On Tuesday night, the Dominican Republic became the first team in World Baseball Classic history to go undefeated in the tournament, as they beat Puerto Rico in the WBC finals, 3-0.

The Dominicans took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. DR starter Samuel Deduno was great over five innings and the stingy DR bullpen did what they did every night in the tourney, put up zeroes. It culminated with closer Fernando Rodney picking up another save and shooting off yet another arrow.

Miguel Tejada didn’t start at third base, but came on in the 6th inning to replace Hanley Ramirez (who jammed his thumb). He went 0-for-2 at the plate and committed and error in the ninth. He did however catch a pop up and went crashing to the ground. He looked visibly uncomfortable the rest of the night (fingers crossed that he is okay).

Kelvin Herrera could not pitch because he threw over 30 pitches the night before against the Netherlands in the semifinals. That didn’t stop him from celebrating every big moment in the game.

Despite not doing anything offensively for Puerto Rico, second baseman Irving Falu played great on defense. He regularly received praise from the MLB Network analysts. He’ll return to Surprise to compete for a utility spot, but mainly will be fighting for playing time in Triple-A.

The KC Royals were well-represented in the Caribbean Series, that concluded last week with an epic 18-inning final between Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Host Mexico won on a Doug Clark solo homerun.

So how did they get there?

The series began back on February 1st. Mexico beat Puerto Rico 3-0, behind the right arm of Luis Mendoza. He picked up the victory after pitching six shutout innings. He allowed three hits and walked two while striking out three. Mendoza threw 51 of his 85 pitches for strikes. Rey Navarro went 0-for-3 in the game with a walk and a strikeout while playing second base for Puerto Rico.

On the same day, the DR beat Venezuela, 7-2. New Royal Miguel Tejada played shortstop and went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.

The next day, Mexico fell to Venezuela, 4-3 after being down 3-1 heading into the 8th inning. Former Royal minor leaguer Mario Lisson went 2-for-4 with an 8th inning homerun off former big leaguer Oscar Villareal.

The DR improved to 2-0 after a 6-2 victory over Puerto Rico. Tejada went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored while playing shortstop. Navarro played second base and went 1-for-4.

On February 3rd, the DR beat host Mexico, 6-5 in 11 innings. Mexico scored an unearned run in the 9th inning off TB Rays closer Fernando Rodney. Tejada went 2-for-4 while playing shortstop and hit a two-run homerun in the 2nd inning. Venezuela beat Puerto Rico to push them to 0-3.

The next day, Puerto Rico picked up their first victory with a ten-inning win over the Dominican Republic, 6-4. Navarro once again played second base and went 2-for-5 with four RBIs. He tied the game in the 8th inning and hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning for the win. Tejada played third base and went 2-for-4 with a walk. Mexico beat Venezuela, 2-0.

On February 5th, Puerto Rico made the standings interesting by picking up their second win, a 4-1 victory over Venezuela. Navarro went 0-for-4 with a stolen base. The DR beat Mexico, 11-6 to clinch a spot in the finals. Tejada was back at shortstop and went 2-for-5 with a homerun, two RBIs, and two runs scored.

» Continue reading “Caribbean Series Recap”

The provisional rosters for the World Baseball Classic were released this afternoon and there are quite a few current and former KC Royals on those rosters.

I wrote earlier about lefty reliever Tim Collins being a member of Team USA.

It was rumored that lefty starter Bruce Chen might join Team China. Well, it looks as though the crafty veteran will be anchoring the Chinese staff in the WBC. I am surprised that he is going to be leaving the Royals early in spring training when he is going to be in a tight battle for the final rotation spot. Their pool, Pool A, begins play on March 2nd, but China starts play on the third against host Japan.

Pitchers are only allowed to throw 65 pitches in the first round of pool play, so if Chen can be economical, he could realistically go five or six innings (unless he gets ripped).

Joining Chen in Pool A is Royals minor leaguer Paulo Orlando. The outfielder was a member of the surprise Brazilian team that upset Panama in the WBC Qualifier. He will be with Brazil in their first WBC when they begin play on March 2nd against host Japan. As of right now, Brazil’s lone big leaguer, catcher Yan Gomes, who played in the qualifier, is not on the roster (but they only have one catcher listed on their roster).

The Netherlands shocked the world in 2009 and look to do the same in 2013 in Pool B with some players with a little more name recognition (like Jair Jurrjens, Andruw Jones, Andrelton Simmons, and Jurickson Profar). Pitcher JC Sulbaran, who the Royals received from Cincinnati for Jonathan Broxton, is a member of the Netherlands pitching staff.

I am most looking forward to seeing some of the veteran Netherlands players, like Robbie Cordemans and Yurendell de Caster, along with some of the prospect guys like Jonathan Schoop, Xander Bogaerts, and Spencer Kieboom.

The Netherlands begin pool play on March 2nd against Korea in Taiwan.

Former Royal Justin Huber is yet again a member of the Australian team that is looking to use some of that explosive offensive (over .300 average in 2009) to make it out of the pool.

Huber will be joined with other veterans Luke Hughes, Peter Moylan, and Brad Harman. They also have some young prospects like Stefan Welch, James Beresford, and Clayton Tanner.

» Continue reading “WBC Rosters Full of Royals”

The host Dominican Republic didn’t even need to play on Monday night to clinch the Caribbean Series title. Already with a 4-0 record, they had clinched a share of the title on Sunday. What they needed to celebrate was a loss by Mexico.

The DR got some help from Puerto Rico, who trailed 3-0 early to Mexico even with veteran Nelson Figueroa on the mound. They still trailed 3-2 in the bottom of the 8th inning. Then things changed.

Veteran closer Luis Ayala entered the game for Mexico with nobody out and two men on base. After a sac bunt, he intentionally walked the next batter. Jorge Padilla drove in the tying run via a ground out.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, Ayala walked the first batter, pinch hitter Johnny Monell (SF Giants). KC Royals spring training invitee Irving Falu sacrificed him to second base. After another intentional walk, Luis Figueroa delivered the game-winning hit, a single to center field to set off the celebration.

Falu went 0-for-4 in the game, as he grounded out three times. He also committed an error (though no runs scored). His sac bunt though, led to the Puerto Rican victory.

The win improved Puerto Rico’s record to 2-3, but dropped Mexico’s to 2-3 with one game remaining. Thus the title to the Dominicans.

Despite clinching the title, there was still a game to be played at night. Venezuela continued their winning ways, as they beat the DR, 7-0. The Venezuelans’ big inning came in the 5th, when they scored four runs. The inning was capped by a two out, three-run homerun by Luis Jimenez.

There are still two games to be played today, mainly with pride on the line. Mexico will face Venezuela and the DR will face Puerto Rico at night. Mexico, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico have identical 2-3 records.

*It is the DR’s 13th title since 1990 and 19th overall.

Sunday was a day of pitching as Day 4 wrapped up in the Caribbean Series.

Venezuela, who had not won a game yet, used pitching and two big innings to defeat Puerto Rico, 7-0. Venezuela scored one run in the first inning, before scoring six runs over the 7th and 8th innings to win their first game.

It was a pitcher’s duel between Venezuela’s Yohan Pino and Puerto Rico’s Hiram Burgos over the first six innings. Venezuela and Puerto Rico are both 1-3 with two games to go before the championship.

KC Royals spring training invitee Irving Falu went 1-for-4 for Puerto Rico. He again led off the game with a single, but was thrown out at third base on a bad bunt. He did commit an error in the 7th inning that led to two runs scoring (two errors were made on the same play).

In the nightcap, the Dominican Republic clinched a spot in the championship, as they improved to 4-0 with a win over Mexico. Mexico dropped to 2-2 with two games left before the championship.

This game was also a pitcher’s duel between the DR’s Francisco Liriano (Minnesota Twins) and Mexico’s Edgar Gonzalez. The Dominicans won 2-0, as they scored a run in the first inning and a run in the 9th inning. Mexico collected just one hit after the 4th inning.

However Mexico had plenty of chances to score early against Liriano, as he walked three in the first inning before a double play ended the inning. In the second and third innings, they had runners at first and second with just one out but did not score.

Today, Mexico plays Puerto Rico in the first game and the Dominican Republic and Venezuela follow. If Mexico wins and Venezuela loses, Mexico will clinch the final spot in the championship.

Check out an article on the DR manager Ken Oberkfell.

After two days of pitching domination in the Caribbean Series, sloppy play emerged on Day 3.

Mexico defeated Venezuela, 4-2, as they scored three runs in the 6th inning on a Carlos Valencia two run double to take the lead in a game marred by errors (five total). Mexico improved to 2-1 in the tournament, while Venezuela dropped to 0-3.

Veteran Luis Ayala picked up the save despite an eventful 9th inning. He allowed a leadoff single, but induced a double-play grounder from veteran Edgardo Alfonzo to record two quick outs. Ayala then allowed a single, but Karim Garcia threw the runner out at second base trying to stretch the single into a double. That ended the game on a thrilling note.

After a delay to start the nightcap, host Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico, 6-1. Philadelphia Phillies spring training invitee Raul Valdes allowed just an unearned run over six innings to pick up the victory. The DR has improved to 3-0, while Puerto Rico dropped to 1-2.

Irving Falu again led off for Puerto Rico while also playing shortstop (he went 1-for-4). He flied out in the first inning. He reached on a Julio Lugo error at second base in the 3rd inning. In the 5th inning, he singled but was stranded at third base. In his final at-bat, Falu grounded out in the 7th inning.

Today, it is a matchup of Day 1′s games. Mexico will try to avenge its loss to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will try to get back on the winning track against Venezuela (who is just trying to win a game).

Rain delayed the start of the Mexico-Puerto Rico game to start Day 2 of the Caribbean Series. Once the tarp was removed, it was a beautiful day for baseball.

With Puerto Rico as the road team, KC Royals minor leaguer (and spring training invite) Irving Falu led off the  game with a double. However he was left stranded. Falu popped up in the 3rd inning, struck out in the 6th, and grounded out to end the 8th inning.

Puerto Rico recorded just four hits in the game against Mexico’s starter Randy Keisler. Mexico held on for the 2-0 victory as veteran Luis Ayala (who is auditioning for a big league job) earned the save with 1.2 hitless innings. He induced five ground outs in his effort.

Both teams are now 1-1 in the series.

In the nightcap, the Dominican Republic went up 2-0 in the series as they beat Venezuela, 5-2 in 13 innings. Venezuela dropped to 0-2.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks drove in the go ahead run in the top of the 13th with a single. Two batters later, Erick Almonte drove in two runs with a double. Venezuela went down in order in the bottom of the 13th.

Today, Venezuela and Mexico face off in the first game, with Puerto Rico and the DR playing the later game. ESPN3.com will be airing the games, though it is broadcast with their Spanish announcers.

The Caribbean Series in the Dominican Republic is underway, as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic have taken the first games of the series. Both games were controlled by the pitchers, as hitters only collected a total of 27 hits over two games. The losing teams each scored just one run.

If you are interested, ESPN3.com (or Watch ESPN) will be televising the series (though it is through their Spanish speaking broadcasters). I will be trying to tweet throughout the series, especially when it concerns the KC Royals players.

In the first game of the day (Game 1 of the series), Puerto Rico defeated Venezuela, 3-1 behind the pitching of veteran Nelson Figueroa. He allowed one run on seven hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out eight. Figueroa allowed that run in the first inning.

Irving Falu led off in the Puerto Rican lineup and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He also played shortstop.

In the night cap, the host Dominicans beat Mexico, 2-1. Luis Mendoza started for Mexico and took the loss. He threw a lot of offspeed pitches and was in trouble most of the game. It didn’t help that his offense did not record a hit (or a base runner) after the third inning.

» Continue reading “Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic Take First Games of Caribbean Series”

The Canadian baseball team won its first ever gold medal in a men’s senior international tournament on Tuesday night. It came about a week after sharing the bronze in the World Cup with the USA. The gold medal came after a 2-1 win over Team USA at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The US got on the board first against Canada starter Andrew Albers (Minnesota Twins). Brett Carroll (Boston Red Sox) drove in a run with an RBI double. However that was all Team USA could muster against Albers and then former big leaguer Scott Richmond (Toronto Blue Jays). Albers allowed just one run on six hits over 6.2 innings while striking out eight. Richmond did not allow a baserunner over 2.1 innings while striking out three.

It took a two-out rally in the 6th inning to lead the Canadians to victory. After back-to-back singles by Chris Robinson (Chicago Cubs) and Tim Smith, Jimmy Van Ostrand (Houston Astros) drove them both in with a double.

With the win, KC Royals minor leaguers Smith and Jamie Romak will be returning home with the coveted gold medal (along with the bronze from the World Cup). Smith went 1-for-4 in the game while scoring the game winning run. Romak played right field and went 0-for-4.

Cuba won the bronze, as they defeated Mexico, 6-0. Team USA defeated Cuba on Monday nigh,t 12-10, to reach the gold medal game. Team USA scored their 12 runs from the 2nd thru the 4th and held on from there. Canada defeated Mexico in the semifinals, 5-3, after being down 3-0 after the first inning. In that game, Smith went 3-for-5 with a run scored, while Romak went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

In the other game on Tuesday, the Dominican Republic won the slugfest over Venezuela, 14-7. Former Royal Alexis Gomez went 3-for-6 with two runs scored as the DH. Another former Royal, Runelvys Hernandez, pitched one inning while allowing two hits.

Team USA had a chance at going 3-0 in the Pan American Games being held in Guadalajara, Mexico, but lost to the host Mexican team 3-2 on Saturday. That dropped the US to 2-1 and improved the Mexicans to 3-0.

Now, Team USA must face Cuba (who is 3-0) in the semifinals on Monday. Mexico will face Canada (who is 2-1) in their semifinal game on Monday.

The Canadians again have current KC Royals minor leaguers Tim Smith and Jamie Romak on their roster. In their 5-4 win over Puerto Rico in their first game, Smith went 1-for-3 with a homerun and two walks. In their 9-5 loss to Cuba, Smith went 1-for-4 with a run scored. In that same game, Romak went 0-for-3 with an RBI. On Saturday, Canada defeated Venezuela 4-1 to reach the semifinals. Smith went 1-for-4 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk. Romak played right field and went 0-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. This group of Canadians has a chance at bringing home their second medal in the last week of international play.

As do the Americans. Team USA and Canada shared the bronze medal at the World Cup last week. Now Team USA has reached the semifinals and will face the heavily favored Cubans. Maybe they can take a page out of the Netherlands book (the Netherlands defeated Cuba twice in the World Cup). Team USA beat the Dominican Republic in its first game of the Pan Am tournament 20-2. They scored ten runs in the 8th inning. They then defeated Panama 11-0 before falling to Mexico 3-2 on Saturday.

Former Royal Alexis Gomez is still playing for the DR. In their loss to the US, Gomez went 0-for-3 with a walk. In their 3-2 loss to Mexico, Gomez went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Former Royal Runelvys Hernandez got the start against Mexico but took the loss, as he allowed three runs on six hits and three walks over four innings while striking out three. In the DR’s lone win so far, Gomez went 3-for-5 with two RBIs while playing center field against Panama. The DR will play in the 5th place game on Tuesday against rival Venezuela.

The first game on Monday will be the 7th place game between the two 0-3 teams, Puerto Rico and Panama.