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The pitching staff was once again solid and third baseman Willy Aybar hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to lead Tigres del Licey to a 3-2 win over Toros del Este on Sunday, in the round robin semifinal of the Dominican Republic winter league.

With the victory, Licey is now tied for first place with Gigantes del Cibao, which was beat by the defending champions, Aguilas Cibaeñas, 7-3.

Reliever Denny Bautista (1-0) earned the win, while rookie Fernando Abad (0-1) took the loss. Carlos Mármol earned his second save.

Right hander Ubaldo Jimenez started the game for Tigres and allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, while Ramon Troncoso gave up five hits and two runs in five innings for the Toros.

The game, played at the Estadio Quisqueya, was tied 2-2 in the seventh when Aybar hit his solo homer with two outs.

The Licey rotation, which also includes Daniel Cabrera and Jorge Sosa, Ervin Santana and Ramon Ortiz, has not allowed more than two earned runs in the team's first seven playoff games.

In Santiago, Rafael Furcal and Melky Cabrera got two hits each to lead the Aguilas over the Gigantes.

Luis Terrero, subbing for Andruw Jones, who left the team Sunday, hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning and scored three runs. Jones, who was batting .166 for the Aguilas, returned to the United States due to his wife's illness.

Reliever Santiago Ramirez got the win and Aldredo Simon took the loss. Nelson Figueroa pitched four innings in relief to earn the save.

Licey and Gigantes (4-3) are tied for first place, followed by Toros (4-4) and Aguilas (2-4).

Venezuelan League

Catcher Guillermo Rodriguez hit two home runs to lead Cardenales de Lara to a 8-2 win over Tiburones de La Guaira. Cardenales is now in first place in the round robin semifinal.

Cuban Vladimir Núñez earned the win and Alex Herrera took the loss.

In the other game Sunday, shortstop Alberto Gonzalez hit a RBI single that scored the winning run in the eighth inning for the Aguilas de Zulia in its 4-3 win over the defending champions, Tigres de Aragua.

Erick Arteaga earned the victory, Jose Mijares took the loss and Chris Hernandez recorded his first save.

Lara (2-1) now leads the playoffs, followed by Aguilas (1-1), Tiburones (1-1), Leones de Caracas (1-1) and Aragua (1-2).

Mexican League

Player-manager Vinny Castilla got an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth and led Naranjeros de Hermosillo to a 5-4 win over Algodoneros de Guasave. Naranjeros now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

With the game tied, Chris Roberson started the ninth with a single against Jeremy Hill (0-1) and reached second base on a bunt made by Chris Walker, who reached first base due to an error by reliever Erasmo Ramirez.

Castilla ended the game with a single to center field. Australian Damian Moss earned the win.

Luis Mendoza allowed 10 hits in six innings and Alfredo Amezaga and Iker Franco hit home runs in Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón's 5-3 win over Venados de Mazatlán in the third game of their best-of-seven series.

Mendoza (1-0) got the win and Randy Williams took the loss. Mazatlan leads the series 2-1.

Veteran shortstop Benji Gil capped a four-run inning with a two-run double in the fifth, leading Aguilas de Mexicali to a 5-4 win over Cañeros de Los Mochis.

Cañeros now lead the series 2-1. There were no home runs in the game.

Reliever Juan Cerros got the win and David Cortes earned the save. Francisco Rodriguez was the losing pitcher.

Puerto Rican League

After Cangrejeros de Santurce defeated Indios de Mayaguez 5-3 and Gigantes de Carolina beat Criollos de Caguas 4-2, there are now three teams tied for third place of the standings with only one game left in the regular season.

Leones de Ponce and Lobos de Arecibo are already qualified for the semifinals, while on Monday the final two places will be decided after Caguas faces Ponce and Mayaguez plays Arecibo.

Carolina, the two-time defending champion, was eliminated Saturday.