In the Dominican on Wednesday night, Tony Sanchez caught his second game. He went 0-for-3 at the plate. In his debut on Tuesday, he drew two walks and threw out a runner attempting to steal.
Gustavo Nunez played his first game since signing with the Pirates. He went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts, though he drove in his 14th run. He is hitting .267 through 23 games, with nine doubles and two homers.
Edwin Espinal made his winter ball debut as a defensive replacement at first base late in his team’s 2-1 loss. He did not get a chance to bat. Espinal was drafted this year into winter ball, taken 53rd overall. He was the top pick among four Pittsburgh Pirates players picked this year.
Carlos Paulino went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He is hitting .316 through ten games. Paulino is still a minor league free agent.
In Venezuela, Jonathan Ramos and Matt Nevarez both pitched for Bravos de Margarita. Ramos got the first two outs of the sixth inning, but not before giving up a hit and a walk. Both runners were left stranded and his ERA dropped to 0.96 through 12 appearances. Nevarez threw 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two batters. He has a 3.63 ERA in 16 appearances, with 17 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. Nevarez has held batters to a .150 BAA.
Elvis Escobar made his season debut tonight. He was a late-game defensive replacement, taking over in left field in the ninth inning for Cardenales de Lara. He didn’t get a chance to bat. Last year, Escobar played ten games for Lara, going 3-for-16 at the plate. He was one of the youngest players in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Ramon Cabrera struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. He remained in the game behind the plate and dropped down a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the ninth that helped his team erase a two-run deficit and win 12-11.
In Mexico, Felipe Gonzalez threw 1.1 scoreless innings, with no hits, one walk and one strikeout. He has now pitched 15 times, posting a 3.31 ERA in 16.1 innings.
