Pedro Martinez throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the 2012 Caribbean Series

Pedro Martinez throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Dominican Republic’s representative, Escogido, takes on Aragua in the 2012 Caribbean Series. The Dominicans have already won the title, thanks to Mayaguez’s 4 – 3 win over Obregon in today’s first game, which means that no other team can finish with more than three wins while Escogido has won its first four games. Mayaguez wins when Luis Figueroa drives in Johnny Monell Jr. with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 9th. The second contest is thus meaningless, and Aragua blanks the new champions, 7 – 0, as Luis Jimenez and Hector Gimenez both homer and Yorman Bazardo pitches 6 scoreless innings.

Anibal Sanchez wins the largest amount ever given to a starting pitcher who went to arbitration

An arbitration panel rules in favor of 27 year-old Anibal Sanchez (8-9, 3.67), awarding the Marlin right-hander with a record-breaking $8 million salary for this season. The decision, which puts aside the team’s counteroffer of $6.9 million, represents the largest amount ever given to a starting pitcher who went to arbitration.