Good morning! The post-holiday playoffs are in full swing for the winter leagues. In Puerto Rico, one team closed out their series while the others had theirs postponed. While in Venezuela, the leader board seems to change on a daily basis as they near the end of the regular season. For more, take a look inside.

Roberto Clemente League

Criollos de Caguas

Miguel Amaya (photo by Rikk Carlson)

On Thursday, Caguas eliminated RA12 from the first round of the playoffs with a 4-2 victory, sweeping their series 4 games to none.  Miguel Amaya was at Designated Hitter and provided the key hits, with a bases-clearing double in the third and a ground-rule double ion the sixth inning. Amaya would end up going 2-for-3 with a walk, two doubles, three RBI, and a run scored.  Former Cubs left-hander Giovanni Soto started and gave up two hits and two free passes while striking out four in three scoreless innings. Caguas 4 – RA12 2

Venezuelan Winter League

Cardenales de Lara

Lara was able to maintain their tenuous hold on first place Sunday by defeating Caracas 5-3. Ildemaro Vargas led off for the Cardenales and played second base, going 1-for-5 in in the win. Lara 5 – Caracas 3

Pitching took a holiday on Monday as hitters on both sides feasted in a 22-10 victory for the Redbirds over Caracas. Second baseman Ildemaro Vargas was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored from the lead-off slot in the order. Lara 22 – Caracas 10

Caribes de Anzoategui

Sunday saw Anzoategui keep the pressure on the league leaders as they beat Margarita 2-0. Centerfielder Rafael Ortega was at lead-off for the Caribes, cranking RBI doubles in the third and seventh innings. For the game, Ortega was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Anzoategui 2 – Margarita 0

On Wednesday, the Tribe remained in the hunt for the top of the standings by narrowly defeating to Caracas 4-3 . Lead-off man Rafael Ortega was 2-for-4, but was not able to score. Anzoategui 4 – Caracas 3

In an abbreviated schedule on Thursday, the Caribes took first place by a half game with a 10-6 win over Aragua. Rafael Ortega continued to be the catalyst for Anzoategui as the centerfielder was 1-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored out of the lead-off position. Anzoategui 10 – Aragua 6

The Caribes flipped positions in the standing on Friday, as a 7-2 loss to La Guaira moved them back into second place. Rafael Ortega went 1-for-3 while pinch-hitter Erick Castillo was 1-for-1 in the game. La Guaira 7 – Anzoategui 2

Notes

The series between Manati and Mayaguez in the Roberto Clemente League was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.