Caribbean Series gets started

[Baseball Guru]

A little prelude to the WBC... I love the C.S. as hell, its baseball plus you get to see many MLB stars participate.. MLB.com is showing all the games live for $10 or if youhave the YES network, you can see all the games on a little tape delay(about 3 hours) The games last night and tonight were at 6:30 and 9:30 est. Billy Sample and Jim Leyritz called the action...

Anyways, here are the recaps of yesterday's games:
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Venezuela rolls over Mexico at home
Catcher Hernandez collects rare cycle in blowout victory
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com



VALENCIA, Venezuela -- With host Venezuela engaging Mexico, the 2006 Caribbean Series got off to a rousing start Thursday night. It was equal parts Super Bowl halftime show and World Cup soccer match at Estadio Jose Bernardo Perez.
A salsa group rocked in the middle of the infield, surrounded by sequined dancers, as fireworks exploded beyond the outfield walls -- temporarily silencing an energetic Mexican band.

Colorful banners swayed in the stands as locals tried to drown out the blaring Mexican instruments by serenading the visitors with chants and songs.

All this commotion, and Ramon Hernandez and Alexander Cabrera hadn't even begun the real fireworks display.

Cabrera, Caracas' designated basher, got the assault started with his two-run blast in the fourth. Hernandez capped a huge night with a three-run homer in the ninth, completing a rare cycle in a 17-1 pounding of a dazed Mazatlan crew.

"Yeah, I finally got one," Hernandez said of the cycle, which came in six at-bats. "I came close with the Padres last year [missing by a triple in Oakland]. I'm very content. It's a great feeling to be playing for your country in this event. I really enjoy the Caribbean Series, especially playing at home.

"It's a great start for us, but it's another game mañana."

Cabrera, who tied a Japanese league record with 55 homers in 2002 for the Seibu Lions, got it started when he cleaned up on a Pablo Ortega pitch, driving it over the left-field wall for a two-run blast in the fourth.

As the stadium erupted, the inspired Caracas club was on its way to a 21-hit romp, riding the right arm of Geremi Gonzalez and the smoking-hot bats of Hernandez, Cabrera, Luis Rodriguez and Alex Gonzalez.

The fearsome foursome combined for 14 hits -- four each by Hernandez and Gonzalez -- along with eight runs scored and 14 RBIs.

Hernandez, the former Padre who will grace the Orioles this season, left no doubt with his tremendous three-run homer in the ninth after narrowly missing the center-field seats in his previous at-bat.

Playing first, Hernandez followed Cabrera's blast in the fourth with a scorching triple to right, beating the relay with a head-first slide that showed the true meaning of this Series to the players.

Hernandez scored on a single by Venezuela League batting champion Rodriguez of the Minnesota Twins, but Ortega pitched out of a bases-loaded predicament, striking out Henry Blanco and Alejandro Machado.

Geremi Gonzalez, a 30-year-old right-hander signed by the Mets after he spent last season in Boston, was in midseason form, striking out seven while giving up three hits and two walks in seven innings.

Gonzalez worked out of a two-on jam following Miguel Ojeda's double in the fourth, retiring Juan Carlos Canizalez on a sharp grounder to third.

Cabrera, who batted .262 with five homers in 31 games as an Arizona Diamondback in 2000, drove in a third run by tapping a single to right in the fifth. This delivered Marco Scutaro, who'd singled and advanced on a fly ball.

Mazatlan broke through in the sixth when Oscar Robles doubled, advanced on Geremi Gonzalez's errant pickoff throw and scored on Mario Valenzuela's infield out.

Caracas busted it open in the seventh with four hits and a walk, all with two outs. Rodriguez, after singles by Cabrera and Hernandez, smoked a two-run double to deep center, later scoring on Alex Gonzalez's third hit, a single to left against reliever Jose Cobos.

Hernandez nearly launched a three-run homer in the eighth against lefty Julio Cesar Jimenez, settling for a two-run double when the ball bounced off the top of the wall.

Run-scoring singles by Rafael Angel Alvarez and Michael Sandoval preceded Hernandez's shot. Rodriguez's RBI double gave him three hits and four RBIs.

Mexico will try to kick-start its offense on Friday against the Dominican Republic, while Venezuela moves to Maracay on Friday night to face Puerto Rico.

Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Baseball Guru]

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Mets prospect Hernandez plays hero in Caribbean opener:thumbsup:
By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com


MARACAY, Venezuela -- Amid the loud cheers from the fans off the field and the players' unbridled enthusiasm on it, the Tigres Del Licey team became the first winner in the 2006 Caribbean Series.
Whether the club is the grand champion at the conclusion of the tournament is to be determined, but Thursday's 5-4 extra-inning victory against Puerto Rico's Carolina at Estadio Jose Perez Colmenares was a good start.

In the top of the 11th inning, Licey second baseman Anderson Hernandez hit a single to right field that scored Alexis Gomez, breaking a 4-4 tie and pushing the Dominican Republic team to victory. Gomez reached on fielder's choice.

Puerto Rico could not rally in the bottom half of the inning. The Dominican Republic used seven pitchers in the win, including the save by Roman Colon.

"It was a good fight out there," Dominican Republic manager Rafael Landestoy said. "We had to go very deep into our bullpen and that might affect us. I was glad we were able to win."

Hernandez, a Mets prospect, finished 4-for-6 with one RBI and two runs. Eddy Ramos earned the win for Licey. Federico Baez took the loss for Puerto Rico.

"To get four hits and get the game-winning hit is unbelievable," said Hernandez. "This is a short series and we can do it. Like they say, 'Those who win have the most fun.' I'm happy we won, and I think we can win this tournament."

He was not the only one. Flags from the Dominican Republic were waved all across the stadium.

The tournament continues Friday with Puerto Rico against Venezuela in Maracay at 7:30 p.m. ET. Mexico and the Dominican Republic play at 3:30 p.m. ET in Valencia.

"I feel really great. I never thought I would be here representing my country," Hernandez said. "I was able to get the hit that gave us the win, and I'm very happy about that. It is a great feeling."

Trailing by one run after seven innings, Puerto Rico tied the game at 4 with a single by Napolean Calzado that scored Jorge Padilla in the eighth.

That's where the score would stay -- at least for two innings, until Anderson's heroics.

The see-saw scoring actually started after two scoreless innings to start the contest.

In the third inning, Dominican catcher Sandy Martinez led off the frame with a single to center field off Puerto Rico starter William Collazo, and Melky Cabrera followed with a walk. Hernandez hit a single to load the bases.

Two outs later, Miguel Tejada hit a ground-rule double that scored two runners to give Licey a 2-0 lead.

The lead did not last long.

In the bottom half of the inning, Puerto Rico left fielder Pedro Valdes hit a three-run home run off starter Juan Cruz that scored Alex Cora and Ruben Gotay to give Carolina a 3-2 lead.

The Dominican Republic tied the score at 3 in the sixth and threatened to score more, but Puerto Rico left-hander Stevenson Agusto struck out Martinez with the bases loaded on three consecutive pitches to end the inning.

Tied at 3 in the top of the seventh, Dominican Republic first baseman Willis Otanez reached on an error that proved costly. Hernandez, who hit a one-out triple earlier in the inning, scored on the play. Tejada advanced to second base, and just like that, Licey was ahead, 4-3.

It would be their final lead of the game.

As for Cruz, he was charged with five hits and three runs in five innings. Collazo gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched.

"We are going to keep going out there and keep having fun," Landestoy said. "What happens, happens. We are going to do what we did all year. Do our job."

Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[GaryMrMets]

A little prelude to the WBC... I love the C.S. as hell, its baseball plus you get to see many MLB stars participate.. MLB.com is showing all the games live for $10 or if you have the YES network, you can see all the games on a little tape delay(about 3 hours) The games last night and tonight were at 6:30 and 9:30 est. Billy Sample and Jim Leyritz called the action...

Anyways, here are the recaps of yesterday's games:

James, It pays to have the Yes network. I got to see the games last night, and I am watching them now. They will also be showing the games tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. :D

Billy Sample and Jim Leyritz are calling one of the games, while Cookie Rojas and his son are calling the other game. :D

[Baseball Guru]

Yeah, Cookie and son called the Mexico/DR game last night... They are much, much better than Billy and Jim...

[Baseball Guru]

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A's infielder's heroics more than enough to beat Puerto Rico
By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com


MARACAY, Venezuela -- Imagine being a star in your home country. A fan favorite and a baseball hero in the winter.
During the summer in the United States, you're a backup.

Welcome to Marco Scutaro's world. Don't feel bad though, it's not such a bad place, especially after Friday night at Estadio Jose Perez Colmenares.

Scutaro, an infielder for Oakland, hit a grand slam in the second inning to propel Venezuela to a 6-1 victory against Puerto Rico and secure a spot in Caribbean Series lore.

He says he sports his famous No. 19 jersey during the winter months for his beloved Leones because he loves playing for his country. He could also use the extra work.

"I think it's an advantage playing here," said Scutaro, 30. "We're in good shape from playing all year and we get to Spring Training ready to go. I'm just hoping for a chance to show what I can do."

Scutaro and his Caracas teammates are 2-0 in round-robin play. The Dominican Republic is also undefeated after two games, and the two teams square off Saturday night in Valencia.

Puerto Rico and Mexico are scheduled for the matinee, also in Valencia. Both teams are 0-2.

"The Dominican team is very good and has a lot of offense, and so does Puerto Rico. So do we," said Venezuela manager Carlos Subero. "It all depends on the pitching. As long as we keep pitching, we will do well. So far, it's been good."

Scutaro, the Venezuelan star, is still seeking celebrity in the United States. In his home country, he is the No. 1 man at second base. In Oakland, he is Bobby Crosby's backup at shortstop and is behind starter Mark Ellis at second base. Scutaro can also play third base, but the chance of seeing playing time at the position is slim to none. All-Star third baseman Eric Chavez played in 160 games for the A's last season, and Antonio Perez could be the primary backup for Chavez.

That said, a solid Caribbean Series could boost Scutaro's status with the Major League club. The infielder hit .247 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs in 118 games for Oakland last year. He has a .256 career batting average with 92 RBIs and 19 home runs in 320 Major League games with the Mets and Athletics since 2002.

"We have a good team and I want to do my part," Scutaro said. "I don't know what the plans are for me. I want to be ready."

It shows. Ask Puerto Rico starter Jim Magrane.

Magrane cruised through the first inning and retired the first two hitters he faced in the second. He appeared on his way to another scoreless inning.

He wasn't.

Henry Blanco walked and Javier Herrera followed with a single. Luis Rodriguez hit a single to load the bases to set up a heroic situation for Scutaro.

He didn't disappoint.

During the memorable at-bat, Scutaro worked the count full and then connected on a Magrane fastball. The ball landed just beyond the fence in left field for the first grand slam of the series, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

"I made good contact," Scutaro said. "It was over the middle of the plate and I was able to hit it out. I was not looking to hit a home run. I wanted to hit it hard."

The Venezuelan team tacked on two more runs -- one on a double by Ramon Hernandez, and another on an RBI single by Franklin Gutierrez -- to pull ahead, 6-0.

It was more than enough.

"To get past Puerto Rico is not easy, but things have worked out this season for us," Scutaro said. "I'm really happy with what has happened to me, and I thank God for the opportunity. I'm trying to remain calm. I'm going to walk first and then I'm going to run. We'll see what happens."

Magrane was replaced by Giancarlo Alvarado soon after and spent the remainder of the game watching the action from the bench.

Venezuela starter Orlando Trias pitched three scoreless innings before giving up an RBI single to Luis Figueroa in the fourth to end the shutout. He allowed six hits and one run in five innings of work for the win before yielding to Wilfredo Rodriguez in the sixth.

"I'm always here for Venezuela and it is a great honor to play for my country," Hernandez said. "This is the country that gave me life. It's where I grew up. I'm going to do all I can so we can win."

Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Baseball Guru]

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By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com


VALENCIA, Venezuela -- Mexico suddenly was feeling much better about its place in the 2006 Caribbean Series, riding a 4-0 lead into the fifth inning on Friday afternoon behind its veteran ace, Francisco Campos.
That's when lightning and thunder struck again, this time in the form of the Dominican Republic and the great Miguel Tejada.

Picking up where Ramon Hernandez and Venezuela had left off the night before, Tejada crushed a game-turning, two-out, three-run homer to right center, powering Licey on its way to a 10-6 triumph at Stadium Jose Bernardo Perez despite a pair of solo homers among four hits by Mazatlan second baseman Edgar Gonzalez.

"That was a moment he likes," said Licey manager Rafael Landestoy of Tejada, the Orioles' superstar shortstop, who is in the DH role for the Dominican Republic. "He told us in the dugout that he was looking for a pitch up and away -- luckily, he got what he was looking for. He's a great hitter."

Though it was Tejada who delivered the big blow, center fielder Alexis Gomez was a steady force for Licey with four hits, including a two-run double in the fifth ahead of Tejada's blast.

"Alexis Gomez can be a five-tool player," said Landestoy of the man who plays in the Detroit Tigers system. "He's going to need some time, but he's going to play for us for now. He can help us in a lot of ways -- defensively, with his glove, with his speed and with his power."

Gomez called it a "big thrill" and said that he's trying to do his part to help Licey claim the title.

"My first four-hit game in the Caribbean World Series, that's going to give me confidence for every game," said Gomez.

Mazatlan fell to 0-2, and Licey improved to 2-0 heading into its showdown on Saturday night against host Venezuela's Caracas outfit, headlined by Hernandez.

"That should be a great game," said Landestoy.


Bouncing back admirably following its 17-1 loss to the Hernandez-cycle-powered Caracas in the opener, Mexico went to work on veteran right-hander Julian Tavarez in the third after he'd set down the first seven batters.

Gonzalez put the spring in Mazatlan's step with a towering homer to dead center. With two outs, 10-year Major League veteran Trenidad Hubbard singled, then stopped at third on Oscar Robles' ground-rule double to right center.

That was a bad break -- Hubbard would have scored had the ball stayed in play -- but it didn't matter when Juan Carlos Canizalez ripped a two-run single off the glove of second baseman Anderson Hernandez. Jesse Gutierrez's double into the left-field corner delivered Canizalez, giving Mazatlan a four-run cushion.

Tavarez didn't finish the inning, yielding to Wilton Chavez for the final out.

Campos, meanwhile, was rolling along, having faced one batter over the minimum through four innings with the quality stuff that has made him a Mexican star for years.

Then, in a sudden flurry, everything unraveled for Mazatlan. The Dominican hitters picked up the beat with a walk by Ron Belliard with one out in the fifth, followed by Timo Perez's single and a two-run double to left by Gomez.

After catcher Sandy Martinez was hit by a pitch, Hernandez singled to left, scoring Gomez. Campos was close to escaping when he retired Erick Aybar for the second out, but up walked the menacing Tejada -- and he didn't wait long to ruin Campos' fine day.

On the first pitch, Tejada -- who'd struck out and grounded out previously -- lashed out in the manner of a true superstar who knows how to respond to the moment. Fans leaped out of their seats as the ball exploded off his bat and carried over the wall in right center -- a bomb in any park.

Tejada pounded his chest before crossing home plate, exchanging power high-fives with teammates in the waiting line extending to the dugout.

Campos finished the inning and retired a batter in the sixth before departing. Lefty Mauricio Lara came on and was touched for two runs, one attached to Campos, and now Licey was in command.

Big Jose Valverde had come to Chavez's rescue when Mazatlan threatened in the sixth with Gonzalez's third hit and catcher's interference. Valverde blew down Hubbard with heat, then broke Robles' bat on an out to second.

Mario Valenzuela finally got Mexico back on the board in the eighth with a solo homer to right against Valverde. Gonzalez followed with his second blast to center. Undaunted, Valverde skipped off the mound, high-fiving teammates, as he was relieved by Jorge Sosa, who shut down Mazatlan in the eighth and ninth.

Licey tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the ninth. Hernandez singled home a run against southpaw Jose Luis Garcia, and Aybar's sacrifice fly plated Gomez, who'd singled for the third time behind Perez's second single.


Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Baseball Guru]

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Nats infielder tallies eight straight hits for Mexican team
By Jesse Sanchez and Lyle Spencer / MLB.com



VALENCIA, Venezuela -- An all-time Caribbean Series record was established on Saturday by the Washington Nationals' Edgar Gonzalez.
Nobody in the long history of the event ever had produced eight consecutive hits until Mexico's right-handed hitting second baseman went to work.

Coming off a perfect four-hit game against the Dominican Republic, featuring a pair of homers, Gonzalez stayed in a groove and knocked out four more consecutive hits -- a double and three singles -- in a 10-9 loss to Puerto Rico at Estadio Jose Bernardo Perez.

The streak finally ended with a strikeout against Ivan Maldonado, the winning pitcher for Carolina.

Gonzalez said he had a run of seven consecutive hits while playing Double-A ball for the Texas Rangers, but eight in a row was a first even he found hard to grasp.

"It felt good, really good," said Gonzalez, whose team fell to 0-3 in the series. "Unfortunately, we lost the game. My parents and my wife were here, so that made it special."

Missing from the family excursion was younger brother Adrian, acquired in December by the hometown San Diego Padres in a six-player blockbuster with the Rangers.

"It would have been exciting to play with him, and he wanted to be here," Edgar said. "But San Diego wanted him there."

Adrian Gonzalez played for Mazatlan during the Mexican Pacific League schedule and was one of its leading hitters.

Mazatlan could have used him on the play that decided Saturday's game, a throw by Edgar on an attempted double play that skipped past Miguel Ojeda. A catcher by trade, Ojeda made a stab as it bounded away, allowing the winning run to score in the top of the ninth.

The error was given to Edgar, but a natural first baseman with better footwork would have had less difficulty handling it.

Edgar Gonzalez, 27, said he hopes to crack the Nationals' 25-man roster this season as an all-purpose player. He divided the 2005 season between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A New Orleans, batting .354 with New Orleans in 23 games and .279 at Harrisburg with a combined eight homers, 25 doubles and 54 RBIs.

"I've spent most of my career at third base, but I played second all last year," he said. "I can also play the outfield. I just want to make the club. That's what I'm shooting for."

Rivera reunion: Puerto Rico manager Leno Rivera spent the previous six seasons playing or managing south of the U.S. border, so it was no surprise to see the skipper surrounded by his old friends before his team squared off against Mexico on Saturday afternoon.

"Those guys are my friends," Rivera said. "I have a lot of love for them. Every time I see them of course I am going to say hello. We are like family."

Rivera pitched in the Mexican Winter and Summer Leagues for five seasons. He managed Montclova after an injury cut his playing career short in 2003. He managed Merida Yucatan in 2004 before taking the job for the Carolina team in Puerto Rico in 2005.

"Mexico helped me a whole lot," Rivera said. "That is good baseball over there and it was a big part of my growth as a manager. I'm so glad I took the job there."

Despite losing the first two games in the 2006 Caribbean Series, Rivera said he views his first season in Puerto Rico as a successful one. He was named the Puerto Rican League's Manager of the Year and his Puerto Rican team has played well at times.

"Any way you look at it, these games are really important for all the teams teams," Rivera said. "The winner still has a chance, and the loser goes home. We have a lot of talent on this team. We can win."

Mexico pride: The Mazatlan Venados, the defending 2005 Caribbean Series champions, have struggled early in the series and part of the reason could be the lack of established Major League players on the roster.

Ojeda (Rockies) and Oscar Robles (Dodgers) star for the Mexican club this year, but last season, the team from Mexico boasted higher profile players Erubiel Durazo, Elmer Dessens and Vinny Castilla on the roster.

Gonzalez played for Mazatlan during the regular season but chose not to participate in the Caribbean Series.

"I think [last year's standouts] would make a difference, but the team we came in with [this year] is more than capable of competing with the teams that are here," said Ray Sadler, an outfielder in the Pirates system who batted .250 with the Bucs in a brief appearance with his first career home run.

"I think, right now, everybody is trying to do too much. Maybe we should just relax and play like we did all year. We will be fine."

Venezuelan rotation: The Venezuelan team from Caracas was forced to shuffle the rotation because of injuries during the regular season and the Caribbean Series has been more of the same.

Here's the shuffled rotation: Geremi González, Orlando Trias, Harold Eckert, Albert Vargas, Larry Jacobsen and Gonzalez again for the sixth game.

"We picked Geremi Gonzalez [from the Magallanes club] to help us in the final because he was the best arm available in the market," Venezuela pitching coach Julio Franco said. "He has shown so much heart whenever he puts any uniform on."

Winners in each winter league are allowed to add players to the roster for the Caribbean Series.

Armas Jr. held out: Tony Armas Jr., one of Caracas' leading pitchers, wanted to play in the series but withdrew at the request of the Nationals, according to his father, Tony Armas Sr.

"The organization thought that it would be better if he didn't pitch here," said Armas Sr., who played in nine Caribbean Series and is a member of its Hall of Fame.

Armas is the Venezuelan hitting coach, and he grinned when it was pointed out that he was doing quite a job with the heavy-handed Caracas attack.

"It's all them," he said, grinning. "We've got some guys who can hit."

The hottest of the Venezuelans is Ramon Hernandez, but the biggest is Alexander Cabrera, who goes 6-foot-2 and about 225 pounds with massive hands and huge shoulders.

Playing for the Seibu Lions, Cabrera matched the all-time home run record in Japan with 55 in 2002. He played only 31 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2000, hitting .262 with five homers and 14 RBIs.

"He's got a good contract in Japan and is happy there," Armas said. "Yeah, he's a big man, all right. He's big here, he's big in Japan ... he's big wherever he goes."

[Baseball Guru]

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Homer downs Dominican Republic in Caribbean Series battle
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com


VALENCIA, Venezuela -- The Boston Red Sox have a new shortstop, Alex Gonzalez, and he hit a Bucky Dent home run on Saturday night.
Only this time, there was no Green Monster and the home crowd went insane with joy.

After his three-run homer against the Dominican Republic's Jorge Sosa was the difference in a compelling 11-9 conquest for Venezuela at Estadio Jose Bernardo Perez in front of 15,889, Gonzalez conducted a few interviews on the field and then ran for his life to the clubhouse as media swarmed him, microphones and mini-cams flew.

Francisco Rodriguez, who pitched the ninth inning to nail it down for Caracas, also had to run for cover under the adrenaline-fueled camera crews who pushed and elbowed for room. K-Rod couldn't recall this brand of craziness when his Anaheim Angels won the 2002 World Series.

The triumph vaulted Venezuela to the top in the Series with a 3-0 record. The Dominican Republic is 2-1, with Puerto Rico 1-2 and Mexico 0-3.

For Gonzalez, there has been nothing to match the feeling he experienced creating a delirious ending for countrymen and countrywomen who will talk about this game for the rest of their lives.

"This homer is even more important than the one I hit for the Marlins in the [12th inning of Game 4 of the 2003] World Series," Gonzalez said. "This was for my country."

Licey scored in every inning but the ninth, when Rodriguez silenced Tejada and Co. There were 30 hits, 15 to a side, eight homers, five by Licey, and no errors in a true classic.

After an inauspicious beginning, the Caracas crew rallied furiously in the middle innings and again late to make this everything the fanaticos could have wanted -- and then some.

Like Ali and Frazier in Madison Square Garden, the unbeaten heavyweights from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic exchanged power blows -- and it was Licey that actually did more damage before Gonzalez unloaded the shot heard 'round Latin America.

The Dominican Republic's five homers included blasts by Miguel Tejada in the seventh inning and Jose Offerman in the eighth that gave their team one-run leads.

Each time, however, Venezuela was equal to the challenge.

Responding to Tejada's homer in the seventh, Caracas tied it at 8 when Luis Rodriguez singled home Henry Blanco, who'd doubled.

Trailing 9-8 going into the top of the ninth after Offerman's blow, Ramon Hernandez opened the rally with a single through the middle against reliever Roman Colon.



After Franklin Guiterrez's single sent pinch-runner William Bergolla to third, Licey manager Rafael Landestoy called on Sosa, who'd been lights out in earlier games.

Gonzalez walked up looking for a slider and got one up in the zone that he was able to yank down the left-field line and over the fence, touching off a celebration to which the word "wild" doesn't do justice.

"This crowd's gotta be like the [Houston] Astrodome -- it's right there, and it's so loud," said pitcher Julian Tavarez of Licey. "This is the best game I've ever seen in the Caribbean Series. I think it's the best game you're going to see in the Caribbean Series."

It reminded Tavarez of another World Series game -- the opener of the 2004 Series, with Boston beating his St. Louis Cards, 11-9, when Mark Bellhorn launched a two-run homer against him.

"I was the losing pitcher in that game -- and it was the same score," Tavarez said.

The win in this one went to Juan Carlos Ovalles, the loss to Roman Colon.

The crowd came to life in the seventh inning when Caracas roared back from a 7-2 deficit with five runs, two coming on a double by Luis Rodriguez and two more on a towering homer by big Alexander Cabrera.

Licey manager Rafael Landestoy, who got six solid innings from Jared Fernandez before the right-hander weakened in the seventh and didn't get an out, watched southpaw Valerio De los Santos get raked by Luis Rodriguez before right-hander Eddie Ramos surrender the bomb to Cabrera that had fans dancing in the aisles.

Licey struck quickly behind its table-setters, Hernandez and Aybar, taking command against Venezeula right-hander Harold Eckert.

With six hits in 11 at-bats coming in, Hernandez stayed hot with a leadoff single to right. Aybar, hitless in his first 10 plate appearances, went ahead 3-0 in the count, took a strike and then slashed a drive into the right-field seats.

While Jared Fernandez was frustrating the Caracas crew with his assortment of deliveries, the Licey offense kept up the pressure. After Timo Perez was thrown out trying to stretch a single for the second out in the second inning, Offerman stroked a double to right and scored on a single by catcher Sandy Martinez.

Aybar was the catalyst in the third, singling to lead off. When Eckert drilled Tejada with a pitch, his night was over. In came Yorman Brazado, and he restored order after Aybar scored on a wild pitch.

Licey made it 5-0 in the fourth when Offerman and Martinez singled, with Aybar's double-play ball delivering Offerman after a Hernandez walk.

Caracas finally made its fanaticos happy in the fifth when Blanco unloaded a solo homer to left. But the Dominicans got it back when Ronnie Belliard went deep against Mauro Zarate in the fifth.

Caracas pushed across a run in the sixth when Franklin Guiterrez rocketed a double to left center to plate Rafael Alvarez, but Ramon Hernandez was shot down at home on a tremendous relay by Aybar, the shortstop throwing a strike from shallow left field.

There can't be many shortstops in the Major Leagues with better guns than Aybar, who belongs to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and whose brother, Wily, plays for L.A.'s other club, the Dodgers.

Hernandez, a dynamic second baseman who could convince Mets manager Willie Randolph he deserves a serious look, produced his eighth hit of the series in the sixth -- a solo blast against Zarate for the 7-2 lead that Caracas managed to erase.

The excitement was only starting. It was left to Gonzalez and K-Rod to close the show -- and run to safety as Venezuela erupted in joy.

Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Baseball Guru]

Venezuela beats Mexico, remains undefeated in Caribbean Series



VALENCIA, Venezuela (AP) -- Alex Cabrera's 10th-inning RBI single with the bases loaded lifted Venezuela to a 4-3 victory over Mexico on Sunday as the Caracas Lions remained undefeated and moved one step closer to winning the Caribbean Series.

"It was for Venezuela, and the fans," Cabrera said. "We want to be champion, and we are going to do it."

In Maracay, Napoleon Calzado scored three runs and drove in two more as the Dominican Republic's Licey Tigers (3-1) defeated the Carolina Giants (1-3) of Puerto Rico 9-2.

Ramon Hernandez, the Baltimore Orioles' new catcher, homered in the sixth inning to put the Lions (4-0) on top 3-1 but Mexico (0-4) bounced back in the bottom of the ninth when Juan Canizales hit a two-run shot off Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez to tie it.

The Caribbean Series features the winners of the winter leagues in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Mexico.

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Victory over Puerto Rico sets up showdown with Dominican
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com



VALENCIA, Venezuela -- Bring on the rematch.
With some familiar late thunder from its heavy lumber, Venezuela used all the elements of its game -- power, pitching and defense -- on Monday night to subdue Puerto Rico, 5-1, at Estadio Jose Bernardo Perez and remain unbeaten in the Caribbean Series.

The accent this time was heavily on the mound artists. Caracas starter Albert Vargas and relievers Wilfredo Rodriguez, Yorman Bazardo and Juan Carlos Ovalles combined to hold Carolina to two hits, both by Ruben Gotay, and waited for the offense, in its custom, to come alive in the late innings.

Rafael Alvarez's two-run homer in the seventh inning was the big blow as the host country arranged a showdown with the Dominican Republic in Marcay on Tuesday night, and a win would clinch its first Caribbean Series title since 1989.

"It's like a snowball effect," Venezuela manager Carlos Subero said of his team's remarkable penchant for late-game offense. "We've been playing with the same goal: to get a starter of the game as fast as possible and get into the bullpen. Once we hit a bullpen, it's been a big key for us.

"When we scored 17 runs against Mexico in the opening game, 13 came in the last two innings. That set the tone."

If Venezuela is equal to the challenge Tuesday night, it claims its sixth championship in the history of the event.

Beaten 11-9 on Alex Gonzalez's three-run homer in the ninth on Saturday night, the Dominican Republic can force a one-game playoff on Wednesday by avenging that stunning loss.

A title would be a record 16th for the Dominican Republic, which has won nine times since Venezuela's last Series conquest.


Subero likes the way his pitching is set up for Licey in Tuesday night's showdown. He has his ace, Geremi Gonzalez, starting with his bullpen mainstays fresh and revved for action.

"Geremi has a four-game rest, so he's ready," Subero said. "And we've got Frankie Rodriguez to close and Victor Moreno, our setup man, also is ready. I think our pitching is in good shape for this one."

Venezuela's bullpen couldn't have been any sharper against Puerto Rico, allowing one walk and nothing more in 3 1/3 innings.

Puerto Rico southpaw William Collazo and Vargas engaged in a spirited duel, each lasting into the sixth inning before tiring.

Vargas allowed a first-inning homer to Gotay in 5 1/3 solid innings of work. The right-hander departed after hitting Alex Cora and Gotay with pitches in successive at-bats in the sixth, but Wilfredo Rodriguez came on to get dangerous Alex Cintron on a force and Pedro Valdes on a fly ball to deep center.

Venezuela picked up an unearned run in the third courtesy of an error by Collazo when he was unable to field a throw from second baseman Gotay on Alvarez's grounder, allowing Javier Herrera to score from second. Herrera had singled leading off, the second hit allowed by Collazo.

Alex Cabrera, who delivered the game-winning hit against Mexico in the 10th inning on Sunday night, opened the sixth with a single. Collazo was replaced after walking Franklin Gutierrez, who'd singled in his previous two at-bats.

Right-handed reliever Ivan Maldonado walked Alex Gonzalez to load the bases. Working the count full, Henry Blanco sent a scoring fly ball to right-center for a 2-1 lead.

Bazardo closed out the seventh for Venezuela after Wilfredo Rodriguez ran into trouble with a walk and a hit batsman. Catcher Rene Rivera banged a ground ball to Luis Rodriguez at third, and the double play turned by Marco Scutaro quelled the threat.

In the seventh, Alvarez followed a walk to Scutaro with a homer to right against Jose Santiago, giving the partisan crowd equal parts joy and relief.

Santiago got through the seventh but was rocked by Alex Gonzalez's leadoff double in the eighth and Blanco's run-scoring single.

It was left to the bullpen to close the show, and it did so in style.


Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.