After Los Angeles Angels' right-hander Ervin Santana pitched his fourth inning of no-hit ball for the Tigres del Licey, Washington Nationals' second baseman Ronnie Belliard came up to bat against Estrellas de Oriente pitcher Vladimir Nunez in the bottom of the frame...tripled, and scored on an error on the relay throw in from right, to give the Tigres what would be the eventual winning run in the 2-0 win in the Dominican Winter League Playoffs.
Santana completed six innings of no-hit baseball before handing the ball to Damaso Marte and Carlos Marmol, of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs, respectively, who combined to complete the no-hitter, which was marred only by an error by Atlanta Braves' infielder and Tigres' third baseman Willy Aybar.
Jose Guillen, the former Nationals and new Kansas City Royals' outfielder and Cubs' outfielder Felix Pie played for the Tigres in the 2-0 victory, while former Expos/Nationals Fernando Tatis, Tony Blanco, and Henry Mateo went hitless in the losing effort.
The Tigres del Licey finished second overall in the Dominican Winter League, just a .5 game behind the first place Gigantes del Cibao, who managed a 3-2 win in their matchup with the DWL's third place finishers, Aguiles Cibaenas, in the round robin Playoffs.
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