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Scottsdale Scorpions 4, Surprise Rafters 2

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The Scorpions surprised the Rafters with 4 unanswered runs in the late innings, while the bullpen shut down the Rafter's bats, to get the come-from-behind win in Saturday's AFL action.

With starter Chaz Roe (Rockies) on the mound, the Rafters recorded one run in the bottom of the 1st inning on a solo home run by SS Reese Havens (Mets). Roe gave up three more hits and a walk over the first three innings, but erased one runner with a double play and his C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) picked another off first base. The remaining two were left stranded. In the 4th inning, Roe gave up a single and an RBI triple to 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) for the Rafters' second run.

That was all the scoring the Rafters would do. Takanobu Tsujiuchi and Tooru Murata, both from the Japanese leagues, each pitched a scoreless inning. Danny Moskos, the only one of the Pirates' farmhands to appear in the game, took care of the 7th inning. He gave up a lead-off single, but got the next batter to bounce into a 5-4-3 double play, then got a ground out to end the inning. Scott Mathieson (Phillies) and Andrew Johnston (Rockies) finished the game with a scoreless inning each.

Rafters' starter Aaron Crow (Royals) held the Scorpions to just one hit, a 1st inning double by CF Cole Gillespie (Diamondbacks), over his 4 innings. The Scorpions also went down in order in the 5th. Finally, in the 6th, the Scottsdale bats got going. 2B Pedro Ciriaco (D'backs) walked with two outs. He stole second and scored on Gillespie's single and a throwing error. 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) gave the Scorpions the lead in the 7th inning with a 2-run homer. They added an insurance run in the top of the 9th, when Tuffy Gosewisch singled and LF Steve Susdorf (Phillies) doubled him in.

The AFL has Sunday off, and then there are only 4 more days of regular-season games. The championship game will be played next Saturday. The Scorpions have a 12-15 record and even if they win all the rest of their games to get to a 16-15 record, and the first-place Phoenix Desert Dogs lose all the rest of their games to end with a 17-15 record, the Scorpions still won't overtake them. The Mesa Solar Sox, the other team in the AFL East, could still beat the Desert Dogs on percentage points if they win their remaining 4 games, so the Desert Dogs have not yet clinched the division title. In the AFL West, the Peoria Javelinas have clinched the division title, with a 17-10 record.

Scottsdale Scorpions 9, Peoria Saguaros 2

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game story featuring Chase d'Arnaud

The Scorpions poured it on, scoring 7 runs in the last two innings, to defeat the Saguaros in Friday evening's AFL play. 3B Chase d'Arnaud led the way with 3 hits and 2 RBI, while 2B Brian Friday and CF Jose Tabata contributed one hit each.

Joe Martinez (Giants) made the start for the Scorpions. He gave up one single over the first two innings, while striking out three. In the 3rd inning, Martinez walked the lead-off batter, who then moved to third base on a wild pitch and a ground out. An RBI single brought that runner in and gave the Saguaros a 1-0 lead.

Jose Tabata put the Scorpions on the board in the bottom of the 4th. He began the inning with a single into left field, and when the Saguaros' pitcher tried to pick him off first base, Tabata went to second base on the throwing error. He stole third base, and when the catcher's throw to third went sailing into left field for the second throwing error of the inning, Tabata scrambled home. The Scorpions took a 2-1 lead in the next inning. With two outs, SS Hector Gomez (Rockies) reached base safely on a ball tapped back to the pitcher, then stole second base. Chase d'Arnaud singled to the right side of the infield, scoring Gomez. D'Arnaud stole second base, but was left there when Brian Friday grounded out to end the inning.

Relievers Daniel Turpen (Giants) and Tom Layne (Diamondbacks) each pitched a scoreless inning for the Scorpions. Steve Edlefsen (Giants) took the mound for the 7th inning, and gave up two walks and a single, as Peoria scored the tying run. Edlefsen was charged with a Blown Save, but his teammates rallied so that he also earned the win. In the bottom of the 7th, LF Thomas Neal (Giants) led off with a walk. C Wilin Rosario (Rockies) doubled into right field, putting Neal on third base. Chase d'Arnaud picked up his second RBI of the game with a line drive single into right field, scoring Neal and moving Rosario to third. D'Arnaud stole second base for the second time in the game (and a league-leading 8th of the AFL season). Brian Friday plated Rosario with a sacrifice fly, and when the Peoria right fielder made a throwing error, d'Arnaud also scored. Jose Tabata was hit by a pitch, but was still on first base when the inning ended.

The Scorpions had a 5-2 lead, but they weren't done yet. DH Buster Posey (Giants) began the bottom of the 8th with a walk, and 1B Brandon Allen (D'backs) was hit by a pitch. Thomas Neal brought both of them in with a triple into center field. Hector Gomez plated Neal with an RBI single. Chase d'Arnaud also singled, his third in the game, and Brian Friday's single scored Gomez to give the Scorpions 4 runs in the inning. The inning ended when Jose Tabata lined out right at the second baseman, who was able to double Friday off first base.

With just a week left in the AFL season, the Scorpions are in third (last) place in the AFL East division (11-15 record). They have 5 games left in the regular season, with the last game on Thursday Nov 19th.

A busy Friday night in winter league play for the Pirates' players and friends:

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 6, Mayos de Navojoa 0

It was all Mazatlan, as starter Pablo Ortega held Los Mayos to 5 hits and one walk in 7 scoreless innings of work. The Mazatlan batters were also quiet for the first three innings, but then scored in each of the next four innings to give Ortega plenty of run support. Two runs scored on a double and two singles in the 4th. 2B Brian Bixler led off the 5th inning with his third homer with Los Venados. A walk and two singles added another run in the 6th. Los Venados scored two more in the 6th, when Bixler led off with a single. He went to second on SS Heber Gomez's walk, but was forced out at third base on a grounder back to the mound, leaving runners on first and second. A single brought in Gomez, then a walk loaded the bases, and another run was forced in when CF Ruben Rivera was hit by a pitch.

Bixler went 2-for-4, raising his overall average to .282. He has hit 13-for-36 (.361) in his last 8 games, including all three of his homers, plus 6 RBI. Bixler is in the lead photo on Los Venados' home page today.

Caneros de los Mochis 4, Tomateros de Culiacan 3

Two runs in the bottom of the 8th by Culiacan were not enough to catch up to Los Caneros. The inning began with a walk, then a single by 3B Luis Cruz. A wild pitch put both runners into scoring position, and two consecutive ground outs brought in both runners. Cruz went 1-for-4 at the plate, and started Culiacan's only double play at third base.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 2, Leones de Caracas 1

A walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 9th gave Margarita the win. RF/CF Frank Diaz opened the inning with a single. 3B/1B Neil Walker tried to bunt him to second, but instead of going down, the bunt went up and became a pop-out to the first baseman. Diaz got to second on his own, with a steal, and then continued to handle things on his own by stealing third base. DH Rene Reyes lined a single into left field, bringing in Diaz with the winning run. Margarita scored their first run in the 4th inning on three singles. Caracas' only run came in the 3rd inning and was unearned -- a fielding error put a runner on base, and he scored on a single and a ground out. Neil Walker began the game at third base, but was moved over to first in the top of the 9th. He did not get the opportunity to make a play, as reliever Ken Ray (Cleveland Indians) struck out all three batters he faced. CF Jonel Pacheco had a single in two trips to the plate. Reliever Ronald Uviedo began the 8th inning for Caracas, and gave up a single and an intentional walk while getting two outs before he was relieved.

Caribes de Anzoategui 5, Tigres de Aragua 2

SS Ronny Cedeno had 2 hits for Los Tigres, who could not answer the 3 runs by Los Caribes in the bottom of the 8th. Aragua scored first, in the top of the 1st, when the first four batters of the game reached base on two walks and two hit batters. One was picked off second base, but when C Raul Chavez was hit by a pitch, it loaded the bases for 1B Hector Gimenez, whose sacrifice fly brought in one run. The 2nd inning also started off in an odd way. Cedeno hit two pop fouls, both of which were dropped for errors, one by Los Caribes' first baseman and one by their third baseman. Cedeno took advantage of his third chance, and singled into center field, then stole second base, though he was left stranded.

Los Caribes scored a run in each of the 2nd and 3rd innings. Aragua tied it up with another run in the 4th, on a double, a walk, and an RBI single. The tie remained until the bottom of the 8th. A single, a throwing error by Aragua's pitcher, and a walk loaded the bases with one out. The next batter grounded to second base, and a throw to C Raul Chavez forced the lead runner out at the plate, but when Chavez tried to throw to first for a double play, his throw went wild and two runs scored. Another single brought in the third run of the inning. Adenson Chourio pinch-ran for Los Caribes in the 7th inning and remained in the game at shortstop.

Navegantes del Magallanes 11, Cardenales de Lara 10

Four singles and an intentional walk in the bottom of the 9th gave Magallanes the win. The two teams combined for 31 hits and left a total of 18 runners on base (12 for Lara, 6 for Magallanes) as they traded the lead back and forth. Lara scored first, with a run in each of the 2nd and 3rd innings. Magallanes took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd, when SS Argenis Diaz doubled and scored on a single, and C Robinson Chirinos added a 3-run homer. Lara tied the game with 2 runs in the 4th (double, triple, and single) and regained the lead in the 5th with 2 more runs (double and three singles). With the score 6-4 going into the bottom of the 6th, Los Navegantes came roaring back with a 5-run rally that included three doubles, two walks, and a run-scoring wild pitch. But Lara tied the game again with one run in the 7th and 2 in the 8th. Los Cardenales added another run on a double, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly in the top of the 9th to take a 10-9 lead, but Los Navegantes made one more effort in the bottom of the inning for the win.

Tiburones de La Guaira 10, Aguilas de Zulia 1

Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Belisario (Dodgers) made his winter league debut with a scoreless 9th inning for La Guaira. Jorge Velandia pinch-hit for Los Tiburones in the 8th inning and struck out, then finished the game at third base.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey 6, Estrellas de Oriente 3

A 5-run 5th inning, including a 3-run homer gave Licey the edge over Los Estrellas. Los Tigres scored 2 runs in the 4th inning. RF Fernando Tatis singled and 1B Brian Myrow walked with one out. Both scored on C Robinzon Diaz's singled into right field, which was complicated by a fielding error by the right fielder (Diaz was credited with one RBI). Los Estrellas added one more run in the 7th on a single and an RBI double.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Criollos de Caguas 7, Leones de Ponce 5

Reliever RJ Rodriguez was back to his usual form as he pitched two perfect innings for Ponce, including one strikeout. Caguas got to Rodriguez's pitching colleagues, though. They scored 5 runs before Rodriguez took the mound, beginning with a solo homer in the 2nd. In the third, former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa doubled and another former Indian, RF Luis Matos was hit by a pitch, then a walk loaded the bases. A single and a fielding error scored all three runners. Matos added an RBI double in the 4th inning. DH Raul Casanova gave Ponce 4 runs in the bottom of the 4th with a grand slam. A hit batter and two singles added another run for Ponce in the 7th to tie the score. A single, a walk, and a 2-RBI double in the top of the 8th by Caguas broke the tie and gave Los Criollos the win.

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.