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02/04/2006 Archived Entry: "VIVA BEISBOL: Caribbean Series Day 2"
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2006
VENADOS LOSE TO LICEY, DROP TO 0-2 IN CS
Mazatlan falls 10-6 despite 2 HRs by Gonzalez
VALENCIA, VENEZUELA– Things went better for the Mazatlan Venados on Friday after a 17-1 drubbing Thursday, but the Mexican Pacific League champs still fell to 0-2 in the Caribbean Series following a 10-6 loss to the Licey Tigres from the Dominican Republic. The Tigres are now 2-0 in the CS with the win.
Mexico actually took the early lead with a four-run third inning. Edgar Gonzalez started things with a solo homer, Juan Carlos Canizalez' two-run single drove in Trenidad Hubbard and Oscar Robles, then Canizalez himself scored on Jesse Gutierrez' singleton. Venados starter Francisco Campos cruised through the first four innings and tossed shutout ball, but was rapped for six Tigres runs in the bottom of the fifth as Licey took a lead they never relinquished.
Mazatlan scored two more runs in the top of the eighth inning as Gonzalez cracked his second homer of the day and the Deer came to within 8-6, but Licey pushed two more runs across in the bottom of the frame for the final scores of the day. Gonzalez ended the day 4-for-4 with his two roundtrippers, while Mario Valenzuela hit an eighth inning homer of his own. For Licey, Alexis Gomez had a 4-for-4 game of his own, while Miguel Tejada's three-run blast was the key knock against Campos in the fateful fifth inning. Campos pitched 5.1 innings, allowing seven runs and seven hits in taking the loss for Mexico. The Venados chased Dominican starter Julian Tavarez with their big third inning, but Wilton Chavez came on in relief and held Mazatlan in check long enough to post the victory for the Tigres.
In the nightcap contest, the host Venezuelans stretches their CS record to 2-0 when the Caracas Leones parlayed another big inning into a 6-1 victory over Puerto Rico's Carolina Gigantes in Maracaibo. The Lions' Marco Scutaro cranked out a grand slam home run in a six-run second inning, as Caracas chased Carolina starter (and loser) Jim McGrane. Orlando Trios went five strong innings for the Leones, serving up just one Giants run and scattering six hits for the win.
The Venados will complete the first half of their CS schedule Saturday in Valencia when they take on Carolina. Ariel Prieto will get the call from Venados manager Juan Jose Pacho to start on the mound, while Jose Santiago gets the nod for the Gigantes.
Licey Tigres (DR) 10-11-2, Mazatlan MX) 6-11-1
WP-Wilton Chavez, LP-Francisco Campos.
Caracas Leones (VZ) 6-10-0, Carolina Gigantes (PR) 1-11-1
WP-Orlando Trios, LP-Jim McGrane.
