The Undercards: Manny Ramirez Continues His Comeback

With the Arizona Fall League having the day off in preparation for their playoffs, the focus now turns to the other Winter Leagues. Manny Ramirez continued his strong start to his Winter League play, and former Rays Wes Bankston and Julio Lugo made their presence felt. Here is your look around the action last night.

Dominican Winter League: Aguilas Cibaenas 9, Leones del Escogido 2

After falling behind 1-0 through three innings, Aguilas scored three runs in the fourth and another four runs in the sixth en route to a 9-2 victory. Aguilas loaded the bases with one out in the fourth, and Miguel Tejeda cleared the bases with a three run double. Tejeda kicked off the scoring again in the sixth, with a one out RBI single to to left. Chris Coghlan followed up with a two run triple, and scored on Francisco Pena‘s RBI single to left. Aguilas scored two more runs in the ninth to cap off the game, loading the bases with no outs. Oscar Tavares singled through the right side, driving in two runs.

For Aguilas, former Ray Manny Ramirez continued his comeback, going 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a walk. Omar Luna was 1-4 with a double, a run scored, and a walk. Another name from the past, Julio Lugo, was 2-4 with an RBI as the DH for Leones.

Estrellas de Oriente 3, Tigres del Licey 2

Braulio Lara made an appearance, facing pinch hitter Ed Rogers in the bottom of the eighth. After walking Rogers, Lara was removed. Fortunately, Rogers was left on base, and Lara managed to keep his ERA at a sparkling 2.08 for the season.

Mexican Pacific League: Caneros de los Mochis 4, Mayos de Navojoa 3

In a back and forth game on Friday night, Caneros came back to defeat Navojoa 4 to 3. Cameros led 2-1 after four innings, but Navajoa put together a two run inning int he sixth. Johnny Kaplan walked, then stole second base with one out. The throw from the catcher was errant, allowing Kaplan to score, tying the game. Wes Bankston continued his torrid play, slugging a home run to give Navojoa the lead. However, Caneros came back, tying the game on a double from Alexis Gomez. Caneros took the lead in the eighth, as Saul Soto‘s two out single drove in what proved to be the winning run. Bankston ended up 1-4, but made that hit count with his sixth home run of the season.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo 9, Yaquis de Obregon 2

Naranjeros had an offensive explosion, slamming 18 hits in their 9-2 victory over Yaquis. Naranjeros jumped out for three runs in the first, as Jorge Cantu hit a two run double, then came around to score on Edgar Quintero‘s base hit. After tacking on runs in the second and fourth, Jose Amador homered in the top of the seventh for Naranjeros, giving them a 7-0 lead. Yaquis got two back in the bottom of the inning, using an error and a groundout to get on the board. However, Naranjeros was still in control, and cruised to the victory. Cantu finished 1-5, with his two run double. Humberto Cota was 2-5 with two singles on the day.

Venezuelan Winter League: Navegantes del Magallanes 1, Bravos de Margarita 0

Navegantes scored their run in the top of the first inning, as Jose Altuve singled with two outs, then came around to score on a single Eliezer Alfonso. Margarita had a chance to score in the bottom of the frame, putting a runner on third with two outs, but Javier Brito popped out to end the threat. That run held up for the rest of the game, as Margarita was unable to get a runner past second base for the rest of the game. Leslie Anderson and Erold Andrus each went 1-4 for Navegantes. Sean Burroughs was 0-4 for Margarita, but is still hitting an impressive .349 for the season.

Tigres de Aragua 6, Leones del Caracas 0

Aragua put a run on the board in the top of the first, as leadoff man Carlos Colmenares singled, stole second, and moved to third on a throwing error. With two outs, Jose Martinez singled, to drive in Colmanares. Aragua exploded for five runs int he third, all with two outs. After loading the bases with back to back walks following Hector Gimenez‘s earlier single, Alex Romero singled, driving in two runs. Yangervis Solarte then followed with a two run double, advancing to third on the throw home. Solarte then scored on a bunt single by Jae-Hoon Ha. Caracas had a chance to score in the bottom of the second, but Carlos Rivero was thrown out at the plate as he attempted to score on Daniel Mayora‘s single. After that point, Caracas had only one other base runner, as Gregorio Petit singled in the fifth. Henry Wrigley was 0-4 with two strikeouts for Caracas, but is still hitting .333 for the year.