OTHER CARIBBEAN LEAGUES IN PLAYOFF HOME STRETCH

The Dominican and Venezuelan leagues are in the midst their respective championship series while the Puerto Rican League will wrap up its semifinals this weekend.

The Escogido Leones defeated the Cibao Gigantes, 3-2, on January 21 to pull into a 2-2 tie in the Dominican Series. Joaquin Arias cracked a two-run homer in the third inning for Escogido, who is managed by former St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Ken Oberkfell. Cibao starter Victor Zambrano was racked for seven hits and three runs in just 2.2 innings.

In the Venezuelan Series, Alex Escobar was 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs to lead Magallenes to a 12-10 victory over Caracas on January 22, giving the Navegantes a 2-0 lead in the best of 7 series. Josh Kroeger had three hits, including a solo homer, for the Leones.

Mayaguez and Arecibo are tied at three games apiece in their Puerto Rican League semifinal series after Arecibo swept a rare playoff doubleheader January 22. Carolina leads Caguas in the other set, 3 games to 2. The two semi winners will battle for the title this week.