RED SOX OR ATHLETICS

AMERICAN DIVISION COMPLETES SWEEP OF FALL ALL STAR GAMES (Thursday, December 18, 2008)----

The 18AA All star game can best be described as a walk-over win for the Americans (Mariners, Brewers, Super Sox and Pirates) as they trounced the National squad (Indians, Costa Atlantica, Cuban Stars and Marlins 14-1 at the Santaluces Complex in Lantana. The game was halted by the "run rule" after the Nationals' half of the seventh inning. The Americans took advantage of ten walks, two hit batsmen and six errors by the Nationals. Lefty Greg Williams (Indians), who started for the Nationals, issued seven walks and hit two batters, but might have had a much better fate with better defense behind him. The American All Stars scored four runs in the first inning and built a 14-0 lead before the Nationals hit the board. Jason Hyman (Brewers) earned Most Valuable Player honors, going 3-for-3, with a pair of doubles and four runs batted in. The Americans collected nine hits. The Nationals had only three , one off Sammy Hernandez (Mariners), who got the win as the starter, and two off Reggie Cruz (Super Sox). Tony Amatucci finished up with two hitless inings. Greg Williams took the loss for the Nationals, with Kyle Merritt (Marlins) and Fermin Palacios (Costa Atlantica) also seeing mound action. Ivan Perez (Cuban Stars) scored the Nationals' only run on a bases loaded fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Stars' teammate Ramon Serpa.

AMERICANS WALK OFF WITH WIN IN 18AAA ALL STAR CLASSIC (Wednesday, December 17)---David Machado, player-manager of Chamos, looped a single into right center field in the bottom of the ninth inning, driving in the winning run as the American Division defeated the National Division 7-6 in the 18AAA All Star game at Santaluces in Lantana. The Americans, featuring players from the Palm Beach Wave, Chamos, Royals and Rangers trailed 6-5 going into the final frame. Tony Flores (Royals) drew a walk, took second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Nelson Villalobos (Wave). Carlos Dominguez (Wave) singled to right, putting runners at first and second. Americans' skipper Clayton Joiner (Wave) sacrificed the runners to second and third, and after Victor Prieto (Chamos) was intentionally walked, the Nationals had a chance to escape and send the game to extra innings. Daniel Negron (Royals) grounded to third base, where the throw to plate by Emilio Vargas (Cardinals) nailed Villalobos on a force, but the speedy Negron beat the throw to first by Cardinals' catcher Ryan McDonald, setting up Machado's game winning hit. It was the fifth lead change of the game. Villalobos collected three hits and drove in two runs to earn Most Valuable Player honors. Dominguez had two hits and one RBI for the winning side. Prieto, Flores, Brandon Noe (Royals) and Machado had one apiece. The National squad, consisting of players from the league leading Cardinals, South Florida Beach Bums, Cuban Sugar Kings and Palm Beach Miracle, were led by three Cardinals. Max Johnson laced a double and single, McDonald two singles to drive in two, and Brian Fitzsimmons two singles and an RBI. Bernie Diaz (South Florida Beach Bums) had a double, and Nestor Sanjuro (Cuban Sugar Kings) had a run scoring single for the other Nationals' safeties. Flores, who pitched a perfect ninth inning, was credited with the win. Dominguez, Noe (Royals), and Gustavo Lopez (Wave) also pitched for the American All Stars. Ryan Ghianda (Cardinals), Sanjurjo (Cuban Sugar Kings), Fernando Canas (Palm Beach Miracle), Manny Rodriguez (Sugar Kings) and Fitzsimmons pitched for the Nationals, with Fitzsimmons nicked for the loss.