The DSL Pirates1 beat the DSL Mets2 today, advancing to the second round of the Dominican Summer League playoffs. The Pirates won 8-0 today, following their 5-3 win yesterday, to sweep the best of three series.
Oderman Rocha pitched five shutout innings to help lead the Pirates to the win. Rocha gave up one walk and one hit, while striking out four. During the regular season, Rocha had a 1.81 ERA in 49.2 innings, with a 53:17 K/BB ratio. This is the third season in the DSL for the 19-year-old. Last year the 6′ 3″, 165 pound right hander put up a 3.29 ERA in 54.2 innings, along with a 52:26 K/BB ratio.
Yunelky Adames led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a grand slam in the third inning, giving the Pirates a 5-0 lead at the time. Adames hit for a .269/.359/.418 line in 208 at-bats in the DSL this year, with one homer. He turned 22 a few days ago and is in his second year in the DSL, so he looks like more an organizational guy.
Tito Polo, who signed earlier this year and turned 18 last week, went 1-for-3 with a stolen base. Polo hit for a .280/.404/.394 line in 132 at-bats in his first season in the DSL. The 5′ 11″, 180 pound center fielder also stole 17 bases in 24 attempts during the regular season.
19-year-old left-hander Omar Basulto threw four shutout innings to close out the game, giving up three hits and two walks, while striking out two. Basulto, who is 6′ 3″, 190 pounds, put up a 1.74 ERA in 46.2 innings in his first year in the DSL, with a 44:15 K/BB ratio.
The Pirates will go on to play either the Yankees1 or the Mariners in a best of three series, which starts on Thursday. The winner of the next round goes on to the DSL Championship, which is a best of five series next week.
