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: Pirates 5, Marlins 4 in 10 innings
Starting Pitcher: Jose Regalado, RHP (2.80) – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Johan De Jesus, SS (.194) – 3-for-5, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.205) – DNP
Dennis Hurtarte, 1B (.210) – 1-for-4, 2B, BB
Carlos Ruiz, RHP (2-1, 1.27) – 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: The Pirates got great starting pitching from Jose Regalado and help from 11 walks by Marlins pitchers to win 5-4 on Wednesday. Regalado gave up just one hit and continued his amazing season-long run of control by not allowing a walk. In 64.1 innings this year, he has given up two walks, while striking out 53 batters. The Pirates allow starters in the DSL to throw five innings and Regalado has gone the distance in 12 of his 13 starts. Luis Benitez and Pablo Reyes each drew three walks. Benitez stole his 29th base of the year, most among Pirates players. The center fielder also threw out two runners at home, including one in the top of the tenth. Rudy Guzman stole two bases, giving him 16 steals in 21 games. Dennis Hurtarte doubled for the fourth game in a row. He has a six game hitting streak. The Pirates won on a walk-off sacrifice fly from Pablo Reyes.
PIRATES2
Result: Pirates 12, Mets1 6
Starting Pitcher: Julio Vivas, RHP (5-2, 2.41) 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Carlos Munoz, 1B (.318) – 4-for-4, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.316) – DNP
Alexis Bastardo, RF (.250)- 3-for-5, 3 2B, 4 RBI, BB
Andres Mendoza, RHP (3.49) 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.179) – 0-for-3, BB
Game Notes: The Pirates2 won for the eighth time in a row, improving their record to 38-23, with less than two weeks left in the season. They are 2.5 games back in the wildcard standings and five games back in the division. Starter Julio Vivas shutdown the Mets1 for five innings and the Pirates put 12 runs on the board by collecting 15 hits and seven walks. Carlos Munoz reached base in all six plate appearances, missing the cycle by a home run. He drove in three runs from the third spot in the order, while cleanup hitter Alexis Bastardo, drove in four runs. Bastardo collected three doubles. Edgar Figueroa had two RBI’s, giving him 35 on the season. The game was close until the Pirates scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning. Reliever Andres Mendoza struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Players Of The Day
The Pirates signed pitcher Luis Escobar out of Colombia, a 17-year-old right-hander who has recently been clocked as high as 94 MPH. He becomes the 14th known signing by the Pirates since the July 2nd signing period started.
The most recent signing was actually outfielder Jeremias Portorreal, who received a $375, 000 bonus. They have signed two other high priced players, outfielder Edinson Lantigua for $275,000 and they paid $400,000 for shortstop Adrian Valerio.
The other ten signings were lower profile players, though we have found out in the past with Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte, that you can get a good prospect without spending six figures or more. Seven players were signed in early July, while three others out of Venezuela were signed shortly afterwards.
