Pitcher Cesar Valdez of Tigres de Licey from Dominican Republic reacts in a game against Aguilas de Mexicali from Mexico during the Caribbean Baseball Series.<\/p>\n
CULIACN -- As well as being the largest international exporter of talent to the Major Leagues and other circuits, the Dominican Republic is the current champion of the World Baseball Classic. It is no coincidence that the country is known as baseball island. <\/p>\n
Regardless of the fact that the Caribbean Series, which sees the champions of the Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Venezuelan and Dominican winter leagues face off each year, will not exactly define the legacy of the participants, the recent poor performance of Dominican teams is eroding the country's image. <\/p>\n
When you wear a uniform that carries the name of your country, regardless of the type of event, the result affects or benefits the whole country. That has always been the case and it always will be, said Dominican second baseman Anderson Hernndez, an original Licey member and one of the most veteran players on the roster. <\/p>\n
Nobody wants to do badly on the field. Especially not when you're wearing a shirt that says Dominican Republic on the chest, said Hernndez. <\/p>\n
Wednesday, Feb. 1 Cuba 1, D.R. 0 Mexico 4, P.R. 2 <\/p>\n
Thursday, Feb. 2 Venezuela 4, P.R. 3 Mexico 7, D.R. 2 <\/p>\n
Friday, Feb. 3 Cuba 7, P.R. 2 Mexico 5, Venezuela 1 <\/p>\n
Saturday, Feb. 4 P.R. 10, D.R. 2 Venezuela 8, Cuba 3 <\/p>\n
Sunday, Feb. 5 Venezuela 4, R.D. 3 Cuba 4, Mexico 0 <\/p>\n
Monday, Feb. 6 Semifinal 1: P.R. 9, Venezuela 6 Semifinal 2: Mexico 1, Cuba 0 <\/p>\n
Tuesday, Feb. 7 Championship: Puerto Rico vs Mexico, 9pm ET, WatchESPN <\/p>\n
All games on ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN <\/p>\n
Outfielder Ren Reyes hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to lead Aguilas del Zulia to a 4-3 win over Dominican club Tigres del Licey at Tomateros Stadium at the close of the round robin phase of the 2017 Caribbean Series in Culiacn. <\/p>\n
Zulia (3-2), who had already qualified for the semifinals since Saturday (but lost to Puerto Rico on Monday in the semis), sent Licey (0-4) home winless and extended Dominican teams' losing streak to 10 games across the last three editions of the Caribbean classic. Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico progressed to Monday's semifinals and Puerto Rico beat Venezuela and will face Mexico in the Caribbean Series championship on Tuesday. <\/p>\n
Licey, with 10 titles, is the most successful team in the history of this tournament that was founded nearly seven decades ago. The Dominican Republic, which debuted in the tournament in 1970, has amassed 19 titles, and leads the way among countries. But Gigantes del Cibao, Leones del Escogido and Licey have lost every game played by the Dominican Baseball League (Liga Dominicana de Bisbol - Lidom) since February 6, 2015. <\/p>\n
It hurts a lot. Some people are questioning this, said Audo Vicente, manager of Tigres del Licey, who arrived in Culiacn without some of their key men, after winning the Dominican championship in a decisive final game against their arch rivals, Aguilas Cibaeas. Players like Hanley Ramrez, Emilio Bonifacio, Yamaico Navarro and Juan Francisco played for Tigres in the postseason, but did not make themselves available for the Caribbean Series for various reasons. Nor did others who played in the league, such as Robinson Can, Nelson Cruz, Maikel Franco or Jonathan Villar, among others. <\/p>\n
Since the creation of the World Baseball Classic in 2006, which sees Major League baseball players representing their nations, the Caribbean Series is no longer a major tournament for stars from countries like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Even if they decide to play in the domestic league for some reason, whether to get in shape for the World Baseball Classic or so their relatives back home can see them play, their plan does not include the Caribbean Series. <\/p>\n
In years to come, all our players should give this some thought. Not all our players are out of work or looking for work or competing for a spot in the Major Leagues. I think we should also take into account national pride and our country's reputation, said Vicente. <\/p>\n
The Dominican Tigres not only lost all four of their games, but were also outplayed by their opponents, except for Sunday's clash against the Venezuelan Aguilas, which they led until the final inning. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Cspedes brothers: Yoenis and Yoelkis are not quite alike. Enrique Rojas | Deportes <\/p>\n
Series flavor: Mexico does it best. Enrique Rojas | Deportes <\/p>\n
The Big Show: Cualiacn's Tomatero Stadium is set. Eric Gmez | Deportes <\/p>\n
Players to watch: Current and former MLB players. David Schoenfield <\/p>\n
Schedule: Results | Rosters <\/p>\n
More coverage: ESPNDeportes.com <\/p>\n
All games on ESPN Deportes, ESPN Deportes Radio and Watch ESPN. <\/p>\n
Ariel Pea pitched five good innings and Licey were leading 3-1 heading into the eighth inning, but Aguilas responded by scoring three times after one out against reliever Juan Grulln, who took the loss. Ronny Cedeo doubled in Herlis Rodrguez and Reyes followed this with a huge home run to left field to complete the comeback. <\/p>\n
Licey finished the series batting .203 (128-26) and was outscored 25-7. Outfielder Zoilo Almonte, who batted .385 (13-5) with three RBIs, and pitcher Pea were by far their best performers. <\/p>\n
I think baseball is about execution and in general, although we played a lot better [in our final game], we didn't execute well, said Vicente. We failed to execute at the level expected of a baseball power like the Dominican Republic. <\/p>\n
Only one of our starters reached the fifth inning and the bullpen, which was key for the two teams that reached the Dominican final - and forms the basis of the team that traveled to Culiacn - failed. Our offense was ineffective, especially with runners in scoring position, said the manager. <\/p>\n
Vicente, who lost the last two games of the 2015 Caribbean Series with Gigantes to begin Dominican teams' current losing streak, became the first domestic or foreign manager to lose six consecutive Caribbean Series games at the helm of the island's representatives. <\/p>\n
There is nothing to change. These were the guys who are here, who took up the challenge. The first person I question is myself and, if the games were replayed, there would be a lot of changes. There were lots of things that didn't work, Vicente said. <\/p>\n
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The 'baseball island' is taking on water at the Caribbean Series - ESPN (blog)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Pitcher Cesar Valdez of Tigres de Licey from Dominican Republic reacts in a game against Aguilas de Mexicali from Mexico during the Caribbean Baseball Series. CULIACN -- As well as being the largest international exporter of talent to the Major Leagues and other circuits, the Dominican Republic is the current champion of the World Baseball Classic. It is no coincidence that the country is known as baseball island Continue reading