For a season preview of the Pittsburgh Pirates two Dominican Summer League teams, check out our article here. For a recap of the DSL All-Star game, 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: Phillies 12, Pirates 3
Starting Pitcher: Ramon Rodriguez, RHP (2.67) – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Pablo Reyes, 2B (.307) – 1-for-2, RBI, BB, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.205) – 1-for-3, RBI
Tito Polo, CF (.275) – 0-for-2, BB, 2 SB
Adderly Ceballo, RHP (3.24) – 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.175) – 0-for-3
Game Notes: The Pirates got beat bad today by the Phillies in a game that was called by rain after 7 1/2 innings. Starter Ramon Rodriguez gave up three runs(two earned) over four innings, but most of the damage was done while reliever Brayan Almonte was in the game. He faced nine batters in the fifth inning and eight of them came around to score. Adderly Ceballo pitched well over the last 3.1 innings, giving up just one run. The Pirates defense made five errors, leading to four unearned runs. The Pirates batters had four hits, all singles. They also drew five walks and stole six bases in six attempts. Julio de la Cruz drove in his team leading 36th run.
PIRATES2
Result: Pirates 1, Cardinals 0
Starting Pitcher: Omar Basulto, LHP (3-3, 1.83) 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Michael de la Cruz, CF (.323) 2-for-4
Other Notable Performers:
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.239) 0-for-3
Luylli Miranda, LHP (2.57) 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.183) 1-for-3
Game Notes: The Pirates2 won for the fifth time in a row, improving their record to 35-23. They are second in their division, 5.5 games behind the Cubs. The Pirates and Cardinals tried to play a second game on Monday, the make up of a rain out earlier in the season. That game was called in the middle of the second inning with no score. In game one, starter Omar Basulto threw five shutout innings. He has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his last eight starts, giving up two earned in 38.2 innings over that stretch. Luylli Miranda picked up his fifth save, throwing two scoreless innings. The Pirates only run scored in the fourth inning on a groundout by Alexis Bastardo, which brought home Carlos Munoz. Michael de la Cruz had two hits in the game, giving him 60 hits in 52 games played. He has also drawn 49 walks.
Stats Of The Day
The Pirates have one of the most active teams on the basepaths this season. The affiliate known as the Pirates1 has the second most stolen bases in the league with 129, trailing the Twins by ten steals. The other Pirates team hasn’t done nearly half as much running, ranking tied for 22nd place(out of 35 teams) with 63 steals. Luis Benitez leads all Pirates players with 28 steals. Last year as a rookie, he stole 19 bases in just 30 games. He ranks fourth in the entire DSL in steals.
Outfielder Tito Polo has 22 steals this year. An impressive total considering he has missed a handful of games with hamstring issues. He had 17 steals as a rookie last year and his success rate has been strong, with five caught stealings this season. He ranks 11th in the DSL.
Rookie Michael de la Cruz leads all Pirates2 players with 14 steals, although the 17-year-old has also been caught nine times.
Other players that are contributing to the high numbers on Pirates1 are Ramses Pena with 16 steals, Pablo Reyes with 15 and Rudy Guzman with 13 in just 19 games. Pena is in his fourth season in the DSL and he has 67 career steals.
