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: Rangers 8, Pirates 1
Starting Pitcher: Jose Regalado, RHP (4-2, 3.67) – 4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Rodney Polonia, 2B (.276) – 2-for-3
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.207) – 0-for-2, HBP
Andres Mendoza, RHP (4.50) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Tito Polo, LF (.309) – 0-for-4
Johan De Jesus, 3B (.179) – 1-for-1, RBI
Game Notes: The Pirates lost to the first place Rangers for the second game in a row, their third straight loss. Starter Jose Regalado picked up his second loss of the season in seven starts. He has pitched 34.1 innings this year, walking just two, while striking out 35 batters. Reliever Gerardo Navarro followed Regalado and gave up two solo homers. The Pirates had only three hits, two by Rodney Polonia and one by Johan De Jesus, who came into the game as a defensive replacement for Julio de la Cruz in the eighth inning. Tito Polo returned to the lineup after missing a few games with what was described as knee soreness.
PIRATES2
Result: Nationals 5, Pirates 1
Starting Pitcher: Julio Vivas, RHP (2-2, 2.76) – 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Henrry Rosario, CF (.188) – 1-for-4, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Carlos Munoz, 1B (.400) – 1-for-4
Michael de la Cruz, DH (.281) – 0-for-4
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.255) – 0-for-4
Delvin Hiciano, RHP (2.25) – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.138) – 0-for-3
Game Notes: After winning three straight games last week, the Pirates lost for a third straight time, dropping their record down to the .500 mark. Despite taking the loss, Julio Vivas has pitched well this year, posting a strong ERA, showing good control and he has 36 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. Michael de la Cruz was in the DH spot for the second game in a row, after missing 2 1/2 games with a minor shoulder injury. The top prospect has gone 0-for-8 since returning. The Pirates had just four hits and didn’t draw a walk. Yoel Gonzalez scored the team’s only run.
Player Of The Day
It’s not too often I write about a player I know almost nothing about on here, but I wanted to mention pitcher Jesus Perez while he is still around. It’s doubtful that the Pirates would release a pitcher after just three relief outings, but Perez has been bad in all three games. Signed over this past off-season, Perez has good size at 6’2″, 228 pounds, throwing from the right side. He is a 19-year-old out of Venezuela. He made his debut early in the season, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks in 1.1 innings. Ten days later, he pitched again, getting just one out, while allowing two runs on a hit and walk. The first appearance from Perez was against the Rangers on the road. His third appearance, which came 34 days later, was also against the Rangers on Monday. In one inning, he allowed three runs on four hits and a walk. Between the advanced age when he signed and three poor appearances over a five week time span, Perez has a long way to go before he could be considered anything more than a mop-up pitcher.
