Fatal crash in Venezuela investigated as robbery

Former major leaguers Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo were killed in a Venezuela car crash caused by bandits who then robbed them, officials said.

Valbuena, 33, and Castillo, 37, died late Thursday when their SUV crashed as it tried to veer around an object placed in the road, Yaracuy state Gov. Julio Leon Heredia said, noting four people were detained after being found with the athletes’ property.

Valbuena hit .226 with 114 home runs over 11 major league seasons with five teams. Castillo hit .254 with 39 home runs in five seasons with three teams.

Nationals: Owner Mark Lerner said he doesn’t expect free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper to return to Washington after the six-time All-star turned down the Nationals’ offer of a reported 10 years at $300 million in September.

Phillies: Philadelphia acquired left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez, 29, from the Los Angeles Angels for righthanded reliever Luis Garcia, 31. Each can become a free agent after 2020.

Mets: Jared Banner, 32, was hired as New York’s executive director of player development after he spent the past 11 years in Boston’s front office. minutes to secure a 22-6 lead and remained unbeaten with a 65-44 road victory. Fine finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and four steals, and teammate Kayla Johnson scored a game-high 18 points.

“Defense wins games,” Fine said. “I just feel like that sets the tone for how we play throughout the whole game.”

Fine and Johnson were contributors last season for the Pioneers (8-0), who finished 17-7 in 2017-18 and have won at least 15 games in nine consecutive seasons. Canyon Springs lost nine seniors to graduation, but Pioneers coach Christopher Walker said he’s been pleased with how the new players have meshed with the returning players.

He said he emphasizes communication, especially on defense.

“Incorporating the new pieces in, that could make the difference between a good and bad team,” Walker said. “We’ve done a lot more (culture stuff ) versus the X’s and O’s. We do the X’s and O’s, too, but it’s a lot more culture.”

Fine helps define that culture with her unselfish two-way play, and she scored 11 points in the first half while anchoring a stingy defensive effort. Johnson came alive in the second half, scoring 12 as the Pioneers pulled away.

Canyon Springs has won 14 of its past 15 games dating to last season.

“We wanted to make sure we keep the same energy,” Walker said. “We’re really focused on that. Don’t let up on any team we’re playing. We’ve got to continue to play hard. That’s it, really. We’re just keeping it basic.”

Julia Clark and Lusi Soifua scored 12 apiece to lead Green Valley (1-3).

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Bysamgordon on Twitter.