Winter Leagues roundup: Twins' Arcia leads Aragua
Venezuelan Winter League
Aragua 15, Zulia 6
Highlighted by a seven-run fifth inning, Aragua dominated Zulia on Thursday. The team was led by Yangervis Solarte, who went 5-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, and the Twins' Oswaldo Arcia, who went 4-for-5 with a double and four RBIs. Jan Granado got his second win of the season, allowing three runs on six hits in five innings.
Caribes 8, Margarita 3
The teams may have combined for the same amount of hits, but it was Caribes who got the big hits when it counted. Oscar Salazar went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and four RBIs. Cory Aldridge also went 3-for-3 with two solo home runs. Mark Serrano got his third win of the season, allowing two runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Lara 7, Magallanes 1
Behind six early runs, Lara cruised to the victory. Jairo Perez went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Dodgers prospect Nick Buss went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run. Former Major Leaguer Carlos Zambrano took his second loss of the season, allowing six runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Caracas 6, La Guaira 4 (10 innings)
A clutch game-winning two-run home run by Padres utility man Jesus Guzman proved to be the difference in this back-and-forth contest. Locked in from the start, Guzman finished the game going 4-for-4 with a double, two home runs and three RBIs.
Mexican Pacific League
Navojoa 10, Mazatlan 2
Navojoa cruised to a win after scoring 10 runs in the first three innings, including an eight-run third inning. Belting out 15 hits in the contest, the team was led by Abel Martinez, who went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and five RBIs. Ryan Hinson took his fourth loss of the season, allowing five runs on five hits in two innings.
Los Mochis 16, Obregon 6
The Los Mochis hitters didn't miss much on Thursday, belting out 17 hits in the blowout. All but one starter had a least one hit. Brian Burgamy went 3-for-4 with three home runs and five RBIs. Roberto Lopez also went 3-for-5 with a double, home run and three RBIs. Thomas Melgarejo got his fourth win of the season, allowing five runs on six hits in five innings.
Mexicali 7, Guasave 4
Guasave scored a few runs late, but it wasn't enough after a six-run fifth inning by Mexicali. Chris Roberson was a big reason for that productive inning, belting a three-run home run. Xorge Carrillo also went 2-for-3 on the night with a double. Javier Solano got his second win of the season, allowing three runs on nine hits in 61/3 innings.
Puerto Rican League
Ponce 6, Santurce 5 (11 innings)
After Santurce scored on a single by the Reds' Billy Hamilton in the top of the 11th, it was Ponce who came back to score two runs in the inning to capture the win. After a Rubi Silva RBI single, the Padres' Reymond Fuentes hit a game-winning single on a fly ball to the outfield.
Caguas 10, Mayaguez 8
In this high-scoring affair, Caguas' seven-run second inning made the difference. It was the bottom of the Caguas lineup that was unstoppable, going 4-for-6 with three doubles and five RBIs. Reliever Andres Santiago got his first win of the season, allowing four hits in four innings.