The playoffs continue in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, with a few Pirates’ players and friends…
PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Criollos de Caguas 5, Leones de Ponce 4
Ponce scored early, but Los Criollos came from behind to take the win. Los Leones’ first batter of the game put them onto the scoreboard with a solo home run. The 2nd inning began with a single, followed by a 2-run homer. After a triple, SS Benji Gonzalez brought in Los Leones’ final run with a sacrifice fly. Gonzalez also singled in the 4th inning, but was erased in a double play. Los Leones put at least one runner on base in all but two of their remaining innings, but could not bring anyone around to score. Los Criollos missed out on opportunities in the first three innings, but began their scoring with a solo home run in the 4th. A 3-run homer in the 5th inning tied the score at 4-4. They took the lead in the bottom of the 6th with yet another home run, and held on for the win.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Gigantes del Cibao 7, Aguilas Cibaenas 2
It’s never good when your error total exceeds your hit total. Los Aguilas had trouble with both offense and defense — they managed only 3 hits and committed 4 errors in this game. The Ciriaco brothers each had one of the hits — 3B Audy Ciriaco singled, and 2B Pedro Ciriaco doubled for Los Aguilas. The double came in the top of the 1st, following a fielding error, and a sacrifice fly brought in a run. Pedro Ciriaco had one of three consecutive walks in the 8th inning, and RF Brandon Moss drove in a run with a grounder force out. Pedro also committed one of the errors, a fielding error in the 6th, which did contribute to the runs scored in that inning. Los Gigantes scored 2 runs in each of the 4th, 6th, and 8th innings, plus one more in the 7th. C Robinzon Diaz contributed a 2-run homer in the 4th inning for Los Gigantes.
Leones del Escogido 2, Tigres del Licey 1
Los Leones won this one in the bottom of the 10th. After 5 scoreless frames, Los Leones scored a run on two walks, a single, and a throwing error by SS Yamaico Navarro in the bottom of the 6th. Los Tigres answered right back with a run in the top of the 7th. DH Ronny Paulino doubled, then scored on an RBI single. Both teams missed out on scoring opportunities, until the bottom of the 10th. An unintentional walk and an intentional walk put two runners on base, then a single lined into left field let the runner from second base score the winning run. Navarro singled three times — in the 3rd, the 6th, and the 8th. In the 8th, he got as far as third base with a bunt and a ground out, but was still left stranded.
