MAZATLAN
MAZATLAN 7, HERMOSILLO 6 IN MAZATLAN (GAME 4)
Ricardo Valenzuela hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give Mazatlan a 4-2 lead. They built the lead to 7-3, then held on as Hermosillo scored three in the ninth and had the tying run on third when the game ended. Irwin Delgado struck out six in six innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk. Hermosillo out-hit Mazatlan 10-6.
Record: Mazatlan stayed alive, but still trails the best-of-seven series 1-3.
Next game: Mazatlan again hosts Hermosillo tonight.
GIGANTES
ESTRELLAS 7, GIGANTES 6 AT ESTRELLAS (GAME 4)
Fernando Tatis had a two-run triple in a four-run seventh that put the Estrellas up 7-4. The Gigantes scored two in the ninth and had the tying run on first when the game ended. The Gigantes stranded 13 and went 2-for-15 with men in scoring position. Oneil Cruz was 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, and three runs. Jose Siri was 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Kelvin Gutierrez was 3-for-5. Moises Sierra was 2-for-4 with a double.
Record: The Gigantes missed a chance for a sweep, but they still lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
Next game: The Gigantes host the Estrellas tonight.
LARA, GAME 35
LARA 2, MARGARITA 0 IN LARA
Lara scored both their runs in the second inning. Osman Marval was 2-for-3. It was a bullpen game for Lara. The starter, Leonel Aponte, pitched 2.2 innings, giving up three hits and two walks and striking out three.
Stats: Ex-Twin Jermaine Palacios was 1-for-3 and is batting .600. Cesar Puello was 1-for-4 and is batting .357. Carlos Rivero was 0-for-4 and is batting .340. Yordanys Linares was 1-for-4 and is batting .325. Vicente Campos pitched a scoreless inning and has an ERA of 1.84. Pedro Rodriguez pitched a scoreless inning and has an ERA of 2.57.
Record: Lara is 22-13, in first place in the Venezuelan League West, two games ahead of Magallanes.
Next game: Lara hosts Magallanes for a doubleheader Friday.
MAYAGUEZ
No game scheduled. Mayaguez leads Manati in the best-of-seven series 1-0. However, playing the rest of the series is uncertain due to COVID concerns. If the series is not completed, Caguas, which had the best record during the regular season, will be declared the champion.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne did not play on January 6. They are at Canberra on January 7. They are in second place with a record of 5-3.