Checking in with Pirates’ players and friends in Tuesday’s winter league action…. I’ll be away for a few days, but we’ll catch up with the winter league action when I get back.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Tiburones de La Guaira 7, Leones del Caracas 3
A 5-run 5th inning gave Los Tiburones control of the game. Caracas scored their runs in the first two innings. Reliever Jose Ascanio pitched a perfect top of the 6th for Caracas, including one strikeout.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Tigres del Licey 10, Toros del Este 9
Both teams were on a roll for the first third of the game — Los Toros scored 2 in the 1st, and 3 runs in each of the 2nd and 3rd innings; Los Tigres scored 4 in the 1st and 5 in the 2nd. DH Wily Mo Pena hit a grand slam for Los Tigres in the 1st inning. SS Pedro Ciriaco singled in Los Toros’ 2nd inning, and reached 3rd base with the bases loaded. He did not score, though, as the next batter grounded to third, and Ciriaco was forced out at home on the fielder’s choice play. 1B Matt Hague followed with a single into left field, driving in two runs. Ciriaco reached base on a throwing error in the 3rd inning, and that started another 3-run rally. Three consecutive singles drove in Ciriaco and a second runner, and the third run of the inning scored on a steal of home. Los Toros tied the score with a run in the top of the 6th on a single and a double. Licey answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to again take the lead and the win. Tim Wood pitched the bottom of the 8th for Los Toros, and retired the side in order.
Gigantes del Cibao 4, Leones del Escogido 1
Los Leones were held to just 3 hits, and they scored their only run in the 4th on a single, a walk, a grounder, and a sacrifice fly. 3B Andy Marte went 0-for-2 at the plate.
PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Indios de Mayaguez 6, Gigantes de Carolina 2
Los Indios finished with 5 runs over the last 3 innings for the win. Carolina scored first with a run in the bottom of the 3rd, then Mayaguez countered with a run in the top of the 4th to tie the score. A walk and two errors on the same play gave Los Indios two runs in the top of the 7th. Los Gigantes scored one run in the bottom of the 7th, but Los Indios kept going. 1B Jeremy Farrell led off the top of the 8th with a solo homer. A walk, a double, and an error added a second run in that inning. A single and a triple added Los Indios’ final run in the top of the 9th.
