Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Fausto Carmona

While teammates with the Indians, Ubaldo Jimenez and Fausto Carmona play on rival teams in the Dominican Republic’s winter league  – Carmona for Aguilas and Jimenez for Licey.  The pair actually squared off against each other this evening at the sold out Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo; while neither were terrible, Carmona outpitched Jimenez.  Although to be fair, I read that both of these teams made the winter ball playoffs, so they were resting many of their regular hitters for much of tonight’s game.

I actually hoped to watch this game, as I heard it was going to be broadcast on Licey.com.  Unfortunately, (for me) something called the “Ditch Witch” magically appeared in my backyard a few days ago.  Since that time, the “Ditch Witch” has been wreaking havoc on my yard (and several neighbors’ yards) and has done a fine job of knocking out all of my utilities.  I’ve lost power several times in the last two days and I just got cable and internet back for the first time since this weekend.  I have no idea who sent this machine, and what treasures it is digging for in our yards.  So anyway, what all of this means is that I definitely did not get to watch the game.  At least around 10 p.m. the internet finally returned and I was able to read some reports and write a post about the game.

Manny Acta spent the evening tweeting about the performance of both pitchers.

Here’s what I’ve pieced together on Jimenez’s performance: In his first performance of the winter, Jimenez was on a relatively low pitch count (50).  He lasted for 2.1 innings, gave up three runs, and struck out four.  His velocity was around 93-96 and he hung around the plate with good offspeed pitches.   According to Acta, he wasn’t really hit hard and threw the ball well during his short appearance, striking out the side during the top of the second.

Carmona’s performance: In his first start of the winter, Carmona was also on a strict pitch count (50, but he left after throwing 49).  In 4 innings pitched, he gave up one run on three hits, striking out two; he got a lot of ground balls with a heavy sinker.  Acta thought he definitely looked sharpest in his final inning.

Since both of these teams made the playoffs, there may be a rematch between Jimenez and Carmona before the winter is over.  They were on strict pitch counts this evening, but I’m not sure what limitations they would be under once the playoffs are underway.  Acta mentioned that a goal for both pitchers this off-season is to work on mechanics in order to be more consistent next year.  (No, really?  Those two…inconsistent?  I apologize for the sarcasm).