Wrapping up a few days of winter league action in one article, since there isn’t much going on at this point.
On Monday night in Mexico, Sebastian Valle went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He was 1-for-2 in throwing out base runners. His team lost 4-3, which wrapped up the finals, sending Tomateros de Culiacan to the Caribbean Series. Valle went 2-for-16 in the five games.
In Venezuela, Gorkys Hernandez went 2-for-3 with a walk, as his team lost 10-3 to Magallanes. On the opposing side, Deolis Guerra struck out the only batter he faced, finishing off his team’s win by stranding two inherited runners.
Tuesday’s Action
In Venezuela, Gorkys Hernandez continued his recent hot streak in his team’s 8-4 victory. He went 3-for-4 with two doubles, giving him four doubles in the playoffs.
The Latin American Series began in Panama on Tuesday, pitting the winners from Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua and the Veracruz League out of Mexico. Andy Vasquez scored a run, as Colombia took their opener by an 8-6 score over the Veracruz representative.
The Pirates signed Wilkin Castillo on Tuesday to a minor league deal. He played this year for Indianapolis manager Dean Treanor, who led Estrellas de Oriente in winter ball in the Dominican. Castillo played 32 games during the regular season for Escogido, hitting .275/.301/.394 in 109 at-bats , then was drafted by Estrellas for the 18-game round robin playoffs. His team advanced to the finals, but came up two wins short in the best-of-nine series that wrapped up on Sunday. Castillo hit .338 in the postseason.
Wednesday’s Action
In Venezuela, Gorkys Hernandez went 2-for-5, scoring once and driving in two runs in his team’s 8-3 win. The victory gave them the Venezuelan League title and they will now go on to the Caribbean Series. Hernandez hit .277 in the playoffs(including the round robin tournament) and he drove in 12 runs. He went 8-for-15 with four walks and a home run in the finals.
On the losing side, Deolis Guerra pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing two hits, with no walks or strikeouts. He finished the playoffs with a 0.00 ERA.
Andy Vasquez went 2-for-4 with a run scored on Wednesday in a win over Panama and he went 1-for-4 on Thursday, as Colombia lost to the Veracruz team.
On Friday, the Australian Baseball League playoffs began. Perth won 5-4 and Sam Kennelly got in the game late. He pinch-ran in the eighth inning for his brother Matt, then remained in the game at first base.
