February 8, 200521 yr Strong pitching key for Mazatlan Mexico defeated the D.R. to clinch its fifth Caribbean World Series (Mexsport)(ESPNdeportes.com services)-The Mazatlan Deer (Mexico) defeated the Cibao Eagles (Dominican Republic) 4-3 to clinch its fifth Caribbean World Series championship, and second in four years, on Day 6 of the event held in Mazatlan, Mexico?s Teodoro Mariscal Stadium. Right hander Francisco Campos pitched eight strong innings for Mexico (5-1), giving up just three hits and one run, while striking out 11. Although he did run into trouble in the ninth, Luis Ignacio Ayala finished off the Dominican team to register the save. Juan Francisco Pe?a took the loss for the D.R. (2-3), giving up four runs in five innings. Erubiel Durazo of the Oakland Athletics homered for Mexico, which on a day when four games were played--due to the rain that washed out Saturday?s action--won both its contests, defeating Puerto Rico earlier Sunday with another strong pitching performance, this time from Jorge Campillo. Also Sunday, the Mayaguez Indians (Puerto Rico) defeated the Aragua Tigers (Venezuela) 4-3 in 12 innings, eliminating the Venezuelans and breaking a 12-game losing streak for Puerto Rican teams dating back to 2003. With the defeat, Venezuela (3-3) has now gone since 1989 without capturing a Caribbean Series title. On Monday, the Dominican will face Puerto Rico (1-4) in a meaningless game, a makeup contest necessary due to the D.R.?s late arrival on Day One of the series that forced the the game?s postponement. The Caribbean World Series is played every first week of February in a 12-game, round robin format between the champions of the Mexican, Dominican, Puerto Rican and Venezuelan winter league champions. The D.R. is a perennial favorite, with a wide cast of Major League players typically on its roster; this year?s team included Miguel Tejada, Rafael Furcal, Ronnie Belliard and Miguel Batista, but they were not enough to overcome the strong pitching of Mexico, which had help at the plate from Durazo and Vinny Castilla. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report Link Too bad Cabrera couldn't pull it out for the Tigres.
February 8, 200521 yr Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of other teams like knowing they'll be playing the Deer :plain
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