Rays Winter Ball Recap: Aybar Leads Way For Licey

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

An eventful Friday night took place with several close games. Playoff baseball is almost always close and battle until the last out in any league. Each team appeared to empty the tank and use every last pitcher it could to win. This made for some great playoff action. Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar had a solid game and got his team one step closer to the Caribbean World Series.

Dominican Winter League Postseason: Aguilas Cibaenas 4, Leones del Escogido 3

Julio Lugo had a great day at the plate for Escogido but it wasn’t enough as his team fell to Cibaenas. He went 2 for 4 with solo home run and 2 runs scored in the loss. Freddy Guzman got in the game for Escogido as a pinch runner and went 0 for 2 with a walk in 3 at bats. Julio DePaula took the loss. Cibaenas got a strong performance from Angel Castro on the mound. He threw 7 innings and only allowed 1 earned run while striking out 4. Zoilo Almonte led the offense by going 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles in the winning effort.

Tigres del Licey 4, Gigantes del Cibao 1

Erick Aybar went 2 for 3 with a stolen base en route to a Licey victory. Emilio Bonafacio went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs to help out as well. 6 pitchers combined to hold Cibao to just 1 run and Juan Cruz finished the game off to the earn the save. Marcell Ozuna went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the loss for Cibao.

 Venezuelan Winter League Postseason: Leones del Caracas 7, Caribes de Anzoategui 6

Caracas was able to secure the win over Anzoategui with a rally in the 9^th inning to core 2 runs. Jesus Aguilar went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs in the win. Bobby Abreu also helped out the cause by going 2 for 4 with a double. Alexi Amarista went 2 for 4 with a stolen base in the game for Anzoategui. 16 total pitchers were used in this high scoring affair with Jose Diaz getting credited with the win after a scoreless inning.