Pitching was the storyline last week in the winter leagues as Frank Batista has emerged as a go-to reliever in the Dominican League. Carlos Pimentel raised his record to 5-0 while Ryan Searle moved to 2-0 in the Australian Baseball League. To learn more, check out today’s report.
Note: Coverage of the winter leagues is by calendar week, Sunday through Saturday
Dominican Winter League
Aguilas Cibaenas
Frank Batista made an appearance on Tuesday and he gave up a walk in a scoreless 0.2 innings as Cibaenas lost 5-2 to Escogido.
On Thursday, Frank Batista put out a fire for the Eagles as he recorded the final out and picked up his first save of the winter in a 5-4 victory.
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Saturday saw Frank Batista get hung with a blown save, but he struck out three batters over two scoreless innings as the Raptors defeated Escogido 6-5 in ten innings. Batista was brought in with two runners on in the eighth inning and was asked to intentionally walk the first batter he faced. A run later scored on a groundout and was charged to the previous pitcher.
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Leones del Escogido
Carlos Pimentel ran his record to 5-0 on Thursday as Escogido whipped Este 11-1. Pimentel went six innings and allowed an earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out three batters.
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Toros del Este
It was a rough outing for Alberto Cabrera on Friday as Este dropped an 8-5 game to Oriente. Cabrera lasted only 0.1 innings and he allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out a batter.
Tigres del Licey
Julio Borbon saw action as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement on Tuesday as Licey defeated Cibao 5-1. Borbon was lost in the Rule 5 Draft and is no longer in the Cubs’ system. The Orioles selected Borbon in the minor league phase of the draft on Thursday.
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Estrellas de Oriente
Oriente rallied with runs in the fifth, sixth, and eighth innings on Tuesday to overcome a 2-0 deficit and beat Licey 3-2. Marcos Mateo picked up his ninth save as he tossed a scoreless ninth inning. Mateo is no longer in the Cubs’ system. Mateo was taken in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday and will compete for a spot in the Diamondbacks’ pen in the spring.
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Mexican Pacific League
Venados de Mazatlan
It was a disappointing start to the week for Mazatlan as they lost to Hermosillo 6-1 last Sunday. Shortstop Walter Ibarra continued his steady climb as he went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Despite the struggles for Venados, Walter Ibarra extended his hitting streak to seven games as he was 1-for-4 in a 3-0 loss to Mexicali on Tuesday.
Walter Ibarra had his hitting streak stopped on Thursday. Ibarra went 0-for-2 with a walk as the Stags lost 5-4 to Mexicali.
Mazatlan’s slump continued as they fell 3-1 to Guasave on Friday. Walter Ibarra moved up to second in the batting order and was 1-for-4, but was caught stealing.
Venados were able to end the week on a high note as they rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh and held on for a 2-0 victory over Guasave. Walter Ibarra went 0-for-3 with a walk in the game.
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Yaquis de Obregon
Obregon tried to pull out all the stops last Sunday, but wound up losing 5-4 to Navojoa in ten innings. Darnell McDonald continued his struggles at the plate as he was 0-for-4, while Christian Villanueva went 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter.
The Yaquis blew a 3-0 lead on Tuesday and ended up losing 8-3 to Los Mochis. Darnell McDonald continued to search for answers at the plate as he went 0-for-3 with a walk. Christian Villanueva was 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter.
The Tribe and hitters Darnell McDonald and Christian Villanueva remained ice cold on Thursday when Yaquis lost 6-1 to Los Mochis. Both McDonald and Villanueva went 0-for-3, while McDonald drew a walk.
Obregon stopped a four game skid on Friday by defeating Mexicali 4-2. Darnell McDonald went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in the win.
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The Yaquis and Darnell McDonald closed out a tough week with a 6-1 loss to Mexicali on Saturday. McDonald was 0-for-4 as Obregon dropped five out of six games.
Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League
Cangrejeros de Santurce
Santurce allowed two runs in the top of the ninth as they dropped a 3-2 game to Carolina. Edwin Maysonet went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
The Cangrejeros were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Ponce on Thursday. Edwin Maysonet was 0-for-3 in the loss.
The Crabmen were able to put up seven runs in the first two innings on Saturday and cruise to a 9-6 win over Carolina. Edwin Maysonet went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
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Leones de Ponce
It was a tight game for Ponce on Tuesday as they last 2-1 to Caugas. Greg Rohan started at third base and Rubi Silva was in left field, with both going 0-for-3. Jonathan Mota moved over to shortstop and went 1-for-4.
The Lions found themselves in a pitcher’s duel on Thursday as they edged Santurce 1-0. Greg Rohan was the DH and went 1-for-3, while third baseman Jonathan Mota and outfielder Rubi Silva were 0-for-4.
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The Pride was never in it on Friday as they lost 4-2 to Santurce. Jonathan Mota played short and third and was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while the slumping Rubi Silva and Greg Rohan were each 0-for-4.
Venezuelan Winter League
Leones de Caracas
It was one of those nights for Yoanner Negrin on Tuesday as Caracas lost 9-5 to Aragua. Negrin lasted only 2.2 innings and he gave up five earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking two out batters.
Cardenales de Lara
It was a bad start of the week for Lara last Monday as they lost 7-2 to La Guaira. Luis Valbuena went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in the game.
The Cardinals rebounded on Tuesday as they defeated Magallanes 8-5. Luis Valbuena was 2-for-5 with a run scored in the win.
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The Redbirds took a pounding on Thursday as they lost 14-4 to Zulia. Luis Valbuena went 0-for-3 with a walk in the loss.
Lara lost a heartbreaker on Friday as they fell 5-4 in ten innings to Aragua. Luis Valbuena was 1-for-3 with two walks, a double, and an RBI in the loss.
Three runs in the top of the ninth on Saturday spoiled things for the Cardinals as they lost 8-7 to Magallanes. Luis Valbuena went 1-for-3 with two walks, an RBI, and a run scored in the loss.
Australian Baseball League
Brisbane Bandits
It was doubleheader for Brisbane on Saturday and Ryan Searle pitched eight strong innings in an 8-3 victory over Melbourne. Searle allowed three earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out nine batters to improve his winter record to 2-0.
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