Luis Durango 4-5, Tobi Stoner Gets Win

10/24/09 Game-
The Gigantes lost 6-2 to Escogido. Luis Durango, a highly touted Panamanian prospect went 4-5, with 2 RBI and a stolen base. He is a burner, as he had 44 stolen bases with the AA San Antonio Missions (Padres) in the Texas League last year. Durango is an import, being from Panama. Mark Hamilton, another import, also had a good game going 3-4.

For Escogido, Tobi Stoner got the win, pitching 6 innings and allowing 1 earned run. He improved to 2-0 on the year, with his second strong start. He is in the Mets organization. Brennan Boesch (1-3, 2 runs) and Conor Jackson (2-4, 3 RBI) again had good nights for Escogido. Jackson is one of a handful of players with extended big league experience in the Dominican Winter League. He seems to be returning to his form of two years ago with the Diamondbacks, after missing last year with illness.

Luis Durango with the Padres high A team in 2007 , by SD Dirk on Flick

Gigantes leave runners on corners in loss, Mark Wagner 2-4

10/23/09 Game-
It was a really good game tonight at the Julian Javier Stadium in San Fransisco de Macoris. The Gigantes lost 3-2, but had runners on the corners with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Zack Segovia struck out the final batter for Escogido to get the save.

Zack Segovia pitches in 2009 for the Syracuse Chiefs, by Dave Pape

Mark Wagner had another good game for Gigantes, going 2-4, after hitting home runs in two strait games. Check the Labels to see all my posts about Wagner (or any players). He is leading the Dominican Winter League in home runs with 2. He is in the Red Sox organization. Luis Villareal pitched 5 innings and allowed 1 run for the Gigantes, but got the loss. He has an ERA of 3.38 after two games, but has two tough losses. Estarlin de los Santos had his hit streak end at 5 games.

As I mentioned a few posts back, Brennan Boesch (Escogido) could be a player to watch going forward. The ball really pops off his bat. He went 2-4 last night, with 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 1 stolen base. He was with the Tigers AA team last year and had a great year playing right field. Boesch is tied for the league lead in RBI with 6 after 6 games. Again, check the labels to see previous posts on Boesch. Arizona Diamondback fans will be interested to know that Conor Jackson is also playing with Escogido. He did not have any hits last night, but is near the top of the league with a .421 average after 6 games played.

Dominican Winter Baseball: San Francisco de Macoris still shut down over strike, Lima Time

10/20/09 Games-
The Gigantes travel to Santo Domingo tomorrow to take on Licey. This is a blog about Dominican baseball, but the Dominican Baseball Guy is an anthropologist and cannot help but comment on society and culture. San Fransisco is still shut down, the strike should end tomorrow.

It is a really bad situation, especially at night. Groups of armed men and boys have taken up posts around the city, regulating traffic, and there is not enough police presence to effect these groups. They are basically doing whatever they want, especially at night.

 Luckily, The Dominican Baseball Guy knows the right people (who are also armed) so have not been effected; however, it is still a scary situation going through roadblocks of armed civilians. Everyone must realize, this is the situation Dominican prospects grow up in, and things such as this are not extraordinary.

The Dominican Baseball Guy is safe and in the capital, heading to Gigantes vs. Licey tomorrow.

Last night, Diory Hernández had a homer, double, and single, and Brennan Boesch had a homer and two singles, both for Escogido in a win over the Estrellas. Hernandez was with the Braves AAA team last year and hit .319 in 204 at bats as a short stop. Boesch, an American import for Escogido had 28 homers and 93 RBI for the Tigers AA team last year. He is is huge (6'6'', 210). Look for Boesch to have a big winter league.

In the other game, American catcher Craig Tatum had an RBI in a 4-1 for Aguilas over Licey. Tatum was with the Louisville Bats in the International League last year, and it looks like Manager Rick Sweet brought him, along with pitcher Ben Jukich to play with Aguilas. Jose Lima (yes that Jose Lima) pitched three innings of shutout ball to start the game for Aguilas, but did not get the win. Timoniel (Timo) Pérez had a double for Licey. Yes, that ex-MLB player Timo Perez who played in the Mexican Summer League last year.

Jose Lima with the Dodgers in 2004, by Malingering on Flickr