Winter League Participants, Updates

[Mass Haas]

Friday:

Erick Almonte's Dominican Gigantes team moved to 4-6 in round robin postseason play with a 7-5 win (box), and Almonte again contributed with a 2-for-4 day, two RBI, one run scored -- batted cleanup and played left field, now at .375 in ten postseason games. Martin Maldonado made a cameo appearance for the losing squad.

In Puerto Rico, San Juan lost, 5-2 (box), and is tied for the top round robin pool play record thus far at 3-2. San Juan is the club which Sergio Miranda, Wil Nieves, and Edwin Maysonet all start for. Nieves has been just about an every-inning catcher in the postseason to this point. Miranda, batting 3rd and playing third base, was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk and a caught stealing; Nieves was 0-for-3; Maysonet singled in three at-bats and scored a run.

Luis Cruz' Mexican League club continues to wait for other first-round playoff series to wrap up as that league uses a more traditional playoff format.

[Mass Haas]

Saturday in Puerto Rico (box): Teammates Miranda, Nieves, and Maysonet play and combine to reach base five times, but San Juan falls, 7-3

 

Saturday in the D.R.:

 

Ouch, RHP Zack Segovia entered a scoreless game in the 9th inning (box), an error didn't help, but boy, did the floodgates ever open -- final score, 8-0.

 

Toros Top of the 9th

• Defensive Substitution: Mike Nickeas replaces Jovanny Rosario, batting 8th, playing catcher.
  
• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Jesus Colome.
  
• Ricardo Nanita singles on a fly ball to center fielder Eugenio Velez.
  
• Defensive Substitution: Denis Phipps replaces left fielder Victor Mendez, batting 2nd, playing left field.
  
• With Andy Dirks batting, Ricardo Nanita steals (1) 2nd base.
  
• Andy Dirks strikes out swinging.
  
• Eduardo Nunez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Eugenio Velez. Ricardo Nanita scores.
  
• With Danny Richar batting, Eduardo Nunez steals (1) 2nd base, . Eduardo Nunez advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Mike Nickeas.
  
• Zack Segovia intentionally walks Danny Richar.
  
• With Mauro Gomez batting, Danny Richar steals (3) 2nd base.
  
• Mauro Gomez strikes out swinging.
  
• Zack Segovia intentionally walks Victor Mercedes.
  
• Alberto Rosario reaches on fielding error by second baseman Argenis Reyes. Eduardo Nunez scores. Danny Richar scores. Victor Mercedes to 3rd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Victor Marte replaces Zack Segovia.
  
• Alejandro De Aza doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Eugenio Velez. Victor Mercedes scores. Alberto Rosario scores.
  
• Esteban German reaches on fielding error by first baseman Corey Smith. Alejandro De Aza to 3rd.
  
• Ricardo Nanita doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Paul McAnulty. Alejandro De Aza scores. Esteban German scores.
  
• Andy Dirks singles on a fly ball to right fielder Paul McAnulty. Ricardo Nanita scores.
  
• Eduardo Nunez flies out to center fielder Eugenio Velez.

Finally, Erick Almonte continues to contribute, on base twice more in a victory (box).

[Mass Haas]

Sunday, D.R.:

 

RHP Roque Mercedes with a quick appearance (box) --

 

Estrellas Top of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Bartolo Colon.
  
• Ed Rogers pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.
  
• Corey Smith flies out to right fielder Brad Snyder.
  
• Edwin Bellorin hit by pitch.
  
• Argenis Reyes reaches on fielding error by shortstop Joaquin Arias. Edwin Bellorin to 3rd. Argenis Reyes to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Luke Sommer replaces Roque Mercedes.
  
• Michael Martinez flies out to center fielder Freddy Guzman.

Erick Almonte 1-for-4 as the DH (box).

 

***

 

In Puerto Rico, catcher Wil Nieves hit a three-run HR with two out in the bottom of the 9th, but that only brought his San Juan club to within 4-3 in a game they would lose one batter later when Edwin Maysonet was called out on strikes. Sergio Miranda led off, here's the box for your full report on all three teammates.

[Mass Haas]

After dazzling Brewer fans here all winter, RHP Zack Segovia suffered through a second consecutive disastrous postseason performance on Monday in the Dominican.

 

His Estrellas club had just scored three runs in the top of the 11th to grap a 5-2 lead. Brought in for the seemingly easy save, Segovia walked the bases loaded while only retiring one batter. That "effort" illogically earned Segovia a hold when he was pulled (thank you, baseball's rules in that regard). Jesus Colome expectedly doused that situation with kerosene, and suddenly Segovia had set up his club's 6-5 walkoff loss (box).

 

Gigantes Bottom of the 11th

• Defensive Substitution: Andres Rodriguez replaces Alfredo Marte, batting 4th, playing first base.
  
• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Jordan Norberto.
  
• Oscar Robles walks.
  
• Jhonatan Solano walks. Oscar Robles to 2nd.
  
• Francisco Peguero strikes out swinging.
  
• Alexi Casilla walks. Oscar Robles to 3rd. Jhonatan Solano to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Jesus Colome replaces Zack Segovia.
  
• Wilson Valdez singles on a ground ball to first baseman Andres Rodriguez. Oscar Robles scores. Jhonatan Solano to 3rd. Alexi Casilla to 2nd.
  
• Chris Roberson walks. Jhonatan Solano scores. Alexi Casilla to 3rd. Wilson Valdez to 2nd.
  
• Wilson Betemit walks. Alexi Casilla scores. Wilson Valdez to 3rd. Chris Roberson to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Claudio Galva replaces Jesus Colome.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Pedro Feliz replaces Jon Weber.
  
• Pedro Feliz out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Victor Mendez. Wilson Valdez scores.

Erick Almonte was 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored in the game for the victors.

[Mass Haas]

In a wild 9-7 loss in the D.R. (box), RHP Roque Mercedes was brought on in early relief with poor reults. He allowed two inherited runners to score as well as one of his own:

 

Toros Top of the 2nd

• Mauro Gomez doubles (1) on a ground ball to center fielder Freddy Guzman.
  
• Victor Mercedes grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Fernando Tatis.
  
• Martin Maldonado walks.
  
• Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Pablo Ortega.
  
• Alejandro De Aza doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Mauro Gomez scores. Martin Maldonado to 3rd.
  
• Esteban German walks.
  
• Ricardo Nanita grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Fernando Tatis. Martin Maldonado scores. Alejandro De Aza to 3rd. Esteban German to 2nd.
  
• Andy Dirks flies out to right fielder Ben Guez.

Toros Top of the 3rd

• Eduardo Nunez doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Freddy Guzman.
  
• Danny Richar grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Fernando Tatis. Eduardo Nunez to 3rd.
  
• Mauro Gomez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Eduardo Nunez scores.
  
• Victor Mercedes singles on a ground ball to center fielder Freddy Guzman.
  
• Martin Maldonado strikes out swinging.

As you can see, catcher Martin Maldonado was on the winning squad vs. Mercedes (0-for-4, walk, run scored).

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz and his Tomato Growers finally begin their semifinal best-of-seven series in Mexico Tuesday evening.

[Mass Haas]

Mexico -- How about Luis Cruz? His 4th inning solo shot proved to be the gamewinner in a 3-2 victory for his Tomato Growers as they take a 1-0 series lead and are 5-0 in the postseason. Batted 5th, played both SS and 2B, also singled in three AB's (box).

 

These will be brief, some blizzard shoveling awaits at this early hour --

 

D.R. -- Martin Maldonado 0-for-2 and threw out a baserunner (box). Erick Almonte 1-for-4, run, 2 K's (box).

 

P.R. -- the triumverate of Miranda, Nieves, and Maysonet again all started in a 6-1 win, Maysonet had an RBI double early on, the only offense we sawa mong the three with only the recap log available, box not loading this AM.

[Mass Haas]

Mexico -- Luis Cruz singles in four trips with a run scored, and his team rolls on, now 6-0 in the postseason (box). Crruz even played a bit in LF after starting at shortstop.

 

Puerto Rico -- San Juan rides a five-run 6th inning to a 5-4 victory, keyed by Edwin Maysonet (box):

 

San Juan Bottom of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Eddie De La Cruz replaces Matt DeSalvo.
  
• Defensive switch from center field to left field for Luis Matos.
  
• Defensive Substitution: Brad Coon replaces left fielder Geraldo Valentin, batting 7th, playing center field.
  
• Sergio Miranda walks.
  
• Nelson Teilon grounds out, catcher John Pachot to first baseman Pedro Valdes. Sergio Miranda to 2nd.
  
• Alex Fernandez grounds out, second baseman Wilberto Ortiz to first baseman Pedro Valdes. Sergio Miranda to 3rd.
  
• Jorge Padilla singles on a ground ball to shortstop Justin Sellers. Sergio Miranda scores.
  
• Ruben Gotay singles on a fly ball to right fielder Joe Borchard. Jorge Padilla to 3rd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Miguel Mejia replaces Eddie De La Cruz.
  
• Wil Nieves reaches on fielding error by third baseman Jerad Head. Jorge Padilla scores. Ruben Gotay to 2nd.
  
• Edwin Maysonet triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Brad Coon. Ruben Gotay scores. Wil Nieves scores.
  
• Henry Mateo triples (1) on a ground ball to right fielder Joe Borchard. Edwin Maysonet scores.
  
• Ivan De JesusJr. walks.
  
• Pitcher Change: Xavier Cedeno replaces Miguel Mejia.
  
• Sergio Miranda grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Justin Sellers. Ivan De JesusJr. out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

In three Dominican Winter League postseason relief appearances thus far (surprisingly all starts), newcomer Eulogio (Frankie) De La Cruz has this line --

 

0-2, 6.35 ERA, 11.1 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 7 K, 1.59 WHIP

 

Prior to that, De La Cruz had made only one regular season winter ball appearance (in relief).

 

MiLB.com now lists him at 5'10", 215, much sturdier than his initial size listed in the transaction thread (outdated material).

[TooLiveBrew]

How do you (<- generically) get "Frankie" for Eulogio? I had a roommate in college from Chile named Francisco -- nickname "Poncho". I never understood that either.

[Mass Haas]

Thursday in the Dominican --

 

Erick Almonte's strong postseason continued, 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored as the cleanup spot DH, but his team fell (box).

 

***

 

Frankie De La Cruz made another start, his first as Brewer property (box) --

 

4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 6-to-4 GB-to-FB

 

The log's not available as of now. If so in the AM, we'll add it here.

 

I tend to sometimes associate Brewer names with classic 80's music videos. Always be my sweetheart, says Frankie.

[Mass Haas]

De La Cruz' day -- Frankie also committed two errors:

Toros Bottom of the 1st

• Alejandro De Aza pops out to first baseman Ed Rogers in foul territory.
  
• Esteban German grounds out, shortstop Ray Olmedo to first baseman Ed Rogers.
  
• Ricardo Nanita singles on a ground ball to right fielder Buck Coats.
  
• Andy Dirks walks. Ricardo Nanita to 2nd.
  
• Eduardo Nunez grounds out, third baseman Alex Valdez to first baseman Ed Rogers.

Toros Bottom of the 2nd

• Kevin Barker walks.
  
• Danny Richar singles on a fly ball to left fielder Pablo Ozuna. Kevin Barker to 2nd.
  
• Victor Mercedes hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Eulogio De La Cruz. Kevin Barker to 3rd. Danny Richar out at 3rd. Victor Mercedes to 1st. Danny Richar out at 3rd, first baseman Ed Rogers to shortstop Ray Olmedo.
  
• Cole Armstrong out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Buck Coats. Kevin Barker scores.
  
• Alejandro De Aza grounds out, second baseman Argenis Reyes to first baseman Ed Rogers.

Toros Bottom of the 3rd

• Esteban German grounds out to first baseman Ed Rogers.
  
• Ricardo Nanita grounds out, shortstop Ray Olmedo to first baseman Ed Rogers.
  
• Andy Dirks strikes out swinging.

Toros Bottom of the 4th

• Eduardo Nunez flies out to center fielder Eugenio Velez.
  
• Kevin Barker singles on a fly ball to center fielder Eugenio Velez.
  
• Danny Richar grounds out, shortstop Ray Olmedo to first baseman Ed Rogers. Kevin Barker to 2nd.
  
• Victor Mercedes reaches on fielding error by pitcher Eulogio De La Cruz. Kevin Barker to 3rd.
  
• With Cole Armstrong batting, wild pitch by Eulogio De La Cruz, Kevin Barker scores. Victor Mercedes to 2nd.
  
• Cole Armstrong strikes out swinging.

Toros Bottom of the 5th

• Alejandro De Aza walks.
  
• Esteban German flies out to center fielder Eugenio Velez.
  
• Pitcher Change: Wilkins Arias replaces Frankie De La Cruz.
  
• Ricardo Nanita pops out to third baseman Alex Valdez in foul territory.
  
• Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to center fielder Eugenio Velez. Alejandro De Aza to 3rd.
  
• Eduardo Nunez walks. Andy Dirks to 2nd.
  
• Kevin Barker strikes out swinging.

[CheezWizHed]

Luis Cruz and his Tomato Growers

 

Sounds like a team on the local city softball league... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Mass Haas]

In Mexico Friday, Luis Cruz' club finally tasted postseason defeat, 6-5 (box), and now lead their semifinal series 2-1. Cruz played both middle infield positions, committed an error that led to an unearned run, and was a quiet 0-for-4 with one K.

 

***

 

Dominican Republic -- Martin Maldonado has perfected the 0-for-2, then pinch-hit for routine (box). Also, in a game in which we can count at least five pitchers with past Brewer connections (box), Erick Almonte's club won despite his 0-for-5. His team always seems to win or lose in an inverse reaction to his own performance. Maldonado's squad is 11-5 in the postseason, Almonte's 7-9. And it's true, the postseason set-ups anywhere but Mexico make no sense.

 

***

 

Puerto Rico -- San Juan is the "Brewers' club" here, and they fall to 5-5 on Friday with a 7-2 loss (box). Sergio Miranda did well, playing second base and batting 3rd, he was 2-for-3 with two walks, although he did commit his 3rd error in the ten postseason games. "Everyday" Wil Nieves, San Juan's ironman catcher, was 1-for-3 before being pinch-hit for late, and SS Edwin Maysonet was 0-for-1 with a walk, before he too, was pinch-hit for.

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz was 0-for-3 with a walk and run scored, but a 5-4 loss (box) evens the Tomato Growers best-of-seven at two apiece, home team winning each game. Cruz batted 5th, played second base.

 

***

 

San Juan takes the lead in the top of the 10th, only to lose it in the bottom frame (box). Wil Nieves with a double and sacrifice bunt, Edwin Maysonet an RBI double, and Sergio Miranda quiet in the leadoff spot although he walked once. Specific lines at the box score link.

 

***

 

Erick Almonte 0-for-4 as a DH, so of course, via the inverse Almonte pythagoreum, his club rolls, 7-1 (box).

[Mass Haas]

Mexico -- Luis Cruz 0-for-4, now hitting .226 in nine postseason games, and his Culiacan squad loses 2-1 (box) to fall behind 3-2 in their best-of-seven semifinal series, which continues Tuesday back at his team's home park.

 

***

 

Dominican Republic -- Erick Almonte was 1-for-5 with two K's, but his one hit was a key two-run single in a seven-run 7th that led his team to an 8-2 win (box) and evened his squad's record at 9-9 in the postseason. The item to note about this game is that another Almonte, RHP Rigoberto Almonte, closed out that ugly inning for the opposition by stranding a runner and retiring both batters he faced.

 

Pitcher Change: Rigoberto Almonte replaces Riquy Pena.

Oscar Robles lines out to second baseman Manny Mayorson.

Jhonatan Solano grounds into a force out, shortstop Hector Gomez to second baseman Manny Mayorson. Chris Roberson out at 2nd.

Because MiLB.com doesn't list playoff stats except for those that have met certain qualifying at bat and inning thresholds, it's possible Almonte pitched earlier this postseason, and also possible that other Brewer farmhands have made token appearances that we may have missed. The Brewers' front office staff may release another compilation of figures to the traditional press at some point this month.

 

Also in the D.R., RHP Zack Segovia's club rolled 10-1 (box), and Segovia tossed two confidence-building innings after some recent rough outings.

Escogido Bottom of the 8th

• Defensive Substitution: Jovanny Rosario replaces right fielder Buck Coats, batting 4th, playing left field.
  
• Andres Rodriguez remains in the game as the first baseman.
  
• Defensive switch from left field to right field for Victor Mendez.
  
• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Dan Reichert.
  
• Gustavo Nunez grounds out, shortstop Ray Olmedo to first baseman Andres Rodriguez.
  
• Diory Hernandez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Victor Mendez.
  
• Karim Garcia grounds into double play, shortstop Ray Olmedo to second baseman Argenis Reyes to first baseman Andres Rodriguez. Diory Hernandez out at 2nd.

Escogido Bottom of the 9th

• Javier Guzman remains in the game as the designated hitter.
  
• Francisco Hernandez remains in the game as the catcher.
  
• Defensive Substitution: Yancarlos Ortiz replaces second baseman Argenis Reyes, batting 2nd, playing second base.
  
• Justin Turner grounds out, shortstop Ray Olmedo to first baseman Andres Rodriguez.
  
• Deibinson Romero flies out to center fielder Eugenio Velez.
  
• Rainel Rosario grounds out, shortstop Ray Olmedo to first baseman Andres Rodriguez.

***

 

Puerto Rico -- The San Juan club won 8-2, but neither the box nor the log will load at this point, so no details as of now on the usual brewer participants (Miranda, Nieves, Maysonet).

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico -- The San Juan club won 8-2, but neither the box nor the log will load at this point, so no details as of now on the usual brewer participants (Miranda, Nieves, Maysonet).

That box score from Sunday is now available, all three did play -- Sergio Miranda fared best (double, single, walk, stolen base, RBI).

 

[Mass Haas]

Monday --

 

Puerto Rico: Catcher Wil Nieves singled in a run, laid down a sacrifice, and threw out a runner, but it was quiet for Sergio Miranda and Edwin Maysonet as San Juan fell, 2-1 (box).

[Mass Haas]

Monday -- D.R.: Erick Almonte 1-for-4 (box).

 

The Dominican and Puerto Rico leagues were idle Tuesday.

 

In Mexico, we have our final Luis Cruz update. His team lost 8-2 Tuesday (log here, box should be available later) and is eliminated from the playoffs. Cruz was 0-for-4.

 

Cruz' .997 OPS in 45 regular season games is detailed here. He hit near .200 in ten playoff games.

[Mass Haas]

Despite an error and a passed ball, Martin Maldonado was 2-for-3 with an RBI and his squad has taken a 1-0 lead in the best of nine series for the Dominican League championship (box), with the winning team participating in the Caribbean World Series beginning on 2/2. So the Dominican seasons of Erick Almonte and Roque Mercedes appear to be over. We may see Maldonado's teammate RHP Rigoberto Almonte. Their opposing squad is Estrellas, and we'll probably see RHP Zack Segovia during this long series.

[Mass Haas]

San Juan has been eliminated in Puerto Rico, so no more Miranda, Nieves, and Maysonet updates.

 

***

 

In the Dominican (our only remaining spot for updates, we believe), the Barber, catcher Martin Maldonado, again was 2-for-3 (one error on a pickoff attempt), as his Toros take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-nine series (box).

[Mass Haas]

Despite an error and a passed ball, Martin Maldonado was 2-for-3 with an RBI and his squad has taken a 1-0 lead in the best of nine series for the Dominican League championship (box), with the winning team participating in the Caribbean World Series beginning on 2/2. So the Dominican seasons of Erick Almonte and Roque Mercedes appear to be over. We may see Maldonado's teammate RHP Rigoberto Almonte. Their opposing squad is Estrellas, and we'll probably see RHP Zack Segovia during this long series.

Segovia's teammate is RHP Eulogio "Frankie" De la Cruz, and he actually pitched his Estrellas club into the playoff series on the 17th with a clutch start in a 3-0 win (box) --

 

5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 9-to-4 GB/FB ratio

 

So he'll get another start sometime in this series...

[Mass Haas]

Looks like Martin Maldonado is the trusted starting catcher for his Toros club in the Dominican League playoffs. The Barber was 0-for-3 with a walk (box) as his team now has a 3-0 lead in their best-of-nine series. The native of Puerto Rico started his winter ball season playing in his home country, but may end up facing his Puerto Rican friends as a member of the Dominican team in the Caribbean World Series starting February 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

One game from the World Series -- Martin Maldonado behind the plate once again, 0-for-3 with a walk (he was then picked off), but the Dominican club that signed the Barber up after his team did not qualify for Puerto Rico's postseason obviously likes his skills behind the plate. He's their everyday catcher, and now Toros has a 4-0 lead in the best-of-nine (box).

[CheezWizHed]

0-for-3 with a walk (he was then picked off)

 

I'm betting he was going to swipe 2nd in order to try to impress Roenicke... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif