Winter League roundup: Arcia paces Aragua's outburst

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 13, Caracas 6
Aragua scored four runs in the first and four more in the sixth, eventually finishing with 13 in a victory over Caracas on Wednesday. Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia went 4-for-5, scored twice and knocked in three runs, and first baseman Hector Gimenez added his fifth homer in four nights -- a two-run shot in the first. Gimenez now has 14 home runs this season, good enough for third best in the Venezuelan Winter League. Box score

Margarita 5, Caribes 2 (Game 1)
Margarita's three-run sixth inning proved to be the difference in Game 1 of a doubleheader Wednesday. Max Ramirez, David Peralta and Manny Pina hit consecutive RBI singles in the frame, and the bullpen did the rest. San Diego's Alexi Amarista went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Caribes. Box score

Margarita 3, Caribes 2 (Game 2)
Mets infielder Wilmer Flores went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs in Game 2, as Margarita completed its doubleheader sweep of first-place Caribes. Eric Berger allowed two runs on three hits in six innings to pick up the win, and Luis Ramirez earned the save. Peralta's RBI single in the sixth proved to be the difference. Box score

La Guaira 4, Magallanes 0
Alex Cabrera and C.J. Retherford each hit two-run homers for La Guaira, and that was more than enough offense on Wednesday night. Right-hander Junior Guerra tossed six shutout innings and allowed just two hits, as the bullpen completed the shutout. Veteran outfielder Juan Rivera had two of Magallanes' three hits, including a double. Box score

Lara 12, Zulia 5
Joe Thurston and Pirates outfielder Andrew Lambo each had three hits and an RBI, keying Lara's rout of Zulia on Wednesday. Paulo Orlando and Anderson De La Rosa went deep for Lara, and Lino Urdaneta picked up the win with 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. Zulia's J.C. Linares went 3-for-4 with two RBIs in defeat. Box score

Dominican Winter League

Licey 5, Gigantes 1
Yamaico Navarro's monster night at the plate powered Licey to an easy win over Gigantes on Wednesday. Navarro, who signed with the Yankees last month, went 4-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, improving his average to .305 this season. Rangers outfielder Engel Beltre chipped in with a 2-for-5 night, and Mariners righty Hector Noesi allowed one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings to earn the win. Baltimore's Francisco Peguero went 2-for-4 in defeat. Box score

Aguilas 6, Toros 3
Rafael Ynoa went 2-for-4 with a homer, propelling Aguilas to a victory over Toros on Wednesday night. Ynoa -- a Colorado farmhand -- is hitting .340 this season. Danny Santana and Hector Luna also had two hits, and Rockies right-hander Juan Nicasio earned the victory, allowing three runs (one earned) in six innings, while striking out five. Box score

Escogido 4, Estrellas 3 (12 innings)
Melky Mesa's single in the 12th plated Kevin Pillar, as Escogido won a thriller over Estrellas. Pirates No. 2 prospect Gregory Polanco went 2-for-4 with two runs and a double. Both Mesa and Pillar had two hits, as well. Escogido tied the game in the sixth on back-to-back doubles from Polanco and Angels prospect C.J. Cron, and neither team would score again until the 12th. Box score

Puerto Rican Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

Mayaguez 8, Carolina 4
Michael Taylor, the Nationals No. 4 overall prospect, went 3-for-5 with a double and scored twice, as Mayaguez beat Carolina on Wednesday. Randy Ruiz also had three hits, and Luis Montanez came off the bench to notch a pair of RBIs on two hits. Carolina's Anthony Garcia went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in defeat. Box score

Ponce 4, Caguas 1
Ponce broke the game open with a three-run sixth inning and knocked off Caguas behind a three-hit night from third baseman Jonathan Mota. Giancarlo Alvarado improved to 2-0 on the season, tossing 5 1/3 innings and allowing a run on three hits, while striking out six. Padres outfield prospect Reymond Fuentes went 2-for-5 for Ponce. Box score

Mexican Pacific League

Guasave 2, Culiacan 1
Japhet Amador hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning, and that was all the offense Guasave needed in a pitchers' duel against Culiacan on Wednesday. Culiacan's Rodrigo Lopez tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits, but was done in by the long ball. He took the loss to drop to 2-6. Marco Tovar allowed just an unearned run in six innings, while striking out seven to notch the victory. Box score

Los Mochis 6, Obregon 3
First baseman Sandy Madera carried the Los Mochis offense, going 4-for-4 with two homers, three runs and three RBIs in a victory over Obregon. In six games this season, Madera is hitting .609 with four homers. Brian Burgamy also went deep for Los Mochis, while Agustin Murillo hit a solo shot for Obregon. Box score

Hermosillo 5, Navojoa 2
Jose Aguilar's seventh-inning home run broke a 2-2 tie and propelled Hermosillo to a victory over Navojoa on Wednesday. Jerry Owens went 3-for-4 with a double, raising his league-leading batting average to .369. Jon Weber had two of Navojoa's five hits in the loss. Box score

Mexicali 3, Mazatlan 1
Ricky Alvarez and Chris Roberson had two hits apiece, and Russell Branyan hit a solo homer for some insurance in the eighth inning, as Mexicali topped Mazatlan. Javier Martinez pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings and allowed only two hits to earn the win. Horacio Ramirez was also sharp, but took the loss. Box score