Winter League roundup: Franco's bat leads Gigantes

Dominican Winter League

Gigantes 2, Estrellas 1
It was a nail biter from the beginning. Gigantes scored its only runs of the game in the first and fourth inning and it held up. Phillies No. 2 prospect Maikel Franco had two hits in the game, including an RBI single in the fourth. Bruce Billings took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings of work. Box score

Escogido 4, Toros 2
Red Sox No. 9 prospect Bryce Brentz hit a two-run double in the first inning and Edward Salcedo had two hits on the night, including a RBI double in the third to help secure the win. Elih Villanueva took his first loss of the season, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits in 2 2/3 innings of work. Box score

Aguilas 4, Licey 1
Aguilas' bats were on fire Friday night, belting out 12 hits. Dan Black led the way with three hits, along with Yankees' No. 6 prospect Zoilo Almonte, who had two hits. All but one starter had a hit in the game. Angel Castro got his second win of the season, allowing just three hits in six innings of work. Box score

Venezuelan Winter League

Caracas 5, Magallanes 4
Seven players tallied a hit for Caracas, who got two RBIs each from Danny Dorn and Casper Wells. Wells' two-run homer in the fourth was his first of the season. Ezequiel Carrera picked up three hits and drove in a pair of runs for Magallanes in the losing effort. Box score

Aragua 8, Margarita 7
Aragua plated four in the third with help from an error and three walks and added on in the seventh thanks to a solo homer from Hector Gimenez, scoring twice more in the eighth. Ray Olmedo tripled and scored on Alex Romero's ensuing double, and Margarita's second miscue of the night led to another run. The Bravos got three hits and two RBIs from Antoan Richardson in the loss. Box score

Caribes 3, Zulia 0
Tampa Bay outfield prospect Leslie Anderson went 2-for-4 with a crucial third-inning two-run homer to help the Aguilas record the shutout. Cory Aldridge aided with an RBI single in the eighth as part of a two-hit night. Box score

La Guaira 9, Lara 6
The Tiburones saw five of their players collect at least two hits in the affair, with Rafael Ortega leading the way with three. White Sox prospect Carlos Sanchez did his part with three RBIs and two runs scored. C.J. Retherford also tallied three RBIs. For Lara, which scored all of its runs in the seventh or later, Paulo Orlando collected three hits. Box score

Mexican Pacific League

Los Mochis 6, Guasave 3
Behind a four-run fifth inning, Los Mochis was able to get the win. Brian Burgamy had four RBI in the contest, including a two-run home run in the first inning and a two-run double in the fifth. First baseman Jake Fox had the other two RBI on the night. Marco Tovar took the loss, allowing six runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings Box score

Mazatlan 3, Obregon 2
Mazatlan got the win in the 11th inning after a double by Bryan Petersen and a game-winning single to center field by Issmael Salas. Petersen led the way with three hits on the night. Reliever Jay Jackson got his second win of the season and Giovanny Gallegos took the loss. Mazatlan's David Reyes pitched a great game, allowing just one run on two hits in 6 1/3 innings. Box score

Hermosillo 4, Navojoa 0
Hermosillo's pitching had a dominant night, allowing no runs on seven hits. Starter Ryan Verdugo got his second win of the season, allowing just five hits in six innings of work. The bullpen allowed just two hits in three innings. Jerry Owens, Heber Gomez and Jonathan Aceves all had two hits for Hermosillo. Eddie Gamboa took the loss for Navajoa, allowing three runs on six hits in seven innings. Box score

Culiacan 5, Mexicali 2
A three-run ninth inning proved to be the difference in this tight game. An RBI single by Luis Cruz and then a triple to right field by Ronnier Mustelier, his first of the season, secured the victory for Culiacan. Manuel Chavez took the loss for Mexicali, while Jorge Reyes got the win for Culiacan, his first of the season. Culiacan had 11 hits on the night. Box score