PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

Getting back to regular action... Pirates' players and friends in the winter leagues on Tuesday

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Navegantes del Magallanes 4, Bravos de Margarita 3

Reliever Jean Machi earned his 12th save with Magallanes by pitching a scoreless 9th. He gave up a single, but a pinch-runner was thrown out stealing second for the final out of the game. Pirates' Corey Hamman made his second appearance for Magallanes, brought in to make the final out of the 8th inning. Hamman had also pitched one hitless ad scoreless inning on the 20th. Los Bravos scored their 3 runs in the 3rd inning, on a walk, a throwing error, a single, and a double. Magallanes scored one in the 3rd on a solo homer by 3B Reegie Corona, and took the lead in the 7th, on two walks, three singles, and a double. DH Mike Ryan had an intentional walk in the 7th, and was forced out at second base. He was hitless in three other trips to the plate.

Tiburones de La Guaira 5, Tigres de Aragua 3

Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Belisario picked up his third save for La Guaira. 1B Hector Gimenez had 2 hits for Aragua, and C Raul Chavez and SS Ronny Cedeno had one hit each. Gimenez doubled after a solo homer in the 4th, but did not score. Cedeno led off the 5th with a single, and later scored on a 2-RBI single.

Leones del Caracas 12, Caribes de Anzoategui 0

Five Caracas pitchers combined to shut out Los Caribes and hold them to just 3 hits. Ronald Uviedo pitched the bottom of the 9th for Caracas and hit one batter but struck out two others. Former Pirate Carlos Maldonado struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance for Los Leones.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Naranjeros de Hermosillo 9, Venados de Mazatlan 2

1B John Lindsey (Marlins) had a 2-run homer for Mazatlan in the 4th inning, but Los Venados could not keep up with Los Naranjeros. Rookie Rogelios Noris took over in left field as a late-inning replacement, but did not get a fielding opportunity or a plate appearance.

Agulas de Mexicali 11, Tomateros de Culiacan 7

2B Luis Cruz singled in the 3rd inning for Culiacan but was left on base. Mexicali took the lead with 4 runs in the 6th and 3 more runs in the 7th.

DOMINCAN LEAGUE

Estrellas de Oriente 4, Aguilas Cibaenas 3

Reliever Ramon Aguero suffered the loss for Los Aguilas when he took the mound to begin the bottom of the 9th. He got one out, then walked two batters and gave up an RBI single to tie the game. Another walk loaded the bases, and a wild pitch brought in the winning run. C Erik Kratz went 0-for-2 for Los Aguilas, and walked in the 7th inning. Starling Marte pinch-run for Kratz, and another walk loaded the bases, then the fourth walk of the inning forced in a run. Two singles and a double gave Los Aguilas two runs in the 3rd inning. C Robinzon Diaz and 1B Brian Myrow both singled in the bottom of the 1st for Los Estrellas, and Myrow's hit drove in a run. Diaz singled again in the 3rd inning. Myrow walked in the 8th inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Maiko Loyola, but Loyola was picked off and caught stealing.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Leones de Ponce 6, Gigantes de Carolina

Reliever RJ Rodriguez earned his first save for Ponce with 1.1 perfect innings. He came into the game in the top of the 8th, with two outs, one run in, and runners on first and second bases. Rodrigues got a pop out to end the inning, then returned for the 9th inning and retired the side in order. Greg Picart came into the game to play third base in the 9th, but did not have a fielding opportunity.

Catching up with the Pirates' players and friends in the Venezuelan winter league:

Neil Walker completed his contract with Los Bravos de Margarita. He had originally been scheduled to stay through early December, but then had the commitment shortened so that his last game was on Nov 19th. Los Bravos were pleased with Walker's work at third base, though he did commit 6 errors. Walker's work at the plate was consistent with what he did during the regular season in Indianapolis. His batting average in Indy was .264; with Los Bravos, he hit .267. With the Indians, he started hot, slumped, then finished strong. In Venezuela, he did the same, just compressed into 34 games instead of 95. Despite going 0-for-4 in his last game, Walker went 11-for-34 (.323) in the previous 9 games and had at least one hit in 8 of those 9. He had an RBI pop single in Margarita's 9th-inning rally on Nov 18th. In Margarita's 15-5 blowout on the 17th, Walker was hit by a pitch and scored in Los Bravos' 4th inning rally. He had an RBI single in the 4th, and in the 5-run 7th, he had another RBI single and came around to score again. Walker had 9 doubles and 4 homers for Margarita, with 16 RBI.

Walker's teammate on Los Bravos, Venezuelan native OF Jonel Pacheco has not seen much playing time in the past week. He came into the game on the 17th as a defensive replacement, and grounded out in his only plate appearance. He also pinch-ran and scored a run in the 9th inning on Nov 21st. Two former Indy Indians pitchers had back-to-back wins for Los Bravos. Michael Tejera pitched 6 shutout innings for Margarita on Nov 20th, allowing 3 hits and 3 walks, to earn the win. Tim Harikkala followed on the 21st, with another 6 shutout innings, with 3 hits, no walks, for his first win with Margarita.

SS Argenis Diaz went 3-for-4 for Los Navegantes Del Magallanes on Nov 21st, and that has been his best game recently. He singled and scored in both the 2nd and 7th innings. In Magallanes' 5-run 8th, Diaz had an RBI double, and came around to score again. He had another hit on the 22nd, but that was all the hitting he's done in the past week. Former Indy Indian OF Mike Ryan had a 6-game hitting streak over the past week, with 2 hits in each of the last 4 games, going 10-for-23 (.435). That includes one double and 5 RBI.

Reliever Jean Machi signed a contract with the Pirates last week to return as a minor league free agent. He celebrated his new contract with five appearances over the past week, for a total of 5.1 shutout innings, earning a save each time. He gave up three hits, no walks, and struck out 4 batters in those games.

Reliver Ronald Uviedo has not fared as well in the past week. On the 18th, he entered the game for Los Leones de Caracas in the 7th inning, with two outs and runners on first and second bases. He struck out the first batter he faced, but strike three was a wild pitch, and the bases were loaded. Then he gave up a bases-clearing triple and a single, and 4 runs came in -- two charged to Uviedo. Uviedo came on to begin the 9th inning on the 21st, and got two outs, then gave up three consecutive singles. One run scored on the third single, and then another single scored a second run, both charged to Uviedo.

SS Ronny Cedeno appeared in 3 game for Los Tigres de Aragua in the past week. He had a double on the 17th and a single on the 18th, and went 0-for-5 on the 20th. Teammate C/1B Hector Gimenez has had better luck, with at least one hit in 4 of his 5 games, including 2 homers and 9 RBI. On Nov 18th, Gimenez went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly (RBI) and a 3-run homer. The next night, he went 1-for-2 with 2 walks and a 2-RBI double. Gimenez followed that performance by going 2-for-4 on the 20th. He drove in a run with a single in the 2nd inning, and had a 2-run homer in the 4th.

OF Gorkys Hernandez, just added to the Pirates' 40-man roster, has not appeared for Los Caribes de Anzoategui since Nov 8th. 2B Adenson Chourio has had only a pinch-run appearance for Los Caribes on the 21st.

Other notes: Former Indy Indian pitcher Bryan Bullington signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals for 2010.

Former first round draft pick Byran Bullington was signed by the Royals. Glad for him to have found a home at least for now....

Catching up with Pirates' farmhands and friends in the Dominican League in the past week:

Reliever Ramon Aguero, recently added to the Pirates' 40-man roster, has had two appearances, one good and one not-so-good, for Los Aguilas Cibaenas. The latter came first, on Nov 18th. Los Aguilas were leading 8-0 going into the bottom of the 9th when Aguero took the mound. He gave up Los Gigantes' only run on a walk and two singles. Two days later, Aguero also came on to pitch the 9th inning with Los Aguilas ahead 6-1. Aguero gave up a single and a walk, but got a double play and a ground out to get out of the inning without allowing a run to score.

C Erik Kratz, now third on the Pirates' depth chart at catcher, has not been hitting well for Los Aguilas. He had 2 hits on Nov 17th, with an RBI single in the 5th and an RBI double in the 9th, but has not had a hit in any of his other 6 games.

OF Starling Marte has not appeared for Los Aguilas since Nov 8th.

C Robinzon Diaz, who appears to have ended his time with the Pirates, has been on a hitting streak over his last 5 games with Los Estrellas de Oriente, going 8-for-21 during that time. He had two hits in each of three games, on the 17th, the 19th, and 22nd. Teammate 1B Brian Myrow has also been on a roll, with a .327 average in 15 games, and at least one hit in all but one of his last 8 games (10-for-28). His biggest game was on the 19th, when Myrow doubled to lead off the 4th inning, walked and scored in the 6th inning. Then he had an RBI single to drive in the tying run in the 9th inning, and came around to score an insurance run.

Another departing Pirate, Denny Bautista, has started a stint with Los Tigres del Licey in the past week and has made 3 relief appearances. On the 19th, Bautista entered the game to begin the 7th inning, and gave up a single to Escogido's Freddy Guzman, who then stole both second and third bases. Bautista got a ground out, then hit the next batter with a pitch, then was relieved. He was charged with the run wen Guzman scored from third base. Bautista had better luck on the 20th. He came in to pitch the 8th inning, and gave up a single, but got a ground out and a double play. He struggled again last night, walking three batters (one intentional) to load the bases in the 9th inning, and then allowing one run to score on an RBI ground out.

Catching up with Pirates' farmhands in the Puerto Rican League:

Reliever RJ Rodriguez made two appearances for Los Leones de Ponce in the past week. On Nov 19th, Rodriguez entered the game in the 5th with a runner on first base, and finished the inning with a fly out and a ground out, then pitched a scoreless 6th inning, allowing just a walk. Rodriguez entered the game last night in similar circumstances in the 6th. He finished the 6th with a double play, and pitched a 1-2-3 7th inning. In the 8th, he got two outs, then gave up a single and a walk before being relieved. Unfortunately, his replacement gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, and Rodriguez was charged with two runs.

Infielder Greg Picart has appeared in a total of 5 games for Los Leones de Ponce. On Nov 20th, Picart entered the game as a late-inning replacement at shortstop, and singled in the 9th to load the bases (though the next two batters struck out to end the inning). Picart singled to load the bases in the 2nd inning the next night, but this time his teammates continued the rally, and Picart came around to score one of the 5 runs in that inning. He singled again in the 9th inning, but didn't score.

Catching up with the Pirates' players in the Mexican Pacific League:

Brian Bixler finished up his half-season contract with Los Venados de Mazatlan at the end of last week. Bixler started off his time in Mazatlan with a hitting streak, and he continued hot. He had a slow couple of weeks, then fired up again for the finish. He hit in 8 of his last 10 games, going 16-for-38 (.421), and 7-for-14 in his last four games with Los Venados. Bixler found some power in the last couple of weeks too, and his 5 homers all came in that time, with four in the last 8 games. Bixler had 5 doubles, a triple, and 12 RBI for Mazatlan. On Nov 17th, Bixler went 2-for-3, with homer #4, which was an inside-the-park shot, and he singled and scored in the 4-run 7th inning. On the next night, Bixler's 2-RBI single contributed to Los Venados' 6-run 7th inning. In his final game, Bixler again had 2 hits, a single and a homer. The homer put Mazatlan onto the score board in the top of the 1st, and his single in the 9th inning brought in Mazatlan's final run.

Rogelios Noris has played in one game for Mazatlan in the past week -- Bixler's final game on the 19th. Noris doubled in the 2nd inning, but was left on base. He was left on base again in the 6th when he was hit by a pitch.

Ty Taubenheim made 6 starts for Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo, the last of which was on Nov 12th. He did not have as strong a performance as he would have liked, and generally struggled in his time with Hermosillo. His two longest (and best) outings resulted in his one win and one of his losses. On Nov 6th, Taubenheim earned the win with 6 innings of work, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, with 2 strikeouts. On Oct 20th, he also pitched 6 innings, and also allowed 2 runs, but on 6 hits and a walk, and a best 5 strikeouts. In his other starts, he allowed 2 or 3 runs on 4 to 7 hits, over 4 to 5 innings (2.2 innings on Oct 14th). Taubenheim's overall ERA was 4.66 in 29 innings, with 32 hits, 11 walks, and 15 strikeouts. Taubenheim is likely going to be seeking a free agent contract for 2010, and unfortunately his winter league work is not going to be a big selling point for him.

The versatile Luis Cruz has had a solid week for Los Tomateros de Culiacan. He has gone 7-for-19 (.368) at the plate with 5 RBI. On Nov 17th, Cruz went 3-for-4 with a 2-RBI double in the 3-run 6th inning, and a 2-out double in the 9th. The next night, his RBI single brought in a run in the 4th. Cruz singled to drive in a 9th inning run and came around to score the winning run on Nov 22nd.

Former Indy Indian (for a few weeks in 2009) Chris Snelling has begun a stint with Los Yaquis de Obregon in the past week. He homered in his first at-bat for Obregon on Nov 17th, and has had at least one hit in 5 of his 6 games. In the double-header on Nov 22nd, Snelling had a 2-run homer in the first game and hit an RBI single in the 5-run top of the 1st in the night-cap.

The Arizona Fall League wrapped up the 2009 season last weekend, when the Peoria Javelinas won the championship game over the Phoenix Desert Dogs by a score of 5-4. Peoria's CJ Retherford (White Sox) had the game-winning 2-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to put the Javelinas on top.

The AFL's Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award was presented to Javelina's 1B Russ Mitchell (Dodgers), but Pirates' infielder Chase d'Arnaud was the Scorpions' nominee for the award.

In the final two games:

Scorpions 7, Mesa Solar Sox 5 -- Nov 18th

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Donnie Vealmade his final start for the Scorpions on Wednesday. He pitched 2 innings but threw 54 pitches (30 strikes) and allowed one run on two hits. The first batter of the game tripled, but was out at the plate on a fielder's choice. A walk and a single scored the run. Veal walked the first batter of the second inning, but picked him off first base. A batter reached on a throwing error, but Veal then struck out the next two batters, for a total of 4 strikeouts over his two innings.

Danny Moskos earned the win for the Scorpions. He relieved Veal and pitched the next two innings. Moskos allowed a run in the 3rd inning on two doubles, and also gave up another double to lead off the 4th inning, but two strikeouts and a ground out left that runner standing on second base. Tony Watson, the third Pirates' pitcher on the Scottsdale team, also got into the game with two innings of work and also gave up a run. Watson retired the side in the 5th inning, then gave up a triple to lead off the 6th, and a ground out brought that run in. Japan's Takanobu Tsuijiuchi and Andrew Johnston (Rockies) finished the game for the Scorpions, and each gave up a run.

Both CF Jose Tabata and 2B Chase d'Arnaud had 2 hits for the Scorpions on the offensive side. Tabata got the Scorpions on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 1st with his third AFL triple, then scored on a wild pitch. 1B Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks) also tripled in that inning, but was left on base. The Scorpions rallied with two outs in the 3rd inning to score 4 runs. Tabata and Allen hit back-to-back singles, then LF Cole Gillespie (D'backs) walked to load the bases. 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) singled, scoring Tabata, and a throwing error brought in Allen as well. C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) gave the Scorpions two more runs with a double that scored both Gillespie and Crawford.

Chase d'Arnaud contributed to both of the Scorpion's remaining runs. In the 6th inning, his single moved SS Troy Hanzawa (Phillies) to third base. When d'Arnaud stole his 11th base of the season, a throwing error allowed Hanzawa to score. D'Arnaud's single in the 8th inning also plated Hanzawa, who had doubled.

Scorpions 17, Peoria Javelinas 9 -- Nov 19th

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The Javelinas may have won it all two days later, but in the final regular-season game, it was the Scorpions who had the sting. Scottsdale went out with a bang, collecting 21 hits for 17 runs, including a 6-run 8th inning and two 4-run innings. Only 5 of those hits were for extra bases, and all of the extra-base hits were doubles. CF Jose Tabata led the offensive onslaught with 6 hits (6-for-7) and 3 RBI. C Wilin Rosario picked up 5 RBI and DH Buster Posey brought in 4. 3B Chase d'Arnaud scored 4 times, with 2 hits and 3 walks.

Scorpions' starter Joe Martinez (Giants) had what would have been a losing performance on almost any other day. He pitched 3 innings and gave up 11 hits and a walk, for 9 runs (7 earned). He gave up a single and 3 doubles for 3 runs in the 1st inning, and a 3-run homer in the 2nd inning. After a relatively quiet 3rd inning, a walk, two singles, and two errors gave the Javelinas 2 more runs in the 4th inning before an out was made.

D'Arnaud began the game with a single and then stole his 12th base of the season. Tabata's first double of the game (no RBI) and four more singles gave the Scorpions a 4-0 early lead. D'Arnaud walked and stole his league-best 13th base to lead off the 2nd inning. He scored on Tabata's RBI single. Tabata singled and scored in the 4th inning, and when that inning ended, the Scorpions were behind, 9-6. But it was all Scorpions after that. With one out in the 5th inning, three consecutive singles by d'Arnaud, Brandon Crawford, and Tabata started a 4-run rally. Former Pirate farmhand Eric Krebs came in to pitch for Peoria, but gave up two walks, including one that forced in a run, before he ended the inning. Krebs also walked d'Arnaud to open the 6th inning, and after a sacrifice bunt and an RBI single by Tabata, the Scorpions were leading 11-9.

The 8th inning blasted the game wide open for the Scorpions. Chase d'Arnaud led off the inning for the fourth time in the game, again with a walk, though he was picked off and caught stealing. After a single, three doubles (one by Tabata, no RBI), and three more walks (two forcing in runs), all without another out recorded, 6 runs had scored and another Peoria pitcher was heading to the showers.

So, final stats for the AFL:

Jose Tabata did everything that the Pirates had hoped for and more. He led the Scorpions with a .392 average (third in the league) -- that includes going 11-for-15 in the last three games, and 17-for-34 in the last week. He had 6 doubles, 3 triples, and one homer, and stole 4 bases. Tabata's outfield work was fine, with only one error.

Chase d'Arnaud put in work at second base, shortstop, and third base. He made 5 errors, but that's not bad when the point is to be learning and improving at new or relatively new positions. D'Arnaud led the AFL with 13 stolen bases (Scorpions' teammate Thomas Neal of the Giants was second with 12 steals, and most everyone else was left in their dust.) He started off a little slowly at the plate, but finished with a .296 average, 5 doubles, a triple, and 6 RBI. D'Arnaud ended the season with a 6-game hitting streak, and had a hit in 9 of his last 10 games (16-for-43, .372). As the Pirates' A-level participant, d'Arnaud had a very reasonable performance in the AFL.

Brian Friday also got off to a slow start at the plate. He did better in the beginning of November, though, and finished with a .245 average, with a double, a triple, and 7 RBI. The Pirates were probably hoping for more out of Friday, though, as they try to figure out their shortstop problems.

Donnie Veal had a solid AFL experience. He made 7 starts for the Scorpions, and allowed only one run in the first 5 of them (16.2 innings). His 6th start was his toughest, when he gave up 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks over 2.1 innings -- the most hits and the most walks he allowed in an appearance. He gave up another run in his final start, but also struck out 4 batters in 2 innings. Veal's overall record was 3-1, with a total of 21 innings, 7 walks, 22 strikeouts, and batters hit only .221 against him. The Pirates have to be pleased with this.

Danny Moskos' time in the AFL was more erratic. He made 11 relief appearances, and sometimes he mowed 'em down -- but sometimes he was hit hard. He totalled up 14.1 innings, and a 1-1 record with a 5.28 ERA. He walked 7 and struck out 12, and batters hit .349 against him.

Tony Watson also made 11 relief appearances, but tended to fly under the radar. He had missed nearly all of the regular 2009 season due to elbow problems, but seems to be well on his way to a healthy 2010. In 11.2 innings, Watson gave up 3 runs on 6 hits (2.31 ERA), with 6 walks and 12 strikeouts. Batters hit .152 against him.

Catching up with the news from the past few days...

The Pirates have added four players to the 40-man roster, which protects them from the Rule 5 Draft:

RHP Brad Lincoln-- Lincoln began the season with the AA Altoona Curve, where he posted a 2.28 ERA but a 1-5 record, and then was promoted to the AAA Indy Indians, where his record was better at 6-2 and his ERA was 4.70. Time to add him to the 40-man roster.

OF Gorkys Hernandez -- Came to the Pirates organization from the Braves, and spent the rest of the season with the Curve. Hernandez hit .262 with 3 homers and 31 RBI, and ran circles around everyone in the outfield. Another obvious addition to the 40-man roster.

RHP Ramon Aguero -- Aguero pitched at 3 levels in 2009, beginning with 20 games (3 starts, 49.2 innings) for the A West Virginia Power (4.71 ERA), 8 games/12.2 innings with the Curve (2.84 ERA), and 11 games/21.2 innings for the A+ Lynchburg Hillcats (2.49 ERA). He is a bit of a surprise addition, but looked good in Lynchburg and has been doing well in the Dominican Winter League, and might have attracted some attention.

RHP Bryan Morris-- Morris was out with shoulder problems in the early part of the season, but then made 15 starts for Lynchburg. He struggled with control, and also with his temper in one game. He ended with a 4-9 record and a 5.57 ERA, and walked more (34) than he struck out (32). Morris is only 22 years old, though, and a completely healthy season could turn things around, so he was added to the 40-man roster.

Three players were removed from the 40-man roster and designated for assignment, making space on the roster.

RHP Jeff Karstens -- Karstens struggled both as a starter and out of the pen, and he also had command problems. He was also going to be out of options in 2010, which would have limited what the Pirates could do with him. He was DFA'ed and has to go through waivers, though he might be assigned to AAA Indy if no other team offers.

LHP Justin Thomas -- Thomas was claimed off waivers just a few weeks ago, and was hoping to earn a bullpen spot in the spring. If he goes unnoticed through waivers this time, then he can still do that.

C Robinzon Diaz -- Diaz lost out to Jason Jaramillo for the role of back-up to Ryan Doumit, and he was also out of options. The Pirates expect him to become a minor league free agent and seek a spot elsewhere.

Then, one more addition: the Pirates claimed RHP Chris Jakubauskas off waivers from Seattle. He is a California native who will be 32 next month. He pitched in independent ball for several seasons, then joined the Seattle organization and rocketed up to the major league level. He pitched in 35 games for the Mariners in 2009, though he also missed some time with shoulder problems. He earned a 6-7 record and a 5.32 ERA in 93 innings. He gave up 91 hits, walked 27 batters, and struck out 47. He also allowed 15 homers. Jakubauskas will be competing for a bullpen spot in the spring. One advantage of Jakubauskas over Karstens is that Jakubauskas has options left, and can easily be sent to Indy if needed.

The Rule 5 Draft will be in 2 weeks. The Pirates have a full 40-man roster, so if they want to pick up anyone, they will have to make another move.

Just in case anyone was still wondering if the Pirates should/could have signed Jason Bay to a long-term deal, as opposed to trading him....

The Cubs are expected to sign John Grabow to a two-year deal worth about $7.5 million today. If you want to learn why...

Scottsdale Scorpions 5, Phoenix Desert Dogs 4

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Two throwing errors and three walks nearly handed the Desert Dogs the win in the 9th inning of Tuesday's AFL action. Japan's Tooru Murata held on to get the final out, though, and preserve the victory for the Scorpions.

CF Jose Tabata singled three times for the Scorpions and contributed an RBI. 2B Chase d'Arnaud began the bottom of the 1st inning with a single into left field, and he proceeded to score his 10th base of the AFL season. 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) followed with a triple to score d'Arnaud, and Tabata brought Crawford in with an RBI single. Tabata also stole third base in the inning, but was left there when the inning ended.

Scottsdale added another two runs in the 3rd inning. With two outs, Diamondbacks' DH Brandon Allen and LF Cole Gillespie both walked. A single by C Wilin Rosario (Rockies) plated Allen, and SS Troy Hanzawa's (Phillies) single brought in Gillespie.

The Scorpions enjoyed that 4-0 lead until the 7th inning. Starter Michael Cisco (Phillies) pitched 4 shutout innings, allowing only one hit and 2 walks, with one hit batter. Edgar Garcia (Phillies) and Kenta Abe (Japan) each added one scoreless inning. Michael Schwimer (Phillies) took the mound for the Scorpions in the 7th, that's when the Desert Dogs broke the shutout, with a solo home run by 1B Adam Loewen (Blue Jays). Scott Mathieson gave the Scorpions a scoreless 8th inning.

An extra run in the bottom of the 8th turned out to be more than just another insurance run for the Scorpions. Wilin Rosario led off with a single, and Troy Hanzawa reached on a fielding error. Rosario tagged up and went to third on Chase d'Arnaud's fly out, and then he scored on Brandon Crawford's sacrifice fly. Jose Tabata also singled in the inning.

Things got dicey in the top of the 9th. Craig Baker (Rockies) came on in relief of Scott Mathieson, and he began the inning by giving up a single to the first batter, and making a throwing error on a pick-off attempt, to move the runner to second base. After a fly out and a walk, the next batter lined out to Chase d'Arnaud at second base. D'Arnaud tried to double off one of the runners, but his throw was wild, and the two-base error allowed the lead runner to score and put the following runner on third base. Two consecutive walks loaded the bases, and that was all for Baker. Tooru Murata took over, but he gave up a single up the middle to the first batter he faced, bringing in 2 runs to put the Desert Dogs within one run of the Scorpions. At that point, Murata bore down and got a grounder to second to end the game and keep the win for the Scorpions.

The Scorpions have two more games remaining. I'll be away for a few days, but I'll catch up with the final AFL scores and stats when I get back.

The Venezuelan and Mexican Pacific Leagues were scheduled to have the day off on Monday. Both games in the Puerto Rican League were postponed due to wet grounds. That leaves just the Dominican League, where they had one game originally scheduled and one make-up game.

Toros del Este 3, Aguilas Cibaenas 1

Los Aguilas were held to just 3 hits on Monday night, but couldn't capitalize on the 7 walks they were handed. Their one run came in the 5th inning, on lead-off homer by 2B Dionys Cesar. C Erik Kratz walked in the 4th inning but was erased in a double play, and struck out twice.

Gigantes del Cibao 1, Estrellas De Oriente 0

This pitching duel was scoreless until the top of the 9th inning, when Los Gigantes scored on a walk, a ground out, and a double. Each team had 5 hits and walked 3 times. 1B Brian Myrow had two of Los Estrellas hits -- both were singles, and both times his single was followed by a double play. Los Estrellas bounced into a total of four double plays. They had two base runners on twice. In the 2nd, an error and a walk put two runners on, but one of those double plays ended the inning. A single and a walk put two runners on again in the 8th, but both were left on base. DH Robinzon Diaz went 0-for-4.