Checking in with Pirates’ players and friends in Winter League action:
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Toros del Este 6, Estrellas de Oriente 3
Los Estrellas took an early lead with solo homers in the 1st and 2nd innings, but Los Toros answered beginning in the 4th inning, when they scored on a single, an RBI triple, an RBI ground out, and a solo homer by Pirates’ 3B Matt Hague. Los Toros added a run with a solo homer by LF Wilkin Ramirez in the 5th. Two hit batters and a single by Hague loaded the bases for Los Toros in the 8th. Two runs came in on a single through the hole into left field.
Tigres del Licey 4, Leones del Escogido 3
The Big Cats battled it out, with each team scoring 3 runs in back-to-back innings. Los Tigres scored their 3 runs on a double and four singles in the bottom of the 4th. Los Leones tied it up with 3 runs in the top of the 5th, with a double, a walk, and two singles — one for one RBI and one for two RBI. A walk and a triple by Los Tigres in the bottom of the 6th broke the tie, and that was all the scoring for the game. CF Starling Marte singled in the top of the 4th, stole second, and advanced to third base when Los Tigres’ catcher made a throwing error on the stolen base play. Marte also made a fielding error in center during Los Tigres’ rally in the 4th. Andy Marte entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 8th, and flied out. He remained in the game to play 3rd base for the bottom of the inning.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Caribes de Anzoategui 9, Cardenales de Lara 2
A 6-run 6th inning gave Los Caribes their big boost. That inning included a 2-run double, then a walk, two singles, and two doubles. CF Gorkys Hernandez had one of those RBI singles, through the hole into left field, then he scored on a subsequent double. Hernandez reached base on a fielding error in the 8th, but was erased in a double play.
Tiburones de La Guaira 3, Leones del Caracas 0
Los Leones were held to just one hit, plus two walks, as Los Tiburones’ starter Les Walrond gave up that one hit in the 2nd inning and struck out 7 batters in 6.1 shutout innings. La Guaira posted 10 hits and scored 2 runs in the 1st and one run in the 3rd. Pirates’ Ramon Cabrera pinch hit in the 8th inning for Caracas, but struck out.
