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 6, Mets2 1 in 10 innings
Starting Pitcher: Jandy Vasquez, RHP (5.56) – 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Ramses Pena, 1B (.344) – 3-for-5, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Tito Polo, LF (.323) – 0-for-2
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.200) – 1-for-3, RBI, BB
Gerardo Navarro, RHP (2.76) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, DH (.183) – 0-for-3, BB
Pablo Reyes, SS (.333) – 1-for-5, SB
Game Notes: The Pirates got seven no-hit innings from Jandy Vasquez(5 IP) and Gerardo Navarro, but it still took extra innings and a five run tenth inning to pick up the win over the Mets2, sweeping the two game series. Vasquez came into the game with a 7.13 ERA in five starts. Jherson Esqueda picked up his first career win despite giving up the tying run in the eighth inning. Carlos Ruiz pitched a scoreless tenth inning. Jherson Esqueda’s brother Carlos, helped out his cause with two RBI’s. Luis Benitez had a hit, two walks and stole his 13th base of the season.
PIRATES2
Result: Pirates 9, Reds 2
Starting Pitcher: Dario Agrazal Jr, RHP (4-0, 1.86) – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Steven De La Mota, DH (.338) – 1-for-1, 3 RBI, 3 BB,2 SB
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.309) – 0-for-2, 2 BB
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.247) – DNP
Carlos Munoz, 1B (.417) – 3-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
Luylli Miranda, LHP (0.87) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.148) – DNP
Game Notes: The Pirates improved to 14-12 on the season with a 9-2 win against the Reds, sweeping the two game series. Dario Agrazal Jr won again, moving to 4-0 to start his career, by allowing one run over five innings of work. Both the Reds and Pirates had ten hits apiece, but the Pirates were able to put seven more runs on the board, thanks to eight walks and two homers, one each by Carlos Munoz and Edgar Figueroa, who hit the first of his career. Munoz now leads the league with his .417 average, .514 OBP and 1.109 OPS. Coming into the game, the Pirates2 had hit just two home runs all year. Michael de la Cruz had two walks and has now reached base 54 times in his first 24 games. He is still just 16-years-old.
Player Of The Day
Jandy Vasquez had his first strong start of the season and it was very impressive, five no-hit innings. One runner reached on HBP and two reached via error. The 18-year-old right-hander had struggled prior to Wednesday, coming into the game allowing 14 earned runs on 20 hits and eight walks in 17.2 innings this season. His strikeout total was decent with 13(now up to 16 in 22.2 innings) and he had an impressive 2.00 GO/AO ratio. He is built in the mold of a Pirates pitcher, standing 6’4″ and weighing 195 pounds. This is the first season for the young righty, who was a quiet(unannounced) signing during the off-season. Despite the poor stats coming into today, he has actually shown some improvements, as his debut was five earned runs in just 2/3 of an inning. With the five no-hit innings and the fact that he is getting a strong amount of innings as a rookie, he may have some potential.
