Cardenales' Cesar Izturis is forced out at second ona double play as Aguilas second baseman Donovan Solano throws to first during the fourth inning of the championship baseball game of Serie de las Americas at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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MIAMI (AP) - Zoilo Almonte broke a tie with a two-run single in the top of the ninth inning to lead Aguilas Cibaenas to a 4-3 victory over Cardenales de Lara on Sunday night in the championship game of the inaugural Serie de las Americas professional baseball tournament at Marlins Park.
Almonte, a switch-hitting free agent who played for the New York Yankees in 2013 and 2014, lined his single between first and second base as the Aguilas, from the Dominican Republic Winter League, took advantage of an error by Cardenales shortstop Gabriel Noriega.
"I think Zoilo was the perfect guy to get that opportunity," said former star major league shortstop Miguel Tejada, who made his debut as Aguilas manager this weekend.
The Cardenales, from the Venezuelan Winter League, had trouble with Aguilas shortstop Jonathan Villar, who hit a solo home run to start the game. Villar, who was traded from Houston to Milwaukee on Thursday, had two hits, two walks and three runs scored.
The biggest baseball stars of the night were in the stands.
Miami Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez, a 2014 National League All-Star and a native of Venezuela, was in attendance, no doubt rooting for his home-country team, the Cardenales.
Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, a native of Cuba and a four-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox, threw out the first pitch.
The attendance was 9,006.
Cardenales' Elvis Escobar (2) is caught in a rundown by Aguilas third baseman Jonathan Villar as Richard Rodriguez (79) trails during the fifth inning during the championship baseball game pf Serie de las Americas at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Cardenales' Elvis Escobar hits a fifth inning triple in front of Aguilas catcher Francisco Pena during their championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Cardenales' Elvis Escobar slides into third for a fifth inning triple in front of Aguilas third baseman Jonathan Villar during their championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Fans dance in the stands to music between innings of play between the Cardenales and the Aguilas during their championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Former major league pitcher Orlando Hernandez,walks on the field before the Cardenales played the Aguilas in the championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Aguilas starting pitcher Kelvin Villa throws against the Cardenales in the first inning during their championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Former major league pitcher Orlando Hernandez signs autographs for fans as the Cardenales played the Aguilas in the championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Aguilas' Jonathan Villar celebrates with teammate Angel Franco (77) after his first-inning home run as Cardenales catcher Anderson De La Rosa looks on at right during their championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Cardenales starting pitcher Edwin Escobar throws against the Aguilas during the first inning of the championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Aguilas' Jonathan Villar, center, celebrates with teammates including coach Jose Moreno (20) after his first-inning home run against the Cardennales during the championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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Aguilas' Jonathan Villar reacts as he crosses home plate after his first-inning home run against the Cardenales during the championship Serie de las Americas baseball game at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
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