A few Pirates’ players and friends in winter league action:
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Aguilas Cibaenas 5, Toros del Este 2
Starter Aaron Thompson, who pitched for both Altoona and Indianapolis in 2011, made his Dominican League debut tonight, joining manager Dean Treanor’s Toros. Thompson got off to a good start, allowing just one single over the first two innings. He gave up two unearned runs in the 2nd, on a throwing error at third base, and an inside-the-park home run by Aguilas’ Hector Luna. Thompson gave up a walk and a single in the 4th, but got out of the jam with a double play. He gave up two singles in the 5th, though picked one of the runners off base. Thompson was relieved with one out and one on. That runner came around to score another unearned run on a stolen base and a throwing error by his catcher. Los Toros posted their two runs in the top of the 6th, when the first three batters of the inning singled, singled, and doubled. But Los Aguilas got the two runs right back in the bottom of the frame with back-to-back solo homers. Matt Hague did not get into tonight’s game.
Estrellas de Oriente 5, Leones del Escodigo 2
Los Leones were held to just 3 hits in their loss. One of those hits was a single in the top of the 1st by CF Starling Marte, though Marte did not come around to score. Los Leones had only one runner reach base over the next three innings (a walk). They scored their first run in the 5th, when they loaded the bases with a single, a walk, and a hit batter. A wild pitch, with Marte at the plate, allowed the runner from third to score. A double, a ground out by Marte to move the runner to third base, and a sacrifice fly brought in their other run in the 8th. 3B Andy Marte went 0-for-4 in the game. Former Pirate farmhand DH Rich Thompson went 2-for-4 for Los Estrellas. He singled and raced around to score in the 5th, and also singled in Los Estrellas’ rally in the 7th.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Navegantes del Magallanes 8, Tigres de Aragua 1
Only 4 hits for Los Tigres, and only one run. In the top of the 2nd, LF Lastings Milledge reached base on a fielding error, then scored Los Tigres’ only run on two singles. Milledge’s double in the 4th, following 1B Hector Gimenez’s walk, was the only extra-base hit for Aragua. Gimenez walked 3 times in the game. Aragua held the lead for one inning, then Los Navegantes scored 3 runs in the 4th, one in the 5th, and 2 each in the 6th and 7th.
Caribes de Anzoategui 10, Bravos de Margarita 3
A 5-run 7th inning capped Los Caribes’ scoring, involving a double, two singles, three walks, and an error. After all the scoring was done, Gorkys Hernandez smacked a pinch-hit double in the bottom of the 8th, though did not score. He remained in the game for the top of the 9th, playing left field. He had no fielding opportunities, though watched a 2-run homer sail over the left field wall.
