PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

Pirates players and friends in Thursday's winter league action.... The Dominican League had a scheduled day off, and the Puerto Rican League had their Opening Day.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 14, Yaquis de Obregon 4

Mazatlan staged a 5-run 1st inning and a 7-run 3rd inning and posted a total of 19 hits to run over Obregon. 2B Brian Bixler went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. The RBI double brought in the 5th run of the 1st inning. Bixler had one of six singles in the 3rd inning, when Los Venados opened the inning with a solo homer and ended up sending 12 batters to the plate. Mazatlan added a single run in the 5th and another in the 6th, when Bixler opened the inning with a single, moved to third base on another single, and scored on a sacrifice fly. Rogelios Noris pinch-hit for Mazatlan in the 7th inning (struck out) and then remained in the game to play center field.

Algodoneros de Guasave 7, Naranjeros de Hermosillo 1

Ty Taubenheim suffered his second loss for Hermosillo, as he surrendered 5 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits in 5.1 innings. Taubenheim gave up a run in each of the 2nd, 4th, and 5th innings, all of which were earned. The 6th inning began with an out, then a single and a batter reaching on a throwing error. Taubenheim was relieved, but those two base runners came in to score, both charged to Taubenheim. Hermosillo was held to just 5 hits, and did not score until the bottom of the 9th, with a single and an RBI double.

Mayos de Navojoa 8, Tomateros de Culiacan 4

Navojoa plated 5 runs in the 3rd with an RBI fielder's choice followed by a grand slam, plus 3 more runs in the 5th, leaving Culiacan trying to catch up. Los Tomateros scored one run in the 2nd inning, and a 2-run homer in the 6th. In the 8th, LF Luis Cruz walked, advanced to third base on a fielding error, and scored on a sacrifice fly. Cruz had also walked and stole second base in the 4th inning, but was left on base.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 12, Tigres de Aragua 7

Aragua jumped onto the scoreboard first, but Margarita quickly caught them up and passed them for the win. Los Tigres loaded the bases in the top of the 1st, and DH Raul Chavez walked, forcing in the first run. LF Justin Huber (Twins) brought in two more with an RBI single. A lead-off homer and two singles complicated by a wild pitch and a throwing error by the Margarita pitcher gave Aragua 2 runs in the 5th inning. 1B Hector Gimenez walked to lead off the 8th inning, moved to second base on Chavez's ground out, and scored on Huber's triple, then Huber scored on SS Ronny Cedeno's RBI ground out. Neither Chavez, Gimenez, nor Cedeno had a hit in the game.

Margarita took the lead with a grand slam by 1B Dennys Abreu in the bottom of hthe 2nd inning. They added to the lead with 3 runs in the 3rd inning, taking advantage of a hit batter and two wild pitches. 3B Neil Walker doubled in a run for Los Bravos in the 5th inning, then scored after two ground outs. Another RBI double gave Margarita a 10 - 5 lead after 5 innings. Two walks, including one to Walker, and an RBI double added 2 more runs to Margarita's total in the 6th inning. Walker also singled in the 8th inning, but was left on base.

Caribes de Anzoategui 6, Navegantes de Magallanes 4

SS Argenis Diaz was hitless in two trips to the plate for Magallanes, and was replaced with a pinch-hitter in the 7th inning. Adenson Chourio was a 9th inning defensive replacement at shortstop for Los Caribes, but did not get either a fielding opportunity or a plate appearance.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Gigantes de Carolina 7, Leones de Ponce 3

Reliever RJ Rodriguez began the 7th inning on the mound for Ponce with a strikeout. The next batter reached on a throwing error, and he scored on an RBI double. Rodriguez was relieved at that point, but the base runner later scored, and those two runs were charged to Rodriguez. They were insurance runs, as Carolina had already plated 2 runs in the 2nd and 3 more in the 5th. Ponce scored single runs in the 2nd, 6th, and 7th. Greg Picart pinch-hit in the 9th inning, and grounded out to second base for the final out of the game.

I only have a few minutes on my lunch break, but I wanted to briefly touch on the Ryan Doumit trade rumor. I advocated...

Peoria Saguaros 6, Scottsdale Scorpions 3

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For the second day in a row, two Pirates' farmhands had two hits each, but those hits were not enough to keep teammate Donnie Veal from suffering his first loss in the AFL on Thursday afternoon. Veal retired the Saguaros in order in the 1st inning, and allowed a solo homer in the 2nd inning, though with the 2 runs the Scorpions scored in the top of the 2nd, Veal still held the lead. But, the bottom of the 3rd inning, Veal loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. After a chat with his pitching coach, Veal gave up a 2-run single, got a foul pop out, then walked another batter to load the bases again. That sent Veal to the showers, and Edgar Garcia (Phillies) came on in relief. Garcia got a grounder to third, where 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) fired the ball to C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) for the force out at the plate. A ground out ended the inning, but the Saguaros had taken a 3-2 lead.

Edgar Garcia gave up an unearned run in the 5th, on a fielding error and an RBI single. Cesar Valdez (Diamondbacks) gave up a run in the 6th, and Michael Schwimer (Phillies) gave up a solo homer in the 8th. Tony Watson pitched a perfect 7th inning.

Three Pirates' farmhands made up the top third of Thursday's lineup. Leadoff batter SS Chase d'Arnaud went 2-for-5 with a double and a single. 2B Brian Friday did not have a hit today (he had two yesterday) but walked twice and started a double play. CF Jose Tabata had two hits for the second day in a row. Friday walked but was picked off/caught stealing in the 3rd inning. Tabata singled in that inning, but was left on base. D'Arnaud singled and stole second base in the 5th. The three loaded the bases after a run scored in the 7th inning. D'Arnaud doubled, Friday walked, and Tabata singled, but a ground out ended the inning with the Pirates still filling the bases.

The Scorpions scored their first two runs in the 2nd inning. RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) led off with a double, and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. He scored on DH Brandon Allen's (D'backs) double, and then Allen stole third base. LF Cole Gillespie (D'backs) doubled Allen home for the second run. Gillespie doubled again to lead off the 7th inning. He tagged up and moved to third base on a fly out, and scored on Tuffy Gosewisch's ground out.

Phoenix Desert Dogs 12, Scottsdale Scorpions 3

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Two four-run innings helped the Desert Dogs take a bite out of the Scorpions in Wednesday evening's AFL action. Despite two hits each by CF Jose Tabata and SS Brian Friday, along with another two hits by RF Domonic Brown (Phillies), the Scorpions could not keep up. Scottsdale recorded 9 hits, just one fewer than Phoenix's 10, but the Scorpions stung themselves with 4 errors -- two by Brown, one by Friday, and one by 3B Darin Holcomb (Rockies).

The Scorpions fell behind early. Starter Michael Cisco (Phillies) gave up a run in the 1st inning without a hit -- on a walk, a stolen base, a tag-up, and a sacrifice fly. Four runs scored in the 2nd inning, though only one was earned. After a triple and an RBI single for the first run, RF Domonic Brown made a fielding error, putting runners on second and third bases. The next batter hit a sacrifice fly, but Brown made a second fielding error, allowing two runs to score and putting that batter on third base. Another sacrifice fly brought him in with the fourth run of the inning.

The Pirates' hitters were key in scoring the two Scorpions' runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. With one out, Brian Friday walked, and Jose Tabata followed with a single. A wild pitch to 2B Chase d'Arnaud let both runners advance 90 feet. D'Arnaud grounded to the third baseman, and on a fielder's choice, he was safe at first, but Tabata was tagged out. D'Arnaud stole second base (his 5th in the AFL), and then a single by Domonic Brown plated both Friday and d'Arnaud. That cut the Desert Dogs' lead to 5-2.

Danny Moskos was first out of the bullpen for the Scorpions, and he had another difficult outing. The first batter he faced to lead off the 4th inning tripled, and the next batter walked. A grounder force out let the runner from third base score, and a throwing error by Brian Friday put a runner on third base. He scored on another single. Moskos got the next two batters out to end the inning. In the 5th, he gave up a lone single and got a strikeout.

Things were quiet until the 7th inning, when Takanobu Tsuijiuchi (Japan) gave up a single anda shomer, then a walk and two doubles, and the Desert Dogs had 4 more runs. Another batter reached on a throwing error by 3B Darin Holcomb, but Japan's Kenta Abe relieved Tsuijiuchi and ended the inning. Phoenix added one more run in the 8th, when reliever Scott Mathieson (Phillies) gave up a walk, a wild pitch, and an RBI double.

Jose Tabata collected an RBI in the 9th inning. After a single and a double play, Brian Friday singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Tabata's single into right field brought Friday in with the Scorpions' third run. Friday also singled and Chase d'Arnaud walked in the 5th, and Tabata walked in the 7th inning.

The Puerto Rican winter league begins play today. There are just a few players linked to the Pirates who are on the rosters: former Pirate P Ian Snell and Pirate farmhands 2B Greg Picart and reliever RJ Rodriguez are listed on the roster for Los Leones de Ponce; former Indy Indians OF Luis Matos and INF Luis Figueroa are listed with Los Criollos de Caguas.

In Wednesday's winter league action:

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 11, Yaquis de Obregon 4

Los Venados posted 16 hits on their way to 11 runs to pound Obregon. It started with 2 runs in the 1st inning, on two walks, a passed ball, a double, and a sacrifice fly. The 4th inning began with a walk, then 2B Brian Bixler singled. SS Heber Gomez had an RBI double, then two RBI singles scored two more runs, including Bixler. Mazatlan did the rest of their scoring with a series of 2-run homers: DH Robert Saucedo smacked a 2-run homer in the 5th, Bixler blasted a 2-run homer in the 7th, and CF Ruben Rivera did the same in the 8th. It was Bixler's second home run for Mazatlan, both coming in less than a week. Rogelios Noris had a pinch-hit single in the 9th inning. He remained in the game in left field, and made two of the three outs in the bottom of the 9th.

Mayos de Navojoa 7, Tomateros de Culiacan 3

Back-to-back homers in the 1st inning got Culiacan off to a good start, but that was all the scoring they were able to do. Navojoa took the lead with a 4-run 3rd inning, aided by two fielding errors. They added an insurance run in the 6th, with another Culiacan error, and two more in the 7th. 2B Luis Cruz went 0-for-3 with a walk in the 6th.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Tigres de Aragua 5, Bravos de Margarita 0

Aragua pitching shut down Margarita, holding them to just 5 hits -- one by 3B Neil Walker and one by LF Jonel Pacheco. Pacheco's single came after a batter had reached on a fielding error in the 5th, but a strikeout ended the inning with the two runners still on base. Walker and RF Rene Reyes hit back-to-back singles with two outs in the 6th, but again both were left on base when the inning ended. After those two hits, Los Bravos went down in order for the remaining three innings.

Meanwhile, Aragua was busy recording 12 hits, including 3 by 1B Hector Gimenez. They got onto the scoreboard with 4 runs in the 2nd inning. C Raul Chavez and Gimenez opened the inning with singles, and LF Justin Huber (Twins) reached on a fielding error. SS Ronny Cedeno cleared the bases with a triple, then scored on an RBI single. Los Tigres loaded the bases again in the 3rd inning, including another single by Gimenez, but Cedeno lined out to end that inning. Gimenez singled for the third time in the 5th inning, and was again left stranded. Aragua added one more run in the 9th, on a walk and two singles.

Navegantes del Magallanes 10, Caribes de Anzoategui 9 (12 innings)

Magallanes got the game-winning run on a solo homer in the top of the 9th. The next batter was hit by a pitch, and the ensuing scuffle resulted in both the pitcher and the batter being ejected. Los Caribes could not respond in the bottom of the 12th inning as they had in the 10th, when Magallanes had also taken the lead with a home run, but Los Caribes had tied it again with two singles. Adenson Chourio, who had not appeared in a game for Los Caribes in a month, made a pinch running appearance in the 7th inning, and reached 3rd base before being stranded. Argenis Diaz entered the game for Magallanes in the 9th inning as a defensive replacement at shortstop, and struck out in his only plate appearance. Jean Machi pitched a scoreless 9th for Magallanes, but was responsible for Los Caribes' tying run in the bottom of the 10th.

Cardenales de Lara 10, Tiburones de La Guaira 4

Bobby Livingston made the start for La Guaira but did not get out of the 1st inning. He gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, then a single. After a fly out, he surrendered two singles, a double, an RBI ground out, and another double before being relieved. One more run scored after that, making Livingston responsible for 6 runs on 6 hits, and he was ultimately charged with the loss. Lara scored 2 more runs in each of the next 2 innings. La Guaira scored 3 in the 3rd and one more in the 4th. Former Indy Indian Giovanni Carrara pitched two scoreless innings for Lara. Former Pirate Romulo Sanchez earned the win with his two perfect innings.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Leones del Escogido 7, Aguilas Cibaenas 2

C Erik Kratz made his debut with Los Aguilas, entering the game in the 7th as a catching replacement. Kratz had two plate appearances -- a ground out and a strikeout. Escogido had a big 3rd inning, scoring 5 runs, to breeze past Los Aguilas.

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

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Mayos de Navojoa 5, Tomateros de Culiacan 3

Three runs in the top of the 9th gave Navojoa the come-from-behind win over Culiacan. Los Tomateros scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the 2nd on 3B Mike Cervenak's (Phillies) solo homer. Cervenak's single in the bottom of the 8th contributed to a 2-out rally, with 2 walks and 2 singles. CF Luis Cruz doubled in the 3rd inning, but was left on base.

Yaquis de Obregon 5, Venados de Mazatlan 4 (10 innings)

A walk-off single with runners on second and third bases gave Obregon the win in the bottom of the 10th inning. Mazatlan scored all of their runs on homers -- a solo homer by 1B John Lindsey in the 7th, followed by CF Ruben Rivera's double and DH Robert Saucedo's homer in the same inning. In the 8th, SS Heber Gomez led off with another solo homer. 2B Brian Bixler went 0-for-4, with 3 strikeouts.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 1, Tigres de Aragua 0

Pitching ruled in Margarita, as Michael Tejera pitched 5 scoreless innings for Los Bravos, allowing 3 hits and 3 walks, with 4 strikeouts. He got out of a bases-loaded situation in the 1st inning, when SS Ronny Cedeno singled, 3B Wilson Ramos walked, and DH Raul Chavez singled. But Tejera got 1B Hector Gimenez to bounce a grounder to 3B Neil Walker, who forced Chavez out at second base to end the inning without a run scoring. Tejera had little trouble after that. He walked two, including Gimenez, in the 4th inning, but ended that inning with a double play. Orlando Hernandez made his debut for Margarita when he relieved Tejera in the 6th. "El Duque" gave up a single and walked Gimenez, but struck out two and got another grounder to Walker to end the inning. Four more pitchers added their assistance to preserve the shutout for Margarita. Ronny Cedeno singled again in the 8th, but was erased in a double play. CF Jorge Cortes had one at-bat for Aragua and then was replaced in center field.

Margarita scored their only run in the 4th inning. CF Frank Diaz was hit by a pitch, and Neil Walker singled into right field. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, and a sacrifice fly scored Diaz. Walker also walked in the 6th inning and stole second base -- his first steal in the Venezuelan League.

Navegantes de Magallanes 6, Caribes de Anzoategui 1

Los Caribes were held to 4 hits and their only run came on a solo home run. Magallanes scored 2 in the 2nd on a homer, then a walk, a single, and an RBI ground out. They added 4 more in the 5th inning. With the bases loaded on a walk, a single, and a hit batter, a walk to 1B Brian Dopirak forced in one run, then RF Richard Hidalgo doubled in two more runs. DH Mike Ryan reached base on a missed catch error at first base, and that allowed the 4th run to score. Ryan was hitless in his other 4 trips to the plate.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Aguilas Cibaenas 7, Leones del Escogido 2

Los Aguilas recorded 15 hits and poured it on with 4 unanswered runs in the last two innings. Ramon Aguero pitched the final inning for Los Aguilas. He hit a batter and had another reach on a fielding error, but got a line out and a strikeout to end the inning.

Gigantes del Cibao 5, Estrellas de Oriente 3

1B Brian Myrow singled twice for Los Estrellas but was out in a double play and left on base. He walked in the 7th inning, and scored when DH Nelson Teilon homered. Los Estrellas scored again in the 8th on a double and two ground outs, one by Myrow. Los Gigantes scored one in the 2nd and 3 more in the 4th. Estrellas' Roberto Giron relieved starter Alfredo Figaro after two of the runs came in in the 4th, and Giron's wild pitch allowed the third run to score. Juan Perez pitched to one batter in the 7th for Los Gigantes, and got a ground out.

Scottsdale Scorpions 2, Phoenix Desert Dogs 0

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Scorpions' starter Bryan Augenstein (Diamondbacks) earned his first AFL win on Tuesday afternoon with 4 shutout innings of work. He scattered 3 singles and a walk and struck out two batters. When Augenstein left, his bullpen colleagues took up where he left off. Tom Layne (D'backs) pitched a perfect 5th. Daniel Turpen (Giants) pitched 0.2 scoreless innings, though he loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter. Steve Edlefsen (Giants) finished the 6th inning for Turpen, then pitched a scoreless 7th with a walk and a batter reaching on an error. Craig Baker (Rockies) also retired the side in the 8th. Matt Reynolds (Rockies) earned his second save with a scoreless 9th inning, allowing just the fourth hit of the game.

The Scorpions had at least one runner on base in every inning but the 6th, but they only scored in the first two. 2B Pedro Ciriaco (D'backs) opened the game with a double into left field, and after ground outs by 3B Chase d'Arnaud and DH Jose Tabata, Ciriaco scored on an RBI single by RF Domonic Brown (Phillies). It only took one hit to score another run in the 2nd inning. LF Steve Susdorf (Phillies) walked, and he scored from first base on SS Hector Gomez's (Rockies) double. Gomez was the only batter with more than one hit -- he doubled again in the 7th inning. Jose Tabata singled in the 3rd inning, and Chase d'Arnaud singled in the 5th. The only other Scorpions' hit was Susdorf's double in the 4th. Susdorf also reached base twice more on walks, and Tabata had a third walk, but was caught stealing second base.

The Hillcats are relocating to Florida, where they will become.... well, we don't know yet. As expected, the Florida State League has approved the plan for the Pirates to buy the A+ team that the Reds have had in Sarasota, and move them to Bradenton. The Reds will take over the A+ team in Lynchburg, where the Hillcats have graciously given their approval even though the contract between the Pirates and the Hillcats still had a year to do. The name and logo for the new Bradenton team will be announced soon. The new A+ team will share McKechnie Field with the GCL Bradenton Pirates.

The Dominican League was the only winter league playing on Monday night, and Pirates' players and friends only participated in one game...

Estrellas de Oriente 6, Toros del Este 4

C Robinzon Diaz continued his hot hitting with another 2 hits and 2 RBI in last night's game, lifting his average to .397. Teammate 1B Brian Myrow also had 2 hits and 2 RBI in Los Estrellas' win. Los Estrellas did most of their scoring in the first three innings. In the top of the 1st, Myrow came to the plate with runners on first and second base, and his RBI single brought in the runner from second base. Diaz followed with another RBI single, to give Los Estrellas a 2-0 lead. A fielding error, a bunt, and a wild pitch in the 2nd inning increased the score to 3-0. A double and Diaz's second RBI single of the game made the score 4-0 in the 3rd inning, and Diaz scored also, after another single and a double. Los Toros got one of the runs back in the bottom of the 6th, but Myrow reclaimed it in the top of the 2nd with his RBI double. Los Toros did score 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th, but got no further. Former Pirate farmhand Maiko Loyola came into the game in the 8th inning as a defensive replacement in left field. He grounded out in his only plate appearance.

Mesa Solar Sox 3, Scottsdale Scorpions 2

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Not a lot of hitting going on in Mesa today. The Scottsdale Scorpions posted 7 hits on their way to ony 2 runs, while the pitching staff held the Solar Sox to just 5 hits. Unfortunately, the Solar Sox made better use of the hits they did get, scoring 3 runs to win the game.

The Scorpions scored one run right out of the box. In the top of the 1st, with one out, 2B Brandon Crawford (Giants) doubled, moved to third on RF Domonic Brown's (Phillies) single, and scored when LF Thomas Neal's (Giants) grounder to third base was only a force out at second instead of a double play. SS Hector Gomez (Rockies) provided the only other run, with a solo homer over the left field wall in the 3rd inning.

There were not even very many threats by the Scorpions' batters. CF Jose Tabata made it as far as third base in the 6th inning. He bounced one back to the mound, but a throwing error by the Mesa pitcher allowed Tabata to reach second base. A wild pitch sent him to third base, but he was left there when Domonic Brown struck out to end the inning. Scottsdale had a runner reach third base in the 8th inning, the only other inning in which the Scorpions put more than one runner on base. Hector Gomez doubled to lead off the inning, and 2B Brian Friday's single advanced Gomez to third base, but three strikeouts left the runners on the corners. The Scorpion batters struck out a total of 8 times during the game. Tabata went 0-for-4, and Friday was 1-for-3.

Rockies' Chaz Roe started and pitched 3 scoreless innings for the Scorpions. He allowed 2 hits, no walks, and struck out 4 batters. Cesar Valdez (Diamondbacks) pitched the next two innings, and was charged with a Blown Save when he allowed a 2-run homer in the 5th. Edgar Garcia (Phillies) suffered the loss, as he gave up the winning run in the 6th inning. Mesa's 2B Starlin Castro (Cubs) singled to begin the inning, stole second, tagged up and took third on a fly out, and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Tony Watson pitched a perfect 7th inning, including a strikeout. Scott Mathieson (Phillies) pitched a scoreless 8th inning. He allowed a walk, but erased the runner with a double play.

Pirates' players and friends in Sunday's winter ball action --

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 13, Aguilas de Zulia 7

Neil Walker was listed in the original lineup to start at first base, but before Los Bravos even took the field in the bottom of the 1st, their 2B Eider Torres, who had grounded out in the top of the inning, had to leave the game. Some infield shuffling occurred, and Walker was moved to third base. Margarita got onto the scoreboard first with 2 runs on 2 singles and a double in the 3rd inning. Zulia scored 2 runs in each of the next two innings to take a 4-2 lead. In the top of the 6th, Los Bravos retook the lead. SS Ray Olmedo led off with a single, and after he moved to 3rd on a hit-and-run, Walker's RBI single brought him in. Two more singles plated Walker, and two more walks forced in the third run of the inning. A single, a throwing error, a walk to Walker, and another single scored the first run in the top of the 7th. Two more runs, including Walker, scored on a fielding error, giving Margarita an 8-4 lead. Zulia came back with 3 of their own in the bottom of the inning, but Margarita sealed their win with a rally in the 9th. LF Jonel Pacheco, who had entered in the 7th inning, singled and scored on C Henry Blanco's double. Two more singles and a walk scored two more runs. Neil Walker's single brought in two more runs, for a total of 5 runs in the inning.

Neil Walker had originally been under contract with Los Bravos through December 10th, but now the plan is to have him stay only through November 19th.

Tigres de Aragua 4, Cardenales de Lara 2

1B Hector Gimenez and CF Jorge Cortes each posted a single and a double for Aragua, and SS Ronny Cedeno added a single. Aragua scored first, with a double by Gimenez, a ground out, and a wild pitch in the 2nd inning. A walk, Cedeno's sacrifice bunt, a single, and an RBI grounder added another run in the 2nd. Gimenez and Cortes had two of the three singles in the 4th, and Cortes picked up an RBI, as Los Tigres scored twice.

Leones del Caracas 8, Navegantes del Magallanes 6

Reliever Ronald Uviedo pitched 1.1 scoreless innings for Caracas to earn a Hold. He entered the game in the 6th, with two out and two runners on base, and got a ground out to end the inning. Then Uviedo retired the side in order in the 7th. DH Mike Ryan singled twice, walked twice, and scored twice for Magallanes. He singled and scored in the 2-run rally in the 2nd inning and again in the 2-run rally in the 9th. That last rally fell short, though, as Magallanes could not catch up to Caracas. SS Argenis Diaz was hitless in two trips to the plate.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey 8, Estrellas de Oriente 6

Licey scored 5 runs in the 5th and 3 more in the 6th to overcome Los Estrellas. Los Estrellas scored one run in the 2nd inning, on a walk and a double, and added 3 more runs in the 3rd inning. After a walk and a fielding error put two runners into scoring position, DH Robinzon Diaz singled to bring both runners home. Diaz was caught stealing second base, then 1B Brian Myrow tripled, and he scored on another double, and Los Estrellas had a brief 4-0 lead. Los Estrellas scored two more runs in the top of the 9th, on a double and two singles, but the inning ended before they could catch up to Los Tigres.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 13, Caneros de Mochis 3

Mazatlan posted 18 hits, with every member of the starting lineup collecting at least one hit. SS Brian Bixler singled, doubled, and walked, though he also made a throwing error. Los Venados started with 5 runs in the 1st inning, when the first 5 batters of the inning had a hit -- Bixler's double, and the rest singles -- for 3 runs. Another double brought in two more runs. Bixler also singled to lead off the 2nd inning, but was erased in a double play. Mazatlan scored 2 more runs in the 3rd inning, on a double and two singles. Two singles scored another run in the 5th inning, and then Los Venados wrapped it up with 5 runs in the 7th. That inning began with a throwing error, followed by a walk and two singles, bringing in two runs. Bixler walked, then a single plated two more runs, and Bixler scored on an RBI grounder. Another photo of Bixler, turning two, is on Los Venados' website.

Tomateros de Culiacan 15, Algodoneros de Guasave 4

Los Tomateros held a hit-fest, posting 19 hits and scoring 5 runs in the 2nd inning and 6 runs in the 6th. CF Luis Cruz had an RBI double in the 2nd inning, then walked and scored on a home run in the 6th. Cruz singled in the 9th, and was forced out on a double play.

AFL West 8, AFL East 7

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Saturday night's Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars game showcased the All-Stars among the all-star prospects. The League teams divided into West and East, based on the teams' location around the Phoenix area -- Peoria and Surprise are suburb cities on the west side of Phoenix, and Scottsdale and Mesa are on the east side of town, with the Phoenix team joining them for the East team. Three of the six Pirates' players participating in the AFL were invited to join the East team: OF Jose Tabata, INF Chase d'Arnaud, and reliever Danny Moskos. Starter Donnie Veal, with his 3-0 record and league-leading microscopic 0.54 ERA, was not invited, though it seems he has earned the honor; he would not have been able to pitch, since he had just made a start on Friday night, but still.... Six other members of the Scottsdale Scorpions were also on the East team: C Buster Posey (Giants), 1B Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks), OF Domonic Brown (Phillies), RHP Andrew Johnston (Rockies), RHP Toru Murata (Japan), and LHP Matt Reynolds (Rockies).

The East came charging out of the gate, sending 11 batters to the plate in the top of the 1st, and scoring 7 runs (6 earned) off West starter Mike Minor (Braves). Jose Tabata began the game with an infield single. SS Starlin Castro (Cubs) also singled, and after a fly out that allowed Tabata to tag up and move to third base, LF Grant Desme (A's) also singled, scoring Tabata. 1B Brandon Allen blasted a 3 run homer to center field, and the East had a 4 runs start. C Buster Posey followed the homer with a single and RF Domonic Brown doubled. Posey scored on 3B Josh Bell's (Orioles) sacrifice fly, which was the second out of the inning. After a walk to 2B Jemile Weeks (A's), a throwing error brought Brown across the plate. Tabata singled for the second time in the game, plating Weeks. That was all for Mike Minor, who was relieved by Josh Fields (Mariners). Fields ended the inning with a fly out, but the East had a 7 run advantage.

East starter Tommy Mendoza (Angels) gave up a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st inning to LF Chris Heisey (Reds), and Reidier Gonzalez (Blue Jays) retired the West in order in the 2nd inning. But the West took advantage of Danny Moskos in the bottom of the 3rd. Moskos gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, SS Carlos Triunfel Mariners). Two quick outs followed, but then Moskos gave up a single and three consecutive doubles, for 3 more runs, and the West had closed the gap to 7-6.

The pitchers took over for the next four innings. The East batters managed one hit in the 4th, and went down in order against former Pirates' draft pick Tanner Scheppers (Rangers) in the 5th. Chase d'Arnaud led off the 6th inning with a pinch-hit single into right field, but was forced out at second base on a grounder by Jemile Weeks. Bryan Petersen (Marlins), who replaced Tabata in center field, singled, and 1B Brandon Snyder (Orioles) walked to load the bases for the East, but LF Rene Tosoni (Twins) flied out to end the inning without a run scoring. The East threatened again in the 7th, when Domonic Brown walked and d'Arnaud singled for the second time, but both were left on base when Weeks struck out to end the inning.

East pitchers Matt Gorgen (Rays), Dustin Richardson (Red Sox), Andrew Johnston, and Blake Parker (Cubs) kept the West from scoring through the 7th inning, scattering 3 hits and a walk. With Drew Storen (Nationals) on the mound, the bottom of the 8th began with a single and a 2-run homer by C Matt McBride (Cleveland Indians), giving the West a one-run lead. But the East managed only a walk by Brandon Allen in the 9th, and the West got the win.

As usual, the AFL has Sunday off, and play will resume on Monday.

NOTES: Just in case you're wondering... the 2010 Minor League season begins 5 months from today.