In Venezuela tonight, Elias Diaz made his winter debut for Bravos de Margarita. He caught and had a tough night at the plate, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Diaz hit .260/.383/.380 in 50 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League this year.
Matt Nevarez threw a scoreless inning, giving up one intentional walk and striking out two batters. In 18.1 innings, he has 19 strikeouts and he’s allowed just nine hits.
Deolis Guerra pitched his first game since signing with the Pirates. He threw a scoreless eighth inning, retiring all three batters he faced, one by strikeout.
After pitching in the Arizona Fall League and doing well, Joely Rodriguez will continue his off-season in the Dominican. Right now, he is scheduled to start Tuesday night for Gigantes del Cibao. He pitched one game last year for Cibao before being shutdown for the winter. In the AFL, Rodriguez had a 2.38 ERA in 22.2 innings, with 22 strikeouts.
Tony Sanchez went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a sacrifice bunt. He is 1-for-8 in three games. Carlos Paulino was the opposing catcher in the same game. He went 0-for-3 with a walk.
Wirfin Obispo threw one inning, allowing one run on a solo homer. He struck out one and walked none. In 15 appearances, he has throwing 13.1 innings and has a 2.70 ERA, with 17 strikeouts.
Mel Rojas Jr. struck out as a pinch-hitter. He is hitting .237 through 93 at-bats.
Gustavo Nunez went 0-for-3, with a walk, sacrifice bunt and two stolen bases. He has five steals this winter.
In Mexico on Friday night, Sebastian Valle went 0-for-3 with a walk. He just signed with the Pirates as a minor league free agent.
Carlos Munoz pinch-hit and flew out to center field to end the game in his team’s 10-4 loss. Munoz is 1-for-13 this year.
Felipe Gonzalez came on in the seventh inning with two men on and two outs and picked up a strikeout. In the eighth, he gave up a single, then a sacrifice bunt, followed by an intentional walk. A fielding error loaded the bases and that was the end for Gonzalez. All three runners eventually scored, though all three runs were unearned.
