The eyes of the winter ball world turned toward Venezuela last night, where the Cardenales de Lara beat the Bravos de Margarita 8-2 to even the Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional championship series at two games apiece.
It was the only game in the four leagues of the Confederacion de Beisbol Profesional del Caribe last night, as teams still playing in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic each had the night off.
The Bravos got on the board in the second when Jose Martinez hit into a fielder’s choice with no outs and runners at the corners, allowing Wilson Ramos to score. Martinez reached base when Lara second baseman Ildemaro Vargas’ throw was off the mark, putting runners at second and third with no outs for Lorenzo Cedrola. Cedrola, who joined the Bravos as a reinforcement for the championship series, singled to center to score Breyvic Valera for a 2-0 Margarita lead.
Down 2-0, the Cardenales climbed back into the game in the fifth, cutting the lead to 2-1 when Eduardo Garcia hit an RBI single to left. Eduardo Garcia followed with a two-run homer, and then Ildemaro Vargas followed Garcia with a solo homer, giving Lara a 4-2 lead.
The Redbirds tacked on two more in the sixth on a two-run double by Ali Sanchez, and got another in the seventh when Harold Castro’s sac fly scored Vargas. Rangel Ravelo followed with an RBI single to make it 8-2 Lara.
Cardenales starter Anderson Espinoza allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits and two walks in six innings of work, striking out one. Three relievers combined to allow two hits over the final three innings and preserve the win.
Tonight in the Winter Ball Playoffs
All times Eastern Standard Time
Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional
All LVBP games are streamed live on BeisbolPlay with a subscription
6 p.m. – Lara at Margarita (Series tied 2-2)
LIDOM
All LIDOM games are streamed live on MLB.tv with a subscription
6:15 p.m. – Tigres del Licey at Leones del Escogido (Escogido leads series 2-1)
Liga Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente
All LBPRC games are streamed live on YouTube
6:21 p.m. – Mayaguez at San Juan (Mayaguez leads series 4-1)
Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico
All LAMP games are streamed live on YouTube with a subscription
8:30 p.m. – Culiacan at Jalisco (Series tied 1-1)
