Monthly Archives: January, 2010

According to multiple reports, the Pirates are close to signing reliever Octavio Dotel. The contract is expected to be worth much less than...

Wednesday night's playoff action in the winter league playoffs with Pirates' players and friends: PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Gigantes de Carolina 8, �Leones de Ponce 7 SS Greg Picart tripled in two runs for Ponce in their bottom of the 9th rally, and he scored on the next ground out, but the rally fell short as a fly out and a strike out ended the inning and the game. �Picart also walked and scored on a double in the 1st inning, and two singles and a throwing error gave Ponce a 3-run start. �Carolina scored 2 runs in the top of the 2nd, and Ponce maintained their lead with another run in the bottom of the inning. �But Carolina burst out with 5 runs in the 7th and another run in the 8th. �Reliever Jorge Charry pitched to 4 batters for Ponce in the 7th inning, and gave up two RBI singles. �Ponce recorded a total of 14 runs to Carolina's 11. �Picart singled in the 5th but was erased in a double play. Criollos de Caguas 8, �Indios de Mayaguez 3 Mayaguez scored 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning, and Caguas responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning, sparked by doubles by CF Luis Matos and SS Luis Figueroa. Things got very quiet for the next several innings, and some rain delayed the proceedings for a time. �Then Caguas poured it on in the last two innings. �They scored 4 runs on two walks (one by Matos) and three doubles, and Figueroa's double cleared the bases for 3 RBI. �Two more runs came across the plate in the 8th on two walks and two singles. DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Toros del Este 6, �Gigantes del Cibao 1 Toros' starter Raul Valdes pitched 8 innings and allowed only 3 hits for one run to earn the win. �1B Yurendell de Caster was one of several players in Los Toros' lineup to get 2 hits, for a total of 15 hits. �De Caster led off the 2nd inning with a single, but was left on base. �He singled again in the 3rd inning, one of 4 singles in the inning. �Los Toros scored 2 runs in the inning, but de Caster was thrown out at the plate. �Los Toros scored another 4 runs in the 8th inning to put the game away. Leones de Escogido 3, �Tigres del Licey 1 Escogido recorded just 4 hits while Licey put up 8, but Los Leones still came out on top. �Licey's only run came in the 5th, when DH Wily Mo Pena led off with a double, C Ronny Paulino reached on a fielding error, and a single scored Pena. �LF Timo Perez singled and Paulino doubled in the 7th inning, but Perez was thrown out at the plate. � Escogido scored a run in the bottom of the 1st, with an RBI double. �They got another run in the 4th on a single and a fielding error. �In the 5th, a single, a sacrifice bunt, a steal of third and a steal of home gave Escogido their third run. VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Navegantes del Magallanes 4, �Aguilas de Zulia 3 A 3-3 tie lasted from the 4th inning into the top of the 9th, when Magallanes scored the go-ahead run on a double, a wild pitch, and an RBI single. �Jean Machi retired the side in order, including 2 strikeouts, in the bottom of the 9th to earn his 3rd playoff save. �Argenis Diaz got into the game in the 9th also, as a defensive replacement at shortstop, though the lone ground ball did not come to him. �DH Mike Ryan brought in Magallanes first run with an RBI double in the top of the 1st. �He also singled in the 5th but was forced out at second base. Tiburones de La Guaira 6, �Bravos de Margarita 5 La Guaira took the early lead with 2 runs in the 2nd inning, on a walk, an error, an RBI single, and two more walks to force in another run. �Margarita came back to tie it up with 2 runs in the top of the 4th, and then took the lead with 3 more runs in the 5th inning. �1B Hector Gimenez doubled in the 3rd and walked in the 6th, but didn't score either time. �He made up for it in the 8th inning, though. �After a walk, a single, and a squeeze bunt brought in one run, two more walks loaded the bases for Gimenez, who responded with a line drive into center field for a bases-clearing triple, to take the win. MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE Naranjeros de Hermosillo 4, �Tomateros de Culiacan 2 Neither team scored a run in the first 5 innings -- both teams put base runners on, but most of them were erased in double plays, picked off, or caught stealing. �Culiacan scored the first run in the top of the 6th on two walks, a sacrifice bunt, and a fielding error. �Hermosillo woke up too, and scored 3 runs in the bottom of the inning, which also involved a fielding error and two sacrifice flies. �Each team scored one more run in the 8th inning, Culiacan on a walk and three singles, and Hermosillo on a double, a walk, and a single. �2B Luis Cruz singled in the 7th for Culican, but he was also erased in a subsequent double play. �Hermosillo leads this best-of-7 series 2 games to none. Venados de Mazatlan 7, �Yaquis de Obregon 0 Mazatlan scored 2 runs in the 4th and 5 runs in the 5th, while holding Obregon to just 3 hits. �Starter Pablo Ortega pitched 7 shutout innings and allowed the 3 hits, no walks, and struck out 5. �Rogelios Noris did not get into the game, though. �Mazatlan now has a 2 games to 0 lead in the best-of-7 series.

The Pirates' voluntary mini-camp opened in Bradenton today, with two dozen pitchers plus assorted other position players. �Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has photos and a video. Everyone is very mindful of the open bullpen possibilities, so while this mini-camp is "voluntary", it's quite clear that it's a very good way to put the best foot forward.

Pitchers in Bradenton: �starters Paul Maholm, Zach Duke, Ross Ohlendorf, Charlie Morton; Ramon Aguero, Brian Burres, Vinnie Chulk, Anthony Claggett, Kevin Hart, Joel Hanrahan, Steven Jackson, Chris Jakubauskas, Jeff Karstens, Brad Lincoln, Javier Lopez, Daniel McCutchen, Evan Meek, Bryan Morris, Jeremy Powell, Jack Taschner, Justin Thomas, Ronald Uviedo, Virgil Vasquez, Donnie Veal.

And position players: �catchers Ryan Doumit, Jason Jaramillo, Erik Kratz; �Garrett Jones, Andy LaRoche, Lastings Milledge, Ramon Vazquez, Delwyn Young

And, some of our minor leaguers are working out in the afternoons: �pitchers Nate Adcock, Ryan Beckman, Colton Cain, Kyle Bloom, Jeff Locke, Dustin Molleken, Brooks Pounders, Aaron Pribanic, Jeff Sues;

and�position players: �Calvin Anderson, Jarek Cunningham, Jose De Los Santos, Shelby Ford, Eric Fryer, Robbie Grossman, Brock Holt. �Cunningham missed all of last season after he injured his knee in spring training and needed surgery.

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Signing notes: �The Pirates announced three more players signed to minor league contracts.

One, INF/OF Brian Myrow was discussed a while back -- maybe he'd agreed to the contract back then (but he was still playing in the Dominican League at that time), and now he's actually put ink on paper. �All three of these players have been invited to major league spring training.

Reliever Brian Bass, a 28-year-old right-hander from Alabama, has the best chance at one of the major league bullpen spots. �He was the Royals' 6th round pick in the 2000 draft, and worked his way up through their system, reaching the AAA level in Omaha in 2006, but just for 7 games. �He was injured that season, and only made 16 appearances total (one in relief). �In 2005, Bass made 27 starts for AA Wichita, where he had a 12-8 record and a 5.24 ERA. �In a whopping 165 innings, he allowed 185 hits, 96 earned runs, 53 BB, and struck out 102 batters. �Bass became a free agent after that season, and signed with the Twins. �He pitched for their AAA Rochester Red Wings in 2007, making another 27 starts and 10 relief appearances, but this time for "only" 103.1 innings, with 96 hjits, 24 BB, and 80 K. �He earned a 7-3 record and a 3.48 ERA. �He spent most of 2008 with Minnesota, making 44 appearances, all in relief, for 68.1 innings, with 84 hits, 37 earned runs, 22 BB, and 32 K. �He struggled in August, though, and after a brief stint back in Rochester, he was traded to the Orioles. �After finishing the 2008 season in Baltimore, he returned there for the 2009 season. �Bass made 48 relief appearances, earning a 5-3 record (no saves), and a 4.90 ERA. �In 86.1 innings, he still allowed a lot of hits (106), with 47 earned runs, 44 BB, and 54 K. �If he doesn't make one of those bullpen spots, look for Bass to start the season in Indianapolis, and hope for a chance to move up to Pittsburgh later in the season.

C Luke Carlin is a 29-year old who will likely join the Indianapolis Indians. �The Maryland native was picked by the Tigers in the 10th round of the 2002 draft. �He played for the Tigers' NY-Penn League Oneonta team for the rest of that season but hit only .227 in 45 games and was released the following spring. �The Padres snatched him �up and that seemed to be a better fit. �Carlin moved up through their organization, reaching the AAA level (Portland) in 2006. �He hit .266 with 14 doubles, 4 homers, and 29 RBI that season. �Carlin hit .220 for Portland in 2007, but didn't homer and had only 17 RBI in 98 games. �The 2008 season was better -- .261 in 31 games with 4 homers and 19 RBI. �He made his major league debut in May 2008, and appeared in 36 games for the Padres, with 1 homer and 6 RBI. �Carlin signed with the Diamondbacks for 2009 and split the season between Arizona and Reno. �He hit .361 in 72 games in Reno, with 17 doubles, 7 homers, and 35 RBI, but hit only .167 in 10 games for Arizona.

Dejan reports that the Pirates have reached an agreement with reliever D.J. Carrasco on a minor league contract. Carrasco has been solid the...

Winter league playoff action on Tuesday with Pirates' players and friends.... The Dominican League took the day off. PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Indios de Mayaguez 3, �Criollos de Caguas 1 There was no scoring until the 7th inning, when Mayaguez scored one run on two singles, a ground out, and a wild pitch. �They picked up another run in the 8th on a solo homer, and then scored again in the 9th on three singles. �Caguas was held to just 4 hits. �CF Luis Matos, the first batter of the game for Los Criollos, lined a single up the middle. �He was erased in a double play, and the next 12 Caguas batters were retired. �After a walk in the 5th, 8 more Criollos went down in order. �A single in the 8th was eliminated with another double play. �Caguas finally scored their only run in the 9th. �A walk, a single, and a ground out put runners on the corners, then a single brought in the runner from third base. Gigantes de Carolina 8, �Leones de Ponce 7 It was a tough night for reliever RJ Rodriguez. With the score tied at 2-2 going into the bottom of the 9th, Carolina opened the inning with a solo homer, a double, and a sacrifice bunt to put a runner on third base. �Rodriguez was called in for relief, but he gave up a walk, three consecutive singles, and a ground rule double before being lifted. �The inherited run scored, then three more runs came in, charged to Rodriguez. ��Ponce rallied for 4 runs in the top of the 8th on a double and five singles, then three singles and a throwing error tied the score at 7-7 in the top of the 9th. �But three singles and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning gave the win to Carolina. VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Leones del Caracas 7, �Bravos de Margarita 6 C Carlos Maldonado blasted a 2-run homer in the 4th for Caracas, one of five home runs in the game, and the second for Caracas in the bottom of the 4th. �Maldonado also singled in the 2nd inning, but did not score. �The single came after LF Jose Castillo homered in that inning. �Castillo also singled twice and was hit by a pitch. �Caracas was leading 4-3 after the 5th inning, and they scored single runs in the 7th and 8th. �Margarita also scored a run in the 8th, and tied the score at 6-6 with two runs in the top of the 9th, which featured four singles, a throwing error, and the ejection of the Margarita shortstop and his manager after a strikeout. �Margarita came right back in the bottom of the frame with a lead-off double, a sacrifice bunt, two intentional walks (one to Castillo) and a pinch-hit RBI single gave Caracas the walk-off win. Navegantes del Magallanes 7, �Aguilas de Zulia 4 In the first three innings, each batter who reached base for either team (two singles and a fielding error) was immediately erased by a double play. �Magallanes broke the pattern in the top of the 4th, when a triple and a hit batter put runners on the corners. �DH Mike Ryan bounced back to the mound and was safe at first when the runner from third was tagged out at the plate. �A walk, a single, and a sacrifice fly brought in two runs for Magallanes. �Everything was quiet again until the top of the 8th, when Ryan singled and RF Richard Hidalgo blasted a 2-run homer for Los Navegantes. �In the bottom of the inning, four singles and a walk brought in two runs and left the bases loaded, as Jean Machi was brought in to deal with the mess. �The first batter Machi faced grounded out, but the runner scored from third base. �Then a wild pitch allowed another run to cross the plate. �After an intentional walk, a ground out ended the inning. �Chris Hernandez came on to pitch for Zulia in the top of the 9th. �He got two strikeouts, then gave up a single, a walk, and another single, but was saved by his right fielder, who threw out the lead batter at the plate. �The bottom of the 9th, and the 10th and 11th innings were quiet. �Finally in the top of the 12th, two 2-out singles and a 3-run homer gave Magallanes a 7-4 lead. �Los Navegantes' reliever Gabriel Garcia quickly retired the side in the bottom of the 12th to earn the win. MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE Naranjeros de Hermosillo 8, �Tomateros de Culiacan 5 Two home runs by 2B Luis Cruz were not enough for Culiacan. �Hermosillo scored one run in the 1st inning, then 3 runs in the 2nd inning. �With one out in the 7th inning, a fielding error put a runner on base, then three consecutive home runs (off two pitchers) brought in 4 more runs. �Culiacan scored in the 1st inning also, on two doubles. �Cruz hit a 2-run homer in the 6th inning, SS Ramiro Pena homered in the 7th, and Cruz knocked a solo homer in the 8th. Venados de Mazatlan 4, �Yaquis de Obregon 1 A solo homer in the 2nd inning gave Obregon their only run, as they were held to just 5 hits, plus 5 walks. �Mazatlan managed only 6 hits, but made better use of them. � A single, two doubles, and a fielding error gave Mazatlan 3 runs in the 3rd inning. �A single, a bunt, and another single gave them an insurance run in the 7th inning. �Hometown rookie�Rogelios Noris got into the game as a pinch-runner in the 8th inning, and got as far as second base but did not score.

It doesn't take much to get my baseball juices flowing.  The first photo of the year that involves infield dirt brings a smile to...

A few winter league playoff games on Monday....The Mexican Pacific League will begin the semifinal round of the playoffs tomorrow, with Los Venados de Mazatlan playing a series against Los Yaquis de Obregon, and Los Tomateros de Culiacan (wild card team) facing Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo. �Those should also be 7-game series. DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS The Dominican round robin tournament will finish up this week. �Los Gigantes del Cibao are currently in first place, with a 9-4 record. �Los Leones del Escogido are in second place, 2 games back, with a 7-6 record. Gigantes del Cibao 4, �Leones del Escogido 3 Reliever Juan Perez earned a save for Los Gigantes by pitching to just one batter in the top of the 9th. �Escogido was leading 3-2 going into the bottom of the 7th inning. �That's when a walk, two sacrifice bunts, a throwing error, and two RBI singles gave Los Gigantes the lead. �Perez took the mound with two outs, and he got 1B Kevin Barker to hit a foul pop to end the game. Tigres del Licey 10, �Toros del Este 1 Licey held Los Toros to just 4 hits. �One of the hits was a triple to lead off the 8th inning, and an RBI grounder pushed the runner across the plate for the only Toros run. �1B Yurendell de Caster went 0-for-4 for Los Toros. �Licey scored one run in the 1st on three singles, including one by CF Jose Bautista. C Ronny Paulino walked to begin the 2nd inning, and after two singles, a double, two walks, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly, 4 more Licey runs had scored. �Paulino also led off the 3rd inning, this time with a single, and 2 additional runs scored. �Paulino contributed an RBI single in the 6th, and a triple and two singles brought in 2 more runs in the 8th. �Denny Bautista pitched the 7th inning for Licey, and gave up a lone single, while striking out two batters. VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Los Navegantes del Magallanes remains in first place in the round robin portion of the playoffs, with Los Leones del Caracas in second place. �The round robin tournament continues through Jan 19th, and the next round begins on Jan 21st. Navegantes del Magallanes 10, �Leones del Caracas 2 Caracas scored a run in the 1st inning and another in the 8th, but that was no match for the surging Navegantes. �Magallanes doubled Caracas' hits (14 - 7). �After four quiet innings to begin the game, Magallanes scored in four of the last five innings, including 4 runs in the top of the 9th. �C Carlos Maldonado went 0-for-3 with a walk for Caracas. Bravos de Margarita 8, �Tiburones de La Guaira 2 Margarita scored 4 runs in the 4th and another 3 runs in the 7th, while holding Los Tiburones to just 2 hits and 2 runs. �Both of the hits, a triple and a single, came in the top of the 4th, bringing in the first of La Guaira's runs. �The second run came in the 6th inning without a hit recorded -- three walks and a sacrifice fly by 1B Hector Gimenez. The only other base runner for La Guaira after the 4th inning reached base on a walk in the 8th inning, but was erased in a double play. PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS The Puerto Rican round robin portion of the playoffs ends on Thursday, with the next round started on Friday. �Los Lobos de Arecibo are in first place of the round robin portion, with Los Gigantes de Carolina and Los Criollos de Caguas tied for second place. �None of the Pirates' players or friends appeared in Monday's games.

It was reported this morning that the Pirates are talking to free agent Ryan Church, with one report stating that a deal is close....

The winter league playoffs continue on Sunday evening.... with some Pirates' players and friends: MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Venados de Mazatlan 2, �Tomateros de Culiacan 1 �(1o innings) Mazatlan was one win away from winning the 7-game first-round series, but Culiacan won two games in a row to force Game 7. �Still not ready to be done, the two teams kept it going into extra innings. �Culiacan scored one run in the 4th inning on a walk, a ground out, and a single. �Mazatlan responded with a run in the 5th on a double and an RBI single by LF Jon Weber (Rays). �Neither team did much over the next few innings. �Los Venados threatened in the 8th inning with runners on the corners, but couldn't score. �Culiacan had runners on first and second base in the 9th, but a grounder force out by 2B Luis Cruz and a strikeout ended the inning without a run scoring. �Culiacan threatened again in the top of the 10th, when a double and a missed catch error put a runner on third base. �A bouncer to the third baseman put another runner on first base with a hit, but it was too close for the runner to try to score, and he didn't get another chance. �Finally in the bottom of the 10th, Weber began the inning for Mazatlan with a single up the middle, and a sacrifice bunt put him on second base. �After an intentional walk, DH Lorenzo Buelna singled into left field, bringing in Weber with the walk-off win, and advancing Mazatlan to the next round of the playoffs. VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Leones del Caracas 4, �Aguilas de Zulia 3 Romulo Sanchez had the bad luck for Zulia. �Los Aguilas took advantage of an error to score their first run in the 3rd inning, and they added 2 more runs in the top of the 6th with two solo home runs. �Caracas scored in the 2nd inning when LF Jose Castillo led off with a single, stole second base, advanced to third on an error, and scored on an RBI ground out. �A walk, a wild pitch, and two ground outs brought in Caracas' second run in the bottom of the 6th. �Zulia held the 3-2 lead until the bottom of the 8th inning, when Sanchez took over on the mound. �He got the first out, then gave up a walk and a single plus a throwing error, to tie the score (Blown Save for Sanchez). � A sacrifice fly scored a second run for Caracas and Sanchez was charged with the loss. Tiburones de La Guaira 5, �Bravos de Margarita 3 Four runs in the 5th inning gave La Guaira the edge over Margarita. �Los Tiburones had scored one run in the top of the 1st, on two walks and 1B Hector Gimenez's RBI single. �Margarita tied it up in the 3rd when a bases-loaded walk forced in a run. �In the 5th, La Guaira took the lead with a 3-run homer, and a double, a walk by Gimenez, and an RBI single added another run. �Margarita scored again with a solo homer in the 7th and another run in the bottom of the 9th, but it wasn't enough. PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Criollos de Caguas 7, �Gigantes de Carolina 3 �(Game 1, �7 innings) CF Luis Matos and SS Luis Figueroa each had 2 singles for Caguas and scored 3 runs between them. �Matos walked to lead off the game, went to second on Figueroa's single, advanced on a walk, and scored on a double-play. �Carolina responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, and took the lead with 3 runs in the 3rd. �Caguas got closer with a solo homer in the 4th. �Then in the top of the 7th, Caguas punched 5 runs, beginning with back-to-back singles by Matos and Figueroa. �Another single loaded the bases, and a double swept the bases clean. �Two more runs came in on two RBI singles, and Los Criollos had the win. Criollos de Caguas 6, �Gigantes de Carolina 2 �(Game 2, �7 innings) Caguas broke a 2-2 tie with 4 runs in the top of the 7th inning. �After a single and a sacrifice bunt by SS Luis Figueroa, a hit batter, three more singles, and a fielding error brought in the 4 runs. DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Gigantes del Cibao 2, �Tigres del Licey 1 CF Jose Bautista smacked a solo home run in the top of the 1st inning for Licey, and that was all the scoring that Los Tigres would do. �They managed only 5 more hits (plus 3 walks) for the remainder of the game. �Ronny Paulino pinch-hit in the 9th inning, and took an intentional walk with a runner on third base, but both were left on base. �Juan Perez pitched the 7th and 8th innings for Los Gigantes, and retired six Tigres in order, including 3 strikeouts. �Los Gigantes scored one run in the 3rd, on a single, a stolen base, and an RBI single. �The score remained tied until the bottom of the 10th, when the first batter of the inning reached base on a fielding error. �The next batter dropped �down a bunt, but Paulino's throw to first went wide for an error, and Los Gigantes had runners on second and third. �An intentional walk loaded the bases, and an RBI single brought the winning run across the plate. Leones del Escogido 7, �Toros del Este 1 Escogido held Los Toros to just 3 hits, while recording 13 hits and two 2-run homers of their own. �Los Toros' only run came in the 5th, on a lead-off single, a bunt, a stolen base, and an RBI ground out. �1B Yurendell de Caster went 0-for-3 with a walk for Los Toros. �Escogido scored in three consecutive innings, and capped it off with a 3-run 7th inning.

I just stumbled upon this top ten list of Scott Rolen defensive plays at The Blue Jay Hunter. I immediately decided to make...

Pirates' players and friends in the winter league playoffs on Saturday evening... VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Tiburones de La Guaira 2. �Leones de Caracas 1 1B Hector Gimenez's solo home run to lead off the bottom of the 7th inning was the game-winner for Los Tiburones. �There was a total of only 9 hits in this game -- 5 by Caracas and 4 by La Guaira, and the pitching duel included only 3 walks. �La Guaira scored the first run in the bottom of the 1st, on a single and a double. �There was no more scoring until the top of the 7th, when Caracas scored a run without benefit of a hit -- a fielding error, a wild pitch, a tag-up on a fly out, and an RBI ground out. �That set up Gimenez for his big blast in the bottom of the inning to break the tie. Navegantes del Magallanes 10, �Aguilas de Zulia 6 Magallanes scored 9 runs over the first three innings and added another run in the 5th, and just didn't let Zulia catch up. �A double and four singles, including one by DH Mike Ryan, started them off with 3 runs in the 1st. �RF Alex Escobar gave them a grand slam in the 2nd inning, and then two more in the 3rd with a 2-RBI single. �Argenis Diaz came into the game as a defensive replacement in the 7th inning, and grounded out in his only plate appearance. DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Leones del Escogido 3, �Toros del Este 1 Los Toros posted only 4 hits, and their only run came on a solo homer in the 8th inning. �Even the usually productive 1B Yurendell de Caster was hitless in 4 trips to the plate. �Escogido scored one run in the 1st on two doubles, and scored again in the 7th on two singles and a double steal. �They also picked up an insurance run in the 9th on a single and an RBI double by 1B Kevin Barker. Gigantes del Cibao 8, �Tigres del Licey 4 Los Gigantes scored in four consecutive innings, including back-to-back 3-run innings. �Licey scored their first run in the bottom of the 1st on CF Jose Bautista's triple plus a throwing error. �Bautista walked to begin the 4th inning, and that was followed by a single, a walk to C Ronny Paulino, and two more RBI singles. �Their final run came in the bottom of the 9th, on three singles. �Denny Bautista pitched to two batters in the top of the 9th and retired both. MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Tomateros de Culiacan 5, �Venados de Mazatlan 3 For the second time in a row, Culiacan avoided elimination in this best-of-seven series with a win over Mazatlan. �Los Venados had a 3-1 lead going into the 7th inning. �With one out in the top of the 7th, Culiacan loaded the bases with an error, a walk, and a single. �A bases-clearing triple by 3B Mike McCoy (Blue Jays) brought in 3 runs, and another single brought McCoy across the plate. �Mazatlan could not answer, and the series will continue with Game 7 tomorrow. �2B Luis Cruz went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt for Culiacan. �Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo beat Los Mayos de Navojoa to win their series 4 games to 2. �Los Yaquis de Obregon have already won their series over Los Aguilas de Mexicali to move to the next round.

Dejan Kovacevic took a look at NL Central payrolls this morning. This is something that I have been contemplating a bit recently. ...