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José Ariel Contreras met through and through and closed

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SAN DIEGO - So far, Jose Contreras has been the face every time the Phillies have needed.

The Cuban is the closer of Philadelphia and will be for a while. Luce comfortable in that role.

After your saved game on Thursday against the Padres, has five saves in as many chances. He has allowed four hits, has awarded four walks and struck out seven batters in a total of eight shutout innings.

"You could see in his face," said Phillies catcher, Carlos Ruiz. "He is ready to take the outs, you know?

Contreras has served as a closer when Brad Lidge remains in the disabled list with a strained rotator cuff. Lidge does not pull from the March 24th game in a Grapefruit League, but said it could begin to correct the arm next week.

"It's going to go as intended," Lidge said about his recovery. "There have been setbacks .'m Trying to be smart with it because if there is a setback could be a major setback. Be intelligent, but at the same time it feels good and I want to return as soon as possible. But I also understand that back just because you feel good (shoulder) is not good idea. "

Former Phillies closer, Tom Gordon, he tried to throw while he suffered a torn rotator cuff. It was not easy staying healthy, but Lidge is optimistic.

"It's pretty similar," Lidge said about his injury and that of Gordon. "They basically said that it becomes a scar. Strengthen muscle tissue and take over everything. Of course, that muscle may not return the same way, but the other could an do not feel for nothing. "

Nobody knows what will happen when Lidge again. Will it hold health? Throwing as well as in the second half of last season? Will you have to win back the closer's job?

Those answers will come with time, but so far has done tremendous work Contreras.

In their penultimate game on Wednesday vs. saved. Milwaukee, struck out Ryan Braun with a straight 3-2.

Ruiz said he had planned to attack inside. "If we see a bolazo, we give a bolazo" said receiver.

But Ruiz changed his mind while ended talks with Contreras on the mound. I knew that if Contreras did not give the goal, Braun could hit a two-run homer to give the Brewers the lead. Then they started with sliders. The first was a white swing from Braun. Another ball was bad, but Contreras finished the turn with straight until it struck.

"It's not easy, but he can do it," Ruiz said of Contreras. "He has great material." (Todd Zolecki / MLB.com)

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	Danys Baez
	JL	G	P	S	BB	KO	PCL
	8	1	1	0	4	2	2.16

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	Aroldis Chapman
	JL		G P S		BB KO		PCL
	8		0 0 0		7 8		0.00

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	Joseph A. Contreras
	JL	G	P	S	BB	KO	PCL
	7	0	0	4	3	8	0.00

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	Liván Hernández
	JL	G	P	S	BB	KO	PCL
	4	2	1	0	5	13	2.88

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	Yuniesky Betancourt
	JJ	VB	C	H	HR	CI	AVE
		16 62 6			13 0 6		.210

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	Yunel Escobar
	JJ	VB	C	H	HR	CI	AVE
	16		59 11 19			2 7 .322

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	Juan Miguel Miranda
	JJ	VB	C	H	HR	CI	AVE
	13		27 3 7			1 3 .259

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	Kendry Morales
	JJ	VB	C	H	HR	CI	AVE
		0 0 0			0 0 0		-

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	Brayan Peña
	JJ	VB	C	H	HR	CI	AVE
		9 29 1		6		0 2 .207

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	Alexei Ramirez
	JJ	VB	C	H	HR	CI	AVE
	17	64	10	17	3	9	.266

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actualizado: Apr 21 del 2011

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Taken from THE DUKE OF CUBA ...

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CUBAN BASEBALL : Dear reader, this blog has the option of following the impact of the Cuban baseball playoffs on the radio (click below this text to the radio) or see the games live on TV, going to the top right this site, you will find this option . I hope will be useful ... THANK YOU for your visit.

LISTEN LIVE RADIO REBELDE the National Series
50

SEE

BY THE INTERNATIONAL Cubavision

Start final between Ciego de Avila and Pinar del Rio in Cuba

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HAVANA - Ciego de Avila and Pinar del Rio? It is a classic of Cuban baseball, but also arouses passions this unprecedented end of the game on the island that starts on Saturday.

Pinar del Rio, the most experienced collects two titles in seven finals. The last title was won in 1998 with the star Pedro Luis Lazo on the mound and Alfonso Urquiola experienced pilot.

This year Lazo hung the glove, but Urquiola returned to the address of the cast, now very refreshed and with players "very inspired and very close" according to the p Ropi manager.

Pinar del Rio is ranked second in the Western Division in the regular and dispatched 4-2 to Cienfuegos in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Ciego Avila played several times at the door of the final and this year managed to open it first. In the regular season ended as the leader of the eastern Granma and eliminated 4-2 in the semifinals.

A duel will appeal the Yoelvis avileño Fiss and Pinar del Rio Lorenzo Quintana, both hitters with six homers so far, two of the playoffs for a record held by Alexander Malleta.

Ciego de Avila showed best offense in the regular season with prom iddle collective .317, while hitting .294 Pinar del Rio.

Yorbis Borroto (408), Abdel Civil (.375) and Fiss (389) are the cornerstones of the offensive of Ciego de Avila in the playoffs.

for Pinar del Rio, as well Quintana (392), underlined Donal Duarte (.375), Norlis Conception (366) and William Saavedra (340).

local Ciego de Avila will be Saturday in the first game of the series, which defines a best of seven games. (AP) ----------------------------

Maikel Neninger even hard throws to the plate

BY RAFAEL PEREZ Rofes

remember seeing him throw several times. was one of the top prospects like pitcher the ball on the island in early 2000 and owned a rec ta respect that crossed many times to punt ers contrary, attitudes that showed over three seasons, two with with Metropolitan and Industrial .

decided in 2004 like many other Cubans earworms p try their luck abroad, a decision not easy, but motivating when you know that luck at eral gene is an ally of those who risked, and in the case of Maikel Neninger was done on adage, it now feels fulfilled as a person and athlete, with his new family formed in Costa Rica for six years.

"I have a wonderful companion who has helped me a lot in this country, the mother of a beautiful 11 \u200b\u200byear old boy and a girl of 8, to whom n is love because I really see their father . That's comforting nte, beautiful, but when you know that the original family and loved ones are away from each other. "

Today at 29 years is maintained has to play ctive Rican League and trains eg quenines in this nation: "It's very exciting that allows me to convey to these kids my modest knowledge, and more when we see that the work pays off ... "he commented.

As every player took a point in his life the illusion of being able to reach the major league baseball, which indeed follows closely season after season.

"I had the opportunity to play for two years in Major League Nicaragua. In a occasion I did with the Indians of the Boer, and the next year with the team of Leon, with whom I had very good performances.

"In the Dominican Republic was in the A cademia of Tony Pena. There several major league teams were interested and n mi, com or Chicago Cubs, the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, among others. But unfortunately I could not see realized my big dream, but that all the known reasons by migratory , so I had to return to my country of residence, and makes two years, finally decided to abandon these efforts.

"In Cuba I have fond memories as a player. In my first series debut with Metropolitan in starter role, but the next to perform functions not only as a starter, but also of a long reliever and closer. I really enjoy this stage to ...

"Linda still image I have of that first year with Metros, as a rookie and three challenges to win and only lost one. Super exciting it was for me a game that will launch a Moron Ciego de Avila in front of a stadium completely filled, in play, as they say, not for heart, and I finally got the win with 3x2 closed at 8 and two thirds of actuació on.

"I was selected and l best player in the game and loaded my peers and congratulated me, including Antonio Diaz Enriquito Scull and because this was a key game for the classification. And I repeat that marcadao day stay in my heart, in my career, my life, and jama s he'll never forget. "

Maikel follows

even with his fastball devilish, it comes very early to the plate, Costa Rica shame that can not shine like it did in Cuba, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic in that country since the sport no t iene deep roots ...

"Look, I said, I still argue with my fastball, but I d igo Cuba sincerely that I marked 94 miles, but I'm pretty sure than at other times throw harder, but unfortunately was not available the famous speedometer. Baseball things. " Someday

latest release?

Yes, tell my family, friends, that are in my thoughts. the fans who always memory does or applause, support and I send all my love, and thank you for allowing baseball fans know a little of this good Cuban who never forgets to theirs. "

WORK FOR LIFE IN THE BALL OF CUBA

Series plays, 3; games released, 39; games started, 23; complete games, 9; games relieved, ; 16 wins, 9; games lost, 11; grout, 0, saved, 0; innings, 132.0; vb 531; hits allowed, 168; he batted for 316, you anoteraron 93 races, clean 85; PCL , 5.80, 54 strikeouts, bases on balls , 83. -----------------------

Lester Benavides also wants to MLB

Rofes BY RAFAEL PEREZ

"Getting to play in the Major Leagues is the highest aspiration of my life. With this idea fixed sali de Cuba. It is no easy task, but I will fight as to achieve this dream, "Lester told me Villa Clara Benavides, who played in Cuba as an outfielder and designated team of Villa Clara.

Lester actually received few opportunities to develop in that ball, regardless of its magnificent possibilities as a switch-hitter, and now wants to demonstrate in Dominican Republic, Don of currently lives, their potencilidades to go slowly gained positions in the leagues of that Caribbean nation, which brings more players to the Major Leagues .

"In addition to the gardens, I am training hard at third base and first base, so the options for play will be much longer without neglecting my hitting both hands, I try to improve every day. Is that the preparation on is fundamental and I am convinced that if I do it properly, then the results will come, "added Lester.

"Here in the Dominican Republic there are many Cuban players like me trying to find our way. It gives me joy and at the same tie mpo encourages others to be very close to that as I "fight" for the same goal, he said.

Ronnier Mustelier The versatile Santiago, and also Joan Chaviano Villa Clara (receiver) and pitcher Juan Yasser Serrano are, among others, along with Lester, all eager to play some day in the best baseball in the world.

Quality have no desire for it and they lack, and as good Cuban says, "if they are real pa 'things' all your dreams come true.

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