PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

This is several days old, but I wanted to highlight a quote from new MLB Player Union Chief Mike Weiner. One, we really do believe...

I was paying little attention to the internet the past few days, but apparently the Pirates contacted every middling free agent they could find....

A quick look at how Pirates' players and friends fared in Thursday night's winter league games...

VENZUELAN LEAGUE

Aguilas de Zulia 8, Tigres de Aragua 5

New Pirate hurler Wil Ledezma suffered his third straight loss as he made the start for Aragua. Both teams hit well -- 15 for Aragua and 16 for Zulia -- but Los Tigres also left 11 runners on base. Ledezma lasted 5 innings and allowed 5 runs on 10 hits. He gave up 2 runs in the 1st inning on four singles and a walk, and 3 more runs came in the 3rd inning, on four more singles and a double. Ledezma also gave up a single in the 4th, but picked the runner off base, and a single in the 5th was erased by a double play. CF Jason Pridie (Twins) led Aragua with 4 singles. SS Ronny Cedeno singled to lead off the 5th inning and came around to score after two more singles. He led off the 7th with another single, followed by one of Pridie's singles, and both of them scored on 1B Hector Gimenez's 2-RBI single. Cedeno also contributed a sacrifice bunt in the 1st inning. C Alex Delgado singled in the 2nd inning but did not score, and brought in the run in the 4th inning with a sacrifice fly. Reliever Chris Hernandez earned his 14th save for Zulia with a perfect 9th inning.

Tiburones de La Guaira 10, Caribes de Anzoategui 3

Los Caribes had an early lead when they scored 3 runs in the 2nd inning. A wild pitch on strike three and a single put runners on first and second bases, and a ground out combined with a throwing error brought in one run. CF Gorkys Hernandez walked, then a single scored another run and advanced Hernandez to third base. Hernandez stole home in a double-steal, and Los Caribes were ahead 3-0. But Los Tiburones bit back, and scored 3 runs in the 3rd to tie the game, then went on to score 4 in the 4th and 3 in the 6th, and Los Caribes could not answer back. Hernandez walked to lead off the 5th inning but was forced out at second base. He singled to begin the 7th, and was again out at second in a double play. Adenson Chourio, who had not appeared in a game for Los Caribes since Nov 21st, came in to play third base in the 9th inning, and grounded out in his only plate appearance.

Cardenales de Lara 14, Navegantes del Magallanes 1

It was all Cardenales, all night, as Lara had an 11-0 lead after 3 inning, and added single runs in each of the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. Magallanes was held to just 4 hits, and their only run came on a solo homer in the 9th. LF Mike Ryan had one of the hits-- a double to lead off the 7th. Argenis Diaz entered the game in the 3rd inning to play shortstop, and he went 0-for-2 at the plate.

Bravos de Margarita 9, Leones del Caracas 6

Margarita began their scoring with a 5-run 3rd inning, and had the advantage of a 3-run homer by RF Rene Reyes and two solo homers by C Henry Blanco. Ronald Uviedo came in from the bullpen for Caracas in the top of the 9th, with two outs and runners on first and second bases. He gave up a single to Dennys Abreu, but the throw in from the outfield was in time to tag the lead runner out at the plate and prevent Margarita from adding to their score.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tomateros de Culiacan 9, Aguilas de Mexicali 6

2B Luis Cruz led Culiacan with 3 hits, including two doubles. He led off the 5-run 2nd inning with a single, and came around to score as his teammates added a double and three more singles, and also took advantage of a throwing error and a wild pitch. Cruz doubled to lead off the third inning, then doubled again to lead off the 9th, and also stole third base but didn't score in either of those innings.

Caneros de Los Mochis 4, Yaquis de Obregon 3

These two teams went into the top of the 9th with Los Caneros ahead 3-2. Los Caneros had scored one run in each of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th innings. Obregon got onto the scoreboard with one run in the 5th, when 1B Chris Snelling walked, went to second base on a fielding error by the pitcher, advanced to third when the pitcher was so flustered that he threw a wild pitch, and then scored on an RBI ground out. A solo homer gave Obregon a second run in the 8th. In the top of the 9th, a walk, a stolen base, and an RBI single by Los Yaquis tied the score at 3-3. Snelling also singled in that inning but was left on base. Los Caneros loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th on a double, a throwing error and an intentional walk. Los Yaquis almost got out of the jam when a grounder to shortstop let them throw the lead runner out at the plate. But the next batter singled through the right side of the infield, and Los Caneros had the walk-off win.

Mayos de Navojoa 8, Algodoneros de Guasave 5

Five runs in the bottom of the 8th pushed Navojoa past Guasave. LF Yurendell de Caster blasted a 2-run homer for Guasave in the 7th inning, which gave them a temporary 4-3 lead. They scored again in the 8th, and were leading 5-3 before Navojoa exploded in the bottom of the inning.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Lobos de Arecibo 6, Criollos de Caguas 5

SS Luis Figueroa singled in Caguas' rally that scored one run in the top of the 6th inning. Los Criollos added 4 more runs in the 8th, when Caguas took advantage of 3 Aricebo errors plus four singles. Figueroa singled and came around to score in that rally. But Los Lobos rebounded to score one run in the bottom of that inning, and then scored 3 more on a bases-loaded double in the bottom of the 9th for the walk-off win.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Toros del Este 7, Aguilas Cibaenas 4

Los Aguilas had the early 4-0 lead, but Los Toros scored 7 unanswered runs in the late innings to take the win. C Erik Kratz brought in Los Aguilas' first run in the 2nd inning with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly. A home run, a double, and another homer to lead off the 3rd inning accounted for the rest of Los Aguilas' scoring. Kratz walked to begin the 4th inning, and when Los Toros tried to pick him off first base, the throwing error let him advance to third. But he was left stranded by three quick outs.

Wednesday's winter league action involving Pirates' players and friends:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Aguilas de Zulia 7, Tigres de Aragua 2

Zulia posted 5 runs in the 2nd inning, and 1B Ernesto Mejia homered twice (two solo shots), while Aragua put runners on base but could not get them in to score. Los Tigres fell victim to three double plays, left 5 men on base, and had only one hit (in 6 chances) with a runner in scoring position. Their two runs came in the 3rd inning, on a single, an RBI double by C Raul Chavez, and an RBI single that scored Chavez. SS Ronny Cedeno was hitless in 4 trips to the plate, and 1B Hector Gimenez went 0-for-2. Alex Delgado took over behind the plate for Chavez in the 6th inning, and he also was hitless in his one trip to the plate.

Caribes de Anzoategui 9, Tiburones de La Guaira 3

Los Caribes took advantage of 12 hits, including two 2-run homers by RF Aaron Cunningham (A's) in their win over Los Tiburones. Gorkys Hernandez entered the game to play center field in the top of the 9th. Two balls came his way, but both fell in as hits.

Bravos de Margarita 8, Navegantes del Magallanes 7

Even a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th was not enough for Magallanes as they tried to overcome Margarita's early 6-run lead (5 runs in the 2nd and another in the 3rd). Argenis Diaz pinch-ran for Magallanes in the bottom of the 8th and remained in the game as the DH, though he did not get a plate appearance. LF Mike Ryan went 0-for-4 for Magallanes.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Aguilas de Mexicali 4, Tomateros de Culiacan 1

Culiacan was held to just one run, which came in the 5th inning on a triple and an RBI single. 2B Luis Cruz singled in the 2nd inning and made it as far as second base, but was left standing there when the inning ended.

Mayos de Navojoa 7, Algodoneros de Guasave 6

Guasave rallied for 2 runs in the 8th, and 4 runs in the 9th, but fell just short of catching up to Navojoa. 1B Yurendell de Caster continued his week-long tear, going 2-for-4, "dropping" his average to .519 (14-for-27, OPS=1.147). He singled in the 1st inning, and his sacrifice fly in the 8th brought in Guasave's first run. He singled again in the 9th inning rally.

Yaquis de Obregon 15, Caneros de Los Mochis 8

Los Caneros were leading 4-3 after 4 innings, but Obregon caught fire in the second half of the game, scoring in 4 of the last 5 innings. They sent 12 batters to the plate in the 6th inning and collected 8 runs on a homer, two doubles, four singles, and a hit batter. 1B Chris Snelling walked immediately after a 3-run homer in the 1st inning. His single brought in Los Yaquis' 2 runs in the 5th inning.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey 4, Gigantes del Cibao

Licey broke a 3-3 tie with one run in the bottom of the 8th inning. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt, LF Timo Perez (former Toledo Mud Hen) bounced a ball back to the mound, where former Pirate Juan Perez fielded it cleanly, but made a wild throw, allowing the run to score. Perez was charged with the loss. Los Gigantes' Denny Bautista pitched to the first three batters in the top of the 8th -- a pop out, a strikeout, and a walk. Indy area native 1B Jake Fox (Cubs) was 1-for-4 for Licey.

Aguilas Cibaenas 3, Estrellas de Oriente 2

Los Estrellas were held to just 6 hits, and two of those belonged to 1B Brian Myrow. Los Aguilas got onto the scoreboard first, with a run in the bottom of the 1st inning on a triple and an RBI ground out. Los Estrellas tied the score in the 3rd, when RF Maiko Loyola struck out but reached first on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch advanced Loyola to second base, and he moved to third on a single. C Robinzon Diazbrought Loyola in with an RBI ground out. Los Aguilas took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 4th and picked up an insurance run in the 7th inning. Los Estrellas missed a scoring opportunity in the 6th, when Myrow doubled, and two batters walked to load the bases -- but a strikeout ended the inning with all 3 runners still in place. Myrow singled to open the 8th inning, but was out at second on a force play. Los Estrellas scored one run in that inning after another single, a stolen base, and an RBI ground out by SS Pedro Lopez. C Erik Kratz caught the final inning for Los Estrellas but did not have a plate appearance.

Checking in on Pirates' farmhands and friends in Tuesday's winter league action.... The Venezuelan League had another scheduled day off. MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE Aguilas de Mexicali 4, Tomateros de Culiacan 1 Culiacan's first two batters singled and doubled to score one run in the top of the 1st, and the team was shut down after that. 2B Luis Cruz went 0-for-4 for Culiacan. Mexicali scored in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings to take the win. Mayos de Navojoa 5, Algodoneros de Guasave 2 1B Yurendell de Caster singled in each of his first three at-bats, but could not come around to score any of those times. Guasave scored their two runs in the 7th inning, but Navojoa scored two runs in the 2nd, and one run in each of the 1st, 5th, and 7th innings to easily overcome Guasave. Caneros de Los Mochis 6, Yaquis de Obregon 4 1B Chris Snelling also reached base three times, with two singles and a walk, but he did not make it around to score either. Obregon could not catch up to Los Caneros' 4 runs in the 3rd inning and 2 more runs in the 4th. DOMINICAN LEAGUE Aguilas Cibaenas 5, Estrellas de Oriente 3 Los Aguilas were trailing 3-2 until the top of the 8th inning, when they used a little bit of everything to score 3 runs: a triple, a walk, a hit batter, a double, and a single. �Ramon Aguero came on to pitch the 9th inning for Los Aguilas, and he earned his first save with a scoreless 9th that included a walk and two strikeouts. Los Estrellas scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning. SS Pedro Lopez led off with a single, and advanced to third base on a double. A sacrifice fly brought in Lopez, and 1B Brian Myrow brought in another run with an RBI single. A triple and a sacrifice fly added another run for Los Estrellas in the 3rd inning. Lopez singled again in the 4th inning, and Myrow singled again in the 5th. Maiko Loyola came into the game to play left field in the top of the 9th, and he struck out in his only plate appearance in the bottom of the inning. PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE Criollos de Caguas 4, Gigantes de Carolina 3 (11 innings) Former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa tied the game up for Caguas with a 2-RBI double in the bottom of the 9th inning. Then in the bottom of the 11th, Figueroa dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move 2B Jose Castro (Reds), who had doubled, over to third base. Castro scored on a throwing error by the Carolina pitcher, likely as he was trying to pick Castro off third.

Not much winter league action on Monday night. The Venezuelan and Mexican Pacific Leagues both had a scheduled day off, and the Puerto Rican and Dominican Leagues had limited action.

Leones de Ponce 5, Criollos de Caguas 3

Reliever RJ Rodriguez earned his second save for Ponce with a scoreless 9th inning. He had to work around a single and another batter who reached on a throwing error, but then retired two former Indy Indians, 2B Luis Figueroa and CF Luis Matos to end the game. Caguas scored first, with 3 runs in the 2nd inning. Those runs came in on a wild pitch, an RBI double, and a sacrifice bunt by Figueroa. Ponce came back to tie the game in the 3rd inning on a bases-loaded ground-rule double and a sacrifice fly. Another sacrifice fly brought in the go-ahead run in the 4th, and a fielding error gave Los Leones an insurance run in the 6th. Matos had a single in the 5th inning but was out in a double play.

Toros de Este 8, Estrellas de Oriente 6

A 3-run rally in the bottom of the 9th wasn't enough for Los Estrellas to catch up to Los Toros. 1B Brian Myrow started the rally with a one-out single, moved to third on a double, and scored on a sacrifice fly. A throwing error and a single brought in a secon run. Pinch hitter Maiko Loyola also singled, moving the lead runner to third, and that runner was then able to score on a wild pitch. But the rally ended there, with Los Toros taking the win.

Several moves by the Pirates today, and changes relating to moves they made 10 days ago.

C Robinzon Diaz was designated for assignment, but because he had accumulated enough "service time", he could not be outrighted to the Pirates' minor league system when he cleared waivers. That makes him a minor league free agent, who is apparently not interested in coming back to the Pirates. Best of luck in his future endeavors!

Pitchers Jeff Karstens and Justin Thomas were also DFA'ed 10 days ago. They have both also cleared waivers, and will be outrighted to AAA Indianapolis. They will both be invited to the major league camp for spring training as non-roster invitees.

Today the Pirates signed LHP Wil Ledezma to a minor league contract and invited him to join the major leaguers at spring training too. Ledezma is a Venezuelan native who will be 29 for the 2010 season. He was originally signed by the Red Sox in 1998 and played in their system through the 2002 season, reaching the A level. The Tigers took Ledezma from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2002 and remained with the major league team for all of the 2003 season, making 34 appearances (8 starts) for 84 innings, with a 3-7 record and a 5.79 ERA. After that obligatory season in the majors, Ledezma made 16 starts for AA Erie in 2004, where he earned a 2.42 ERA and a 10-3 record, and struck out 98 in 111.2 innings. He also made 15 appearances for the Tigers, and was a bit better than the previous season: 4-3 record, 4.39 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 53.1 innings. Ledezma split the next two seasons between AAA Toledo and Detroit, mostly as a starting pitcher, with a combined 14-13 record and a 4.38 ERA. Ledezma began 2007 with Detroit again, going 3-1 and 4.80 in 23 relief appearances. He was traded to the Braves in June 2007, where he struggled in 12 relief appearances. He was traded to Padres at the trading deadline the next month, but struggled there too. The Padres resigned him to a one year contract for the 2008, and he split that season between AAA Portland and San Diego. He made a combined 36 appearances (6 starts in the majors) with a 4.46 ERA. Ledezma began 2009 with the Nationals, but again struggled and was sent to AAA Syracuse by the end of April. He had 18 appearances for the Chiefs, where he allowed 29 hits in 19.1 innings, and a 4.19 ERA. Batters hit him to the tune of a .358 batting average against him. At the end of July, he went to Toronto but did not go to AAA -- he made 3 relief appearances in A+ Dunedin and 8 in AA New Hampshire. He pitched 16.1 innings in New Hampshire, allowing 19 hits, with 21 strikeouts, and batters hit .297 against him. Ledezma could get his act together and get a spot in the Pirates' bullpen, or he could land in either AAA or AA, depending on how his spring goes.

OF Jonathan Van Every also signed a minor league contract with the Pirates. He just turned 30 years old last week. Van Every was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 29th round of the 2000 draft. He moved up through the Cleveland organization and split both the 2006 and 2007 seasons between AA Akron and AAA Buffalo. He hit .344 with Akron in 2007 in 44 games, with 14 doubles, 5 triples, 4 homers, and 34 RBI. Strikeouts have been a problem for Van Every: 129 K's with A+ Kinston in 2004, 155 for Akron in 2005, 130 in two levels in 2006, and "only" 105 in two levels in 2007. Van Every became a free agent at the end of the 2007 season, and signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox for 2008. He spent most of 2008 with AAA Pawtucket, where he hit .263 with 15 doubles, 3 triples, a team-leading 26 homers, and 70 RBI, but with 157 strikeouts. He also made his major league debut that season, on May 14th, but played in only 11 games in three short stints for Boston and went 4-for-17 at the plate. Van Every was back with Pawtucket to begin the 2009 season, but was hitting only .215 with 4 doubles, 4 homers, and 10 RBI by mid-June. He was on the Disabled List with a left knee sprain from May 30th to June 9th, but after two games, went back onto the DL. On July 8th, Van Every was designated for assignment, and he didn't play for the rest of the season. Van Every will also get a chance to show his stuff at major league camp for spring training, but he's likely to end up back at AAA for 2010.

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

VENZUELAN LEAGUE

Tiburones de La Guaira 7, Aguilas de Zulia 6

Los Tiburones jumped up and bit Los Aguilas with 6 runs in the bottom of the 9th to get the walk-off win. Zulia was sitting on a 6-1 lead going into the bottom of the 9th, and former Pirate Ronald Belisario had just pitched the top of the 9th (and so was the pitcher of record) for La Guaira. His teammates began the bottom of the 9th with two singles, and a throwing error on a pickoff attempt put both runners into scoring position. A sacrifice fly brought in one run, and a walk and another single loaded the bases with one out. Another former Pirate, Chris Hernandez came on in relief for Zulia. Hernandez was charged with a Blown Save and the loss when he allowed two singles, both bringing in a run, and then a 3-run double that gave La Guaira the win.

Tigres de Aragua 2, Navegantes del Magallanes 1

Aragua recorded 11 hits, but the only two that counted were the two solo homers by SS Ronny Cedeno -- on in the bottom of the 1st inning and the other in the 5th inning. C Raul Chavez and 1B Hector Gimenez each had a single for Aragua. Magallanes' only run came on two doubles in the top of the 9th inning, and they had only two other hits besides those. DH Mike Ryan was hitless in 3 trips to the plate.

Caribes de Anzoategui 4, Bravos de Margarita 3

Margarita scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, but could not score again. Los Caribes posted 4 unanswered runs in the late innings -- one in the 6th, one in the 7th, and 2 in the 9th. CF Gorkys Hernandez went 0-for-3 for Los Caribes.

Cardenales de Lara 5, Leones del Caracas 0

Caracas was held to just 4 hits in this shut-out. Lara scored one run in the 1st and 4 runs in the 7th. Romulo Sanchez pitched the top of the 9th for Lara, and walked the first batter, then erased him with a double play before striking out the last batter of the game.

DOMINICAN AND PUERTO RICAN LEAGUES

Aguilas Cibaenas 2, Lobos de Aricebo 0

Los Aguilas scored a run in the 2nd inning on a single, a wild pitch, a stolen base and a throwing error. Two singles and a fielding error gave them another run in the 4th inning. Los Aguilas' starter Ben Jukich (Reds) earned his third win with 8.1 scoreless innings, scattering 7 hits and no walks. C Erik Kratz went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.

Tigres del Licey 9, Leones del Escogido 2

Indy area native LF Jake Fox (Cubs) singled and scored in Licey's 3-run 3rd inning, and smacked a 2-run double in the 5-run 5th inning. A 2-run homer was Escogido's only scoring opportunity.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tomateros de Culiacan 5, Naranjeros de Hermosillo 1

2B/RF Luis Cruz led Culiacan with 2 singles and 2 RBI. In the bottom of the 1st inning, two singles and two wild pitches brought in one run, and Cruz's RBI single gave Los Tomateros their second run. Cruz walked to lead off the 7th inning, then scored on a sacrifice bunt and a throwing error in the 7th. An RBI single brought in a second run in that inning. Cruz had the third single in the 8th inning, bringing in another run for Culiacan.

Algodoneros de Guasave 3, Yaquis de Obregon 2

Two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning and a total of 4 Obregon errors gave Guasave this win. After a single and a walk to lead off the inning a sacrifice bunt was complicated by two throwing errors, one by Obregon's pitcher and another by 1B Chris Snelling, allowing two runs to come in. Guasave had scored their first run of the game in the 3rd inning on another error and an RBI single. LF Yurendell de Caster reached base on another error in the 2nd inning but was out in a double play. He also singled twice but was left on base. Snelling was involved in both of Obregon's run-scoring innings. In the 5th, CF John Mayberry (Phillies) led off with a double, moved to third on Snelling's ground out to the right side of the infield, and scored on a sacrifice fly. A walk, a single, and a hit batter loaded the bases for Obregon in the 6th, and Snelling picked up an RBI with a singled into right field.

Saturday's winter league action with the Pirates' farmhands and friends:

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE

Navegantes del Magallanes 13, Tiburones de La Guaira 4

Magallanes scored 9 runs in the first two innings, and didn't stop there. LF Mike Ryan had a 2-run single in the 4-run 1st inning and came around to score on a throwing error. He also had a one-RBI single in the 5th, and scored on 1B Luis Landaeta's 3-run homer. Magallanes scored again in the 3rd, two more runs in the 7th and another run in the 8th. La Guaira picked up a run on a solo homer in the 2nd and 7th, and another single run in the 5th. After the homer in the 7th, La Guaira loaded the bases on a single and two walks, and then another walk forced in a run. Reliever Corey Hamman came on in relief at that point, and got the only batter he faced to fly out, ending the inning with the bases loaded.

Leones del Caracas 6, Cardenales de Lara 3

Four runs in the 6th inning gave Caracas the boost they needed. Ronald Uviedo came on to pitch for Caracas in the 7th with one out. He gave up a single, then struck out the next two batters to end the inning. He also got the first out in the top of the 8th before being relieved, earning a Hold.

Aguilas de Zulia 10, Tigres de Aragua 9

A 6-run rally in the bottom of the 9th was not quite enough to push Aragua past Zulia. The inning began with a double, an RBI single, and a throwing error, leaving two runners on base for 1B Hector Gimenez. Gimenez's RBI single brought in one run, and with two outs, another single added run #3. Zulia brought on their relief ace Chris Hernandez, but Hernandez gave up three singles, bringing in 3 more runs. Aragua had also scored 2 runs in the 1st inning. on a double, a single by SS Ronny Cedeno, and two sacrifice flies, one by Gimenez. Cedeno also singled in the 3rd, but was out at the plate on a fielder's choice. Gimenez walked to lead off the 6th, and came around to score on an RBI single. All that was not enough, though, as Zulia scored 3 runs in the 1st and another 3 in the 6th, then 2 runs in both the 8th and 9th innings.

Bravos de Margarita 5, Caribes de Anzoategui 4

Los Caribes rallied for 2 runs in the top of the 9th, but Los Bravos hung on for the one-run win. Los Caribes posted only 5 hits, and CF Gorkys Hernandez went 0-for-2, with a sacrifice bunt in the 2-run rally in the 2nd.

The Dominican and Puerto Rican leagues added some interleague games to the mix.

Tigres del Licey 6, Toros del Este 5

Los Toros scored 4 runs in the top of the 1st and one more in the 5th, while Los Tigres scored one run in the 2nd on Indy native LF Jake Fox's solo homer, then scored 4 runs in the 4th, on two singles and 5 walks (one to Fox). The 5-5 tie lasted until the 9th. Denny Bautista took the mound to begin the 8th inning for Licey, and he was relieved after he loaded the bases with three walks around two outs. His relief got the third out, and the score remained tied. In the bottom of the 9th, a single and a stolen base put a Licey runner on second base. He tried to score on another single, but was thrown out at the plate. Finally another single brought in the winning run.

Leones del Escogido 4, Aguilas Cibaenas 3

Escogido got an early lead with 3 runs in the 2nd inning, but Los Aguilas caught up with 2 runs on three singles and a double in the 6th, then another run on two singles and a fielding error in the 7th. Three singles gave Escogido the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th, and Los Aguilas could not respond in the bottom of the frame. C Erik Kratz went 0-for-2 for Los Aguilas. Reliever Ramon Aguero pitched the 6th inning for Los Aguilas. He gave up a single and a walk but kept Los Leones from scoring.

Leones de Ponce (PR) 6, Gigantes del Cibao (DR) 5

These two teams battled back and forth until the game was decided in the bottom of the 9th. Ponce led 2-1 after one inning, then Los Gigantes took a 4-2 lead in the 4th. Ponce tied it up again in the 6th, then Los Gigantes scored one in the 7th and Los Leones scored one in the 8th to tie the score at 5-5. In the top of the 9th, with one out, RJ Rodriguez came on to get the final two outs of the inning for Ponce. He was the pitcher of record when his teammates got on base with a single and a hit batter in the bottom of the inning. A ground out moved the lead runner to third base, and a wild pitch let the winning run score. Former Pirate Juan Perez pitched to one batter (fly out) in the 7th for Los Gigantes.

Lobos de Arecibo 11, Estrellas de Oriente 9

Maiko Loyola homered and 1B Brian Myrow singled and doubled for Los Estrellas, but even a 5-run 8th inning wasn't enough for Los Estrellas to overcome Los Lobos. Los Estrellas had the early lead with 3 runs in the 1st inning on doubles by Myrow and LF Henry Mateo. A double, a stolen base, and a throwing error gave Los Estrellas another run in the 2nd. Aricebo scored in 4 consecutive innings, including 3 runs in the 3rd and 4 in the 5th, and then 2 more runs in the 7th inning gave them a total of 11. Myrow singled in the 7th, but Los Estrellas didn't score again until the 8th. That inning began with a walk and two singles, then SS Pedro Lopez hit a 2-run single. Loyola followed with his 3-run homer. That was all Los Estrellas could get, though, and they fell short of Los Lobos.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Aguilas de Mexicali 9, Venados de Mazatlan 1

Los Venados put base runners on, but could not get them around to score. Their only run came in the 6th, on a double, a walk, and an RBI single by DH Robert Saucedo. Rogelios Noris made a pinch-hit appearance in the 8th inning for Mazatlan, but flied out.

Tomateros de Culiacan 6, Naranjeros de Hermosillo 5

Another back-and-forth game, which was tied at 4-4 after 6 innings, and at 5-5 after each team scored one run in the 7th. Culiacan took the lead with a run in the top of the 8th on RF Mike Cervenak's (Phillies) solo homer, and Los Tomateros held on to win. 2B/RF Luis Cruz singled in the 4th inning, but was thrown out stealing 2nd base.

Algodoneros de Guasave 11, Yaquis de Obregon 5

LF Yurendell de Caster led Guasave with 3 hits, including 2 doubles, and 2 RBI. A 3-run homer gave Guasave the lead in the bottom of the 1st, and de Caster followed the homer with his first double. He singled in the 3rd inning when Guasave scored one run. In the 5th, Guasave added 5 runs, and de Caster brought in two of them with his second double, then scored on an RBI single. Guasave scored 2 more in the 6th. De Caster was safe on a force out, and an error allowed a run to score and de Caster to move to second base. 1B Chris Snelling went 0-for-3 for Obregon.

Looking in on Pirates players and friends in Friday's winter league action:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Caribes de Anzoategui 6, Bravos de Margarita 4

Los Caribes broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 8th inning, with a solo home run, followed by two more runs on a single, an intentional walk, and a 2-RBI double. CF Gorkys Hernandez contributed to the rally with a sacrifice bunt. He also singled in the 2nd inning. Former Indy Indian Tim Harikkala pitched 5.1 innings in his start for Margarita, allowing a run in the 1st inning on two doubles and another run in the 3rd inning on a walk and two singles. He retired the side in order in the 4th and 5th innings, then gave up a single and a sacrifice bunt to start the 6th inning before being relieved.

Cardenales de Lara 12, Tigres de Aragua 2

Los Cardenales ran over Los Tigres, scoring all of their runs in the first 4 innings, before the Aragua bullpen finally was able to shut them down. Aragua scored one run in the 4th inning on a double and a single by 1B Hector Gimenez, which was aided by a fielding error (no RBI). A walk and two singles gave them another run in the 8th. SS Ronny Cedeno went 0-for-3, and he was replaced late in the game by Anderson Machado, who had the walk in the 8th. DH Raul Chavez went 0-for-4, and another late-inning replacement, RF Jorge Cortes was hitless in his only plate appearance.

Navegantes del Magallanes 6, Leones del Caracas 5

Late-inning rallies by Caracas were not enough to catch up to Magallanes. Los Navegantes got onto the scoreboard with a 2-run homer by RF Richard Hidalgo in the 1st inning. They added another 4 runs in the 6th, sparked by DH Mike Ryan's 2-RBI triple, plus two more RBI singles. Caracas' reliever Ronald Uviedo came on in relief to finish the 4th inning and remained in the game for the 5th. He retired all four batters he faced, three by strikeouts. Caracas scored a run in the 4th and another in the 6th, and had a solo homer in the 8th. In the top of the 9th, with Jean Machi on the mound for Magallanes, Caracas scored twice to come within a run of Los Navegantes. Machi struck out the first batter, but strike three was a wild pitch, and the batter made it safely to first. He scored on a double and a ground out, and another RBI ground out brought in the second run. But Machi held on to retire a pinch-hitter, earning his 13th save.

Aguilas de Zulia 10, Tiburones de La Guaira 8

Reliever Chris Hernandez collected his 12th save with a perfect 9th inning, as these two teams combined for a total of 29 hits.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Naranjeros de Hermosillo 4, Tomateros de Culiacan 3 (12 innings)

A solo home run by SS Jose Luis Sandoval in the bottom of the 12th gave Hermosillo the win. Culiacan posted 18 hits, 4 of them by 2B/RF Luis Cruz, but also left 15 runners on base (Hermosillo left only 5 on base). Culiacan scored first, with a run in the top of the 1st on a single, a bunt, and an RBI single. They scored again in the 5th, when 3B Mike McCoy (Blue Jays) singled, stole both second and third bases (his 21st of the season) and scored on a sacrifice fly. Three more singles brought in another run in that inning. Cruz singled in the 4th and stole second base, and singled in the 8th, but was out at the plate on a throw in from the outfield on a double. He also singled in the 10th and in the top of the 12th. Hermosillo scored a run in each of the 3rd and the 6th, then sent the game into extra innings with a run in the bottom of the 9th on a solo home run.

Algodoneros de Guasave 11, Yaquis de Obregon 2

A 6-run 8th inning put Guasave ahead to stay. 1B Chris Snelling brought in Obregon's first run with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. Los Yaquis loaded the bases in the 3rd with two singles and a hit batter, then brought in their only other run on a sacrifice fly. Snelling also walked and stole second base in the 8th. Guasave got started in the 4th inning, with a triple and three singles for 2 runs. Former Indy Indian LF Yurendell de Caster had a walk in that inning. He bunted into a force out in the 6th inning and scored moments later on RF Mario Valenzuela's 3-run homer. Three doubles, a single, and two walks contributed to that 6-run rally in the 8th.

DOMINCAN LEAGUE

Gigantes del Cibao 5, Estrellas de Oriente 4

1B Brian Myrow continued his hot hitting by going 2-for-4 (.350 average). He doubled and score for Los Estrellas in the 4th inning, and doubled again off former Pirate Juan Perez to lead off the 8th inning. Pinch-hitter Maiko Loyola brought in Myrow with an RBI single. Myrow was the only batter Perez faced. Los Estrellas also scored one run in the 3rd and the 5th, but it wasn't enough to overcome 3 runs by Los Gigantes in the 2nd, plus single runs in the 4th and the 6th. Former Indy Indian Roberto Giron gave up Los Gigantes' solo homer in the 4th inning.

A few signing notes:

Albert Laboy, who was the Pirates' 14th round pick in 2005, has been signed by the Cincinnati Reds to a minor league contract. Laboy had reached as high as A+ Lynchburg in 2008, but had been released by the Pirates and does not appear to have played professionally in 2009.

The Yankees have added former Pirate Romulo Sanchez to their 40-man roster.</p.

The Phillies have signed former Pirate farmhand OF Rich Thompson to a minor league contract. He's played with their AAA Lehigh Valley team for the past 2 seasons.

Winter League play on Thursday: The Dominican and Puerto Rican Leagues both had scheduled days off.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tomateros de Culiacan 2, Aguilas de Mexicali 0

Los Tomateros came out ahead in this pitching duel, despite collecting only 4 hits -- Mexicali had only 5 hits. Culiacan scored their first run in the 4th when two singles and a walk loaded the bases, and then 2B Luis Cruz walked to force in the run. A solo homer gave them another run in the 6th. Cruz was hitless in two other trips to the plate.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Aguilas de Zulia 8, Navegantes del Magallanes 3

DH Mike Ryan singled and scored on an RBI double in the bottom of the 8th, but Magallanes could not catch up to Zulia. SS Argenis Diaz went 0-for-5 in the game.

Tigres de Aragua 6, Cardenales de Lara 5

SS Ronny Cedeno homered for the second night in a row, and reached base on an error twice. C Raul Chavez walked once but did not score, and Hector Gimenez pinch-hit for him in the 9th, but struck out. Relievers Romulo Sanchez and Giovanni Carrarra each pitched for Lara. Carrarra was responsible for one Aragua run in the 7th, when he gave up a lead-off triple, and Sanchez allowed a sacrifice fly. Sanchez also surrendered a solo homer in the 8th.

Caribes de Anzoategui 15, Bravos de Margarita 3

Los Caribes overran Los Bravos, aided by a 6-run 4th inning. OF Gorkys Hernandez doubled and scored in that inning, and smacked a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning. Margarita pitcher Michael Tejera suffered his first loss for Los Bravos.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's an article by Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about Jose Tabata and his struggles on and off the field in 2009, which ended with an outstanding run in the Arizona Fall League.

Andrew McCutchen was not the Baseball Writers' Rookie of the Year, but he was Baseball America's Rookie of the Year, and now Topps has also named him their Rookie of the Year.

And Wednesday's winter league action:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Tigres de Aragua 6, Aguilas de Zulia 2

SS Ronny Cedeno and 1B Hector Gimenez had two hits each as Los Tigres mauled Los Aguilas. Gimenez had one of four singles that produced one run for Aragua in the 2nd inning. The 3rd inning began with another four consecutive singles, one by Cedeno, then a double by Gimenez (who was out at third on the throw in) and another double. Cedeno gave Aragua one more run with his solo homer in the 4th inning.

Navegantes del Magallanes 4, Bravos de Margarita 1

These two teams combined for a total of just 7 hits-- and Magallanes scored their 4 runs on just 3 hits. A walk and two of the singles, including one by DH Mike Ryan brought in one run and a sacrifice fly added another run in the 6th inning. Two walks, two sacrifice bunts (one by Ryan) and a throwing error gave Magallanes two more runs in the 8th inning. Los Bravos scored their only run in the bottom of the 1st on CF Frank Diaz's RBI single. Each team made 2 errors, and there were 15 walks in the game.

Leones del Caracas 10, Caribes de Anzoategui 4

Caracas put the game out of reach with a 5-run 7th inning. CF Gorkys Hernandez played in his first game for Los Caribes in 2.5 weeks. He singled and scored in the 7th inning, going 1-for-4.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tomateros de Culiacan 5, Aguilas de Mexicali 0

Culiacan scored in the 3rd and 8th innings on two homers and two runs in the 5th on a single and two doubles. 2B Luis Cruz singled in the 2nd inning, but was left on base.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey 4, Gigantes del Cibao 1

Denny Bautista came on in relief for Licey in the 6th inning, and struck out the only batter he faced, helping to keep Los Gigantes from scoring in that inning. Former Pirate Juan Perez finished the game for Los Gigantes, but he surrendered an RBI single in the bottom of the 8th to give Licey an insurance run. Indianapolis native 1B Jake Fox made his second appearance for Los Tigres, and picked up his first double and his first RBI. He doubled in the 3rd inning, then added an RBI single in the 5th and came around to score.

Estrellas de Oriente 9, Aguilas Cibaenas 4

1B Brian Myrow singled, doubled, and knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly for Los Estrellas, while C Robinzon Diaz scored one run. Erik Kratz came in as a pinch-hitter for Los Aguilas but bounced into a double play. He remained in the game to catch, but had the passed ball that allowed Myrow to score in the 8th.