After the Caribbean leagues took their usual Sunday off, they’re back in action, with a few Pirates’ players and friends:
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Leones del Escogido 3, Gigantes del Cibao 2
Starling Marte started this game in center field for Los Leones. Los Gigantes scored two runs, both coming in on RBI singles up the middle, which Marte handled. Marte made the third out of the inning on a fly ball. Then, after one out in the bottom of the inning, Marte’s spot in the batting order came up — and he was replaced by a pinch hitter. Not sure what was going on, and no more info available at this point. Escogido scored a run in the bottom of the 4th, and took the lead with 2 more runs in the 6th. Andy Marte pinch hit for Escogido in the bottom of the 7th, and walked. Another walk, the third of the inning, loaded the bases with Leones. Former Pirate farmhand Juan Perez came on in relief for Los Gigantes, and he ended the inning with a ground out, leaving the bases loaded. (UPDATE: no further word yet from Los Leones as to what happened to Marte. I’ll keep watching.)
Toros del Este 5, Tigres del Licey 3
Los Tigres got things started with a 3-run 2nd inning, on a triple and four singles. Los Toros returned fire in the bottom of the 3rd. A single, a walk, and a single brought in one run. 3B Matt Hague lined a single into left field, driving in the second run of the inning. A double brought in the tying run. Los Toros broke the tie in the bottom of the 8th. Two walks off former Indy Indian (2002-04) Roberto Giron, plus a ground out put two Toros runners into scoring position. A single lined into center field drove both runners in to give Los Toros the lead and the win. Hague went 1-for-3 with a walk.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Caribes de Anzoategui 1, Bravos de Margarita 0
Los Caribes scored the only run of the game in the 2nd inning, on a double and a walk, then a passed ball and an RBI ground out. Gorkys Hernandez entered the game in the bottom of the 8th for Los Caribes, to play center field. He did not get a plate appearance. Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Bellisario pitched a perfect top of the 9th for Margarita.
