binghamton and one at New Orleans.

New York and Santana have until 5 p.m. EST Friday to reach an agreement. If the Mets and Santana strike a deal, the players would have to pass physicals and the pitcher would have to formally waive his no-trade clause in order for the deal to be finalized.

Tigres sniff Venezuelan Championship

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Lara 1 at Aragua 3

W: J. Santiago (5-1, 2.45); L: G. Carrara (1-3, 5.33); SV: F. Butto (6)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Aragua moved to within 1 game of winning the Venezuelan League Championship Monday, defeating Lara, 3-1. The series now reverts to Antonio Herrera Gutiérrez de Barquisimeto Stadium in Lara for Tuesday's 7:30 PM AST match.

Both starters worked four scoreless innings. The Tigres would get on the board first in the bottom of the fifth when Alex Romero (Arizona) singled and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) drew a walk. With two outs, Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) hit a deep line drive to right to score the pair. A fielding error by Lara's Robert Perez (F/A) allowed Callaspo onto 2nd base. He'd try to come home on a Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) line drive, but would be tagged out at the plate.

Los Cardenales opened the top of the 7th with Jose Lopez (Seattle) doubling to left field. With one out, pinch hitter Guillero Rodriguez (San Francisco) moved Lopez to 3rd with a line drive to right. After a walk to Tomas Perez (Houston), a pitching change to bring in Victor Moreno (Baltimore), and a coaching visit to the mound, a wild pitch would allow Lopez to score for the only Red Bird run.

The Cats answered back in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Cedeno singled his way onto base, and moved to second on Raul Chavez's (Pittsburgh) ground out. Callaspo singled out to left to bring in Cedeno, making it 3-1.

Moreno and Frank Butto (F/A) would hold the Cardenales for the remainder of the game to give the victory to the home town team.

Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) in the designated hitter roll was 2-for-3 with a walk but did not figure into the scoring. Romero was 1-for-3 with a run, Rodriguez was also 1-for-3.

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Tigers de Aragua

Cardenales tie up series again

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Lara 5 at Aragua 3

W: R. Dorman (4-0, 1.65); L: H. Estrada (0-2, 5.40)
HR: LAR: L. Ugueto (1). ARA: H. Gimenez (3).

Los Cardenals de Lara tied up the series for a second time, taking a 5-3 win over los Tigres de Aragua at Jose Perez Colmenarez Stadium. It's the first time in Venezulan Winter League playoff history that Lara has won a game on Aragua's home turf.

Horacios Estrada (F/A) would suffer the loss for the Cats, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk over 5 innings worth of work.

Lara took the lead in the top of the 4th inning. Marco Scutaro (Toronto) walked with one out, then moved to second on a Jose Lopez (Seattle) single. Robert Perez (F/A) plated Scutaro with a fly ball to center, and Lopez scored on a similar hit by Selwyn Langaigne (F/A).

The Red Birds padded their lead in the top of the 5th when former Miracle Luis Ugueto went yard over the left field wall.

The Tigres took one back in the bottom of the inning, with Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) drawing a walk with two outs, then moving to 3rd on a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) single. Raul Chevez (Pittsburgh) plated Maza with a fly ball to left.

Lara added one in the top of the 8th, with Lopez singling, then moving to second on a wild pitch by Jason Karnuth (Detroit) and to 3rd on a single by Perez. Following a fly out to Langaigne, Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) ground out at first, but it was enough for Lopez to cross the plate.

Wilki Gonzalez (Chicgo White Sox) would reach first on a wild pitch by Karnuth, and Cesar Izturis (St Louis) would single to move him to 3rd. Izturis then stole 2nd base. Ugueto would be walked to load the bases, before Scutaro ground into a force out that allowed Gonzalez to score. A fly out and a pop out ended los Cardenales threat, but they already had a 5-1 lead.

The Tigers would attempt a rally in the bottom of the ninth, when Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) singled his way onto base. He'd be replaced by Ramon Castro (F/A) as a pinch runner, but the change in legs was meaningless as Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) homered over the center field wall. The Cats could not find two more runs in their bag of tricks however, so the contest when to the Cardenales.

Ugueto was 1-for-3 in the contest with 2 walks, a run and an RBI. Juan Rincon (Minnesota) pitched one inning of relief for Lara, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.

Cabrera was 1-for-4 in the designed hitter role, Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 0-for-4, Alex Romero (Arizona) as 0-for-2 and Maza as 0-for-3 with a walk and a run.

The teams play one more in Maracay before returning to Lara for the remainder of the series.

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Tigres de Aragua

Tigres regain control of series

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Lara 4 at Aragua 5 (13 innings)

W: R. Garcia (2-0, 2.12); L: R. Luque (0-1, 1.42)
HR: None.

It took 13 innings, but los Tigres de Aragua managed to take back the lead in the best-of-seven Championship series with a 5-4 win over los Cardenales de Lara Friday at Jose Perez Colmenarez Stadium.

The Cats opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Back-to-back singles by Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) and Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) got things rolling. A fly ball single to right by Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) plated Callaspo, while Rodriguez came home during Miguel Cabrera's (Detroit) double play ground out.

Lara took one back in the top of the 4th when Robert Perez (F/A) and Selwyn Langaigne (F/A) both doubled. Perez would only go to 3rd on Langaigne's fly ball, but would score when Jose Lopez (Seattle) reached on a fielder's choice.

Aragua would add to their lead in the bottom of the sixth when Cabrera lead off with a walk, then moved to second on a wild pitch by Marcos Carvajal (Florida). Martin Prado (Altanta) would also walk before Lara brought Ivan Blanco (Seattle) onto the mound. Willie Romero (F/A) would ground into a double play which took Cabrera out at 3rd, but a Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) single would bring in Prado.

The top of the 8th proved big for Lara, as Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) singled and Cesar Izturis (St Louis) reached on a force attempt when Cabrera miss-threw the ball. Luis Ugueto hit into a sac bunt that brought in G-Rod, but a second throwing error by Cabrera saw Ugueto safe at first. Frank Butto (F/A) would come onto the mound for the Cats to replace Yohan Pino (Minnesota) who would end up being charged for 3 runs on 1 hit while striking out 1 in .2 innings worth of work. Marco Scutaro (Toronto) would be walked, and Adam Jones (Seattle) would be hit by a pitch to force in Izturis. After Perez struck out swinging, Langaigne was walked to bring in Ugueto. Victor Moreno (Baltimore) would be called to the mound to get the final to outs in the inning, but the Cardenales had taken the lead.

Los Tigres answered back though in the bottom of the ninth when Maza singled, moved to 2nd on a sac-bunt by Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs), and scored on Hector Gimenez's (Tampa Bay) fly ball single to right, tying the game and forcing the contest into extra innings.

In the bottom of the 13th, with one out, Cedeno would double, and Gimenez would be intentionally walked. Callaspo would single to center to score Cedeno, breaking the deadlock and handing the victory to the Cats.

Juan Rincon (Minnesota) pitched one inning for the Red Birds, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.

The series rests on Saturday and the two teams will play Sunday and Monday in Aragua before the series reverts back to Lara (if necessary).

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Pino developed a case of acute bronchitis and was removed from the roster following the game. Reports say he should be available to the team on Tuesday again.

The Twins locked up Justin Morneau with a six-year, $80 million deal Friday, the longest and richest contract in franchise history. The Twins also signed right fielder Michael Cuddyer to a 3-year, $24 million deal with a club option for 2011. Meanwhile, the Pioneer Press is reporting that the trade involving Johan Santana is likely to occur within the next 10 days. Right now it appears the Mets are the fore-runners in the Santana sweepstakes.

Lara evens series

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 2 at Lara 5

W: G. Gonzalez (2-2), L: Silva (0-1) S: F. Rodriguez (1)
Hr: None

Los Cardenales de Lara tied up the series at 1 game each on Thursday. Jesus Silva (Florida) making his first start for Aragua did not work out as well as expected. The former Bravos starter gave up 5 runs (earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 over 4.2 innings.

Lara lost no time getting on the board with Luis Ugueto (F/A) leading off with a single to right field. Marco Scutaro would be hit by a pitch for a walk before Adam Jones (Seattle) hit a sac-bunt to move to the pair. Silva then issued a walk to to Robert Perez (F/A) to fill the bases before a double by Selwyn Langaigne (F/A) scored the first 2 runners. Perez would be taken out at the plate for the second out of the inning, and Jose Lopez (Seattle) would ground out to end the first stanza.

Back-to-back singles in the top of the third by Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) and Alex Delgado (F/A) put runners on base. Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) hit into a double play that nabbed Delgado at second, but saw Cedeno safe at 3rd. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) hit into the outfield and took an extra base on a fielding error by Langaigne as Cedeno scored to make it 2-1 Lara. Edgar Afonzo (Texas) hit to left to bring in Rodriguez for the only two Aragua runs.

With one out Cesar Izturis (St Louis) found his way onto base with an infield hit and took second when Cedeno threw the ball into the dugout. Following a strike out to Ugueto, Scutaro walked. Jones' outfield hit scored Izturis and a double to right brought in Scutaro and Jones to make it 5-2 Lara.

Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) was 4-for-4 for the Cats but did not figure into the scoring, Rodriguez was 1-for-4, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) as 0-for-3 while Alex Romero (Arizona) as 0-for2.

Ugueto was 1-for-4 with 1 run for the Cardenales. Juan Rincon (Minnesota) worked one inning for the home team getting 1 ground out and 2 fly outs.

The series returns to Jose Perez Colmenarez Stadium for three games on Friday and Sunday before returning to Lara for the final two games in the best-of-seven series (if necessary).

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Tigres de Aragua

Tigres take Game 1 of final series

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 4 at Lara 3

W: J. Santiago (4-1, 2.70); L: G. Carrara (1-2, 5.75); SV: F. Butto (5)
HR: ARA: A. Romero (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua took a 4-3 win Wednesday in game one of the best-of-seven Venezuelan Winter League final series at Antonio Herrera Gutierrez of Barquisimeto Stadium. Jose Santiago (NY Mets) took the start, limiting los Cardenales de Lara to 1 run on 4 hits over 5.2 innings while striking out 3.

The Cats took a 2 run lead in the second inning when Martin Prado (Atlanta) and Alex Romero (Arizona) hit back-to-back fly ball singles with one out. Following a fly out to Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs), Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) doubled in the pair with a line drive out to left field.

Lara got on the board in the bottom of the 4th, when Robert Perez (F/A) singled his way onto base, then moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. A ground out by Selwyn Langaigne (F/A) saw him to 3rd, while a fly ball single to center off the stick of Jose Lopez (Seattle) served to plate him.

Aragua added two more runs in the top of the 6th when Prado singled, then came home when Romero, a former Fort Myers Miracle, went yard over the right field fence.

The Red Birds would add a second run in the bottom of the seventh when Lopez doubled off Victor Moreno (Baltimore), moved to 3rd on a Tomas Perez (Houston) fly ball single, then came home when Wiki Gonzalez (Chicago White Sox) ground into a double play.

They would stage a late rally in the 9th with Lopez again doubling with one out. Following a strike out by Perez, he then scored on a Gonzalez single. Despite a double by Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) and a walk to Luis Ugueto (F/A) that loaded the bases, Marco Scutaro (Toronto) ground into a force out that ended the game with the Cats on top.

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

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera was 2-for-4 for the Cats with a walk, but did not figure into the scoring, Romero was 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI's. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego), who played last season in AAA Rochester, was 0-for-4 with a walk. Ugueto, who split time between Fort Myers and Rochester in 2007, was 1-for-4 with a walk for the Cardenales.

Juan Rincon (Minnesota) pitched .2 innings in the ninth for Lara, striking out 2.

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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 down Caribes, 8-2

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 8 at Caribes 2

W: C. Bailey (2-0, 3.52); L: E. Aponte (0-1, 7.94)
HR: ARA: R. Castro (1), J. Martinez (1). ORI: N. Romero (1).

Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs) limited Caribes de Anzoategui to 5 hits and 1 walk over 5 innings on Saturday, striking out 7, while the Tigres' offense remained in action, picking up 8 runs on 8 hits.

Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) doubled to lead off in the 2nd inning. Following a Willie Romero (F/A) ground out, Alex Nunez's (F/A) ground ball brought him in for the first Tigre run. A double by Ramon Castro (F/A) and a sac fly by Jose Martinez (St. Louis) brought in Nunez to give Aragua an early 2-0 lead.

The Tigres pounced again in the 2nd when Gimenez walked. 2 outs later, Castro went yard over the right field wall to make it 4-0, Cats.

with 2 outs in the 8th, Nunez singled and Castro walked, before Martinez blasted a ball over the left field wall for three more runs.

The Caribes only 2 runs came in the bottom of the inning when Luis Landaeta (F/A) doubled, and Niuman Romero homered off Aragua's Ivan Maldanado (NY Mets).

Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) walked, then took advantage of some sloppy fielding by Caribe's Jonel Pachaeco (Pittsburgh) in center to make his way home for the final Aragua insurance run.

Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) pitched .2 innings of relief, allowing 1 hit. Former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) worked the final inning, allowing 1 hit and striking out 2.

Maza was 0-for-4 in the contest with a walk and a run, and Alex Romero (Arizona) was 0-for-5. Most of the Tigres big guns were given the game off, after security a spot on the finals Friday.

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Juan Rincon pitched 3.1 innings for the Cardenales Saturday, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk and striking out 2. Lara defeated La Guaira 5-4. Former Miracle Luis Ugueto (F/A) was 1-for-6 with a walk in contest.

The win puts the Cardenales into the finals with the Tigres. The round robin tournament finish up Monday, with Aragua taking on Margarita.

Tigres pound Caribes with 20 hits, 13 runs

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 13 at Caribes 2

W: J. Santiago (3-1, 3.00); L: A. Herrera (0-2, 13.50)
HR: ARA: R. Cedeno (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua pounded out 20 hits for 13 runs in route to a blow out victory over Caribes de Anzoategui Friday.

Jose Santiago (NY Mets) picked up his 3rd post season win, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk over 6 innings of work while striking out 3.

With two outs in the first inning, Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) doubled out to center. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) singled him in to the give the Cats an early lead.

They added to it in the bottom of the second when Martin Parda (Atlanta) singled and Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) doubled. A sac-fly by Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) brought in Prado, and a similar hit by Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) plated Maza.

The Cats would pick up one more in the top of the fourth inning when Cedeno homered over the left field wall.

A double by Rico Washington (St Louis) opened the bottom of the inning for Caribes. Following a ground out to Jose Castillo (Florida), Javier Brito (Arizona) and Jonathan Herrera (Colorado) hit back-to-back singles to give Caribes one run on the board. Alex Requena (F/A) drove in the 2nd run one out later, with a ground ball to center.

Alfonzo and Cabrera both singled in the top of the 5th, followed up by a walk to Willie Romero (F/A) to load the bases. A wild pitch by Alex Herrara (F/A) brought in Alfonzo, while a single plated Cabrera and Romero. A change in pitchers, to Oscar Montero (F/A), resulted in a wild pitch that moved Prado to 2nd. He progressed to 3rd on a Maza ground out, then found his way home on a Chavez single.

The Cats gave the Caribes a break for a couple innings, before turning on the scoring machine in the 8th inning. Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) singled. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) reached on a force attempt, and then Alfonzo singled to load the bags. A single by Cabrera brought in one and a double by Prado saw two more runs come home. Maza's single to center plated to Cabrera to make it 12-2, Aragua.

They icing on the cake came in the bottom of the 9th, when Rodriguez would be hit by a pitch to put him on base. Alfonzo singled and one out later, Romero would bring him in with a grounder to left.

Cabrera was 5-for-5 in the contest with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Rodriguez was 0-for-4 with 2 runs and a walk, Maza ws 2-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI.

Yohan Pino (Minnesota) worked 2 innings in relief, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.

The two teams rematch on Saturday. Aragua is idle on Sunday.

Lara was idle on Friday, so the win put the Tigres .5 games ahead of them in the standings. This put the Cats in the finals for their sixth consecutive season.

"This is the first step of our goal, we are going for the title, it is time to celebrate," said Cabrera as the champagne was uncorked.

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Tigres

Aragua blanks Bravos, 9-0

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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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Tigres de Aragua

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 out hit Caribes to continue winning ways

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Caribes 7 at Aragua 10

W: K. Tolar (1-0, 0.00); L: M. Palmer (2-1, 0.87); SV: F. Butto (3)
HR: ORI: E. Alfonzo (7). ARA: E. Alfonzo 2 (3).

Despite a rough outing by starter Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs), los Tigres de Aragua managed to out-slug los Caribes de Anzoategui at Jose Perez Colmenares Stadium of Maracay on Monday.

Bailey never made it out of the first inning, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits. Andres Torres (Detroit), Juan Francia (F/A), Eliezar Alfonzo (San Francisco), Jose Castillo (Florida), Rico Washington (St. Louis) and Javier Brito (Arizona) all recorded singles off Bailey before Yohan Pino (Minnesota) was brought into the game. Pino got designed hitter Lino Connell (F/A) to ground out and Richard Paz (F/A) to pop out before Jonathan Herrera (Colorado) doubled to finish off make it 5-0 Caribes.

But Aragua was quick to record at least 1 run, with Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) going yard in the bottom of the inning.

Ivan Maldonado (NY Mets) replaced Pino for top of the 3rd, allowing a double to Brito to start. A ground out by Connell moved Brito to 3rd, and he'd come home on a wild pitch. to make it 6-1 Caribes.

Aragua's Alfonzo swung for the walls to start out the bottom of the second, giving los Tigres another run. This was followed up by a Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) double. Cabrera would move to 3rd on a Willie Romero (F/A) single, but would be taken out on home when Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) hit into a fielder's choice.

With one out in the bottom of the 5th, Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) singled his way onto base. Alex Romero (Arizona) followed him and a walk to Alfonzo would load the bases. A Cabrera double brought in two of the runners, and following a pitching change that saw Carlos Vasquez (Chicago White Sox) take over the Caribes mound, Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) hit a sac fly to bring in Alfonzo.

The Caribes' Alfonzo hit went yard out to center off Jason Karnuth (Detroit) in the top of the 6th. Former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) would take over the pitching chores for the Cats at that point.

With Romulo Sanchez (Pittsburgh) on the hill for Caribes, Maza singled, moved to 2nd on an Alex Delgado (F/A) ground out and came home on A. Romero's ground ball single to left.

The Cats were still trailing by one however, and it was not until Matt Palmer (San Franciso) got onto the mound that they'd find a rally to pick up the win. Maza led off with a single and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) found himself safe on a force attempt then Caribes catcher Alfanzo mis-threw the ball. A sac bunt by Delgado moved the pair and then Palmer intentionally walked Callaspo. Wullys Bravos (Washington) was brought into the game by Caribes at this point and Martin Prado (Atlanta) replaced A. Romero as a pinch hitter. Prado walked forcing in Maza to tie the game. Rich Garces (F/A) was brought up to the mound, and got Alfonzo to strike out before Cabrera singled to drive in Cedeno for the go ahead run and Callaspo for the insurance marker. Gimenez walked and W. Romero was hit by a pitch to force in Pardo for the final run of the game.

Cabrera finished up 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, and 4 RBIs for his first game back. Alex Romero, a former Miracle, was 2-for-4 with 1 run and 1 RBI, and Maza was 2-for-5 with 2 runs. Pino allowed 2 hits and struck out 2 in 2 innings worth of work, he still has a 0.00 ERA in the playoffs.

Aragua takes Tuesday off before traveling to Margarita to take on the Bravos on Wednesday and Thursday for a pair of 7:30 PM EST games.

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Tigres de Aragua

The Twin release a pair of GCL catchers on Monday. Both Miguel Barrientos and Gilbert Buenrostro missed all of last season with injuries. The Twins also signed right-hander Zach Day to a minor league contract. Day had a 3.93 ERA and a 1-1 record with Omaha of the AAA Pacific Coast League in 2007, pitching only 36.2 innings. He'll likely fill a bullpen roll in AAA Rochester.

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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Tigres de Aragua

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 blast past Caribes, 10-5

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Caribes 5 at Aragua 10

W: Y. Pino (1-0, 0.00); L: A. Herrera (0-1, 11.70)
HR: ORI: E. Alfonzo 2 (5). ARA: W. Romero (2), E. Alfonzo (1).

Los Tigres de Argua continued their hitting streak Saturday against los Caribes de Anzoategui, pounding out 10 runs on 17 hits.

Rosman Garcia (Baltimore) took the start for the Tigres, limiting Caribes to only 2 hits over four innings while striking out 4.

The Cats got on the board first in the bottom of the 2nd inning, roughing up free agent Alex Herrera. Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) and Willie Romero (F/A) lead off with back-to-back singles. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) reached on a force attempt when Caribe's 2nd baseman Jonathan Herrera (Colorado) misplayed the ball. With the bases load, Martin Prada (Atlanta) drove a ground ball to center field to score two. Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) used a sac-bunt to move the pair of runners around before Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) sent a grounder to left field to score the second pair.

Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) homered in the bottom of the 3rd to tag another run onto the Tigres total.

Caribes answered in the top of the fourth, when Eliezar Alfonzo (San Francisco) went yard over the left field wall.

Singles to Maza and Prado in the bottom of the 4th prompted the Caribes to try a pitching change, bringing Jose Rojas (Cincinnati) onto the mound. Rojas would walk Chavez to load the bases. Callaspo brought in Maza with a single out to right, and an Alfonzo sac fly plated Prado to give the Cats a 7-1 lead.

Yohan Pino (Minnesota) worked the 5th and 6th inning for the Tigres, allowing no hits or walks, and striking out 1. Jose Guanchez (F/A) would likewise keep Caribes off the board in the 7th.

The bottom of the 7th saw Willie Romero hit one over the left field wall. Following a Maza ground out, Prado walked. Chevez hit into a ground out that took Prado out at 2nd, but Callaspo then doubled to bring in Chavez, making it 9-1 Caribes.

With Ryan Maldonado (NY Mets) on the mound for the top of the 8th, Andres Torres (Detroit) would single. Following a strike out to Herra. Maldonado then walked Juan Francia and Rico Washington (St Louis) to load the bases. Alfonzo then hit his second yarder of the game for a grand slam. The Tigres then brought in former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) to finish out the game.

In the bottom of the 8th, Cedeno singled and after 2 outs, moved to 2nd on a Gimenez fly ball to right. Romero's fly to center would plate him to finish off the Tigres scoring.

The Tigres remain at home taking on Margarita on Sunday for a 5 PM, AST game, and rematching against Caribes on Monday for a 6:30 AST game.

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Possibly the longest line in Twins history showed up Saturday for the start individual game ticket sales for the 2008 spring training season. More than 500 fans were waiting in line when tickets went on sale at 9:00 AM.

For those that came late, there was a 2-hour wait. Only the game vs. the Yankees on March 9th sold out on Saturday.

Tickets for Minnesota Twins Grapefruit League games are available at the Hammond Stadium boxoffice, online at 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.

Pitchers and catcher report on February 17th, with full squad workouts starting on February 22nd.

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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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.

Tigres blank Cardenales, 6-0

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Lara 0 at Aragua 6

W: C. Bailey (1-0, 0.87); L: G. Gonzalez (1-1, 6.00)
HR: None.

Los Tigres de Aragua took a measure of revenge for Monday's loss to Lara by blanking the Cardenales 6-0 in the Wednesday night rematch.

Cory Bailey (Chicago Cubs) pitched 5.2 innings for the Tigres, limiting Lara to 4 hits and striking out 4.

Meanwhile the Tigres wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.

Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) lead off with a single for the Cats, and Louis Rodriguez (San Diego) followed him onto base with a double. An Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) ground out served to plate Callaspo for the Tigres first run.

The Cats held on to the one run lead until the bottom of the 6th when Rodriguez and Alfonzo hit back-to-back singles to lead off. Following a fly out of Miguel Cabrera (Detroit), Hector Giminez (Tampa Bay) singled in L-Rod. Former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) then ripped a triple to right to score the other 2 runners. Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) walked to first after he was hit by a pitch, then stole 2nd base. Lara's Geremi Gonzalez (F/A) then issued an intentional walk to Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) to load the bases. Following an Alex Delgado (F/A) strike out, Callaspo singled to bring in Romero and Cedeno. Maza however, would be taken out at 3rd base on the play, ending the inning.

Cabrera was 0-for-4 at the plate in the designed hitter roll. L-Rod went 3-for-3 with a run, Romero was 2-for-4 with a run and 2 RBIs and Maza went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks.

Minnesota's Bobby Korecky worked 1 inning, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1. Victor Moreno (Baltimore) pitched 1.1 innings, striking out 2.

Los Tigres take Thursday off. They will face La Guaria on the road Friday for a 7:30 PM AST game.

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The Twins Winter Caravan makes a 10 Am stop on Thursday at Lee Cancer Care at the Lee Memorial Hospital, 2776 Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. At 1:30, they will be at the Health Park Medical Center at 9981 Health Park Drive in Fort Myers, visiting the children there.

Pitchers Jesse Crain and Carmen Cali, infielder Tommy Watkins and Twins radio play-by-play announcer John Gordon are scheduled to participate in the Southwest Florida leg of the Caravan.

The Winter Caravan begins its Minnesota tour on Monday, January 14th with stops in Hutchinson, St. Peter, Makato, Detroit Lakes, Crookston, Fergus Falls and Grand Forks, North Dakota.

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 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.

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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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.

Throwing error costs Tigres

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 9 at Lara 10

W: J. Rincon (1-0, 0.00); L: V. Moreno (1-1, 2.45)
HR: LAR: G. Rodriguez (1).

Minnesota's Juan Rincon picked up his first playoff win as the Cardenales de Lara picked up a late inning win over the Tigres de Aragua.

The Tigers got on the board first in the top of the 2nd when Miguel Cabrera (Detroit), Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) and Alex Romero (Arizona) all singled off Cardenales starter Giovanni Carrera (LA Dodgers). Romero's single plated Cabrera, and following a strike out to Luis Maza (LA Dodgers), Gimenez would score on a sac-fly off the bat of Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs).

They added to that lead in the top of the 3rd when Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) doubled and then crossed the plate on a Cabera single.

Rosman Garcia (Baltimore) took the start for the Tigres and walked Tomas Perez (F/A) to start off the bottom of the 3rd inning. He'd then allow singled to Luis Ugueto (F/A) and Marco Scutaro (Toronto), with Perez crossing the plate on Scutaro's grounder. Yohan Pino (Minnesota) would come into the game to pitch at that point. Ugueto would steal 3rd base, and an Adam Jones (Seattle) single pushed him over the plate. Scutaro moved to 3rd on Robert Perez's (F/A) ground out, and was plated by a Jose Lopez (Seattle) single to right, tying up the score.

It would stay that way until the top of the 6th. Julio Pinto (Cleveland) came in to replace Carrara, and allowed a Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) single to lead off. Following a line out by Cabrera, Gimenez walked and Romero singled to load the bases. Lara would bring Cesar Jimenez (Seattle) into the game to replace Pinto. Maza greeted him with a deep single that brought in 2 runners. Cedeno then hit a sac fly to score Romero. A double by Alex Delgado (F/A) brought in Maza, giving the Cats a 4 run lead.

With Jason Karnuth (Detroit) on the mound for Aragua, Guillero Rodriguez (San Francisco) would homer. Wiki Gonzalez (Chicago White Sox) then reached on a fielding error which also moved him to second. A Tomas Perez (Houston) single and an Ugueto sac fly scored Gonzalez, cutting the los Tigres lead to 2.

Back-to-back singles to Lopez and Selwyn Langaigne (F/A) set the stage for a 3 run 7th inning. Rodriguez would ground out to score Lopez. A double by Perez brought in Langaigne and following a pitching change that put Jose Mijares (Minnesota) on the mound for los Tigers, Ugueto would single in Perez.

Scott Patterson (Seattle) would take over the pitching duties in the top of the 8th for Lara allowing a single to Martin Prada (Atlanta). Following a strike out by Maza, Cendeno's single moved Prado to 3rd. Rincon then took over the mound for the Red Birds. A single to Alex Nunez (F/A) brought in Prado, and a fielder's choice by Lara's Rodriguez allowed Cedeno to score, putting the Tigres up by one.

But the lead would be short lived. With Victor Moreno (Baltimore) pitching for Aragua, Jones singled them moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Perez singled, moving Jones to 3rd. He'd come home on a second wild pitch to tie the game. Lopez bunt put Perez on 3rd. Rodriguez then reached on a fielder's choice that took Perez down at 3rd, but a throwing error by Cabrera allowed Lopez to score, giving the lead, and the win to Lara.

Rincon pitched 1.2 innings allowing 1 hit and striking out 2. He is sporting a 0.00 ERA in the playoffs. Pino pitched 2 innings for Aragua, allowing 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1. Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) pitched 1 inning, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1. Mijares allowed 1 hit and struck out 1 in .1 inning, the run was charged to Ivan Maldonado (NY Mets) as inherited.

Ugueto, a former Miracle, was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and 2 RBIs to the home team. Cabrera was 2-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI for the visiting Tigres. L-Rod was 2-for-5 with a run, Romero was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, and Maza was 1-for-4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs.

The two teams rematch Wednesday night in Aragua at 7:30 PM AST. Aragua faces los Tiburones de La Guaira on the road for 7:30 PM AST game on Tuesday.

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The Twins signed right handed pitcher Jerome Williams to a minor league contract on Friday. He is expected to join the Red Wings for the 2008 season. Williams started the 2007 with the Washington Nationals, going 0-5 with a 7.20 ERA in six starts. Williams also spent time with Washington's Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Columbus clubs before being released this past week.

Giminez Double leads to Tigers victory

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Lara 2 at Aragua 3

W: V. Moreno (1-0, 0.00); L: M. Carvajal (0-1, 7.71); SV: F. Butto (1)
HR: LAR: R. Perez (1).

Los Tigres de Aragua managed to get themselves back into the playoff race on Sunday, defeating the previously unbeaten Cardenales de Lara 3-2.

Horacio Estrada (F/A) took the starter for Aragua working 5 innings and holding Lara to 4 hits while striking out 4. Despite that, Lara did pick up a run in the 4th, when Adam Jones (Seattle) singled with one out, then moved to second on a Robert Perez (F/A) double. Jose Lopez (Seattle) would bring Perez in on a sac fly.

The Tigres would not answer back until the bottom of the 6th. Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) drew a walk off Lara's Ivan Blanco (Seattle) to start off. Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) moved him around on a sac bunt. Following a fly out to left by Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas), Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) doubled Callaspo in, to tie up the game.

A single by Alfonza and a walk by Cabrera would turn into 2 more Tigres runs in the bottom of the 8th when Hector Gimenez (Houston) doubled in the pair to give Aragua a 3-1 lead.

Robert Perez (F/A) would homer off Frank Butto (F/A) in the 9th with 2 outs, but Butto got Lopez out on strikes to end the game and preserve the win.

Cabrera would finish up 1-for-3 with a walk, a run and one RBI. L-Rod was 0-for-3, as was Fort Myers alumni Luis Maza (LA Dodgers).

Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) worked 1.2 innings, striking out 1, Jose Mijares (Minnesota) picked up the other .1 of the inning. Victor Moreno (Baltimore) earned the win, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.

The two teams rematch Monday night in Lara at 7:30 PM AST. Aragua then faces La Guaira on Tuesday.

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Tigres de Aragua

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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Log
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.