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.

Puerto Rico shocked the world by advancing to the World Baseball Classic finals (set for Tuesday night at 8pm ET on MLB Network).

First, they advanced out of Pool C over Venezuela with the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico again advanced with the DR to the semifinals with a win over the USA.

Then on Sunday night in San Francisco (after playing in Miami on Saturday), they upset two-time WBC champ Japan, 3-1.

Former KC Royals were a huge reason why.

Mario Santiago, who pitched in the Royals farm system until 2011, started and was brilliant until being taken out as a precaution with elbow soreness. He didn’t allow a hit until the fourth. He only allowed two hits over 4.1 scoreless innings.

Mike Aviles drove in the first run in the first inning on a single to centerfield. That scored current Royal minor leaguer Irving Falu, who walked. Falu has been playing GREAT defense at second base.

Aviles picked up another hit in the 7th inning and scored on Alex Rios’ two-run home run that put Puerto Rico up 3-0. Carlos Beltran walked in the first and singled in the sixth.

In the second WBC semifinal, it was current Royals who had big parts to the victory for the Dominican Republic.

Miguel Tejada singled and scored the Dominican Republic’s fourth run in the 5th inning.

In the sixth, Kelvin Herrera entered in relief of starter Edinson Volquez after the Dominican Republic had just taken a 4-1 lead. Herrera allowed a two out double, but struck out Andruw Jones to end the inning. In the seventh, he struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches. With two outs, Herrera walked a batter before striking out the next to end the inning (and end his chance of pitching in the finals).

The DR enacted revenge against the Netherlands in 2013, the team who beat them twice in 2009. Can the DR beat Puerto Rico for the third time? Or can Puerto Rico steal a victory and win the whole thing?

Whoever wins, at least one current Royal will take home the WBC trophy.

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”

No I am not talking about soccer. This is baseball’s version of the World Cup and it began on Saturday night in Panama with Opening Ceremonies. The host team Panama came back to defeat the European Underdog Greece in the opening game.

Team USA does not have a member of the KC Royals minor leagues on its roster (like last year), but it does have a mix of younger prospects and veterans. The big name is catcher/DH Travis D’Arnaud of the Toronto Blue Jays (who was the Eastern League’s MVP). Tuffy Gosewich of the Philadelphia Phillies will platoon with D’Arnaud. John Danks’ brother Jordan will patrol the outfield. Veterans Randy Williams, Royce Ring, Scott Patterson, and Joe Thurston will be counted on. The USA begin their World Cup play tonight at 8:30pm against Japan. You can catch all the action live HERE.

Don’t fret. There are a few Royals minor leaguers speckled throughout the international tournament and a few former players. Let’s start with the host team Panama. Former minor league catcher Damaso Espino (and his pitcher brother Paulo) were big parts of Panama’s opening win. Paulo picked up the win, as he allowed three runs on five hits over six innings while striking out eight. Damaso tied the game up with a double and produced a two-run single in the 6th inning as Panama defeated Greece 8-3.

On the Greek roster (but didn’t play in the first game) is former Royals minor league catcher Mike Tonis. Remember him? He was supposed to be that elite catcher coming up through the system (well at least on defense). You can check out a 2009 article on him from Will McDonald HERE.

» Continue reading “World Cup Begins”