Winter League Highlights: Valbuena tough in losing effort
(Photo by Stephen Green)
With the leagues in Mexico and Puerto Rico off Monday, there was limited Cubs action in the Caribbean. But a familiar name was in the highlights again.
Despite his team taking a 2-1 loss, infielder Luis Valbuena came to play for Cardenales de Lara of the Venezuelan league. The 27-year-old led off the second inning with a double to center but was left stranded. He then drew a walk to load the bases in the third and drew another in the sixth. In the eighth inning, he singled, advanced to second on a bunt and swiped third base.
Valbuena finished the day 2-for-2 with a double and a pair of walks. His .468 on-base percentage still leads the league, and his .336 batting average and 12 doubles both rank second.
Other highlights around the Caribbean:
Arismendy Alcantara came in as a pinch-runner in the ninth inning for Licey of the Dominican league and scored the game-tying run in a 5-4 win.
