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/stat each day.
PIRATES1
Result: Mets2 10, Pirates 6
Starting Pitcher: Jandy Vasquez, RHP (3-6, 5.53) 2.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jesus Ronco, 3B (.197) – 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Dennis Hurtarte, 1B (.250) – 2-for-3, RBI, BB
Julio de la Cruz, DH (.200) – 1-for-4, 2B, BB
Marcus Beltrez, LHP (1.08) – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.194) – 0-for-4, RBI
Game Notes: The Pirates1 had a six game winning streak coming into Wednesday and they were playing the team that trailed the Pirates2 in the Wildcard race. The streak was snapped and they couldn’t help the other affiliate out, losing 10-6 to the Mets2. Starter Jandy Vasquez got hit hard and reliever Gerardo Navarro wasn’t any better, allowing four runs in his 1.2 innings. The Mets2 put up nine runs in the third inning and all the scoring in the game happened in the first four innings. Dennis Hurtarte continued his recent hot streak, by collecting two hits and a walk. He is hitting .373 in 16 August games, with a .997 OPS. Another highlight of the game was the relief pitching of Marcus Beltrez. He threw four shutout innings and in his last ten games, he has thrown 22 scoreless innings, giving up just eight hits and five walks while striking out 20 batters.
PIRATES2
Box Score (game one)
Result: Rojos 4, Pirates 1 in 10 innings
Starting Pitcher: Jose Batista, LHP (2.10) – 4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Fredis Padilla, 2B (.267) – 1-for-3, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.286) – 2-for-5
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.179) – DNP
Jesus Paredes, RHP (6-3, 2.56) – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Jhoan Herrera, DH (.235) – 1-for-5
Box Score (game two)
Result: Pirates 8, Rojos 5
Starting Pitcher: Eduardo Vera, RHP (1.95) – 4.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Eduardo Figueroa, CF (.264) – 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.286) – DNP
Alexis Bastardo, RF (.273) – 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.179) – DNP
Horelbin Ramos, LHP (2.30) – 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.235) – 0-for-4
Game Notes: The Pirates2 had a 13 game win streak ended(sort of) in a strange fashion, one that didn’t actually end the streak. They played a doubleheader today, with the first game being the completion of a game from August 5th that was suspended by rain. The game resumed with the score tied at 1-1 in the top of the tenth and Pirates batting. They would lose in the bottom of the inning on a walk-off three-run home run. Since the game was from August 5th though, it didn’t break the teams current win streak but still hurt them in the standings. They won the regularly scheduled game that followed by an 8-5 score, extending the current streak to 14 straight wins.
Stats Of The Day
Yesterday I broke down the remaining schedule for the Pirates2 as they attempt to make the playoffs, either by Wildcard or winning the division. It turns out that the Mets hurt them twice today, just as much as they hurt themselves. The Mets2 team beat the Pirates1, keeping the Mets2 just one game behind the Pirates2 in the Wildcard race. The other Mets affiliate lost to the Cubs, who now move 2 1/2 games ahead of the Pirates2 for the division title. With just four games left in the season, the division title is almost out of reach and could be by the end of play on Thursday if things don’t go well.
The Pirates1 could really do the other affiliate a favor by winning on Thursday, but it also will help them out in a way. Some of the players will be transferred to the other roster for the playoffs, so the team becomes(for the most part) the best players you can put out there. The Pirates2 can also do themselves a favor by beating the Rojos team, which currently has an 18-50 record.
