Monthly Archives: November, 2009

With the Rule 5 Draft approaching, the Pirates needed to make some roster moves. They need to clear space on the 40-man roster for pitchers Evan Meek and Jose Ascanio, who will be coming off the 60-day disabled list, and they need to have space available to protect key prospects from the Rule 5 draft, and for free agent signings. So, with that in mind, three players were removed from the 40-man roster:

RHP Virgil Vasquez was outrighted to AAA Indianapolis. He spent most of the 2009 season with Indianapolis, but was called up to the Pirates for about 5 weeks from the end of June until early August. In 7 starts during that time, Vasquez pitched 34 innings and earned a 2-5 record with a 6.09 ERA. He struck out 21, walked 15, and gave up 46 hits. Vasquez returned to the Pirates with the September call-ups, and made 7 relief appearances. He had no decisions or saves, but a 5.29 ERA, with 8 strikeouts, 3 walks, and 8 hits in 10.2 innings. That wasn't enough to keep him on the 40-man.

RHP Eric Hacker came to the Pirates from the Yankees in May 2009. He spent the rest of the minor league season in Indianapolis, where he made 21 starts, for a 5-5 record and a 4.02 ERA. He gave up 135 hits, 46 walks, and struck out 82. Hacker pitched 116.1 innings for Indianapolis, after having also pitched 31.1 innings while still in the Yankees' system, so while he was called up to the Pirates in September, it's not surprising that he was not allowed to pitch a lot of innings. Hacker pitched in 3 games, for a total of 3 innings. He allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, with 2 walks and one strikeout. Hacker needs more time in AAA, and the Pirates are going to gamble that no one else will want to give it to him.

C Steve Lerud played the entire 2009 season with the AA Altoona Curve. He had been added to the Pirates' 40-man roster a year ago, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, but after a so-so season, he's being outrighted to Altoona. Lerud hit .240 for the Curve, with 17 doubles, 4 homers, and 26 RBI. He also had 53 strikeouts. On the defensive side, Lerud threw out only 27% of base stealers. The Pirates were worried that Lerud was going to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft last year, so they put him on the 40-man roster. With his drop off in power this season, they now feel it's unlikely he'd be chosen. He'll be assigned back to AA Altoona.

Thursday evening's action in the winter leagues, involving Pirates' players and friends...

The Dominican League had a scheduled day off on Thursday.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 2, Aguilas de Mexicali 1

Los Venados made full use of the 5 hits they collected, and took advantage of a Mexicali error, to slip by Los Aguilas for the win. Mexicali scored first, when LF Adam Rosales (Reds) walked to lead off the 2nd inning, then went to second on a single, to third on a fly out, and scored on a ground out. The Mazatlan batters could not get much going for the first 5 innings. The only two hits in those innings were a lead-off single in the bottom of the 1st by 2B Brian Bixler, who then stole second base (his 4th), and a single by LF Rogelios Noris to lead off the 3rd. Noris also began the 6th with a single, and moved to second base on a balk. A grounder to short let Noris advance to third base, but he had to hold up on Bixler's grounder to third. Noris scored easily, though, on RF Christian Quintero's triple, and the score was tied. Los Venados took the slim lead in the 7th, when CF Ruben Rivera singled and stole second base. Noris was hit by a pitch, and when SS Heber Gomez grounded to short, a throwing error let Rivera score the go-ahead run. Noris is now hitting .414 in his 10 games for Mazatlan, and he's had at least one hit in all but the first of the 8 games in which he's had a plate appearance. The rookie now has a 7-game hitting streak.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo 5, Tomateros de Culiacan 2

CF Luis Cruz went 2-for-3 and Culiacan posted 11 hits, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hermosillo. Culiacan scored one run on two singles in the 1st, and Cruz loaded the bases with another single in that inning, but they could not push another run across. A double and a single gave Los Tomateros another run in the 3rd, and Cruz followed with another double, but the runner who was trying to score from first base was thrown out at the plate. Hermosillo scored 2 runs in the 2nd and 3 more in the 3rd, including a 2-run homer by former Pirate DH Humberto Cota.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Cardenales de Lara 11, Bravos de Margarita 8

Three walks and a triple followed by a sacrifice fly gave Lara 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th to surge past Margarita for the win. Neither starting pitcher had a good night. Derek Hankins made the start for Lara, and he surrendered 6 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks in 4 innings. After he retired the side in the 1st, Margarita scored 3 runs in the 2nd, on a walk, a double by 3B Neil Walker, another walk, and a bases-clearing triple. Walker's second double of the game plated another run in the 3rd, and a 2-run homer by 2B Ray Olmedo in the 4th brought Los Bravos up to 6 runs.

Former Indy Indian Michael Tejera made the start for Margarita. He also gave up 6 runs (5 earned), but in less than 2 innings, on 5 hits and 2 walks. Two doubles, a single, and a throwing error by Walker gave Lara 3 runs in the 1st inning. A walk, two singles, and two sacrifices plated 3 more runs in the 2nd and chased Tejera from the game. Lara took the lead with a single, two walks, and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 4th. Margarita made it 8-7 in the 7th, on a walk, an RBI double, and an RBI single, but they could not hold off Lara in the 8th.

Tigres de Aragua 6, Caribes de Anzoategui 4

C Raul Chavez made the difference for Aragua, with a 2-run double in the 7th inning. A double, two walks (one by 1B Hector Gimenez) and a 2-RBI single gave Aragua their first two runs in the 2nd inning. A walk, a single by Gimenez, and an RBI single added another run in the 3rd, and SS Ronny Cedeno's triple followed by a single brought in one more in the 4th. Los Caribes kept up, with a run in the 2nd on a double and a single, and two more runs in the 3rd on a double, a single, and a sacrifice fly. A wild pitch and a fileding error after a double gave Los Caribes the tying run in the 5th inning. Cedeno also had a stolen base and a single in the 8th inning. CF Gorkys Hernandez singled and stole a base for Los Caribes in the 4th inning.

Tiburones de La Guaira 7, Navegantes de Magallanes 3

Bobby Livingston faced only two batters over the minimum in his first 4 innings on the mound for La Guaira. He gave up a single in the 1st inning and a walk in the 2nd, and promptly erased both base runners with double plays. His only trouble came in the 5th, when he gave up a walk, a double, and a 3-run homer. He finished with 5.2 innings of work, allowing just those two walks and three hits, with 3 strikeouts, and earned his first winter league win. That was all the scoring Los Navegantes would do in the game. Magallanes SS Argenis Diaz went 0-for-3. Livingston got plenty of run support, as his teammates provided a solo homer in the 2nd, and 3 runs in the 3rd. A wild pitch, and two errors in the 5th contributed to one run by La Guaira in the 5th, and a walk, two singles, and a double gave them two more in the 7th.

Aguilas de Zulia 6, Leones de Caracas 4

Chris Hernandez earned his 6th save of the season for Zulia with a perfect 9th inning, including 2 strikeouts. C Carlos Maldonado struck out twice and was hit by a pitch for Caracas.

Scottsdale Scorpions 8, Surprise Rafters 7

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All three of the Pirates' hitters on the Scorpions contributed to the 4-run rally in the bottom of the 8th inning which sank the Rafters and gave the Scorpions the win.

With the Rafters up 7-4 going in to the bottom of the 8th, C Buster Posey (Giants) struck out to begin the inning. 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) singled, and DH Wilin Rosario (Rockies) homered, bringing the Scorpions within one run of the Rafters. After a ground out, SS Brian Friday lined a single into center field, and 2B Chase d'Arnaud also singled, moving Friday to second base. CF Jose Tabata gave the Scorpions the lead with a double into right field, plating both Friday and d'Arnaud. All that remained was to hold the Rafters off in the top of the 9th, which reliever Matt Reynolds (Rockies) did with two strikeouts and a line out.

Surprise began the game with 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning, off Scottsdale starter Joe Martinez (Giants). Martinez settled down after that, allowing only one single over the next three innings. Edgar Garcia (Phillies) pitched the 5th inning for the Scorpions, and he gave up a run on two doubles, and the Rafters had a 4-0 lead.

The Scorpions were held to just one hit over the first three innings -- a single by Chase d'Arnaud to lead off the bottom of the 1st. Then Wilin Rosario got the Scorpions going with a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the 5th. Two outs later, d'Arnaud doubled and Jose Tabata walked. RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) singled, scoring d'Arnaud, and a fielding error allowed Tabata to come home, putting the Scorpions only one run behind. Both teams scored one run in the 6th, the Rafters on a solo home run, and the Scorpions on Rosario's single and an RBI triple by Brian Friday.

Two more solo homers, one in each of the 7th and the 8th, gave the Rafters their 7-4 lead. Tony Watson pitched the 6th inning for the Scorpions. Besides the lead-off homer, he allowed another single. Danny Moskos pitched the 7th inning, and allowed only the solo homer.

Chase d'Arnaud had a total of 3 hits in the game, two singles and a double. Jose Tabata had a single and a double with two RBI, and Brian Friday had a single and a triple with one RBI. The only Pirate farmhand on the Scorpions who did not get into the game was Donnie Veal, who is scheduled to start the game on Friday.

Checking in on Pirates' players and friends in Wednesday's winter league action:

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey 7, Estrellas de Oriente 2

C Robinzon Diaz supplied the only two RBI for Los Estrellas, with his 2-RBI single in the 2nd inning. The single followed a single and a double, which were half of Los Estrellas hits for the night. Each of the remaining hits were erased with double plays. 2B Pedro Lopez was hitless in two trips to the plate.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Navegantes del Magallanes 6, Bravos de Margarita 3

Three runs in the bottom of the 8th, on two doubles and two singles, broke a 3-3 tie and gave Magallanes the win. Neither 3B Neil Walker nor CF Jonel Pacheco had a hit for Margarita. SS Argenis Diaz was also hitless for Magallanes. LF Mike Ryan had an RBI single in the 3rd inning. Jean Machi earned his 6th save with a perfect 9th inning.

Tiburones de La Guaira 7, Tigres de Aragua 6

Aragua scored on a 2-run homer in the top of the 1st, and then La Guaira took over, scoring 2 runs in each of the 2nd, the 4th, and the 6th innings, plus one more run in the bottom of the 8th. Los Tigres rallied with two homers, a 3-run blast and a solo shot, in the top of the 9th, but fell one run short. 1B Hector Gimenez doubled for Los Tigres in the 1st inning, and SS Ronny Cedeno singled in the 8th.

Leones del Caracas 14, Aguilas de Zulia 8

Los Aguilas might have thought that a 7-run 2nd inning would have helped them to a win, but Los Leones scored 5 in the 1st, 3 in the 3rd, and 4 in the 8th, plus one more in each of the 4th and 9th, to get the win. Ronald Uviedo came on in relief for Caracas after the 7 runs had scored in the 3rd inning. Uviedo finished the inning with a line out, then pitched a scoreless 4th. He gave up two singles and got two outs in the 5th, and was relieved, though neither of those base runners came in to score.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tomateros de Culiacan 3, Naranjeros de Hermosillo 2 (11 innings)

CF Luis Cruz was the hero for Culiacan in the bottom of the 11th inning. With the score tied at 2-2, the inning began with a single, a walk, and a single to load the bases for Cruz. He lined a single into center field to plate the winning run for Los Tomateros. Both teams had scored one run in the 5th inning -- Hermosillo on two singles with a stolen base, and Culiacan with a double, a single, and a sacrifice fly. Both teams scored one run again in the 8th -- Hermosillo with a walk and two singles, and Culiacan with a solo homer. Cruz also singled in the 2nd inning.

Venados de Mazatlan 6, Aguilas de Mexicali 3

LF Rogelios Noris continued to dazzle his hometown fans with a double in the 8th inning. He tried to stretch it into a triple, though, and was thrown out at third base. Mexicali scored their 3 runs all in the 4th inning, tying the game briefly. Mazatlan came back with 2 runs in the 5th on three singles, a walk, and a sacrifice fly. They added one more in the 8th on CF Ruben Rivera's homer.

Surprise Rafters 10, Scottsdale Scorpions 5

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Jose Tabata did the DH'ing today for the Scottsdale Scorpions, and he continued the hot hitting he's been doing for Scorpions. Tabata went 3-for-5 in today's game. That's 10-for-18 in the past 4 games, and 16-for-37 (.432) in his 8-game hitting streak. In 17 games with the Scorpions, Tabata has a .365 average. That leads the Scorpions, and ranks him 7th in the Arizona Fall League.

Unfortunately, Tabata's hits could not carry the Scorpions today. They scored their runs one-at-a-time, with one run in each of 5 different innings. The Rafters scored in "only" four innings, but they had a 5-run 2nd inning and a 3-run 8th. The most telling stat of the day: while each team posted 13 hits, and the Scorpions walked three times to the Rafters' one, the Rafters left just 5 runners on base, but the Scorpions left 11 runners stranded.

The Scorpions started off well, getting onto the scoreboard with one run on a walk, a ground out, and 1B Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks)' RBI single. Tabata's first single of the game led off the 3rd inning, and he advanced to second base on a throwing error. CF Cole Gillespie's (D'backs) single brought Tabata home. Singles by 3B Darin Holcomb (Rockies) and C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) set up Tabata for an RBI single in the 4th, scoring Holcomb. LF Thomas Neal (Giants) homered in the 5th for another Scottsdale run. Neal also had the RBI in the 9th inning, with a single after RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) walked and went to second base on defensive indifference. Tabata also singled in the 6th inning, but was one of the 11 runners left stranded. The Scorpions had at least one base runner on base in each of the innings in which they didn't score.

Bryan Augenstein (D'backs) made the start for the Scorpions but did not make it through that 5-run 2nd inning. He was responsible for one run in the 1st inning, then 4 of the 5 runs that scored in the 2nd. Japan's Tooru Murata relieved Augenstein, but the first batter he faced smacked a 2-run homer (the first of those runs charged to Augenstein). Murata also gave up a solo homer in the 3rd inning. Cesar Valdez (D'backs) got things back under control, pitching two scoreless innings for the Scorpions and allowing only one single. Japan's Takanobu Tsujuichi and Andrew Johnston (Rockies) each pitched one scoreless inning, and each allowed a single. Scott Mathieson took the mound to finish the game for Scottsdale, and he gave up a solo homer to the first batter he faced, then a single and a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th.

The Pirates have traded former Indy Indian Jesse Chavez to the Tampa Bay Rays, in order to acquire 2B Akinori Iwamura.

Chavez came to the Pirates from the Texas Rangers in July 2006, in the trade that sent P Kip Wells to Texas. The California native joined the AAA Indy Indians to finish the 2006 season, appearing in 12 games, and earning a 2-1 record with a 4.24 ERA. He struck out 15 batters in 17 innings. Chavez spent all of 2007 with the Indians, where he pitched 80.1 innings in 46 appearances, all but one in relief. Chavez struck out 65 batters that season. He split the 2008 season between the Indians and the Pirates, making his major league debut on August 27th, after having recorded 14 saves for the Indians in 51 appearances. He made 15 appearances for the Pirates over the rest of the 2008 season. His ERA was 6.60, as he allowed 11 runs on 20 hits over 15 innings, though he also struck out 16 batters. Chavez pitched entirely for the Pirates in 2009, with 73 relief appearances. He earned a 1-4 record and a 4.01 ERA, and struck out 47 batters in 67.1 innings. Chavez was one of the more consistent relievers out of the Pirates' bullpen, and was most effective against lefty hitters, who hit .228 against him.

Peoria Javelinas 3, Scottsdale Scorpions 2

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CF Jose Tabata and 3B Chase d'Arnaud each had a hit, and d'Arnaud swiped three bases, but they couldn't help the Scorpions overtake the Javelinas in Tuesday's AFL play.

Scorpions' starter Chaz Roe (Rockies) gave up a walk and two singles in the first two innings, but kept the Javelinas from scoring. He got into trouble in the 3rd inning, which began with four consecutive singles, scoring two runs. After a strikeout, another single brought in another run, and sent Roe to the showers. That was all the scoring the Javelinas would do, but it was enough. Tom Layne (Diamondbacks) finished the 3rd inning with two ground outs, and he pitched a scoreless 4th inning. Giants' Daniel Turpen and Steve Edlefsen each pitched 2 scoreless innings, with Turpen retiring the side in order in both of his frames. Michael Schwimer (Phillies) threw a scoreless 9th inning.

The Scorpions put at least one base runner on in every inning but the 8th, but had trouble getting the runners around to score. Both Jose Tabata and 1B Brandon Allen (D'backs) walked in the 1st inning, but a double play ended that threat. Chase d'Arnaud singled to lead off the 3rd inning and stole second base, but he was left standing on second when Tabata grounded out. D'Arnaud stole second again in the 7th, after reaching base on a throwing error, but again he was left on base when the inning ended.

Jose Tabata collected the Scorpions' first RBI in the 5th inning. C Wilin Rosario (Rockies) led off the inning with a single, and Chase d'Arnaud followed with a walk. After two strikeouts, one by 2B Brian Friday, Tabata slipped a single into right field, scoring Rosario from second base. A third strikeout ended that inning without further scoring.

RF Cole Gillespie (D'backs) brought the Scorpions within one run of the Javelinas with a home run to begin the 9th inning. With one out, pinch-hitter Domonic Brown (Phillies) lined a double into left field, and a wild pitch let Brown advance to third base. Chase d'Arnaud grounded to third, and while he was safe at first on the fielder's choice, Brown was tagged out at the plate. D'Arnaud stole his third base of the game to move into scoring position at second, but Brian Friday struck out for the fourth time to end the threat and the game.

Yesterday’s trade of Jesse Chavez for Akinori Iwamura was hardly a blockbuster. The Pirates traded a replacement level reliever for an average second baseman,...

Tuesday's action involving Pirates' players and friends in the Winter Leagues:

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Aguilas de Mexicali 6, Venados de Mazatlan 2

Rookie Mazatlan native LF Rogelios Noris went 2-for-4 for Los Venados, but Mazatlan could not catch up to 4 early runs and 2 late runs by Los Aguilas. Noris' fielding error in the 2nd inning contributed to Mexicali's 3-run rally, and former Team USA pitcher Ehren Wasserman (White Sox) allowed the 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits over his 5 innings of work. The Mazatlan batters went down in order for the first three innings, until 2B Brian Bixler led off the 4th inning with a walk. A sacrifice bunt moved Bixler to second base, but he was out at third on a fielder's choice. Noris had Los Venados' first hit, when he singled in the 5th inning, but he was left on base at the end of the inning. Mazatlan scored one run in the 6th, on a double by RF Christian Quintero and an RBI double by 3B Freddy Sandoval. They threatened again in the 8th inning, when they loaded the bases on a single by SS Heber Gomez, a walk by Brian Bixler, and a walk to 1B John Lindsey (Marlins), but a strikeout ended the inning. Mazatlan scored one more run in the bottom of the 9th. With one out, C Miguel Ojeda doubled, Rogelios Noris singled, and Ojeda scored on Gomez's sacrifice fly.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo 6, Tomateros de Culiacan 3

A 4-run 7th inning plus one more in the 9th pushed Hermosillo over Culiacan. Los Tomateros scored one run in the 1st inning on a solo homer, and a 2-run homer in the 3rd took care of their remaining scoring. CF Luis Cruz went 1-for-4 for Culiacan, with a double in the 6th inning.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Navegantes del Magallanes 4, Bravos de Margarita 3 (10 innings)

Two walks, a wild pitch, and a walk-off RBI single gave Magallanes the win in the bottom of the 10th inning. 3B Neil Walker's double after a single in the 2nd inning contributed to Los Bravos' 2-run rally. A hit batter with the bases loaded brought in one run, and Walker raced home from third on a wild pitch. A double and two sacrifice bunts gave Margarita another run in the 7th inning. Two throwing errors, including one by Walker, helped Magallanes tie the score with 2 runs in the 3rd inning. A walk and two singles by Los Navegantes in the bottom of the 7th tied the score again, and set the teams up for extra innings. SS Argenis Diaz went 0-for-2, and LF Mike Ryan was 0-for-3 for Magallanes. Jean Machi pitched a perfect top of the 10th for Magallanes, and he was the pitcher of record and the winning pitcher when the winning run scored in the bottom of the 10th.

Leones del Caracas 5, Tigres de Aragua 0

It was all Caracas, as their pitching staff held Los Tigres to just 4 hits. 1B Hector Gimenez had one of the hits, a single to lead off the 5th inning, but he was out in a double play. C Raul Chavez and SS Ronny Cedeno both went 0-for-4.

Tiburones de La Guaira 9, Caribes de Anzoategui 8

La Guaira scored early, with a 4-run 1st inning and a 5-run 5th. Los Caribes kept chipping away, but fell one run short of catching up. The two teams combined for 25 hits, but CF Gorkys Hernandez went 0-for-2 with a walk for Los Caribes.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Estrellas de Oriente 6, Tigres del Licey 2

C Robinzon Diaz had two of Los Estrellas' 14 hits. He singled in the 1st, after two other singles, a double, and a 2-run homer. 2B Pedro Lopez singled to lead off the 2nd, and he scored the first of two runs on a sacrifice bunt and two more singles. Diaz led off the 5th with a single, but he was doubled off first base in a line-out double play.

It has been seventeen years since the Pirates finished .500. Everyone knows that. Let's have a look at the top 10 things that contributed...

The Pirates have reportedly acquired second baseman Akinori Iwamura from the Tampa Rays for reliever Jesse Chavez. Dejan Kovacevic is reporting that the...

The Arizona Fall League has announced the 2009 Rising Stars roster -- kind of the all-stars of the all-stars. Three of the Pirates' AFL participants have been named to the Rising Stars team:

OF Jose Tabata

IF Chase d'Arnaud

LHP Danny Moskos

Other members of the Scottsdale Scorpions who were named to the Rising Stars roster:

C Buster Posey -- Giants

1B Brandon Allen -- Diamondbacks

OF Domonic Brown -- Phillies

RHP Andrew Johnston -- Rockies

RHP Toru Murata -- Japanese league

LHP Matt Reynolds -- Rockies

The Rising Stars game will be played on Saturday Nov 7th at 6:15 pm (MT -- 8:15 pm Eastern). It will be broadcasted live on the MLB network.

Tabata currently has a .348 average in 15 games with the Scorpions, along with 3 doubles, 2 triples, a home run, and 11 RBI, plus two stolen bases.

D'Arnaud is hitting .200 in 9 games, with 3 doubles, a triple, and 2 RBI.

Moskos has made 7 relief appearances for Scottsdale, going 9.1 innings and allowing 7 runs (6 earned) on 14 hits, 7 walks, and 9 strikeouts.

Pitcher Donnie Veal was named the AFL Pitcher of the Week for Oct 26- Nov 1. Veal made two starts for the Scottsdale Scorpions during the week, and in a combined 7.2 innings he did not allow a run. He gave up 5 hits and 2 walks, and struck out 7 batters in those two games. Veal has a 2-0 record and a league-leading 0.71 ERA. Hitters have a .159 average against him (2nd best in the league).

OTHER NOTES: Former Indy Indians' hitting coach Hensley (Bam Bam) Meulens has been named the hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants. Meulens coached the Giants' AAA team in 2009.