Checking on Pirates’ players and friends in Sunday’s winter league play… The Australian League takes the early part of the week off, so their next games will be on Thursday (their time).
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Leones del Caracas 6, Bravos de Margarita 0
It was all Caracas in this game, with Los Bravos posting 6 runs, but leaving 8 batters on base (and Caracas left 14 runners on base). Los Leones scored 3 runs in the 1st inning, on 3 walks, a single, and a double. Anthony Claggett relieved Margarita starter Ryan Tatusko in the bottom of the 3rd, after a passed ball and two walks had again loaded the bases. Claggett ended that inning with a tapper back to the mound. He pitched a scoreless 4th, with one single (and that runner was thrown out trying to steal second base). He gave up a solo home run in the 5th, then was relieved to begin the 6th. Jhonathan Ramos took the mound for Los Bravos for the 8th inning. He pitched a scoreless inning, allowing 2 singles.
Navegantes del Magallanes 5, Caribes de Anzoategui 4
Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano made his anticipated winter league debut with Los Caribes today, but did not get out of the 3rd inning. Zambrano gave up a run in the 2nd and a solo homer in the 3rd, then was relieved after allowing another single. Los Navegantes scored 2 more runs in the 4th, for a 4-0 lead. Los Caribes got two runs back in the top of the 5th, aided by a fielding error. Former Pirate Jean Machi came on to pitch the top of the 9th for Magallanes, but gave up a double, a homer, and a double, as Los Caribes tied the score. Los Magallanes earned the walk-off win in the bottom of the 9th with a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and an RBI single. Machi, still the pitcher of record, was awarded the win. Gorkys Hernandez entered the game in the 5th for Los Caribes. Hernandez bounced out to second in his first plate appearance, then doubled after the homer in the top of the 9th.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Leones del Escogido 3, Toros del Este 2
Chris Leroux made the start for Los Toros, but suffered the tough loss. He gave up one run on a single, a wild pitch, and an RBI single in the top of the 1st. Then Leroux allowed only one single over the next four innings, including striking out the side in the 3rd. Leroux began the 6th with a ground out, then gave up a walk and an RBI double. That was the end of Leroux’s outing. Los Leones scored another run in the 8th on a double, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly. Los Toros scored their runs in the bottom of the 8th. A walk and a single put two runners on base, and a double steal moved both into scoring position. Two wild pitches allowed both runners to score. Andy Marte came in as a defensive replacement at 3rd base for Los Leones in the bottom of the 9th. He did not have either a fielding opportunity or an at-bat. 3B Matt Hague went 0-for-4 for Los Toros, and made a missed catch error in the 6th.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Venados de Mazatlan 5, Mayos de Navojoa 0
Los Venados scored one run in the bottom of the 1st, then had a big 4-run 4th inning to secure the win. A double, a single, and a walk loaded the bases in the 4th, and DH Carlos Sievers’ first home run of the season was a grand slam. RF Rogelio Noris went 1-for-4 with a single in the 2nd inning, and stole second base.
PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Criollos de Caguas 6, Leones de Ponce 0
2B Benji Gonzalez had one of Los Leones’ 5 hits, a single in the 7th inning. But between two double plays and 7 runners left on base, Los Leones could not push a run across the plate. A 4-run 6th inning sealed the deal for Los Criollos’ win.
Gigantes de Carolina 6, Indios de Mayaguez 4
Carolina had a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the 7th. That’s when Los Indios loaded the bases with two singles and a walk, bringing 3B Jeremy Farrell to the plate. Farrell slipped a single through the hole and into left field, driving in two runs. Carolina added a run in the top of the 8th, and Mayaguez came back with 2 more runs in the bottom of that frame, on another 2-RBI single, moving the score to 5-4. Los Gigantes added their final run in the top of the 9th. Farrell went 1-for-3.
