Two days worth of recaps as Wednesday was a slow night in winter ball and Thursday was the start of the Dominican Winter League.
In Mexico on Wednesday night, Stetson Allie went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and a walk. The double was his second of the season and he has hits in each of his first five games. On the downside, Allie committed his second error and he struck out twice, giving him eight strikeouts in his first 18 at-bats.
Dean Anna followed up his big Tuesday night with a 1-for-4 game. He had a single and a run scored in his team’s 8-4 loss on Wednesday, then went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored on Thursday night. He has hits in all five games he has played and has also walked once in four of those games.
In Venezuela on Wednesday night, there was a full schedule, but no Pirates players saw action. On Thursday, Ramon Cabrera went 0-for-5, leaving him 4-for-23 on the season. Julio Vivas made his season debut for Aguilas del Zulia and threw a scoreless inning in relief. He faced four batters, hitting one and striking out one.
The Dominican Winter League began their schedule light with one game on Thursday night. Toros del Este played the opener and their roster is loaded with Pirates players. Alen Hanson is the big name, although Edinson Volquez is on their roster, but unlikely to play. Also on their roster is utility fielder Andy Vasquez, and pitchers Luis Urena, Emmanuel De Leon and Joan Montero. They took on Estrellas de Orientes, who had just one Pirate on their Opening Day roster and he was the only Pirates player from either side to take part in the opener. Wirfin Obispo pitched one scoreless inning, picking up one strikeout and issuing a walk.
The Dominican League has a full schedule on Friday night.
