warming up

Blasts from the past are everywhere in the Caribbean, where the winter leagues are winding up. Former Jackson Generals standout Julio Lugo delivered a walk-off hit for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League playoffs on Tuesday, and ex-Mississippi Braves star Gregor Blanco hit a three-run homer to help La Guaira win in the Venezuelan Winter League postseason. On Monday, M-Braves alumnus Diory Hernandez picked up a couple of RBIs in Cibao’s victory in the DWL, and Donell Linares, the M-Braves third baseman in 2010-11, drove in a run for Licey in a losing cause. Former M-Braves slugger Matt Esquivel homered on Monday in a loss for Navojoa in the Mexican Pacific League playoffs, and M-Braves alum Iker Franco scored a couple of runs in a win by Obregon. Antoan Richardson, who played outfield for the M-Braves in 2010-11, leads the Puerto Rican Winter League in stolen bases (with seven), while ex-M-Braves masher Barbaro Canizares tops the Mexican league in homers with 20.