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: Pirates 2, Angels 1
Starting Pitcher: Christian Henriquez, LHP (1-1, 2.57) – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Julio de la Cruz, DH (.202) – 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Yunior Aquiles, LF (.242) – 1-for-3
Andres Mendoza, RHP (3.93) – 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.154) – 0-for-3
Game Notes: Starter Christian Henriquez threw shutout ball over his five innings of work, allowing just two hits and no walks. It was only the second start this season for Henriquez and the results were vastly different the first time out. In his first start, he went 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. Last season he made 12 starts. Andres Mendoza threw 2.1 scoreless innings and Jonathan Minier closed out the game for his second save. Top prospect Julio de la Cruz belted his second homer of the season, a two-run shot that accounted for all of the Pirates runs. Shortstop prospect Johan De Jesus is 3-for-30 in his last 11 games. Both Pirates affiliates have off on Sunday.
PIRATES2
Result: Pirates 6, Tigers 2
Starting Pitcher: Omar Basulto, LHP (1-2, 2.59) – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Henrry Rosario, LF (.205) – 2-for-4, 3B, HR, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.346) – 3-for-5, 2 2B, RBI, SB
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.241) – DNP
Edgar Martinez, RHP (4.50) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.151) – 0-for-4
Carlos Munoz, 1B (.391) – 0-for-3, BB
Game Notes: Top prospect Michael de la Cruz reached base today three times with two doubles and a single. In his previous three games, he reached base four times in each game. In 30 games this year, he has collected 36 hits and drawn 33 walks. Starter Omar Basulto threw one-hit ball over five shutout innings. In his previous start, he gave up just one unearned run in five innings and in his last three starts combined, he has allowed one earned run over 15 innings. Henrry Rosario hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, his first of the season and he also hit his third triple of the year, driving in three runs on the day. Second baseman Gustavo Barrios hit his fourth triple of the season.
Player Of The Day
Edgar Martinez made his debut for the Pirates today, but he is far from a rookie. The 22-year-old, 6’0″ right-hander, pitched three seasons in the Twins system, all spent in the DSL. That now makes him a fourth year player, which means he needs to move on to the States next year or he will be released. There is a good chance at this point that he is just an innings eater, kept around to pick up relief innings whenever necessary.
Martinez is one of the more prolific pitchers you will come across in the DSL. He has now pitched 66 games, all but two of them out of the bullpen. He got the save in Saturday’s game, the 16th of his career. Martinez has pitched 105 innings in his career, allowing 109 hits, two homers, 25 walks and he has 83 strikeouts. He had an impressive season in 2011, giving up just one earned run over his 18 appearances, a total of 28 innings pitched. For now, he seems like a roster filler due to his age, pitching role and the fact that he didn’t move up to the States after having a strong 2011 season. Usually when guys dominate and don’t move up from this level, it’s because they lack velocity, but have strong command of breaking pitches.
