On Tuesday night in Mexico, Carlos Munoz got going in his third game of the season, picking up a double and a solo homer in his team’s 6-5 loss. Munoz was taken out early in each of his first two games without a hit, so he struck early this game, collecting hits in his first two at-bats. After the home run, he was hit by a pitch the next time up. He finished going 2-for-4 in the game, scoring two runs. Munoz had just one hit in 15 at-bats last winter in Mexico.
Harold Ramirez had a tough day at the plate. He went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. He is 2-for-14 in his first three games. Ramirez picked up an outfield assist in this game, throwing out former Pirates’ farmhand Quincy Latimore, as he tried to stretch a double into a triple.
Felipe Gonzalez had a rough outing, giving up a run on two hits, picking up just one out. He also allowed two inherited runners to score, which tied the game 4-4 in the sixth inning.
Sebastian Valle went 1-for-4 with a double, walk and two runs scored in his team’s 8-5 win in ten innings. He threw out a runner attempting to steal in this game, leaving him 3-for-4 in catching runners so far.
Luis Heredia hasn’t pitched yet in a regular season game, but he did pitch a scoreless inning of relief in the last exhibition game before the season started.
In Venezuela, two Pirates pitched in the only game on the schedule. Julio Vivas threw 1.2 scoreless innings, though he had to pitch out of a couple jams. He allowed two hits, a walk, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch, but still managed to not allow a run in his short outing. Vivas threw 33 pitches, 21 for strikes. A.J. Morris was on the opposing side and he didn’t do so well, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks, while recording just one out.
The Dominican Republic begins their season tomorrow night.