Winter League roundup: Ciriaco leads Escogido

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 4, Gigantes 1
The Royals' Pedro Ciriaco doubled twice for Escogido, driving in two to take a 3-1 lead in the seventh and then plating an insurance run in the ninth. Ciriaco finished 3-for-5, while Mayo Acosta finished 3-for-3 with a double for Gigantes. Escogido used eight pitchers, none for more than two innings, as it improved to 3-2 and is tied for first place in the round-robin playoffs. Box score

Licey 7, Aguilas 1
The Brewers' Juan Francisco stroked a two-run double in the fifth inning, extending Licey's lead to 4-1. The Angels' Erick Aybar added two hits and an RBI for Licey, which is currently tied with Escogido for first place in the round-robin playoffs. Ricardo Nanita and Juan Perez both notched two hits for Aguilas. Box score

Venezuelan Winter League

Magallanes 9, Caracas 8
Former Major League All-Star Bobby Abreu smacked a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Caracas fell short of completing a comeback from a six-run deficit. Trailing 9-3, Caracas scored one in the eighth and four in the ninth, putting the potential tying run on base before the Giants' Jean Machi nailed down the save by retiring Gregorio Petit. Eliezer Alfonzo, Mario Lisson and Robinson Chirinos all homered for Magallanes, while Abreu, Alex Gonzalez and Aharon Eggleston notched three hits for Caracas. Box score

Caribes 7, La Guaira 6 (10 innings)
Jose Castillo lined a walk-off single to right field with the bases loaded in the 10th inning for Caribes, which had lost its two-run lead in the ninth. Castillo finished with three hits and three RBIs, while Gorkys Hernandez also had three hits, including a double and a homer. Joe Thurston collected three hits and two RBIs for La Guaira. Box score

Mexican Pacific League

Navojoa 9, Los Mochis 2
Wes Bankston hit a three-run homer, John Lindsey added a solo shot and Luis Fonseca collected three hits and three RBIs to help Navojoa grab a 2-0 lead in its best-of-seven playoff series. Juan Carlos Gamboa notched three hits for Los Mochis, which couldn't hold an early 2-0 advantage. Box score

Hermosillo 5, Guasave 2
Yunesky Sanchez's three-run homer in the sixth inning helped support starting pitcher Nathan Reed as Hermosillo took a 2-0 series lead. Reed held Guasave to two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings, striking out seven for the win. Zelous Wheeler hit a solo homer for Hermosillo. Box score

Mexicali 7, Culiacan 0
Mexicali starter Terry Doyle combined with five relievers on a four-hit shutout that provided a 2-0 series lead. Russell Branyan doubled twice and drove in two runs for Mexicali, while Gil Velazquez went 3-for-4. Box score