PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

Just a few playoff games in the winter leagues on Wednesday, with the Puerto Rican League taking the day off...

DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Gigantes del Cibao 5, Toros del Este 2

Two hits by 1B Yurendell de Caster were not enough to help Los Toros overcome Los Gigantes. Los Toros scored a run in the top of the 1st, but Los Gigantes came back with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning then 2 more in the 6th and another on a solo homer in the 7th. Los Toros scored a single run again in the 8th.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Tiburones de La Guaira 12, Leones del Caracas 6

For the second night in a row, Los Tiburones chomped on their opponents. This time 16 hits produced 12 runs. They scored 4 in the 1st inning, on a sacrifice fly by 1B Hector Gimenez and a 3-run homer. Two doubles, two singles, and a fielding error added 3 more runs in the 2nd inning. Two 2-run homers plus an RBI single gave La Guaira 5 more runs in the 5th inning. Gimenez had a double and scored in that inning.

Navegantes del Magallanes 5, Bravos de Margarita 4

Magallanes scored their first two runs on two solo homers -- one by 3B Pablo Sandoval to lead off the 4th inning and one by LF Mike Ryan in the 6th. An RBI double produced another 2 runs in the 7th inning, and C Robinson Chirinos' solo homer in the 8th gave Magallanes a 5-1 lead going into the 9th inning. Reliever Jean Machi took the mound ofr Magallanes to begin the 9th inning. Caracas coaxed two walks off Machi, then CF Frank Diaz blasted a 3-run homer to bring Caracas within one run of Magallanes. But Machi got a fly out to end the game and preserve the win.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Venados de Mazatlan 10, Tomateros de Culiacan 2

Mazatlan took a 3-1 lead in this best-of-7 series with this commanding win over Culiacan. Three singles, two doubles, and a walk gave Los Venados 5 runs in the 3rd inning. A bases-loaded grounder brought in another run in the 7th, and they scored 4 more in the 8th on two singles, three walks, and two errors. Rogelios Noris pinch-ran in the 8th, and he came around to score on the second error. 2B Luis Cruz went 0-for-4 for Culiacan, who posted 9 hits but also left 8 runners on base.

Pirate fans have mostly supported adding a second-rate free agent to team with Garrett Jones in covering the right field/first base spots. Even...

Pirates' players and friends in Tuesday's winter league playoffs:

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Criollos de Caguas 5, Indios de Mayaguez 4

The two teams kept pace with each other until the bottom of the 7th inning. Mayaguez got things started with a run in the top of the 1st. Caguas' SS Luis Figueroa singled in the bottom of the inning, and scored on a double and a sacrifice fly. Mayaguez added 2 runs in the 3rd, and Caguas replied with 2 in the bottom of the 4th. Los Criollos took the lead with a run in the 5th, when CF Luis Matos reached first base on a wild pitch on strike three. A hit batter, a single, and another hit batter forced in Matos with the run. Mayaguez tied the score again in the top of the 7th, and Caguas scored again in the bottom of the frame with a double and an RBI single. This time, though, Mayaguez could not respond, and Caguas had the win.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Gigantes del Cibao 9, Toros del Este 2

Los Gigantes scored 2 runs in the 4th and 5 more in the 5th, while holding Los Toros to just 4 hits. The only extra-base hit for Los Toros came off the bat of 1B/3B Yurendell de Caster, who had just joined Los Toros after a stint with Guasave in the Mexican Pacific League. The double led off the 3rd inning, and de Caster advanced to third base on a bunt, but was left there when the inning ended.

Tigres del Licey 7, Leones del Escogido 6

Licey scored 2 runs in the 5th, 2 in the 6th, and one more in the 7th inning, and Escogido tied the score with a 4-run bottom of the 7th inning. LF Brian Myrow began Escogido's rally with a lead-off walk, and he scored on a single and a fielding error. Another walk, an RBI ground out and a 2-RBI double brought the score to 5-5. Licey broke the tie in the next inning with two runs on a walk, two consecutive fielding errors, and an RBI ground out. A walk and a double gave Escogido one run in the bottom of the 9th, but two ground outs ended the inning and the game before Escogido could get any further.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Bravos de Margarita 5, Leones del Caracas 3

Margarita got off to a good start with 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning, on a walk, two singles, an RBI ground out, and a wild pitch. They added another run in the 3rd and a solo homer in the 8th. Caracas scored a single run in each of the 1st, 8th, and 9th innings, but it wasn't enough to catch up. Carlos Maldonado made a pinch-hit appearance for Caracas in the 8th inning, and was hit by the pitch. He was replaced by a pinch-runner, but that was more likely due to the fact that Maldonado is a very slow runner than because he was significantly injured when he was hit.

Tiburones de La Guaira 16, Aguilas de Zulia 1

Los Tiburones took a huge bite of Los Aguilas, with 16 runs on 21 hits. The 6-run 4th inning began with three consecutive walks, then two singles, a double, and a final RBI single by 1B/3B Hector Gimenez. Gimenez also doubled and scored in the 9th, and reached base on a grounder force out and then scored in the 6th.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Tomateros de Culiacan 8, Venados de Mazatlan 6

Two late-inning rallies were not enough for Mazatlan to overcome an early Culiacan lead. 2B Luis Cruz led off the 2nd inning for Culiacan with the first of three singles in the inning. A double followed the singles, and 2 runs were in. Mazatlan scored one run in the top of the 3rd, on two walks, a sacrifice bunt and a balk. Culiacan picked up 2 more runs on three singles in the 4th inning. Cruz started the 4-run rally in the 5th with another single, which was followed by four more singles and a hit batter. Mazatlan had a 3-run homer in the 8th, and a 2-run homer in the 9th, but still fell short.

Pirates' players and friends in Monday's winter league playoff action (the Mexican Pacific League had the night off):

DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Toros del Este 8, Tigres del Licey 6

Los Toros exploded for 8 runs in the 7th inning, which featured three walks, three doubles, and a homer. All the scored occurred after two outs had been recorded. Denny Bautista pitched to two batters in the middle of the mess, and walked the first and gave up an RBI single to the second. CF Jose Bautista contributed an RBI single for Licey in the 3rd inning, but was out at the plate when he tried to score himself. He also had an RBI double in the 8th inning. DH Ronny Paulino went 0-for-4 and was hit by a pitch.

Leones del Escogido 4, Gigantes del Cibao 3

Los Gigantes had an early 2-0 lead, but Escogido caught up with 2 runs in the 6th, and took the lead with a walk, a wild pitch, and a single in the 7th. Reliever Juan Perez pitched a 1-2-3 top of the 9th for Los Gigantes, and his teammates came through with a run on a walk and two singles to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. That sent the game into extras.... Escogido put two runners on base in the top of the 12th, but couldn't push anyone across the plate. Former Indy Indian (2000-01) 1B Kevin Barker (more recently with the Reds and Louisville Bats) gave Escogido the win with a solo homer in the top of the 13th.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Criollos de Caguas 4, Leones de Ponce 3

Ponce took a 3-0 lead with a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning and another run in the top of the 4th. Caguas came back to score in three consecutive innings. They scored one run in the bottom of the 4th, then tied it with two runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI double in the 5th. A walk, a throwing error, and a single complicated by a second throwing error in the 6th inning gave Caguas the go-ahead run. CF Luis Matos and SS Luis Figueroa each had a hit for Caguas, but neither came around to score.

VENZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Leones del Caracas 5, Navegantes del Magallanes 4

LF/2B Ronny Cedeno did not have a hit (he had 7 hits over the last two games), but he contributed a run-scoring bunt and later came around to score in Magallanes' 4-run 3rd inning. DH Mike Ryan had an RBI double in that rally. The 4 runs gave Magallanes a 4-2 lead, which held until the 8th inning. In the top of the 8th, Caracas' CF/RF Josh Kroeger (White Sox and Team USA) reached base on a fielding error. Kroeger scored on a triple, and LF Jose Castillo brought the tying run in with an RBI single. Magallanes' reliever Corey Hamman took the mound at that point (one out), but Hamman gave up a single to pinch-hitter Carlos Maldonado, and he was also relieved. A walk loaded the bases, and a wild pitch allowed Castillo to score the winning run.

Tiburones de La Guaira 3, Aguilas de Zulia 2

Romulo Sanchez suffered the loss for Zulia when he gave up an RBI single and then threw a wild pitch that allowed La Guaira to score another run in the 8th inning. That gave La Guaira a 2-1 lead, and even though each team scored a run in the 9th inning, Sanchez was charged with the blown save and the loss. 1B Hector Gimenez went 0-for-4 for La Guaira.

The Pirates have signed three pitchers to minor league contracts:

Tyler Yates is not a big surprise. The 32-year-old had "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow last July, and had already agreed to come back to play for the Pirates. This was just the formality of signing the paper. Yates made 72 relief appearances for the Pirates in 2008, earning a 6-3 record with on save and a 4.66 ERA. In 73.1 innings, he gave up 72 hits, 38 earned runs, 41 BB, and struck out 63 batters. Prior to going on the Disabled List in 2009, Yates had thrown just 12 innings in 15 appearances, allowing 10 earned runs on 14 hits, with 7 BB and 9 K. That gave him a 0-2 record and a 7.50 ERA. Yates was originally drafted by the A's in 1998 and reached the AAA level in their organization in 2002. He was traded to the Mets after that season, and continued in their minor league system, making his major league debut in April 2004. He also pitched for the Braves at the AAA and the major league levels in 2006 and 2007. Yates will be joining the Pirates for spring training as a non-roster invitee, but isn't expected to be game-ready yet.

Neal Cotts was also drafted by the A's, in the 2nd round of the 2001 draft. The lefty was traded to the White Sox after the 2002 season. Cotts was assigned to the AA level in the White Sox system, where he had a 2.16 ERA in 21 starts, with 133 strikeouts in 108.1 innings. That earned him a call-up to the majors for his major league debut in August 2003. After three full seasons with the White Sox, during which he made the move to the bullpen, Cotts was traded across town to the Cubs. He split the last three season between the AAA Iowa Cubs and the big league team. With Iowa, he had a combined 3.70 ERA (and 2.30 for 2008 plus 2009) with 92 strikeouts in 90 innings. With the Cubs, his combined ERA was 4.99, with 66 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. His 2009 season was halted by elbow problems and he too had "Tommy John" surgery, back in July. Like Yates, Cotts has an invitation to major league spring training, but won't be ready for live game competition when the 2010 season begins.

The third pitcher signed is lefty Brian Burres. Burres was drafted by the Giants in 2000, and pitched for four seasons in their organization as both a starter and a reliever. He was claimed off waivers by the Orioles and spent the 2006 - 2008 seasons in their organization, splitting the all three seasons between the AAA and major league levels. In 2008, he was mostly in Baltimore, making 31 appearances and 22 starts, with a 7-10 record and a 6.04 ERA. In 129.2 innings, he allowed 165 hits and 87 earned runs, with 50 BB and 63 K. Burres, who will turn 29 just after the start of the 2010 season, spent most of 2009 with the Blue Jays' AAA Las Vegas team. He made 17 starts and 2 relief appearances, earning a 6-7 record and a 4.76 ERA. He pitched 107.2 innings and gave up 121 hits, 57 earned runs, only 30 BB, and 84 K. He also made 2 starts for the Blue Jays at the end of April, but lasted only into the 5th inning in one and only 2 innings in the second, and gave up a total of 10 runs on 12 hits and 5 walks. Burres was also invited to major league spring training, and he should be ready to go at the beginning of the season. If he does not make the major league roster out of spring training, the contract has an out clause that lets him leave, and maybe go to an Asian team.

List of the current non-roster invitees:

Pitchers: Jimmy Barthmaier, Brian Burres, Vinnie Chulk, Neal Cotts, Craig Hansen, Jeff Karstens, Wil Ledezma, Jean Machi, Jeremy Powell, Jack (Jayson) Taschner, Justin Thomas, Virgil Vasquez, and Tyler Yates.

Catchers: Erik Kratz and Tony Sanchez

Outfielder: Jonathan Van Every

About a week ago, I wrote that the next winning Pirates team was beginning to take shape. At the time, I was simply...

Per Dejan: The Pirates have agreed to terms on minor league contracts with pitchers Brian Burres, Neal Cotts and Tyler Yates. All will be invited...

Pirates' players and friends in Sunday's winter league playoff action:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Navegantes del Magallanes 7, Tiburones de La Guaira 3

Playing center field again, Ronny Cedeno had another tremendous day at the plate for Magallanes. He doubled and singled twice and brought in one of Los Navegantes' runs. La Guaira began the scoring with one run in the bottom of the 1st, on a walk, a single, and an RBI single by 1B Hector Gimenez. Magallanes took a 2-1 lead with a single, an RBI double by LF Mike Ryan and an RBI single in the 4th. In the 5th, Cedeno led off with a double and came around to score on a sacrifice bunt and a throwing error to give Magallanes a 3-1 lead. Cedeno added another run in the 6th with an RBI single. Magallanes capped it off with a solo homer in the 7th, followed by a walk to Ryan, two singles and an error for two more runs. La Guaira scored one run in the bottom of that frame, on four consecutive singles. Corey Hamman came on in relief with the bases loaded and one out. Hamman got out of the inning with a strikeout and a fly out. Hamman came back out to begin the 8th inning by walking Gimenez. Hamman was relieved but was still charged with the run when Gimenez came around to score on a single, a ground out, and a sacrifice fly. Jean Machi pitched an inning for Magallanes, allowing only a ground-rule double in the 9th. Cedeno also had a single in the 3rd, but was left on base.

Aguilas de Zulia 5, Bravos de Margarita 1

Margarita was held to 6 hits and scored their only run in the 3rd inning, on a single, a stolen base, and an RBI single. Zulia had scored their first run with a solo homer in the 2nd, and took a slim lead with another run on a single and a double in the 6th. Los Aguilas used two walks and three singles in the bottom of the 9th to add 3 insurance runs. Reliever Chris Hernandez pitched the final inning for Zulia and retired Los Bravos in order, and struck out the last two batters of the game.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Lobos de Arecibo 2, Leones de Ponce 1

Each team recorded only 5 hits, and each team scored a run in the 6th inning. Arecibo scored on two singles, and Ponce scored on a hit batter and two singles. The difference came in the 7th inning, when Arecibo's RF Jorge Padilla led off with a double and advanced to third base on a ground out. After a walk, reliever RJ Rodriguez got two ground outs, but Padilla scored from third base on the first grounder. Rodriguez got the first out in the top of the 8th, then gave up two singles before being relieved, though neither runner came in to score.

Criollos de Caguas 7, Gigantes de Carolina 5

This was a slug-fest in comparison, as Caguas recorded 14 hits and Carolina hit 11. CF Luis Matos and SS Luis Figueroa each had two of Caguas' hits, with a single and a double for each. Caguas scored 3 runs in the 4th on Figueroa's double, a walk, and a home run. Carolina countered with a walk, a double, and a homer in the bottom of the 5th. Two singles and a triple gave Caguas another 2 runs in the top of the 6th, but Carolina kept up with 2 in the bottom of the 7th on a triple, a single, and a double. Finally, Caguas got ahead to stay with a run in the 8th and another in the 9th, sparked by Matos' double.

DOMINCAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Gigantes del Cibao 2, Tigres del Licey 1

Licey scored their only run in the 5th, with a double, a sacrifice bunt, and an RBI single. CF Jose Bautista had one of only 6 Licey hits, a double to lead off the 7th inning, and he also walked in the 2nd inning. C Ronny Paulino went 0-for-3, with a walk. Los Gigantes tied the score with a solo homer in the bottom of the 5th, then broke the tie in the 8th with a walk, a bunt, and a single. Los Gigantes' Juan Perez pitched to one batter in the 7th and two in the 8th, and retired all three.

Toros del Este 4, Leones del Escogido 3

Los Toros held a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. They had scored on a 2-run homer in the 7th and added 2 more runs in the top of the 9th on a walk, a sacrifice bunt, a fielding error, and a sacrifice fly. A double, a single, and a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th brought Escogido within one run, but both pinch-hitter Brian Myrow and LF Freddy Guzman struck out to end the game.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Venados de Mazatlan 3, Tomateros de Culiacan 0

Mazatlan pitchers dominated in this game. Los Venados starter Esteban Loaiza retired the first 13 Culiacan batters he faced, before surrendering a lone single in the 5th. He then worked around two singles in the 6th and a double in the 7th, still without allowing a run, then was relieved after giving up a lead-off single in the 8th -- the last hit Culiacan would get. Mazatlan put runners on base in each inning but the 5th, but did not push one across the plate until the 6th, when they scored one run on three singles. An error and two singles gave Mazatlan another run in the 7th inning. Los Venados began the 8th with a walk, and Rogelios Noris was sent in to pinch-run. But the next batter bounced into a double play, and Noris was out at second base. A double and a single followed, and Mazatlan had their third run of the game. 2B Luis Cruz went 0-for-3 for Culiacan.

All but the Dominican League are back up and running after the holiday break. Saturday's playoff action involving Pirates' players and friends:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Navegantes del Magallanes 3, Leones del Caracas 1

Magallanes recorded 16 hits, including 4 singles by CF Ronny Cedeno, but left 12 runners on base and scored only 3 runs. Cedeno did not come around to score at all. He singled to lead off the game and made it as far as third base. He singled again in the 3rd, but was out at home on a fielder's choice. Cedeno's single in the 6th brought in Magallanes' second run (the first run came in the 4th on a homer). The last single came in the 8th, but Cedeno was erased in a double play. Los Navegantes' final run in the 9th was also a home run. Caracas scored their only run in the 7th, on a walk, a single, a sacrifice bunt, and an RBI single. Cedeno's throw in from center field on the RBI single was a perfect shot in to home plate, and it kept a second run from scoring on the play. Magallanes' reliever Jean Machi pitched the 9th inning and earned a save. He gave up two singles, and threw a wild pitch that put runners on second and third bases, but then Machi got former Pirate Carlos Maldonado to line out to short to end the game.

Bravos de Margarita 7, Aguilas de Zulia 6

Both teams scored 3 runs in the early innings, but Margarita's 4-run 7th inning gave them the edge over Zulia. Former Indy Indian (for a short time in 2007) Jim Brower made the start for Zulia. He struck out 5 batters but allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits in 6.1 innings. Romulo Sanchez relieved Brower with one out and one on in the 7th. Sanchez first threw a wild pitch, then gave up an RBI double, and a single to load the bases. The runner from third base stole home, and Sanchez loaded the bases again with a walk before being removed. A 2-RBI single brought in two more runs, both charged to Sanchez, who was stuck with the Blown Save and the Loss. Zulia's Chris Hernandez pitched the 9th inning and retired the side in order.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Criollos de Caguas 3, Indios de Mayaguez 1

Caguas' C Carlos Corporan led off the 5th inning with a triple and scored on an error on the relay throw by the Mayaguez second baseman. A single, a stolen base, and an RBI single by CF Luis Matos brought in another run in that inning. A home run gave Los Criollos an insurance run in the 9th. Mayaguez scored their lone run in the 2nd inning on a double and an RBI single. SS Luis Figueroa had a rare hitless night for Caguas.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 1, Tomateros de Culiacan 0

Six hits for each team, but Mazatlan got the ones that counted. In the bottom of the 5th, 3B Heber Gomez doubled and RF Christian Quintero followed with an RBI single to provide the only run of the game. 2B Luis Cruzsingled in the 2nd inning for Culiacan, but was erased in a double play.

Happy New Year!

Now that the Puerto Rican and Mexican Pacific Leagues have also finished their regular season, there will be more playoffs after a short holiday break.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Los Lobos de Arecibo won the pennant with a 21-11 recored. Los Gigantes de Carolina came in second, 3.5 games back. Los Indios de Mayaguez came in third, Los Criollos de Caguas fourth, and Los Leones de Ponce finished last, with a 12-21 record, 9.5 games out of first place. Stats for a few players:

RJ Rodriguez -(Ponce): 17 relief appearances, 1-0 record, 2 saves, 3.80 ERA; 21.1 innings, 19 hits, 13 runs/9 earned runs, 6 BB, 12 K, batters hit .238 against him. He had a couple of rough outings but generally was the Rodriguez we saw in Lynchburg.

Jorge Charry- (Ponce) (2008 Spikes): 5 relief appearances, no wins/losses/saves, 1.93 ERA; 4.2 innings, 4 hits, 1 runs, 2 BB, 1 K, batters hit .235 against him.

Shane Youman - (Arecibo): 5 starts, 1-2 record, 6.75 ERA; 17.1 innings, 29 hits, 13 runs, 7 BB, 13 K; batters hit .375 against him.

Greg Picart-(Ponce): 18 games, .167 average (3-for-18), 0 BB, 3 K. Not a performance that helped his standing.

Luis Figueroa - (Caguas): 32 games, .317 average, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, 15 RBI, 11 BB, 6 K, 2 stolen bases. This is the same scrappy infielder with the big grin who played for the Indy Indians in 2004.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo finished in first place, with a 20-13 record. Los Tomateros de Culiacan and Los Yaquis de Obregon tied for second place, just 0.5 games behind. Los Algodoneros de Guasave were next, then a tie between Los Venados de Mazatlan (the first half division winner) and Los Mayos de Navojoa. Los Caneros de Los Mochis and Los Aguilas de Mexicali finished at the bottom of the pile. Stats for a few players:

Brian Bixler- (Mazatlan, first half): 35 games, .300 average, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 5 homers, 12 RBI, 13 BB, 42 K, 4 stolen bases. Generally a strong performance, other than the strikeouts, which can only help make him look good to other teams when the Pirates go to either trade or release him.

Rogelios Noris -(Mazatlan): 20 games, .333 average, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 12 K. An excellent rookie performance before the hometown fans.

Luis Cruz- (Culiacan): 53 games, .314 average, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 4 homers, 22 RBI, 16 BB, 19 K, 3 stolen bases. Another strong showing in his native country. Best of luck with the Brewers.

Chris Snelling- (Obregon): 23 games, .254 average, 1 double, 3 homers, 11 RBI, 11 BB, 8 K, 1 stolen base.

Yurendell de Caster- (Guasave): 24 games, .372 average, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 5 homers, 15 RBI, 6 BB, 7 K. This should help him find a job for 2010.

Ty Taubenheim -(Hermosillo): 6 starts, 1-2 record, 4.66 ERA; 29 innings, 32 hits, 17 runs/15 earned runs, 11 BB, 15 K, batters hit .288 against him. Didn't really help his own cause, unfortunately.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Los Leones de Caracas lead the round robin playoff format with a 3-0 record. Los Aguilas de Zulia have played only one game and are 1-0. Los Navegantes del Magallanes are 1-1, and Los Bravos de Margarita and Los Tiburones de La Guaira are both 0-2.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Los Gigantes del Cibao and Los Leones del Escogido are tied in the round robin tournament with 3-2 records. That leaves Los Tigres del Licey and Los Toros del Este at the bottom, both with 2-3 records.

The Mexican Pacific and Puerto Rican Leagues wrapped up their regular season games on Wednesday night... though one of the Puerto Rican games was postponed and the other was cut short due to rain. The Venezuelan and Dominican Leagues continue with their playoffs...

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Navegantes del Magallanes 9, Tiburones de La Guaira 6

Consecutive 4-run innings by Magallanes gave them the edge over La Guaira. Los Tiburones scored one run in the 1st, 2 runs in the 3rd, and one run in the 5th. In the 8th inning, with Corey Hamman on the mound for Magallanes, a walk and a triple brought in one run, and LF/1B Hector Gimenez singled to bring in a second run. Ronny Cedeno, who was selected by Magallanes in the post-season draft, had a single and a double. Magallanes' first run came in the 2nd inning, on a double by LF Mike Ryan, followed by a single and a wild pitch. Ryan had the second single of the 4th inning, and a double brought in both runners. Two more singles, one by Cedeno, plated another run, and a sacrifice bunt scored the 4th run of the inning. In the 5th, the first double of the inning brought in one run. Two walks loaded the bases for Cedeno, who doubled to clear the bases for 3 RBI.

Leones del Caracas 8, Bravos de Margarita 3

Caracas also had a 4-run inning, the 6th, to seal their victory. C Carlos Maldonado walked in Caracas' 2-run rally in the 2nd. He also doubled to lead off the 4th inning, and scored on two singles. In the 6th inning, two singles, a double, a wild pitch, and a throwing error contributed to the 4-run rally. Maldonado and Bravos' pitcher Edgar Martinez were both ejected following in the wild pitch. Margarita scored 2 runs in the 2nd and another run in the 4th, but couldn't answer after Los Leones' 4-run frame. Jonel Pacheco made a pinch-hit appearance for Margarita in the bottom of the 9th, but struck out to end the game.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Leones del Escogido 3, Tigres del Licey 0

Two pitcher ejections in this game...details not available yet. In the bottom of the 5th, Jhonny Nunez took the mound for Licey and was ejected without officially facing a batter. He was replaced by Denny Bautista, who was charged with a walk but was also ejected. Licey 2B Ronnie Belliard was ejected in the 9th inning. Escogido scored 2 runs in the 4th on a single and an RBI double. A walk to LF Brian Myrow and a single loaded the bases, and a sacrifice fly brought in another run. A single, two bunts, and a sacrifice fly added one more insurance run in the 6th. C Ronny Paulino and CF Jose Bautista both went 0-for-4 for Licey.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Algodoneros de Guasave 9, Venados de Mazatlan 1

Los Venados were held to 3 hits, and their only run came on a walk and an RBI double in the top of the 1st. Guasave countered with 3 runs in the bottom of the frame, and went on to score in four more consecutive innings (3rd through 6th). CF Rogelios Noris went 0-for-3 for his hometown Mazatlan.

Tomateros de Culiacan 3, Mayos de Navojoa 1

Navojoa out-hit Culiacan 6-4, but Los Tomateros put their hits to good use. The first Culiacan batter of the game walked, but the next 12 went down in order. They began the 5th with another walk, and then LF Luis Cruz was hit by a pitch. A single into left field brought the lead runner in and put Cruz on third base. He scored on a sacrifice fly, and a throwing error let the second runner advance to third base. That runner scored on an RBI single. The only Culiacan batter to reach base for the rest of the game was Cruz, when he tripled in the 6th inning, but was left on base. Navojoa also began their batting with a walk, but that runner was erased with a double play. They also had a single in the 3rd inning, but caught that runner stealing. Navojoa scattered 5 more singles and another walk over the rest of the game. Their only run was scored in the bottom of the 9th, on a single, a stolen base, and another single.

Pirates' players and friends in Tuesday's winter league action:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Aguilas de Zulia 19, Navegantes del Magallanes 12

No, that isn't a football score. These two teams slugged it out with a total of 39 hits, including 5 home runs. Zulia scored in each of the first five innings, including 5 runs in the 1st and 7 runs in the 5th. Magallanes scored in four consecutive innings, and even scored 3 in the bottom of the 9th, and on most days that would have been fine, but not on this day. Zulia's reliever Chris Hernandez took the mound to begin the bottom of the 9th, and he began by giving up a walk, a single, and an RBI double. He did get a ground out, then gave up two more singles. Hernandez was relieved, but a walk loaded the bases again. After another out, Romulo Sanchez, who was taken from Los Cardenales de Lara in the playoff draft, came in to get the final strikeout. DH Mike Ryan went 2-for-6, with an RBI single in the 3rd inning. Corey Hamman pitched the 8th inning for Magallanes, and he gave up 2 runs on two singles, a walk, and a double. Jean Machi pitched the 9th inning for Magallanes, and set down three Zulia batters in order with three ground outs.

Leones de Caracas 5, Bravos de Margarita 3

Three runs in the 3rd inning were all that Margarita could get. C Carlos Maldonado began Caracas' scoring with a solo homer in the 3rd, and two singles and two wild pitches brought in another run. Caracas loaded the bases in the 6th inning on a walk and two singles. An RBI single tied the game, and Maldonado's sacrifice fly brought in the go-ahead run. Maldonado led off the 9th by reaching base on a fielding error. He was replaced by a pinch-runner, who came around to score on a sacrifice bunt, a fielder's choice and an error.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Gigantes del Cibao 6, Tigres del Licey 5

CF Jose Bautista had an RBI double and C Ronny Paulino followed with an RBI single in Licey's 3-run 2nd inning. A single, a passed ball, and another single added another run for Los Tigres in the 3rd. Los Gigantes scored 2 runs in the 2nd, and took the lead with 3 runs in the 4th inning. One more run gave them insurance in the 6th inning, and that held up despite Licey scoring one more of their own in the 8th. Juan Perez pitched to one Licey batter in the 5th inning and got a fly out.

Toros del Este 9, Leones del Escogido 3

A 5-run 6th inning and a total of 19 hits put Los Toros over the top. One Toros batter had 4 hits and three more had 3 hits each. RF Wladimir Balentien went 4-for-4 and DH Willis Otanez had 3 hits for Escogido. LF Brian Myrow was hitless in 3 at-bats for Los Leones.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Criolles de Caguas 8, Indios de Mayaguez 4

Caguas posted 14 hits, including 2 by CF Luis Matos and one by SS Luis Figueroa

. Los Criollos got the early lead with back-to-back solo homers to lead off the 2nd inning. Matos began a rally in the 7th inning with a walk, and scored after a fielding error and an RBI double. A hit batter and a walk forced in a second run in that inning. Mayaguez came back with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning, but Caguas loaded the bases again in the 8th inning, and then brought in 4 runs with a single and a 3-RBI double.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Mayos de Navojoa 1, Tomateros de Culiacan 0

The opposite of the Venezuelan slugfest -- only one run scored, though both teams were able to put runners on base in several innings. 2B Luis Cruz was 0-for-4 for Culiacan.

Algodoneros de Guasave 2, Venados de Mazatlan 1 -- Game 1

Home runs were the only scoring in this game. Mazatlan's DH Robert Saucedo homered in the 4th, but Guasave had homers in the 2nd and 4th to take the win. 3B Yurendell de Caster singled in the 1st for Guasave, but was left on base.

Guasave 1, Mazatlan 0 -- Game 2

Another anti-slugfest, with the two teams combining for just 5 hits. Guasave scored the only run of the game on a walk and an RBI double in the 3rd. 3B Yurendell de Caster was 0-for-3 in this game.