Pirates' mini-camp continues, and there are only 28 more days until spring training starts.
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says that there are 18 or so minor leaguers in Bradenton now, while the team is having voluntary mini-camp.
Update (1/14/2009, 1:00 PM): I made some adjustments using an updated spreadsheet published by Sky this morning. The new spreadsheet required increased total plate...
The Pirates signed Craig Monroe to a minor league contract today, including an invite to spring training. Monroe hit .202/.274/.405 in 179 plate appearances...
Chris Hernandez earned his 3rd save of the playoffs on Friday, as Zulia beat Aragua 3-1. �It wasn't the prettiest of saves. �Hernandez got the first out, then gave up three consecutive singles, including one to Raul Chavez, then ended the inning and the game with a double play.��Former Indy Indian (2000-02) Tim Harikkala started the game for Aragua, and gave up one run on 3 hits over 5 innings. �
Carlos Maldonado singled twice and also walked for Caracas in last night's 3-2 win over Zulia. �Caracas broke the 2-2 tie in the top of the 10th inning. �After a walk and a strikeout, Maldonado singled to move the runner along. �A single by Luis Gonzalez gave Caracas a go-ahead run and moved Maldonado to second base. �After a second strikeout, the not-exactly-speedy Maldonado tried to score from second on another single to center field, but he was out at home on the throw.�
Puerto Rican League
Former Pirate Shane Youman started the second playoff game for Santurce and suffered the loss. �He gave up 2 runs on 8 hits over 3 innings of work, as Arecibo pummelled Santurce 11-1. �Santurce and Arecibo have split their first two games of this series. �Meanwhile, Ponce has beaten Mayaguez in the first two games of their series. �Last night's game was decided in the top of the 11th inning, on a solo homer by Ivan Rodriguez. �Former Indy Indian (2007) Luis Matos had 2 singles and 2 RBI in last night's game. �
Dominican League
C Ronny Paulino hit a 2-run homer and a single for Licey in Friday's 10-6 win over Cibao. �He got Licey started with a lead-off single in the 2nd inning and came around to score. �Paulino walked in the 3rd inning, and scored on�CF Jose Bautista's RBI single. �The homer came in the 6th inning, Licey's second 4-run inning of the game. �Denny Bautista pitched the 6th inning for Licey. �He allowed a solo homer to the lead-off hitter, then struck out the next three batters, all swinging.
Juan Perez pitched to two batters in the 7th inning last night for Cibao, getting two quick outs. �Cibao beat Los Aguilas Cibaenas 6-5, with a solo homer in the top of the 11th inning. �
Licey also won in their final at-bat last night, beating Este 4-3 with a run in the bottom of the 9th on a single, a sacrifice bunt, and an RBI single. �Ronny Paulino and Jose Bautista each had a single in the game. �
The Mexican-Pacific League had a couple of days off before beginning the next round of playoffs.
