Recapping the action this week for the Pittsburgh Pirates players still in Winter ball.
In the Latin American Series, Tito Polo saw his first action on Wednesday, coming in as a pinch-runner in the sixth inning and getting hit in each of his two plate appearances. He scored a run, drove in a run and stole a base in his team’s 9-1 win.
Edgardo Munoz wasn’t on the winning team in the Panama League, but he joined the Indios roster in the Latin American series and saw action off the bench on Wednesday and Thursday. He finished Wednesday’s game on defense at shortstop and didn’t get an at-bat. He replaced former Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand, Jorge Bishop. On Thursday, Munoz pinch-hit in the eighth inning and stayed in the game at third base. He went 0-for-1 at the plate.
Munoz got the start on Friday afternoon in left field, his third different position in three games. His team won 10-5, thanks in part to his three hits, two RBIs and a run scored. Munoz finished a home run short of the cycle. This game was the first of two games for Panama, who finished in a three-way tie for second place in the tournament. They went on to play Colombia on Friday night and lost 6-1. Munoz singled in the only run of the game for Panama. He also stole a base.
Tito Polo and the Tigres from Colombia played the Veracruz League champs for the Latin American Series title Saturday night. It was a one game playoff, all or nothing for the championship. Colombia ended up winning with an eight run eighth inning, en route to a 9-1 win. Polo came in as a pinch-runner during the eighth inning and scored a run. He made an out in his only at-bat. Harold Ramirez wasn’t with the team during the Latin American Series, but he was a big part of the Tigres getting to where they finished this year.
The Caribbean World Series started Saturday. I failed to mention that Cuba is also playing in this series this year, along with the champions from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela and Dominican Republic. There are no Pittsburgh Pirates players in the series, so it won’t be covered here, but if you’re interested in the series, it can be followed here.
In Australia this weekend, Danny Arribas went 1-for-6 on Friday in his team’s 18-11 win. The game had a total of 40 hits. Arribas scored a run and drove in a run. He actually didn’t start the game, coming in during the second inning as a defensive replacement behind the plate.
On Saturday, Arribas caught again and went 1-for-4 in his team’s 4-3 loss. He didn’t play on Sunday and his team took the loss, ending their season and sending Canberra to the finals.
The only remaining Pirates player in Winter ball now is Sam Kennelly. His Perth Heat team will take on Canberra in the Australian League finals, starting Friday in a best-of-three series.
