In a short week due to the holiday, the Cubs saw two debuts in the winter leagues. Chesny Young joined Escogido of the Dominican Winter League and did what he does best: hit. Down in Venezuela, Young’s double play partner Carlos Penalver got off to a roaring start with Aragua. And in Puerto Rico, Yasiel Balaguert continues to knock the cover off the ball.
Today, the Down on the Farm Report comes into the holiday season with plenty of hits.
Dominican Winter League
Aguilas Cibaenas
Cibaenas could not survive a rough second inning last Monday as they lost to Este 3-1. Juan Perez moved over to right field and was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in the loss.
A three run rally in the bottom of the ninth gave the Aguilas a 6-5 victory over Este on Tuesday. Juan Perez was the DH as he went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored.
On Wednesday, the Eagles took the rubber game with Este, beating the Toros 3-2. Juan Perez was back in right field and was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Cibaenas kept pace with the leaders on Saturday by beating Cibao 3-0. Juan Perez was at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
On Sunday, the Aguilas simply did not have enough to put away Licey, losing 3-2. Juan Perez started in right field and was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Estrellas Orientales
It took 11 innings last Monday, but Orientales was able to prevail over Escogido 6-5. Juan Paniagua took the mound with one out in the sixth and struck out two in 1.2 scoreless innings.
Leones del Escogido
It was a battle for a piece of first place on Saturday as Escogido defeated Licey 2-0. Chesny Young made his winter debut and went 2-for-4 while playing third base.
Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League
Cangrejeros de Santurce
Santuce took out their biggest rivals last Monday as they beat Mayaguez 4-1. Jacob Hannemann led off and played centerfield, going 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and his fifth stolen base. Corey Black was touched for an unearned run in the ninth, giving up two hits.
It came down to the wire for the Cangrejeros on Saturday as they scored a run in the top of the ninth to beat Carolina 1-0. Corey Black worked around a walk and had a strikeout as he nailed down the victory and recorded his seventh save.
On Sunday, it took 10 innings for the Crabbers to defeat lowly Aguadillo 2-1. Corey Black tossed the ninth inning, striking out two and walking a batter while keeping the Tiburones scoreless.
Criollos de Caguas
Cagaus was able to salvage a split in a Wednesday doubleheader as they defeated Carolina 9-6 in Game 2. Miguel Mejia set down the side in order in the sixth inning for his sixth hold.
In a battle for second place on Friday, the Criollos came out on top of Mayaguez 7-1. Miguel Mejia had two strikeouts as he pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Gigantes de Carolina
Rain on Tuesday forced a doubleheader on Wednesday as Carolina took the opener 3-0 over Caguas. Yasiel Balaguert was 1-for-3 with a run scored in the victory.
It was a different story in the nightcap on Wednesday with Gigantes falling to Caguas 9-6. Yasiel Balaguert moved over to DH and went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.
On Sunday the Giants slipped further behind the leaders as they lost 9-4 to Mayaguez. Yasiel Balaguert certainly could not be faulted in the loss as he went 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Venezuelan Winter League
Tigres de Aragua
On Tuesday, Aragua survived an onslaught from Magallanes to win 6-5. Playing in his first game of the winter, Tennessee shortstop Carlos Penalver entered the game in the eighth inning and was 1-for-1. Gioskar Amaya struck out as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning.
The Tigres had one of those games you dream about on Wednesday as they romped over La Guaira 12-2. Carlos Penalver started the game at shortstop and was 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Gioskar Amaya entered the game in the eighth inning at second base and was 0-for-1.