Former Major Leaguer Yasiel Puig, shown here with the Kiwoom Heroes, has been hot at the plate for the Tiburones de La Guaira in the LVBP playoffs. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Staff Reports
World Baseball Network
The Estrellas Orientales held the Tigres del Licey to just three hits, shutting out the defending LIDOM and Caribbean Series champions 2-0 to win their fifth straight game and improve to 7-1 in the round robin playoffs.
Starter Austin Davis allowed just two hits and two walks in 5.1 innings of work for the Estrellas, with five relievers combining to hold the Tigres scoreless the rest of the way.
In the bottom of the seventh with Alfredo Reyes on first and none out, Raimel Tapia sent a sac bunt down the third base line. A throwing error by Tigres’ third baseman Magneuris Sierra allowed Reyes and Tapia to score the game’s only runs.
Now 7-1, the Estrellas have outscored their opponents 31-16 in the round robin and have a two-game lead on the second-place Tigres.
Leones de Escogido 8, Gigantes del Cibao 1 – Jorge Mateo went 3-for-4 for the Leones del Escogido with a three-run homer and two runs scored as the Leones mauled the Gigantes and improved to 3-5 in the LIDOM round robin.
The Gigantes del Cibao fell to 1-7, and are teetering on the edge of elimination.
There are no games scheduled in the LIDOM for Jan. 6.
Criollos de Caguas One Win Away From LBPRC Championship Series – A 10-0 drubbing of the Cangrejeros de Santurce in game four of the LBPRC semifinal series has put the Criollos de Caguas one win away from the championship series.
Jonathan Morales went 2-for-3 for the Criollos, driving in a pair of runs with a homer in the first that held up, as the Cangrejeros mustered just five hits, all off starter Alex Sanabia. Sanabia also allowed one walk and no runs in 6.2 innings of work, and three Caguas relievers allowed Santurce just one baserunner in the remaining innings.
Game five will be played Sunday at 6:15 p.m. EST at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.
Gigantes 5, Leones 3 – Jan Hernandez went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two walks, cracking a two-run single in the top of the seventh that gave the Gigantes de Carolina a lead that held up against the Leones de Ponce in game four of their LBPRC semifinal series.
JC Escarra went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Ponce, but it wasn’t enough. The Gigantes lead the series three games to one, with game five scheduled for Sunday at 6:15 EST.
All LBPRC games are streamed via the league’s facebook page.
Cardenales Unable to Get Off the Ground In LVBP Round Robin – Another game, and another loss for the Cardenales de Lara.
Henry Blanco’s squad, which took first place in the LVBP regular season, fell to 0-4 in the round robin with a 5-4 loss in 10 innings to the Leones del Caracas on Friday.
With runners on first and second and one out in the bottom of the 10th inning, Oswaldo Arcia grounded into a fielder’s choice at first base. A throwing error by Lara shortstop Jermaine Palacios allowed Cesar Hernandez to score the winning run.
The Cardenales have been outscored 27-16 through five games of the round robin, and have Saturday off.
The Leones del Caracas, who finished second in the regular season, improved to 2-1. They’ll face the first-place Tiburones de La Guaira Saturday at 5 p.m. EST.
Tiburones Double Up Bravos 8-4 – The Tiburones de La Guaira improved to 3-0 and hold first place in the LVBP round robin.
Wilson Garcia went 4-for-4 for the Tiburones, hitting an RBI double in the bottom of the first, an RBI triple in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs and driving in three more Former Major Leaguer Yasiel Puig went 2-for-4 with three RBI for La Guaira, hitting a two-run homer to left field in the first and smacking an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth.
La Guaira roughed up the Margarita pitchers for 16 hits and drew three walks Friday night.
The Bravos de Margarita will host the Tigres de Aragua on Saturday at 4 p.m. EST. All LVBP games can be streamed via Beisbolplay.com with a paid subscription.
Tiburones Kept Miguel Romero – Reports of pitcher Miguel Romero’s release by the Tiburones de La Guaira were unfounded, Pelota Cubana USA reported Friday.
The pitcher, who has been dealing with arm soreness, is expected to return to the lineup by Jan. 14. He pitched for the Tomateros de Culiacan in Mexico earlier in the winter league season before joining the Tiburones.
Tomateros de Culiacan, Naranjeros de Hermosillo Both Win in Extra Innings, Lead Series 3-1 – A two-run homer by Herlis Rodriguez in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Tomateros de Culiacan a 2-0 win and a 3-1 series lead over the Caneros de Los Mochis in the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs.
Jasson Atondo’s RBI single in the top of the 11th sent Angel Camacho home with the winning run for Hermosillo, and Alan Rangel retired the side in order to earn the save for the Naranjeros, who lead their series with Los Mochis three games to one after the 3-2 win in 11 innings on Friday.
Mazatlan 9, Jalisco 5 – Alex Liddi went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a pair of RBI, and a walk as the Venados de Mazatlan evened their playoff series with the Charros de Jalisco at two games apiece.
Liddi reached on an error in the first and came around to score, and had an RBI single in the top of the third and a double in the eighth. The Venados got solo homers from Ramiro Pena in the fifth and Ricardo Valenzuela in the eighth.
Aguilas Pluck Victory From Algodoneros In Last At-Bat – The Aguilas de Mexicali edged the Algodoneros de Guasave 3-2 on Gilberto Vizcarra’s single in the bottom of the ninth that scored Juan Carlos Gamboa for the game-winning run. The series is tied at two games a piece after the Aguilas clawed back from a 2-0 series deficit with a pair of one-run victories.
All four series in the LAMP continue on Saturday night. Mazatlan and Jalisco will play at 5 p.m. EST, Hermosillo will face Navajoa at 8 p.m. EST, Los Mochis will play Culiacan at 8:05 p.m. EST, and Guasave will visit Mexicali at 9 p.m. EST. Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico games can be streamed via Extrabase.tv for a fee.