News for the Pirates' players and friends in the winter leagues:

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:

Bravos de Margarita� 5,� Tiburones de La Guaira 4 -- Margarita posted 12 hits in this game, but none of them belonged to 3B Andy LaRoche, who was hitless in 4 trips to the plate.� Los Bravos broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the 5th, on a single, a wild pitch, a balk, and an RBI single.� Two� errors contributed to 2 more Margarita runs in the 6th, to give Los Bravos a 4-1 lead.� Los Tiburones caught up with single runs in each of the last three innings -- a walk and two singles in the 7th, and� solo homers in the 8th and the top of the 9th.� With the score tied at 4-4 going into the bottom of the 9th, Margarita scored on a walk, a force out, and a walk-off RBI double by LF Francisco Leandro.

Tigres de Aragua� 8,� Navegantes del Magallanes� 2 -- Former Pirate C Raul Chavez had 2 of Aragua's hit and 1B Hector Gimenez scored once and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly for Los Tigres.� Former Pirate DH Mike Ryan singled and scored one of Magallanes' two runs.� Aragua had a 3-2 lead up until the last two innings.� Then they added 3 runs in the 8th and 2 more in the 9th.� Reliever Jean Machi started the 9th for Magallanes but gave up 2 unearned runs on two hits (one a double) and a walk.

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MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:

Tomateros de Culiacan� 7,� Venados de Mazatlan� 4 -- RF Rogelios Noris made his winter debut for his hometown Venados.� Culiacan scored one run in the top of the 1st, and Mazatlan got the run back in the bottom of the frame, on an RBI double by RF Christian Quintero.� Culiacan added two runs in the 2nd inning, and 4 more in the 3rd.� After a double and two singles went to Quintero in right field, and runners scored despite Quintero's throws in from the outfield, Culiacan changed both pitchers and right fielders, with Noris taking over right field.� It wasn't Noris' best game either.� He struck out twice, then walked to open the bottom of the 9th, and was out in a double play.� He also made a fielding error in the 9th, though nothing came of it.

Yaquis de Obregon� 7,� Mayos de Navojoa� 5� -- Former Pirate CF Jeff Salazar went 2-for-4 and contributed 3 RBI for Obregon.�� The two teams combined for 25 hits in the game.� Salazar's RBI single drove in the tying (at that point) run in the 2nd, and he stole second base.� He tripled with two runners on base in the 5th and drove both of them in.

Phoenix Desert Dogs� 6,� Mesa Solar Sox� 3

The Solar Sox could not keep their bats going in the later innings, losing to Phoenix late Wednesday evening.� Phoenix got onto the scoreboard first in the top of the 2nd inning.� A double by RF Michael Taylor (A's) and a single by LF Jerry Sands (Dodgers) put runners on the corners with no outs.� A double play eliminated Sands but let Taylor score with the first run of the game.� Three consecutive singles brought in a second run.� The fourth straight single would have plated another run, but Mesa's CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) made an excellent throw from center field to C Tim Kennelly (Phillies) to nail the lead runner at the plate.

The Solar Sox threatened in the 1st inning, when 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) led off with a single, then stole second base.� A fielding error at short put 3B Brandon Wood (Angels) an base, and RF Andrew Lambo moved both runners up a base with a fly out to center field.� Both were left in scoring position, though, when a line out ended the inning.� The Sox came right back in the bottom of the second with three consecutive singles to lead off.� LF Jeremy Moore (Angels) singled up the middle, then stole second base.� Kennelly's grounder up the middle let Moore race around from second to score.� Kennelly moved to second base on DH Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) line drive single, then advanced to third on a grounder force out by SS Andrew Romine (Angels).� Valdespin brought Kennelly in with an RBI grounder, tying the game at 2-2.

Jake Muyco (Cubs) made the start for Mesa.� He retired the side in order in the 1st, gave up the two runs in the 2nd, then gave up a walk and hit a batter in the 3rd, but got out of that jam with a double play.� Chris Carpenter (Cubs) replaced Muyco to begin the 4th.� Carpenter began the inning with a walk, then two ground outs moved the runner to third.� An RBI single brought the run home, to give Phoenix a 3-2 lead.� Carpenter gave up a single in the 5th, but Kennally threw the runner out as he tried to steal second base.� Kyle Smith (Cubs) pitched the next two innings for the Solar Sox, allowing just one walk and striking out 3 batters.

But the Solar Sox were not able to catch up.� They put a runner on base in each of the 4th and 5th innings, on singles by Romine and Wood, then went down in order in the 6th and 7th innings.

Eric Niesen (Mets) took the mound for Mesa to begin the 8th inning, and gave up a lead-off home run to Taylor.� Wood responded with his own solo home run in the bottom of the inning, and the score was 4-3 with Phoenix still ahead.

The top of the 9th saw David Cales (Cubs) take the mound for the Solar Sox.� The first two batters of the inning singled, and the next reached base on a throwing error by Cales, when he tried to field a bunt and throw to third for the force out.� Instead of being out, the lead runner scored on the play.� A double play gave Cales two outs, but left a runner on third, and Taylor's RBI single (his third hit of the day) plated that runner to give Phoenix a 6-3 lead.� Flaherty walked in the bottom of the 9th, but the Solar Sox could not bring him around to score.

Andrew Lambo, the only one of the Pirates' farmhands to get into this game, went 0-for-4 at the plate, though his out in the 1st inning did advance the baserunners.� He grounded out twice and flied out one more time in his remaining at-bats.

Tony Sanchez's AFL blog is up and running -- he says that the pitcher who threw the pitch that broke his jaw is now his teammate on the Solar Sox.

Team USA wrapped up the Pan American tournament with a rain-out this afternoon.� That means that the USA and Venezuela were declared tied for third place in the tournament.� Cuba and the Dominican Republic were scheduled to play tonight (Wednesday).� (UPDATE:� The Dominican Republic took the gold medal with a 5-2 win over Cuba.)� The third place finish qualifies the US for the 2011 Pan American Games, which will be played in Guadalajara, Mexico, and also for the 2011 Baseball World Cup.

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Four members of Team USA were named to the All-Tournament Team:� 1B Eric Hosmer, 3B Mike Moustakas, and LHP Mike Montgomery, all from the Royals' organization, and CF Mike Trout (Angels).

Hosmer led Team USA with a .389 average (14-for-36).� Trout led in homers with 3, and Moustakas led in RBI with 8.� Pirates' Chase d'Arnaud and Todd Frazier (Reds) each had 2 stolen bases, the most for the team.� Former Pirate Todd Redmond (Braves) pitched the most innings -- 12.2, and Justin De Fratus (Phillies) and Tim Collins (Royals) both appeared in 5 tournament games, leading the bullpen.� Redmond, Nick Hill (Mariners), and Montgomery each had 2 wins, and De Fratus and Anthony Carter (White Sox) each had 2 saves.� Chris Archer (Cubs) led with 15 strikeouts.

Chase d'Arnaud appeared in 8 of Team USA's games, and hit .321 (9-for-28).� Two of his hits were doubles and one was a triple, and he had 4 RBI.� Erik Kratz appeared in 5 games and hit .278 (5-for-18), including 2 doubles and 4 RBI.� Former Pirate Brad Eldred appeared in all 10 games as the DH.� He hit .250 (10-for-40) and tied with Reds' Todd Frazier to lead the team in strikeouts with 9.

Todd Redmond earned a 1.42 ERA in his 12.2 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 10 hits and 2 walks, with 10 strikeouts.� None of the hits he gave up were for extra bases.

Not much action for the Pirates prospects in the Arizona Fall League today, as Andrew Lambo was the only player to receive playing time....

My sister, a senior at Pitt, spent Wednesday afternoon enjoying the 50-year celebration of Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series winning home run. She graciously agreed to share her thoughts on the event. Ladies and gentleman, it is my proud pleasure to welcome Eve Bandi to Pittsburgh Lumber Co. for her blogging debut. Her contribution is greatly appreciated. - Matt Bandi

Yesterday I went over the right field situation, noting that the circumstances didn't change during the 2010 season.  The Pirates started the season with...

The Pittsburgh Pirates interviewed Milwaukee Brewers' hitting coach Dale Sveum today, making him the sixth candidate to be interviewed for the vacant manager position....

Two of the four winter leagues got started on Tuesday.� Some games involving Pirates' players and friends:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE:

Leones de Caracas� 3,� Tigres de Aragua� 1 -- Caracas scored twice in the bottom of the 1st on two singles and an RBI double, then added an unearned run in the 5th, on a hit batter, a throwing error, and an RBI ground out.� Former Pirate C Carlos Maldonado was 0-for-4 for Caracas.� Los Tigres managed only one run despite out-hitting Caracas 8-6.� The run came in the top of the 2nd, on two singles, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly.� 1B Hector Gimenez walked in the 1st inning for Aragua, but was left on base, then was hitless in three more at-bats.� Former Pirate C Raul Chavez had one of Aragua's hits, a single in the 1st inning, when he was also left stranded.� Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Uviedo pitched the 8th inning for Caracas and allowed just a double.

Caribes de Anzoategui 16,� Navegantes del Magallanes 8 -- Los Caribes got the season started witha� bang, posting 20 hits, including 6 doubles and a homer.� The 7th run 2nd inning, sending 11 batters to the plate and featuring 4 doubles, two singles, two walks, and a wild pitch, put the game out of reach for Magallanes.� Unfortunately, none of the Pirates' farmhand listed on the Caribes' roster got into the game.� Former Indy Indian LF Mike Ryan, who has done well in previous winter league experiences, got this winter season off to a good start with a double and a solo home run, for 3 RBI.� Reliever Corey Hamman pitched the top of the 9th for Magallanes.� He hit a batter, then got two strikeouts, and gave up an RBI double.

Bravos de Margarita� 4,� Tiburones de La Guaira� 3� -- La Guaira had a 3-run lead going into the bottom of the 7th inning.� That's when Los Bravos tied the game with a 3-run rally.� Singles by RF Rene Reyes and 3B/1B Andy LaRoche opened the inning, and a walk to 1B Javier Brito loaded the bases.� A sacrifice fly brought in Reyes, and two RBI singles plated LaRoche, then Brito.� La Guaira put runners on the corners in the top of the 8th, but did not score.� Margarita loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame (LaRoche struck out), but a timely double play ended the inning without a run scoring.� La Guaira went down in order, on three strikeouts in the top of the 9th.� Margarita won it in the bottom of the 9th on a single and an RBI double.

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MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:

Yaquis de Obregon� 7,� Mayos de Navojoa� 1 -- Obregon scored in three of the first four innings, and held Navojoa to just 5 hits and one run, which scored in the 9th.� Former Pirate CF Jeff Salazar singled in the 4th inning for Obregon, and scored on a subsequent home run.� He also reached base on a grounder force out at second base (he probably beat out the relay throw to first), and then stole second base in the 2nd inning.

Dominican Republic 7,� Team USA� 2

After dominating in the first two rounds of the Pan American Tournament, Team USA just couldn't get going tonight in their semi-final game against the Dominican Republic.� Team USA beat the Dominicans 8-3 in the first round on October 5th, out-hitting them 11-7.� But today the tables were turned and it was the Dominicans who out-hit the USA 14 - 6 and who were the dominant force.� RF Todd Frazier (Reds) had 2 of the USA's hits -- a single and a triple, and one of the RBI's.� 2B Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians) had the other RBI and one hit.� CF Mike Trout (Angels), 1B Eric Hosmer, and SS Chase d'Arnaud had one hit each.

Danny Duffy (Royals) made the start for Team USA.� He worked around a single in the 1st inning, and around two singles in the 2nd.� Then with two outs in the top of the 3rd, Duffy gave up a double, then threw a wild pitch that put the runner on third base.� A passed ball by USA C Jordan Pacheco (Rockies) allowed that runner to score from third, and the Dominicans had a 1-0 lead.

The USA hitters got on base in the first two innings.� Pacheco walked in the bottom of the 1st, but was erased in a double play.� Phelps tripled with two outs in the 2nd, but he was left on third when a line out ended the inning.� Three USA batters went down swinging in the 3rd inning.� Finally in the 4th, Team USA tied the score at 1-1.� Hosmer hit another 2-out triple, but this time, Frazier was able to follow with a single into right field, and Hosmer scored.

Duffy retired the side in order in the 4th, but got into trouble in the 5th. A lead-off single began the inning, then that batter was forced out at second on a fielder's choice, leaving the next batter safe at first.� Two more singles followed, driving in a run.� Duffy was relieved by Andre Lamontagne (Brewers), who gave up a walk, then got a grounder to third, where 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) started an around-the-horn double play to end the inning.

Team USA continued to struggle at the plate.� Chase d'Arnaud doubled down the left field line in the bottom of the 5th, but his teammates couldn't keep it going.� Former Pirate Juan Perez struck out all three USA batters in the 6th, after Lamontagne also retired the Dominicans in order in the top of the inning.� Lamontagne gave up four singles (single, ground out, single, pop out, single for 2 RBI, and another single) for two runs in the top of the 7th, increasing the Dominican lead to 4-1.� Tim Collins (Royals) relieved Lamontagne and ended the inning with a line out.

The second USA run came in the bottom of the 7th, and it came courtesy of yet another triple.� This time it was Frazier leading off with a triple, and he scored on Phelps ground out to second base.� LF Brian Barden (Marlins) and d'Arnaud both walked, but the next two batters struck out, ending the threat.

Team USA was still clinging to hope, as Collins put the Dominicans down in order in the top of the 8th.� Hosmer was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the inning, but he was left on base.� The Dominicans put the game out of reach in the top of the 9th.� Collins walked the first batter, got a ground out, then gave up an RBI double.� He struck out the next batter, then was relieved by Justin De Fratus (Phillies).� But De Fratus was greeted by Dominican 1B Willis Otanes' 2-run home run on a 1-0 pitch.� That gave the Dominicans a 7-2 lead.� Team USA went down in order in the bottom of the inning, and that was all for the Americans -- a disappointing end to a fine run in the tournament.

DH Brad Eldred went 0-for-4 in the game, and C Erik Kratz did not get into the game tonight.

Cuba defeated Venezuela in their semi-final game, so Cuba and the Dominican Republic will play the championship game on Wednesday evening.� Team USA and Venezuela will play at 2 pm for third place.

Mesa Solar Sox� 8,� Phoenix Desert Dogs� 3

The Arizona Fall League kicked off today with a win for the Solar Sox.� The Pirates' farmhands hit well, but had a few problems on defense.

LF Andrew Lambo got the Solar Sox going in the 2nd inning when he lined a 2-out single into center field.� CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) drove in Lambo with a double into center field, to give Mesa a 1-0 lead.� Then the Solar Sox busted out with 5 runs in the 4th inning, as they sent 11 batters to the plate.� 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) greeted a new Phoenix pitcher with a single into left field.� Both C Tony Sanchez and Andrew Lambo added their own singles, and Lambo's scored Rizzotti.� Sanchez went to third and Lambo to second on the throw in to the plate.� A wild pitch let Sanchez score from third base and put Lambo on third.� Nieuwenhuis drove in Lambo with a single, and SS Jordy Mercer also singled, putting runners on the corners.� 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) grounded to short, but the only play was at first, so Nieuwenhuis scored and Mercer was safe at second.� DH Josh Harrison struck out -- only the second out of the inning.� 3B Brandon Wood (Angels) singled, plating Mercer.� Two more walks, to RF Jeremy Moore (Angels) and Rizzotti, loaded the bases, but Sanchez struck out to end the inning.

Bradley Holt (Mets) made the start for the Solar Sox.� He pitched 3 scoreless innings, allowing only one walk in the 1st inning and one single in the 3rd.� Solar Sox' RF John Mayberry (Phillies) injured his leg on that play -- possibly making a dive for the soft liner?� He had to leave the game, and was replaced by Jeremy Moore.

Tyson Brummett (Phillies) relieved Holt to begin the 4th inning, and he got two strikeouts, then gave up a single and a 2-run homer to RF Michael Taylor (A's).� Brummett gave up another run in the 5th, on a single, a stolen base, a passed ball by Tony Sanchez, and another single.� A fielding error by 3B Brandon Wood put a second runner on base, but Brummett was able to get out of the jam with a grounder to short, fielded by Mercer.� The Solar Sox still held the lead, 6-3.

Nick Carr (Mets) pitched two scoreless innings for the Sox.� He gave up only one hit, a single to Taylor in the 6th.� After a grounder force out at second, a throwing error by Mercer put a runner on second, but the runner was left on base.� Robert Fish (Angels) and Steven Geltz (Angels) each pitched a scoreless inning to wrap up the game for the Solar Sox, but the Sox bats were not done yet.

In the top of the 8th, Nieuwenhuis led off with a walk, and a single by Valdespin put runners on the corners.� Harrison lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in Nieuwenhuis for a 7-3 lead.� Jeremy Moore added the Solar Sox' final run in the top of the 9th with a solo home run.

Holt earned the win for Mesa.� Harrison went 0-for-4 with one RBI.� Sanchez was 1-for-5, and Mercer went 1-for-4.� Lambo led the Pirates' farmhands with a 2-for-5 afternoon and one RBI.� Brandon Wood had 3 hits for Mesa in the game.� Mercer had two throwing errors, and Sanchez had the passed ball.

So far I've reviewed the center field and left field positions, which are held down in the long term by Andrew McCutchen and Jose...

The Arizona Fall League began today with the Mesa Solar Sox taking on the Phoenix Desert Dogs.  Here is how the Pirates prospects fared...