Pirates’ players and friend in winter league competition:
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Toros del Este 6, Gigantes del Cibao 5
A 2-run homer in the top of the 8th gave Los Toros the come-from-behind win. Pirate minor leaguer Andy Vasquez came in to pinch run, and he also scored on the home run. Reliever Tim Wood pitched a scoreless bottom of the inning. He gave up two singles, and had some help from his center fielder, who threw out the lead runner at the plate to end the inning. DH Matt Hague went 0-for-3 for Los Toros.
Leones del Escogido 5, Aguilas Cibaenas 3
LF Starling Marte was also hitless for Los Leones. Los Aguilas scored 3 runs in the top of the 3rd. Escogido answered with one run in the bottom of that inning, then 3 runs in the 5th. They added one run more run in the 7th. Andy Marte entered the game as a defensive replacement at third base in the 7th inning. He singled in the 8th inning, and was replaced by a pinch runner, though that runner did not score.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Caribes de Anzoategui 3, Aguilas de Zulia 0
Los Caribes scored 2 runs in the top of the 1st with a single, a triple, and an RBI ground out. A solo homer in the 5th gave them their third run. In the top of the 9th, Gorkys Hernandez came on to pinch run after a single and one out, but a pop out and a ground out ended the inning without Hernandez able to score. Hernandez remained in the game for the bottom of the 9th. With one out in the bottom of the 9th, former Pirate C Carlos Maldonado doubled, and he was also replaced by a pinch runner. A ground out and a line out ended that scoring opportunity as well, and Los Caribes had the win.
