Winter Leagues Report: Week 7
It was a quiet holiday week in the winter leagues, with the action primarily in Mexico and Venezuela. With the league entering its second half of play, Manuel Rodriguez had mixed results in the LMP while Carlos Penalver remained consistent in the VWL.
Mexican Pacific League
Caneros de los Mochis
Los Mochis closed out the first half of the season on Sunday with a 4-1 loss to Mazatlan. Manuel Rodriguez remained one of the bright spots for the Caneros as he tossed a perfect seventh inning and struck out a batter. Mazatlan 4 - Los Mochis 1
The second half of the season started a familiar way to the Cane-men on Tuesday, as they dropped a 1-0 decision to Obregon. The usually reliableManuel Rodriguez had a rare bad outing, allowing the only earned run of the game in 0.2 innings. Obregon 1 - Los Mochis 0
After jumping out to a big lead on Thursday, the Caneros had to hold on tight for a 5-4 victory over Obregon. Manuel Rodriguez recorded the final out of the sixth but ran into trouble following a fielding error to open the seventh inning. Rodriguez was charged with two runs (one earned) on two hits in 0.2 innings. Los Mochis 5 - Obregon 4
Los Mochis closed out the week on Saturday with an impressive finish in a 7-2 victory over Hermosillo. Leading 2-1 going into the seventh, the Caneros stepped on the gas and scored five more runs, three in that inning alone. Manuel Rodriguez came on in the bottom of the inning and held the Naranjeros scoreless while striking out a batter. Los Mochis 7 - Hermosillo 2
Tomateros de Culiacan
Getting off to a slow start in the second half, Culiacan dropped another game on Saturday, 4-3 to Navojoa. Starting catcher Ali Solis had a good night, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Navojoa 4 - Culiacan 3
Venezuelan Winter League
Cardenales de Lara
Despite nine hits on Sunday, Lara could only manage one run as they were defeated by Caracas 4-1. Yapson Gomez stopped the Leones attack dead in its tracks in fifth inning, as he struck out two batters in two scoreless innings. Caracas 4 - Lara 1
On Wednesday in the VWL, the Cardenales were able to best Margarita 5-3. Lara received five strong innings from Williams Perez, as he struck out six and allowed an earned run on four hits and two walks. Lara 5 - Margarita 3
Caribes de Anzoategui
It was too little, too late for Anzoategui on Monday as they were thrashed by Lara 8-2. Erick Castillo was the starting catcher and went 1-for-3 in the loss. Lara 8 - Anzoategui 2
Bravos de Margarita
Margarita could not overcome a big lead built up by Magallanes in losing 5-2 on Friday. Eugenio Palma came on in the eighth inning and held the Navegantes scoreless, giving up a hit and striking out a batter. Magallanes 5 - Margarita 2
Tigres de Aragua
A season that started to spiral out of control for Aragua got some stability on Tuesday with a 6-5 victory over Zulia. Carlos Penalver batted second and started at shortstop, going 1-for-4 with a double in the win. Aragua 6 - Zulia 5
On Wednesday, the Tigres split a doubleheader with Zulia as they dropped the second game 8-2. Stephen Perakslis once again was on the losing end as he served up a two-run home run and allowed three earned runs in four innings. Carlos Penalver remained at shortstop and went 0-for-2 in the loss. Zulia 8 - Aragua 2
Starting to get their season back on track, the Tigers put one in the win column on Thursday with an 8-4 victory over Magallanes. Still occupying the second spot in the batting order, shortstop Carlos Penalver was 1-for-5 for Aragua. Aragua 8 - Magallanes 4
Aragua took a bite out of the first place lead of Caracas on Saturday with a 5-2 win over the Leones. The Big Cats made the most of their noise with a four–run sixth inning. Lead-off hitter Carlos Penalver went 1-for-4 for the victors. Aragua 5 - Caracas 2
Australian Baseball League
If you are going to score only once in a game, a Grand Slam home run is the best you can do as Canberra defeated Sydney 4-0. Outfielder David Kandilas turned the trick in the fifth innings as Ryan Kalish went 1-for-4 in the win. Canberra 4 - Sydney 0
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