DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Franklin Nunez and five relievers combined to limit Licey to one run as the Cibao Gigantes claimed their third straight victory with a 7-1 triumph over the Tigers in action from the Dominican Winter League.

Nunez (1-0), a former Milwaukee Brewers prospect, worked five shutout innings with five strikeouts to gain his first win. The bullpen corps of Ricardo Rodriguez, Brad Kilby, Julio de Paula, Francisco Cruceta and Carlos Martinez combined to silence Licey which scored 21 runs a night earlier against Aguilas.

Licey starter Dustin Nippert (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs over five innings.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Mitch Maier stroked two hits and drove in a pair of RBIs while Juan Brito added a double and an RBI, Cuban slugger Amaury Cazaña went 4-for-4 with a solo home run in a losing cause.

Azucareros 7, Escogido 2

Tagg Bozied smacked two home runs to spark a 14-hit attack and the Azucareros continued their strong start with a 7-2 victory over Escogido.

Bozied, a Florida Marlins prospect, collected three hits and Joselo Diaz scattered four hits over six scoreless innings to help league-leading Azucareros win for the fifth time in six outings. Diaz (2-0) fanned eight and lowered his ERA to 1.38 while posting his second victory.

Aguilas 7, Estrellas 6

Bernie Castro’s leadoff walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th capped a sizzling comeback as Aguilas shocked Estrellas, 7-6.

Trailing 5-0 in the seventh, Aguilas knotted the score in the ninth on a Kelly Ramos clutch two-run hit to send the game into extra innings before Castro finished off the wild rally with a game-winning blast off Arvin Alcántara (0-1). Randy Choate (1-0) picked up the win for the defending league champions with a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.

Luis Polonia had three hits for Aguilas while Fernando Tatis connected for a home run and a double for Estrellas.

Original Article (Spanish):

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=738821&s=bei&type=story

Tags: Dominican Republic