Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Caribes de Anzoátegui Seize 3-0 Lead in LVBP Championship Series

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Venezolana Béisbol Profesional

LVBP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME THREE

(0-3) Cardenales de Lara         6

(3-0) Caribes de Anzoátegui    9

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/24/21 - Leading off the bottom of the second inning, Caribes designated hitter Oswaldo Arcia homers off Lara starter Henry Centeno.  Anzoátegui rallies again in the fifth; third baseman Niuman Romero pushes home a run with a sac-fly; center fielder Rafael Ortega and second baseman Ali Castillo each hit doubles and drive in a run apiece; and a single and run batted in from Willians Astudillo gives Los Caribes a 5-0 lead.  Lara strikes back in the top of the sixth on runs batted in from Carlos Rivero,  Jecksson Flores, and Josmar Cordero, making it a new 5-3 game.  But Anzoátegui retaliates with another four-run outburst in the home sixth.  Rafael Ortega tripled with the bases loaded and then scores on a base hit from Ali Castillo, giving Los Caribes a commanding 9-3 lead.  Lara makes a go of it with a run in the seventh, driven in by second baseman Cesar Hernandez, and two more runs in the ninth, but nothing more.  Runs batted in by Cesar Hernandez and pinch hitter Jose Tabata round out the score.  Andres E. Perez earns the victory in relief of Guillermo Moscoso, who yields no runs on just one hit and two walks with two strikeouts through a brief three-inning start.  Los Caribes bat 5 for 10 with runners in scoring position; Rafael Ortega and Ali Castillo join together at the plate on 6 for 10 with three extra-base hits and six runs batted in.  With Sunday's victory in game three at Estadio Alfonso Carrasquel, Los Caribes de Anzoátegui seize a commanding three games to none series lead.

1. GAME ONE
2. GAME TWO

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Caguas Criollos Whitewash Mayagüez Indios in Game One LBPRC Championship Series

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

LBPRC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

(0-1) Idios de Mayaguez    0

(1-0) Criollos de Caguas   4

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/21/21 - Criollos starter Jose De Leon pitches a gem in game one of the LBPRC championship series, allowing Los Indios no runs on just two hits and one walk with twelve strikeouts through six innings for the win.  In facing 21 batters, De Leon threw 48 pitches with a pinpoint of 44 (91%) going for strikes.  Relievers  Andy Maldonado,  Zach Muckenhirn, and Fernando Cruz join together for three scoreless innings of no-hit ball with no walks and three strikeouts to preserve the shutout and secure victory.  Caguas, playing in their first game since Jan. 7, waste no time getting ahead of the competition.  League MVP and Mets farmhand Johneshwy Fargas leads off the home first with a double, and center fielder Jarren Duran draws a walk.  Designated hitter Yadier Molina follows with a triple, then scored on a fielder's choice for an instant 3-0 lead.  Catcher Jonathan Morales drives in Los Criollos fourth run with a sac-fly in the eight en route to a 4-0 whitewashing of Mayagüez.  Indios starter Hector Hernandez yields three runs on six hits and four walks with four strikeouts in a seven-inning losing effort.

Website:

• CriollosCaguas.com
• IndiosMayaguez.com

Twitter:

• @LBPRC
• @CriollosCaguas 
• @MayaguezIndios

YouTube:

• Caguas Criollos TV

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Cardenales de Lara & Caribes de Anzoátegui Advance to LVBP Championship Series

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Venezolana Béisbol Profesional 

SEMIFINALS

GAME SEVEN

(3-4) Navegantes del Magallanes    4

(4-3) Caribes de Anzoátegui          10

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/20/21 - With consecutive victories in games six and seven, Los Caribes advance to the LVBP championship series.  In a preview of things to come, Anzoátegui opens the scoring right away on a first-inning home run by center fielder Rafael Ortega.  In the third, the roof caves in on Magallanes.  Los Caribes strike for six runs on six hits highlighted by a two-run home run from designated hitter Oswaldo Arcia for a 7-0 lead.  Los Navegantes right fielder Danry Vasquez ruins the shutout with a home run leading off the fourth.  Still, Anzoátegui answers right back in the bottom half of the frame with runs batted in from Ali Castillo, Willians Astudillo, and Tomás Telis for a commanding 10-1 lead.  Magallanes makes a go of it with three runs in the ninth but falls far from a comeback.  Caribes starter Jesus Cruz allows no runs on just one hit and three walks with two strikeouts in a brief 2.1 inning outing.  Six members of the bullpen join together to yield four runs, but only one earned on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over the game's final 6.2 innings.  Right-hander  Andres E. Perez earns the victory in relief of Cruz.  Los Caribes clinch the series four games against three.

GAME SEVEN

(3-4) Tigres de Aragua        2

(4-3) Cardenales de Lara  11

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/20/21 - Los Tigres cannot convert the momentum of victories in games five and six into a third straight win in Estadio Antonio Herrera Gutierrez at Lara.  Los Cardenales, in commanding fashion, finally put the finishing touches on their semifinal series victory over Aragua.  Lara starter Williams Perez yields one run, just one hit, and two walks with two strikeouts over five innings pitcher for the win.  Four relievers then limit Aragua to one other run on six hits and no walks with two strikeouts over the final four innings.  A big five-run fourth inning effectively puts the game out of Aragua's reach.  Third baseman Carlos Rivero goes 1 for 3 with a home run and three runs batted in.  Shortstop Ildemaro Vargas goes 5 for 6 with a double and two runs batted in.  First baseman Osman Marval and catcher Yojhan Quevedo each drive in two runs apiece.  Los Cardenales de Lara advance to the championship series where they will face Los Caribes del Anzoátegui.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: LBPRC Championship Series Preview

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

LIGA de BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

LBPRC 

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

Indios de Mayagüez

vs.

Criollos de Caguas 

The much-anticipated series between Mayagüez and Caguas commences Thursday.  Joining Los Criollos will be All-Star catcher Yadier Molina selected from Manatí in the draw from eliminated teams, and catcher/first baseman Victor Caratini who was reactivated to the roster.  Los Indios will be reinforced by New York Mets farmhand and southpaw Joel Huertas selected from RA12.  Los Criollos finished the regular season first overall, with Los Indios finishing just one game behind.  The two teams split their regular-season series at three wins apiece.  Both Caguas and Mayagüez are founding members of LBPRC, established in 1938.  Los Indios last won the championship in 2014, while Los Criollos last clinched back-to-back titles during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.  Both teams are tied for most league championships with eighteen flags each.  The winner of this series will become the LBPRC all-time leader in titles.

Website:

• CriollosCaguas.com
• IndiosMayaguez.com

Twitter:

• @LBPRC
• @CriollosCaguas 
• @MayaguezIndios

YouTube:

• Caguas Criollos TV

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Culiacan To Face Hermosillo In LMP Championship Series

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

SEMIFINALS

GAME SIX

(4-2) Tomateros de Culiacan  3

(2-4) Yaquis de Obregon         0

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/19/21 - Strong pitching on both sides rule the night at Estadio de Los Yaquis.  With one out in the second, Culiacan first baseman Efren Navarro triples and scores on third baseman Michael Wing's double.  After which, all remains quiet through the seventh inning.  The defending champs score twice more in the eighth, first on a wild pitch unleashed by reliever Miguel Aguilar, then on an RBI hit from right fielder Sebastian Elizalde for a 3-0 lead.  Tomateros starter Edgar Arredondo yields just five hits and no walks with four strikeouts through six very efficient innings pitched for his second victory of the series.  The bullpen completes three scoreless innings to preserve the shutout.  Southpaw reliever  Alberto Baldonado earned the save.  Yaquis starter   Faustino Carrera allows just one earned run on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts through 5.1 effective innings, albeit a losing effort.  Both teams joined for just two extra-base hits all game.  Los Tomateros de Culiacan, who entered the post-season seeded number two behind Hermosillo, advance to the LMP Championship Series looking to defend their title.

GAME SIX

(2-4) Sultanes de Monterrey        3

(4-2) Naranjeros de Hermosillo   6

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/19/21 On the strength of a big sixth inning, Los Naranjeros push themselves out of reach of Monterrey's best efforts.  Designated hitter Alex Robles puts Hermosillo ahead with an RBI single in the second.  Sultanes catcher Gilberto Galaviz ties the game with an RBI double in the fifth.  Los Naranjeros then push five runs across the plate in the sixth, highlighted by catcher Julian Leon's two-RBI hit and an RBI double from shortstop Jason Atondo for a 6-1 lead.  Monterrey chips away with home runs from designated hitter Jose Amador in the seventh and shortstop Roberto Valenzuela in the eighth, making it a 6-3 game, but Monterrey's final margin of defeat.  Naranjeros starter Cesar Vargas allows just one run on two hits and two walks with six strikeouts through 5.1 innings but does not figure in the decision.  Southpaw Marcelo Martinez earns the win in relief, and Robinson Leyer earns his third save of the series.  Top-seeded Hermosillo wins the series in six, four games against two.  Los Naranjeros advance to the LMP championship series.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: LVBP Semifinals, Anzoátegui and Aragua Both Force Game Seven

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÈISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Venezolana Beisbol Profesional

SEMIFINALS

GAME SIX

(3-3) Navegantes del Magallanes   2

(3-3) Caribes del Anzoátegui          8

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/19/21 - Seeking to close out the series following yesterday's victory, Magallanes jumps out to an early 2-0 lead.  Center fielder Cade Gotta triples and scores in the first, and catcher  Carlos Perez doubles home a run in the second.  Undeterred, Anzoátegui tallies four runs in the fifth.  With two outs, third baseman Niuman Romero doubles home two runs, and center fielder Rafael Ortega and second baseman Ali Castillo each drive in a run apiece for a 4-2 Caribes lead.  Far from done, Anzoátegui erupts for another four runs in the seventh.  Ali Castillo drives home two with a double, and singles from left fielder Willians Astudillo and designated hitter Oswaldo Arcia drive home two more for a commanding 8-2 lead and the final margin of victory.  Caribes starter Andrés Machado yields two runs on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts through 5.1 innings for the victory.  Reliever Jake Sanchez retires the side in order in the top of the ninth to close out Game Six at Estadio Jose Perez Colmenares and force a decisive Game Seven scheduled for Wednesday.  

GAME SIX

(3-3) Tigres de Aragua      7

(3-3) Cardenales de Lara  1

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/19/21 - With momentum on their side, Los Tigres win their second straight after being down in the series three games to one.  Successfully warding off elimination, Aragua extends the series to a decisive game seven.  After trading runs in the first on Tigres' first baseman Hernan Perez' sac-fly and Cardenales' first baseman Osman Marval RBI single, Aragua takes a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Lara starter Vicente Campos walks in the tying run.  Designated hitter Henry Alejandro Rodriguez delivers the knockout blow in the seventh with a grand slam off Lara reliever Yapson Gomez.  In the ninth, left fielder  Anthony Jimenez drives home Aragua's seventh run of the game.  Reliever Marco Carillo closes out the game with two scoreless frames and in the ninth inning retires the side in order.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Mayagüez Sweeps Manatí, Advance to Championship Series Versus Caguas

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

 

Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

SEMIFINAL-B

GAME FOUR

(0-4) Atenienses de Manatí   2

(4-0) Indios de Mayagüez      3

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/19/21 - On Tuesday, Los Indios de Mayagüez completes a four-game sweep of Los Atenienses de Manatí and will now advance to the LBPRC championship series against the awaiting Criollos de Caguas.  A double-header was tentatively scheduled for this day hence a seven-inning game.  But a fifth game was not required as Mayaguez defeated Manatí by a 3-2 final score.  Los Indios scored an incredible 65 runs in only four games.  Mayagüez opens the scoring in the third with a two-out double by shortstop Jeremy Rivera and an RBI single from right fielder Henry Ramos.  The teams then traded two runs each in the fifth.  Manatí third baseman Jose Sermo connected on a two-run home run off Indios starter Nick Travieso for a brief 2-1 lead.  But with two outs in the bottom of the fifth and Jeremy Rivera on first base, Henry Ramos homered to right off Manatí starter Jason Garcia giving Los Indios a 3-2 lead and the final margin of victory.  Nick Travieso allows two runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts through six innings pitched for the win.  Reliever Jean Cosme earned the save.  Jason Garcia yielded three earned runs on seven hits and no walks with three strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched in a losing effort.  Playing first base for Los Atenienses, Yadier Molina went hitless in three at-bats.  Henry Ramos drives in all three runs for Mayagüez.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: LVBP Semifinals Game Five

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

 

Liga Venezolana Béisbol Profesional

SEMIFINALS

GAME FIVE

(3-2) Cardenales de Lara   4

(2-3) Tigres de Aragua       6

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/18/21  Aragua fends off Lara's late rally, thereby extending the series to a sixth game.  Los Tigres open the scoring with three runs in the first.  With two outs and the bases loaded, catcher Ramon Cabrera singles home two runs, and shortstop Edwin Garcia drives home another.  Aragua scores three more times in the seventh on another bases-loaded hit from Ramon Cabrera and an Edwin Garcia sac-fly.  Then it's a matter of holding on.  Aragua yields a run on the sixth on a passed ball, and designated hitter Gorkys Hernandez singles home a run in the eighth.  Facing Tigres reliever Wirfin Obispo in the ninth inning, right fielder Rene Reyes connects on a two-run home run, but Los Cardenales would score no more.  Tigres starter Logan Duran yields just one run on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts through six innings for the victory.

GAME FIVE

(2-3) Caribes de Anzoátegui            5

(3-2) Navegantes del Magallanes  13

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/18/21 Los Navegantes inch one step closer to the championship round with Monday's victory over Los Caribes.  Magallanes crank out 15 hits en route to a commanding 13-5 victory at Estadio Jose Bernardo Perez.  Right fielder Danry Vasquez leads the charge with a double, home run, and six runs batted in.  Designated hitter Renato Núñez and catcher Carlos Perez each drive home two runs apiece.  Right-hander Deolis Guerra picks up the win in relief.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Aguilas Cibaeñas Win LIDOM Championship Series in Seven

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

 

Liga del Beisbol Profesional de la Republica Dominicana

LIDOM CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME SEVEN

(4-3) Aguilas Cibaeñas        7

(3-4) Gigantes del Cibao     4

FINAL

Chalk one up for old school béisbol.  Los Aguilas Cibaeñas, founded in 1933, come back, all the way back, from a 3-1 series deficit, winning three in a row against Los Gigantes del Cibao to capture their league record 22nd LIDOM championship.

BOXSCORE 1/18/2021 - Game Seven of the Lidom Championship Series begins quietly, with only a base hit from Cibao's Kelvin Gutierrez to speak of.  In the second, Cibañas starter Andy Otero strikes out the side.  Aguilas' third baseman Johan Camargo breaks the silence in the third inning with a home run to right off Gigantes' starter Chris Ellis.  Cibao strikes back in the fifth with three straight hits, an RBI from first baseman Ronald Guzman, and a Kelvin Gutierrez sac-fly for a 2-1 lead.  However, their lead is short-lived.  A sixth-inning home run by red hot Juan Lagares ties the game at two.  With one out in the seventh, designated hitter Luis Juarez homers off Gigantes' reliever Wily Peralta.  After which, Cibaeñas erupts for another four runs.  With the bases loaded, second baseman  Jonathan Villa doubles home two runs, and shortstop Ramon Torres singles home another en route to a 7-2 lead.  Cibao's Kelvin Gutierrez again involves himself with a home run in the eighth.  Los Gigantes go down punching and kicking in the ninth with a one-out triple from shortstop Abiatal Avelino and a follow up double from Jose Siri, but nothing more.

• Juan Lagares bats .379 with three home runs for the series.

Aguilas' starter Andy Otero exits after four innings to a no-decision, having allowed two runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts.  Four relievers join together over the final five frames, yielding two runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts.  Right-hander Luis Castillo, with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings pitched, earns the victory.  Southpaw Dario Alvarez earns the save.  Gigantes' reliever Wily Peralta, who faced just three batters, takes the loss.

1. Game One
2. Game Two
3. Game Three
4. Game Four
5. Game Five
   
6. Game Six
   

HIGHLIGHTS: DRSports/YouTube

• Los Tigres de Licey are credited with 22 championships, but two were won prior to 1951 and the establishment of Liga del Béisbol Profesional de la Dominicana República.
• Los Aguilas Cibaeñas will represent the Dominican Republic in the upcoming Caribbean Series.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: LBPRC Mayagüez Continues Assault Against Manatí

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BEISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

SEMIFINAL-B

GAME THREE

(3-0) Indios de Mayagüez       20

(0-3) Atenienses de Manatí      7

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/18/21 Maybe they have good scouting reports?  Mayagüez picked up where they left off on Sunday, with a second straight thrashing of Los Atenienses de Manatí.  This time Los Indios rack up twenty runs, bringing their two-day total up to a ponderous fifty runs.  Lest we forget Mayagüez defeated Manatí by a 12-4 final way back in game one.  Los Indios pounded out 22 hits, with six going for home runs.  Four were hit in the sixth inning alone with designated hitter Ivan De Jesus Jr. and third baseman Emmanuel Rivera going back-to-back.  All told, Los Indios batted 8 for 19 with runners in scoring position.  Rivera was 4 for 7 with two solo home runs.  First baseman Kennys Vargas was 5 for 6 with a double, home run, and five runs batted in.  Shortstop Jeremy Rivera was 3 for 5 with a triple, home run, and four runs batted in.  Second baseman Christian Colon and Ivan De Jesus Jr. each drove in three runs apiece.  All-Star catcher Yadier Molina made his rather unusual debut for Los Atenienses, going 2 for 4 with a double as the designated hitter, then yielding a home run and two hits while pitching in a desperate ninth inning for Manatí who now face elimination with one more loss.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: LMP & LVBP Semifinal Series Recaps

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

SEMIFINALS

GAME FIVE

(3-2) Naranjeros de Hermosillo   8

(2-3) Sultanes de Monterrey        6

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/17/21 - No lack of action in this back and forth affair.  Monterrey strikes in the opening frame on a Courtney Hawkins double driving home two.  In the second, Los Naranjeros counter with a two-run home from Julian Leon and a run-scoring double off from left fielder Norberto Obeso for a 3-2 Hermolsillo lead.  In the blink of an eye, a third-inning home run by Sultanes first baseman Carlos Munoz knots the game at three.  Hermosillo then pulls away with five runs down the stretch, whereas Monterrey only musters three.  All nine Naranjeros' batters hit safely en route to fourteen total hits.  Right fielder Yadiel Hernandez accounts for Hermosillo's second home run of the game.  Catcher Gilberto Galaviz accounts for Monterrey's second home run.  Sultanes southpaw  Romario Gil takes the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk in just 3.2 innings pitched.  Hermosillo's own southpaw Ozzie Mendez earns the win in relief.

GAME FIVE

(2-3) Yaquis de Obregon          6

(3-2) Tomateros de Culiacan    2

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/17/21 - The defending champions must wait.  Faced with elimination, Los Yaquis hold on to extend the series with Sunday's victory at Estadio de Los Tomateros.  After three scoreless innings, Obregon breaks the silence in the fourth.  With the bases loaded, right fielder Dariel Alvarez scores on a fielder's choice, and left fielder Leandro Castro successfully steals home!  Obregon adds three more tallies in the fifth on runs batted in from Dariel Alvarez, Leandro Castro, and shortstop Juan Carlos Gamboa for a 5-2 Yaquis lead.  Los Tomateros finally get on the board in the sixth on third baseman Michael Wing's two-run scoring base hit back through the middle.  But it's too little too late.  Leandro Castro adds insurance with a two-out home run in the ninth.  Right-hander and Culiacan native Mario Meza tosses a scoreless ninth to close out Los Yaquis' second win in their last three tries.

* No games are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.  

* Games resume on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021.

Liga Venezolana Béisbol Profesional 

SEMIFINALS

GAME FOUR

(2-2) Caribes de Anzoategui         11

(2-2) Navegantes del Magallanes   2

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/17/21 - Anzoategui cranks out nine extra-base hits, including two home runs in a rout over Magallanes.  The series is now tied at two apiece.  Designated hitter Luis Sardiñas led the charge going 3 for 5 with two doubles and three runs batted in.  First baseman Willians Astudillo went 5 for 6 with a double and home run with two runs batted in.  Center fielder Rafael Ortega was 3 for 6 with a home run, three runs scored, and two runs batted in.  Right-hander Andres E. Perez earns the victory in relief, his second of the series.

GAME FOUR

(3-1) Cardenales de Lara   8

(1-3) Tigres de Aragua       4

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/17/21 - A late surge by Lara puts them one win away from advancing into the LVBP championship series.  Highlighted by a Hernán Pérez home run, Aragua maintained a tight 2-1 lead through the sixth.  Designated hitter Gorkys Hernandez in the seventh connects for a three-run home run giving Lara a 4-2 lead.  Each team then scores in the eighth inning, making it a 5-4 game in favor of Lara.  But Los Cardenales pull away with three more runs in the ninth en route to an 8-4 victory.  Cardenales starter Raul Rivero allows two runs on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts through six innings pitched for the win.  Right-hander Pedro Rodriguez earns his second save of the series.  

* Game Five is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18, 2021

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: LIDOM Championship Series Pushed to Seventh Game

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BEISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga del Beisbol Profesional de la Republica Dominicana

GAME SIX

(3-3) Gigantes del Cibao   5

(3-3) Aguilas Cibeañas      6

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/17/21 - The LIDOM championship series is headed towards a decisive seventh game.  Los Aguilas again stave off elimination with their second straight victory to knot the series at three.  The two teams traded single runs in the first inning on runs batted in from designated hitter Juan Francisco for Cibao, and Melky Cabrera for Cibaeñas.  In the bottom of the fourth, Aguilas' center fielder Juan Lagares connects for a grand slam home run off Gigantes' reliever Jesus Reyes giving Cibeañas a 5-0 lead.  Los Aguilas' most important run comes in the sixth on another Juan Lagares run batted in.  That's because Los Gigantes mount a furious four-run rally in the ninth inning against Cibaeñas reliever Neftalí Feliz.  Center fielder Jose Siri hits a three-run home run, and first baseman Ronald Guzman followed with a solo shot.  But Los Gigantes fall a run short.  Feliz strikes out the final two batters of the game.  Game seven is scheduled for Monday evening at Estadio Julian Javier in San Francisco de Macorís.

1. Game One
2. Game Two
3. Game Three
4. Game Four
5. Game Five
   

HIGHLIGHTS: DRSports/YouTube

Winter League Playoffs 2020-2021: LBPRC Mayagüez Trounces Manatí in Return to Action

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BEISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

SEMIFINAL-B

GAME TWO

(2-0) Indios de Mayagüez    30

(0-2) Atenienses de Manatí   8

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/17/2021 - Los Indios and Atenienses, for the first time in fifteen days, return to action.  Manati was cleared to resume practice earlier in the week, but Mayaguez didn't receive clearance for resuming activities until very recently.  Yet, Los Indios trounce Los Atenienses in Sunday's return to action at Estadio Municipal Pedro Roman Melendez.  Mayaguez had built a 4-2 after three.  Afterwhich, the floodgate burst wide open.  Los Indios romped for five runs in the fifth, nine runs in the sixth, another nine runs in the eighth, and just to be safe, three more runs in the ninth en route to a 30-8 dismantling of Los Atensienses.  Indios third baseman Emmanuel Rivera was the big man on campus going 4 for 5 with two doubles, two home runs, and ten runs batted in.  First baseman Kennys Vargas was 4 for 7 with a double, two home runs, and five runs batted in.  Shortstop Jeremy Rivera's home run gave Los Indios five in all.  Manati's left fielder Edgar Corcino connected on their only home run of the game.  Mayaguez starter Hector Hernandez yields two earned runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts through seven innings to earn the victory.  Can't speak that well for the bullpen, though ...

POSTED 1/16/2021:

After adhering to COVID protocol and receiving the necessary test results, Puerto Rico's Department of Health and LBPRC cleared the way for the resumption of the semifinal series between Los Indios de Mayaguez and Los Atenienses de Manati.  Mayaguez incurred an outbreak of positive tests on Jan. 2, resulting in the suspension of play after just one game won by Los Indios.  Los Atenienses was previously cleared to resume practice earlier this week, with Mayaguez's ongoing testing and results still pending.  Game two is tentatively scheduled for Sunday afternoon, followed by a single game on Monday and a doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday (Thursday and Friday, if necessary).  When the Atenienses take the field, they will be doing so with catcher Yadier Molina; LBPRC approved the lateral acquisition from Los Gigantes de Carolina.  Waiting for this series's conclusion is Los Criollos de Caguas, who has been keeping busy playing intramural games.  The league strives to have the championship series concluded by Jan. 27, three days before starting the Caribbean Series.

 

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: LMP Semifinals Game Four

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

LMP SEMIFINALS

GAME FOUR

(1-3) Yaquis de Obregon          0

(3-1) Tomateros de Culiacan   1

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/16/2021 With Saturday's victory, Culiacan moves within one game of advancing and defending their LMP title.  Los Tomateros in the third inning employ small-ball to open the scoring against Obregon.  Center fielder Yoelkis Guibert leads off with a bunt base hit down the third base line, then promptly steals second base.  After being sacrificed over to third, he scores on second baseman Ramiro Peña's sac-fly to right.  Tomateros starter Manny Barreda allowed just two hits and three walks with two strikeouts through seven scoreless innings pitched.  Reliever Sasagi Sanchez pitched a scoreless eighth, and southpaw Alberto Baldonado pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the save and complete the shutout.  

• Yaquis.com
• Tomateros.com

GAME FOUR

(2-2) Naranjeros de Hermosillo    5

(2-2) Sultanes de Monterrey         6

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/16/2021  After jumping out to a 2-0 series lead, the top-seeded Naranjeros lose their second straight on the road as Los Sultanes tie the series at two apiece.  Hermosillo jumps out to an early lead, but Monterrey rallies late for a 6-5 margin of victory.  Plagued by control issues, Sultanes starter Andres Ivan Meza fails to pitch out of the first inning; a series of walks and wild pitches interspersed with a hit batsman, a double-steal of second and home, a throwing error, and a hit batsman all precede Meza leaving the game with an injured arm.  In the bottom half of the frame, Monterrey right fielder Paulo Orlando singled home a run making it a 2-1 game in favor of Hermosillo.  Los Naranjeros add two more runs in the second and go on to build a 5-3 lead after five.  But Los Sultanes finally breakthrough in the seventh on a run-scoring double off the bat of Paulo Orlando and a two-run home run courtesy of third baseman and cleanup hitter Ricardo Serrano off reliever and credited loser Marcelo Martinez.  Southpaw Norman Elenes is credited with the victory, and Jeff Johnson earns his second save of the series.

• Naranjeros.com
• Sultanes.com

HIGHLIGHTS: LMP/YouTube

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: LIDOM Championship Game Five & LBPRC News

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BEISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

After adhering to COVID protocol and receiving the necessary test results, Puerto Rico's Department of Health and LBPRC cleared the way for the resumption of the semifinal series between Los Indios de Mayaguez and Los Atenienses de Manati.  Mayaguez incurred an outbreak of positive tests on Jan. 2, resulting in the suspension of play after just one game won by Los Indios.  Los Atenienses was previously cleared to resume practice earlier this week, with Mayaguez's ongoing testing and results still pending.  Game two is tentatively scheduled for Sunday afternoon, followed by a single game on Monday and a doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday (Thursday and Friday, if necessary).  When the Atenienses take the field, they will be doing so with catcher Yadier Molina; LBPRC approved the lateral acquisition from Los Gigantes de Carolina.  Waiting for this series's conclusion is Los Criollos de Caguas, who has been keeping busy playing intramural games.  The league strives to have the championship series concluded by Jan. 27, three days before starting the Caribbean Series.

• CaguasCriollos.com
• IndiosMayaguez.com
• Atenienses.com

Liga del Beisbol Profesional de la Republica Dominicana

LIDOM CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FIVE

(2-3) Aguilas Cibeañas      9

(3-2) Gigantes del Cibao    0

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/16/2021 - Los Aguilas stave off elimination with a late-innings comeback effort against Los Gigantes.  Cibao jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on the strength of back-to-back home runs from Ronald Guzman and Kelvin Gutierrez.  Undeterred, manager Felix Fermin leaves his starter, Carlos Martinez, in the game.  He goes on to pitch five scoreless innings, allowing a total of three runs on just four hits and two walks with five strikeouts through six total innings pitched.  Three Cibeañas bullpen members join to hold the Gigantes scoreless over the final three innings, yielding just two hits and fanning four.  Los Aguilas commence their comeback in the fifth with back-to-back home runs from shortstop Ramon Torres and center fielder Juan Lagares.  Ramon Torres's two-out hit in the seventh tied the game at three.  Afterwhich, Los Aguilas erupt for five runs in the eighth.  Right fielder Melky Cabrera kicks off the rally with an RBI single, and Ramon Torres drives in his third run of the game.  Melky Cabrera drives home Cibaeñas' ninth and final run in the ninth inning.  Los Gigantes now lead the series, three games to two.

1. Game One
2. Game Two
3. Game Three
4. Game Four

HIGHLIGHTS: DRSports/YouTube