For a season preview of the Pittsburgh Pirates two Dominican Summer League teams, check out our article here. Throughout the year, we will provide the recaps of both teams, as well as highlight one player each day. 
PIRATES1
Result: Rockies 8, Pirates 1
Starting Pitcher: Jose Regalado, RHP (3-1, 3.15) – 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Yomifer Polanco, DH (.208) – 2-for-4, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.184) – 0-for-2, HBP
Arquimedes Lorenzo, RHP (9.72) – 3.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Tito Polo, LF (.345) – 0-for-3
Yunior Aquiles, RF (.308) – 1-for-3
Game Notes: Starter Jose Regalado picked up his first loss of the year after winning his first thing starts. Regalado did keep alive an impressive streak. He pitched five innings without allowing a walk, the fourth straight starter for Pirates1 to accomplish that feat. Arquimedes Lorenzo finished out the game, allowing four runs over three innings. Pirates batters drew just one walk, while striking out 12 times, including 11 times against the Rockies starter. Top third base prospect Julio de la Cruz left in the sixth inning for a pinch-runner after he was hit by a pitch. Center fielder Luis Benitez stole his eighth base of the season.
PIRATES2
Result: Pirates 6, Orioles2 2
Starting Pitcher: Julio Vivas, RHP (1-1, 2.55) – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Steven De La Mota, 1B (.259) – 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 SB
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.300) – 1-for-5, 2B
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.273) – 1-for-4
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.125) – 1-for-3
Carlos Munoz, DH (.417) – 3-for-4, 2B, RBI
Hector Garcia, LHP (3.52) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Edgar Figueroa, LF (.228) – 4-for-5, 2B
Game Notes: Starter Julio Vivas threw five innings without allowing an earned run and his bullpen and offense took care of the rest in the 6-2 victory. Vivas gave up four hits and no walks, though he did hit three batters. He was followed by 17-year-old lefty Hector Garcia, then Luylli Miranda, who each threw two scoreless innings. Miranda picked up his first save. The Pirates offense had 14 hits, including the first extra base hit from top prospect Michael de la Cruz, and the first career home run from Steven De La Mota. Edgar Figueroa had four hits, giving him seven in his last 13 AB’s. He hasn’t struck out in his last five games(23 AB’s). Carlos Munoz raised his average to .417 with three hits, the fourth highest average in the league.
Player Of The Day
Yomifer Polanco had his first multi-hit game of the season. The third year player has been playing sparingly this season, after getting a lot of time last year without much success. Polanco made his debut in 2011, hitting .225 in 27 games. His OPS was a low .592, as he had just one extra-base hit(a double) and eight walks. The 6’1″, 187 pound righty/righty outfielder was 18-years-old at the time, a quiet signing out of the Dominican.
In 2012, Polanco saw most of his action in right field, but also got time in at the other two outfield spots. He batted .214 in 160 plate appearances, with a slightly lower .587 OPS. There has been one good sign with him, the fact that he has made just one error in his career. Other than that, no part of his game has really come around yet. For a 20-year-old in his third season, now getting slightly lesser playing time, that certainly isn’t a good sign.
