In the Dominican on Saturday night, Willy Garcia went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, dropping his average down to .236 through 26 games. He did have two highlights in the game. He drew his first walk in over three weeks and he picked up his second straight outfield assist in a big spot. Garcia threw out Gustavo Nunez at second base in the sixth inning with his team up 2-0. Garcia had just switched from center to left field that inning. He had a better game on Sunday(see below). Nunez finished the game 1-for-2 with a single. He also committed his fourth error.
Mel Rojas Jr. went 0-for-2 with a walk. He came in as a pinch-hitter in the fourth inning and remained in the game on defense in left field.
In Venezuela, Julio Vivas pitched 1.2 innings and allowed his first run. He gave up one hit and stranded the runner he inherited. The runner Vivas allowed scored two batters after he left the game. He has pitched eight innings and has given up five hits and no walks.
Deolis Guerra has been on a streak of strong outings, but that came to an end on Saturday. He came into the game in the eighth inning with his team up 6-3. Guerra allowed a double and two walks before being pulled. All three runs scored during the next at-bat, which was Junior Sosa pinch-hitting. Sosa hit a bases loaded triple, then scored the go-ahead run one batter later. He stayed in the game on defense in left field.
Jhonathan Ramos faced three batters in the ninth and two reached base. He allowed a single and another batter reached on an error. He also got an out on a fly ball to right field. Neither runner scored and Ramos has an 0.75 ERA through 16 appearances.
Sunday’s Action
In Mexico on Sunday, Sebastian Valle hit an eighth inning grand slam in his team’s 6-0 win. Since signing with the Pirates, he is 10-for-26 with five walks in nine games.
In the Dominican, Nate Baker made his winter debut for Aguilas Cibaenas. He entered with one out in the third inning and gave up a double, then got a ground out to third base, before giving up an RBI single. That ended his day and the runner he left on base was stranded.
Tony Sanchez went 1-for-4 with a double, which was his first extra-base hit of the winter. He is 3-for-21 through seven games. Sanchez was charged with a passed ball, though he threw out the only runner attempting to steal.
Mel Rojas Jr. went 1-for-4 with a single. After hitting doubles in five straight games, Rojas has gone 3-for-20 with three singles, dropping his average down to .236 through 106 at-bats.
Willy Garcia went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and a sacrifice fly in his team’s 4-3 win. Garcia homered in the seventh inning to put his team up for good. The homer was his third of the winter.
Rafael Perez allowed one run on two hits and two walks, with four strikeouts in five innings. He has a 2.66 ERA in 23.2 innings and has allowed two runs over 15 innings as a starter. Carlos Paulino caught Perez and went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Both players are still free agents.
In Venezuela, Junior Sosa went 0-for-1 with a walk and sacrifice bunt. Matt Nevarez picked up his first save, retiring the side in order in the ninth, picking up one strikeout.
