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: Angels 5, Pirates 3
Starting Pitcher: Ramon Rodriguez, RHP (0-2, 5.63) – 3.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Tito Polo, LF (.432) – 2-for-4, 2 SB
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.172) – 1-for-2, BB, RBI
Marcus Beltrez, LHP (0.00) – 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Yunelky Adames, 1B (.250) – 2-for-4
Johan De Jesus, SS (.276) – 1-for-4, RBI
Game Notes: Starter Ramon Rodriguez allowed four runs before the Pirates could put a run on the board, giving the Angels an early lead that they never surrendered. The Pirates actually reached the end of their bullpen by the seventh inning, using a new pitcher and a position player before the day was over. Adderly Ceballo, a 21-year old righty(turns 22 on June 21st) threw 1.1 scoreless innings in his pro debut. Utility man Ramses Pena, a fourth year player featured here, threw a scoreless ninth inning, giving up a hit and a walk. Tito Polo had his fourth straight multi-hit game and he now has an eight game hitting streak. He is tied for first in the DSL in hits and ranks sixth in batting average. Shortstop prospect Johan De Jesus had a rough day, committing his sixth error while also striking out three times. Pirates hitters had nine hits, all singles and they struck out 11 times.
PIRATES2
Result: Yankees 2, Pirates 1 (suspended after four innings)
Starting Pitcher: Omar Basulto, LHP (1.64) – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Alexis Bastardo, RF (.241) – 1-for-2, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.323) – 1-for-2,
Carlos Munoz, DH (.429) – 0-for-1, BB
Yoel Gonzalez (.091) – 0-for-2
Game Notes: The Pirates and Yankees were suspended after four innings due to rain. The game will be finished during the next series between these two teams at the end of the month. Omar Basulto threw four innings, giving up his first two runs of the year on a two-run homer. He began the year with seven shutout innings split between a relief appearance and a start. Third base prospect Jhoan Herrera took his first game off of the season. He will celebrate his 18th birthday on Friday. The stats from this game won’t officially count until the game is finished.
Player Of The Day
Back in July of last year, the Pirates signed Venezuelan outfielder Alexis Bastardo amid some initial confusion. The story from his local paper called him 16-years-old and said he was a July 2nd signing. It turned out that they were wrong about him, through no fault of his own. He was actually 18-years-old and was signed prior to the start of the last International signing period. The scouting report on Bastardo was pretty strong. He had good speed, could play defense well in center field and had a strong arm, which would play well in right field. He was also called a talented hitter. Despite being older and signing a month before the DSL season ended, the 5’11”, 190 pound righty/righty, didn’t make his debut until this season.
Bastardo has been getting regular playing time, seeing action in eight of ten games so far. He has started both corner outfield spots and has been the DH twice. You can’t get much feel for the early results, he isn’t doing bad, but he is striking out a little too much(seven times in 29 AB’s). He should be an interesting player to watch if the scouting reports are accurate. If they are correct, he could be someone who only spends one year in the DSL before moving on due to his age.
