PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

Peoria Saguaros 10, �Scottsdale Scorpions 2

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The Scottsdale Scorpions were held to just 5 hits and fell victim to 3 double plays, as they lost to the Saguaros on Monday afternoon. �Pirates' Donnie Veal got the start for the Scorpions, and pitched into the 4th inning. �He scattered 3 hits and 2 walks over those innings, but kept Peoria from crossing the plate. �Veal gave up a single in the first inning, and that base runner stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch, but got a strikeout to end the inning. �He used a timely double play to get out of a small jam in the 2nd inning, and picked off a base runner who he'd walked in the 3rd. �After a single and two outs in the top of the 4th, Veal was relieved by Japanese hurler Tooru Murata.

Murata gave up 2 runs in the 5th inning on a walk, a triple, and a passed ball, but the real trouble came in the top of the 8th. �With Daniel Turpen (Giants) on the mound, a lead-off homer, followed by three walks loaded the bases. �Michael Schwimer (Phillies) relieved Turpen, but gave up an RBI single and then a grand slam, for a total of 6 runs, with 4 of the them charged to Turpen. �Schwimer stayed in the game to pitch the 9th inning, when he gave up two more runs, on a walk, a fielding error, a double, and a sacrifice fly.

The Scorpions' only runs were scored in the bottom of the 8th inning. �C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) led off with a single, but was out at second when SS Pedro Ciriaco (Diamondbacks) bounced into a force at second base but beat out the throw to first. �2B Chase d'Arnaud doubled, moving Ciriaco to third base. �RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) picked up the only two RBI for the Scorpions with a long single into center field which plated both Ciriaco and d'Arnaud.

The Scorpions had runners on first and third in the 1st inning, when Ciriaco began the inning with a single, stole second, and moved to third base on Chase d'Arnaud's ground out. �Domonic Brown walked, but a fly out ended the inning. �They also missed an opportunity in the 5th, when three walks loaded the bases. �Ciriaco hit what should have been a sacrifice fly to center field, but 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

The Caribbean Leagues (Mexican Pacific, Venezuelan, and Dominican) all had a scheduled day off on Monday.

Sunday's winter league action involving the Pirates' players and friends

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 3, �Tigres de Aragua 1 �(Game 1, 7 innings)

This game was supposed to be the make-up for Thursday's game, which was cut short by rain. �It's confusing, though, since on Thursday, they had played two scoreless innings, and Margarita's 3B�Neil Walker had the only hit in the game. �(Maybe in this league, they just scrap the non-completed game and start over.) �This game shows Aragua scoring in the bottom of the 1st inning on two walks and a single. �The RBI single was by former Pirate C�Raul Chavez. That was Chavez's only hit in the shortened game. �1B�Hector Gimenez went 0-for-3 for Aragua.

Three singles and a fielding error gave Margarita 2 runs in the 5th inning. �RF�Jonel Pacheco had one of those singles, his second in the game. �Los Bravos added an insurance run in the 6th inning. �CF Frank Diaz led off with a walk, stole second base, and advanced to third when Raul Chavez's throw down to second went wide for an error. �Neil Walker was intentionally walked. �A wild pitch scored Diaz, and two more walks (unintentional) loaded the bases for Margarita -- but a ground out ended the inning without any further runs scoring. �Pacheco went 2-for-2 with a walk. �Neil Walker was 0-for-2 plus the intentional walk.

Tigres 6, �Bravos 2 �(Game 2, 7 innings)

This was not the continuation of Thursday's game either, as Aragua had a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 1st. �They scored again in the 2nd inning when RF�Jorge Cortes singled, went to second base on a fielding error by 3B Neil Walker, and scored on Alex Delgado's RBI single.

Walker walked again in the 4th inning, and scored on DH Selwyn Langaigne's double. �C Henry Blanco also doubled, plating Langaigne, to cut Los Tigres' lead in half, 4-2. �Aragua came back with 2 in the bottom of the frame, on four singles, including one by C�Alex Delgado. Former Indy Indian�Tim Harikkala made the start for Margarita, and suffered the loss, as he allowed all 6 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks.

Leones del Caracas 7, �Caribes de Anzoategui 4

Caracas batted around in their 5-run 6th inning, and that made the difference for the win over Los Caribes. �CF�Gorkys Hernandez had 3 singles and an RBI for Los Caribes, but it wasn't enough. �Hernandez singled to lead off the 6th inning, but was out at second base in a double play. �He had the third hit of the inning in the 7th, collecting the RBI. �Hernandez also singled to lead off the 9th inning. �Another single moved him to third base, and he scored Los Caribes' final run on an RBI ground out.

Navegantes �del Magallanes 2, � Tiburones de La Guaira 1 �(12 innings)

Both teams were able to get runners on base, but could not get them around to score very easily. �After four scoreless innings, LaGuaira scored first in the top of the 5th, on a single, a walk, a hit batter, and a sacrifice fly. �Four more scoreless innings followed, which included missed opportunities. �Magallanes had the bases loaded in the 6th inning, on a single and two walks, but LF�Mike Ryan struck out and 3B Jesus Merchan grounded out, leaving all three runners stranded. �SS�Argenis Diaz singled but was caught stealing.

In the bottom of the 9th, Los Navegantes scratched out one run to keep the game going. �Mike Ryan led off with a single, and was replaced by pinch-runner Johermyn Chavez. �Merchan's sacrifice bunt moved Chavez to second base, and a ground out advanced him to third. �Pinch-hitter Erold Andrus singled, bringing in Chavez with the tying run. �Both teams threatened in the 10th and 11th innings, and Los Tiburones also had a base runner on in the top of the 12th. �Finally, in the bottom of the 9th, a single and two walks (one intentional) loaded the bases. �With two outs, Jesus Merchan was hit by a pitch to force in the winning run.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 1, �Algodoneros de Guasave 0

Mazatlan pitchers held Guasave to only 3 hits in the game, while LF�Rogelio Noris had 2 of Mazatlan's 8 hits. �His double played a part in Los Venados' only run-scoring inning. �C Miguel Ojeda led off the 4th with a double, and Noris followed with another double, but Ojeda was only able to advance to third base -- he had held up since it looked like the ball was going to fall near the right field line. �SS Heber Gomez brought the run in with a sacrifice fly. �The double was Noris' first hit in the Mexican Pacific League, and the Mazatlan native got a huge ovation from the crowd. �2B�Brian Bixler walked once in four trips to the plate. �Bixler also made a throwing error in the 1st inning, as did Miguel Ojeda, but a timely double play kept Guasave from taking advantage of the errors.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo 10, �Caneros de Las Mochis 4

Ty Taubenheim made his third start for Hermosillo, going 4.1 innings and allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks, with 2 strikeouts. �He gave up a run in the top of the 1st, on a double and a single. �He also gave up a double and a single in the 3rd and a double and a walk in the 4th, but those did not produce a run. �One more walk in the 4th also came to nothing. �Taubenheim began the 5th inning with a walk, a strikeout, and a single, and was removed at that point. �His reliever gave up a sacrifice fly to bring in one baserunner, charged to Taubenheim. �The Hermosillo batters turned it on in the late innings, scoring 8 runs over the last third of the game, and the bullpen held off Los Caneros, to give Hermosillo the win.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Leones del Escogido 4, � Aguilas Cibaenas 3

Ramon Aguero made his second appearance for Los Aguilas. �He entered the game in relief in the 6th inning, with two outs and a runner on first base, Aguero hit Los Leones' 1B Conor Jackson with a �pitch, then got a ground out to end the inning. �He came back out to begin the 7th inning and gave up a walk and a single before being relieved. �Both of those runners came in to score, due to a fielding error by the next pitcher, and an RBI single, and so both were charged to Aguero.

Gigantes del Cibao 13, �Estrellas de Oriente 5

2B Pedro Lopez went 0-for-4 for Los Estrellas, and�Maiko Loyola had a pinch-running appearance but did not score, as Los Gigantes' 7-run 2nd inning was too much for Los Estrellas to overcome. �Juan Perez pitched to two batters in the 6th inning, getting a grounder force out and allowing a walk.

Phoenix Desert Dogs 7, �Scottsdale Scorpions 3

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The Scottsdale Scorpions had the early lead, but could not respond to a 5-run inning by the Desert Dogs. �2B Pedro Ciriaco (Diamondbacks) and DH Jose Tabata singled to begin the game, with Ciriaco going to third on Tabata's liner into right field. �RF Domonic Breown (Phillies) scored Ciriaco with a sacrifice fly, and 1B Brandon Allen (D'backs) doubled to bring in Tabata. �The Scorpions threatened again in the 2nd inning, when CF Cole Gillespie (D'backs) doubled, but was out at third on a fielder's choice. �SS Troy Hanzawa (Phillies) was safe at first on that fielders' choice, stole second, went to third on Pedro Ciriaco's single, but was out trying to steal home.

Tabata singled again in the 5th. �Domonic Brown walked and Brandon Allen singled to load the bases, but C Buster Posey (Giants) grounded out to end the inning with all three still on base. �Allen picked up his 3rd hit of the game in the 8th inning, and scored Scottsdales' only other run on Posey's RBI double.

Joe Martinez (Giants) pitched 4 scoreless innings in his start for the Scorpions, allowing 2 hits and a walk. �Things fell apart in the 5th inning, though, after Cesar Valdez (D'backs) came on in relief. �After two strikeouts, four straight singles brought in two runs. �Tom Layne (D'backs) took over next, but he gaveup a walk and a single (2 RBI). �A missed catch error by 1B Allen loaded the bases again, and another walk forced in one more run. �Four of the five runs were charged to Valdez, who was charged with both a Blown Save and a Loss.

Tony Watson pitched a perfect 6th inning for the Scorpions. �Danny Moskos gave up two hits and a single to begin the 7th inning. �After a strikeout, a double brought in two runs, the Moskos got two more strikeouts to end the inning.

The Arizona Fall League takes Sunday off. �Play resumes on Monday.

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

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 6, �Tiburones de La Guaira 2

3B Neil Walker singled twice and figured into both of Margarita's rallies. �In the 4th inning, RF Rene Reyes and Walker led off with back-to-back singles, and both advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. �1B Dennys Abreu loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch. �LF Francisco Leandro brought in both Reyes and Walker with his RBI single. �In the next inning, SS Ray Olmedo, Reyes, and Walker all singled. �Walker's single plated Olmedo, and a 3-run homer by DH Selwyn Langaigne brought Reyes and Walker in.

Leones del Caracas 9, �Navegantes del Magallanes 0

Ronald Uviedo made his winter league debut for Los Navegantes with a scoreless 9th inning. �He gave up a walk, and got two fly outs and a ground out. �Magallanes recoreded 11 hits, including 2 singles by LF Mike Ryan, but between 8 runners left on base and 4 double plays turned by Los Leones, they could not get any of those runners home. �SS Argenis Diaz went 0-for-2.

Caracas left 11 batters on base and fell victim to one double play, but posted 13 hits and scored in 3 innings. �They began with 3 runs in the 5th inning, on four singles and a fielding error. �Another 2 runs scored in the 6th, on a double, a single, a walk, a hit batter, and a wild pitch. �Former Pirate DH Carlos Maldonado contributed a single to the rally in the 9th, which included a double by another former Pirate 2B Jose Castillo, a homer by 3B Adam Heether, two more singles, and an RBI grounder.

Tigres de Aragua 11, �Caribes de Anzoategui 7

These two teams combined for 30 hits and took a 7-7 tie into the bottom of the 10th inning. �The first batter of the inning walked, then 1B Hector Gimenez bunted him to second base. �Another walk and a pop out followed, and pinch hitter Jorge Cortes was hit by a pitch to load the bases. �CF Dustin Martin hit the walk-off grand slam to give Los Tigres the exciting finish. �Himenez went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the game. �He had an RBI single and scored in Aragua's 4-run 3rd inning, and singled again in the 8th inning. �SS Anderson Machado led off the 3rd inning with a single and came around to score for Aragua. �Los Caribes' CF Gorkys Hernandez singled in four trips to the plate, contributing to the rally in the 4th inning.

Aguilas de Zulia 9 �Cardenales de Lara 6

Two former Pirate pitchers got into this game. �Lara was leading 6-3 going into the bottom of the 7th inning. �With one out and runners on second and third, Los Cardenales brought in Romulo Sanchez from the bullpen. �Sanchez gave up a 2-RBI double (those runs charged to the preceding pitcher), got a strikeout but with a wild pitch that advanced the base runners, then gave up a single complicated by a throwing error for another 2 runs. �A walk and two more singles gave Zulia 6 runs in the inning, 4 of which were charged to Sanchez, who was then relieved. �Chris Hernandez pitched a scoreless top of the 9th and earned his 3rd save with Zulia.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 4, �Algodoneros de Guasave 2

Both teams' starting pitchers gave up runs, and both bullpens held fast, as all the scoring happened in the first three innings of this game. �2B Brian Bixler was placed into the lead-off spot and did well there, going 2-for-3 with a walk. �Bixler led off the bottom of the 1st with a single into center field. �3B Freddy Sandoval, 1B John Lindsey (who had 3 hits in the game), and CF Ruben Rivera all followed with singles, with Lindsey picking up the RBIs as Bixler and Sandoval scored. �In the 3rd, Sandoval and Rivera both singled again, and C Hector Paez brought both of them in with his 2-RBI single. Bixler walked and was caught stealing in the 2nd inning, and singled in the 4th, but was lef stranded. �Rogelio Noris, getting a start in left field after the previous day's strong appearance, went 0-for-4.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Leones del Escogido 6, �Gigantes del Cibao 2

Former Pirate Juan Perez pitched to two batters in the 8th inning for Los Gigantes. �He came into the inning with one out and runners on second and third. �Perez intentionally walked Escogido's Wilson Betemit to load the bases. �The next batter grounded to second base, but intstead of a double play, there was a fielding error, allowing 2 runs to come in. �Perez was relieved, responsible for one unearned run.

Tigres del Licey 5, �Estrellas de Oriente 1

Licey scored 2 runs in each of the 3rd and 4th innings and one more in the 7th, while their pitchers held Los Estrellas to just 5 hits over the first 7 innings. �Los Estrellas scored their one run in the 8th. �Pinch-hitter Tony Cruz singled to begin the 8th inning, and Maiko Loyola pinch-ran for Cruz. �A fielding error moved Loyola to second base, and a single by CF Jovanny Rosario brought Loyola in with Los Estrellas' only run. �C�Robinzon Diaz went 0-for-4 for Oriente.

Scottsdale Scorpions 8, �Peoria Javelinas 7

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A 7-run lead.

Eight innings of one-hit baseball.

Then utter disaster.

Scorpions' starter Bryan Augenstein (Diamondbacks) wanted to forget his last AFL appearance, and he did so very nicely. �Augenstein faced only one batter over the minimum in his 3 innings of work, allowing only a double in the 2nd inning. �He did not walk anyone, and 5 of the 9 outs he recorded were by strikeouts.

Augenstein's bullpen colleagues helped him out over the next 5 innings. �Japan's Takanobu Tsujiuchi pitched 2 innings, allowing only a walk. �Matt Reynolds (Rockies) threw 2 more scoreless frames, with 2 walks. �Daniel Turpen (Giants) pitched a perfect 8th inning. �Things were looking very good.

The Scorpions' hitters were on their game too. �They jumped out to an early lead with 4 runs in the 2nd inning. �1B Brandon Allen (D'backs) led off with a single, and moved to second on C Buster Posey's (Giants) ground out. �Two more Giants' prospects, 3B Brandon Crawford �and LF Thomas Neal both walked to load the bases. �SS Hector Gomez (Rockies) swept the bases clean with a triple, and 2B Chase d'Arnaud brought in Gomez with a single, and the Scorpions led 4-0.

Scottsdale loaded the bases again in the 4th inning, on walks to Thomas Neal and Chase d'Arnaud, and a single by C Wilin Rosario (Rockies). �CF Jose Tabata lifted a fly ball into right field for a sacrifice fly, and when the Javelinas' right fielder made a throwing error, two runs scored. �In the 5th, Brandon Crawford walked and Neal singled, then they pulled off a double steal. �Crawford scored on Rosario's sacrifice fly, giving the Scorpions a 7-0 lead.

Then disaster struck in the top of the 9th. �Andrew Johnson (Rockies) took the mound for the Scorpions, and started by giving up a single and a walk. �He got a strikeout, but followed it with two more singles and another walk, and 2 runs came in. �With the bases loaded, Japan's Ken Nishimura relieved Johnson. �Nishimura walked two batters, around a strikeout, forcing in two runs. �The next batter doubled, scoring 3 more runs to tie the score at 7-7. �Steve Edlefsen (Giants) came out of the bullpen next, and he also walked a batter, before getting a strikeout to end the inning.

Luckily for the Scorpions, the batters were not done hitting yet. �RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) led off the bottom of the 9th with a double. �Brandon Allen was intentionally walked, and Buster Posey bounced into a force out at second base, and the Scorpions were lucky again -- it could have been a double play but wasn't. �With runners on the corners and two outs, Brandon Crawford trickled a little infield hit into the no-man's land just past the mound, and raced to first base to beat out the throw to first, allowing Brown to score from third with the walk-off win.

Friday's winter ball action for the Pirates' players and friends:

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 2, �Algodoneros de Guasave 1 �(13 innings)

After 12 scoreless innings, the Mazatlan battery fell apart with two outs in the top of the 13th inning -- a single followed by a wild pitch, a passed ball, and a throwing error by the Mazatlan pitcher allowed Guasave to score the first run of the game. �Pirates' Rogelios Noris, who had entered the game as a pinch-runner for Los Venados in the 10th inning and remained in as the designated hitter, led off the bottom of the 13th by being hit by a pitch. �C Miguel Ojeda singled, moving Noris to second base, and a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third bases. �SS Heber Gomez was the hero, with a single into left field that brought in both Noris and Ojeda for the (finally!) walk-off win. �Brian Bixler played both second base and left field in the game, and singled in each of his first two at-bats. �Team USA pitcher Ehren Wassermann made the start for Mazatlan and allowed only 2 hits over his 5 innings of work. �Guasave was held to just 5 hits over the first 11 innings.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 5, �Tiburones de La Guaira 4 �(10 innings)

RF Rene Reyes second homer of the game, in the top of the 10th inning, gave Margarita the winning run. �3B Neil Walker followed the homer with his second single of the game, though he was left stranded on base. �Former Indy Indian Scott Strickland pitched the bottom of the 10th for Margarita, and despite a single and two walks (one intentional) to load the bases, ended the game with two strikeouts to earn his 3rd save of the game.

La Guaira scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning of another former Indian, Margarita starter Michael Tejera. �Los Tiburones added �one more in the 6th. �Pirates' Bobby Livingston pitched 4 scoreless innings in his start for Los Bravos, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3 batters. �Rene Reyes put Los Bravos on the board in the 6th inning with his first homer, and Neil Walker followed that homer with a single too. �A walk, a single, and RBI double by 2B Eider Torres, and an RBI single by SS Ray Olmedo gave Margarita two more runs in the 7th inning to tie the score at 4-4. �CF Jonel Pacheco went 0-for-1 with a sacrifice bunt in the game.

Cardenales de Lara 9, �Navegantes de Magallanes 6

Derek Hankins pitched 5 innings in his start for Lara, and he gave up 6 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts. �Three runs came in the top of the 2nd inning. �Magallanes' LF Mike Ryan and 3B Jesus Merchan both singled, then RF Erold Andrus brought in Ryan with an RBI double. �SS Argenis Diaz followed with a 2-RBI single, to give Magallanes 3 runs and tie the game at 3-3. �A walk, a stolen base, and an RBI single by DH Richard Hidalgo gave Los Navegantes another run in the 3rd, and C Robinson Chirinos blasted a solo homer in the 4th, giving Magallanes a short-lived 5-4 lead. �Lara scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th. �The top of the 6th began with Hankins allowing a walk to Merchan and a single to Andrus. �Former Indy Indian Giovanni Carrera came on to relieve Hankins, and Carrera gave up a single to Chirinos, scoring Merchan to again tie the score at 6-6. �But Lara went on to score 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th and another run in the 8th to take the win. �Hankins got a no-decision for his start.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Toros del Este 4, �Aguilas Cibaenas 2

Los Toros broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the bottom of the 7th and an insurance run in the 8th to take the win. �Starling Marte entered the game in the 8th for Los Aguilas. �With two outs, former Indy Indian Kevin Barker (Reds) singled and Marte came in to pinch-run. �Marte stole second base, but was left standing there when the next batter struck out.

Estrellas de Oriente 7, �Tigres del Licey 0

Los Estrellas recorded 16 hits, including a double and a single by C Robinzon Diaz and a double by former Pirate farmhand Maiko Loyola. �Los Estrellas scored 3 runs on two doubles and two singles, including Diaz's RBI single in the 3rd inning. �Diaz led off the 5th inning with a double, and scored on a fielder's choice. �Loyola's double led off the 9th inning. �He moved to third on a single and scored on a fielding error. �Juan Mateo pitched the final two innings for Licey, and he gave up Loyola's unearned run, along with 3 hits. �Former Indy Indian Roberto Giron pitched a scoreless 7th inning for Los Estrellas.

A look at how the Pirates' players and friends fared in Thursday's winter ball action:

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Mayos de Navojoa 3, �Venados de Mazatlan 2

Los Venados out-hit Los Mayos 10-7, but couldn't get those runners to cross the plate, and both teams left 9 batters stranded. �Mazatlan scored a run in the 3rd on two singles and a fielding error, and another run on 1B John Lindsey's solo homer. �But Navojoa scored one run in the 3rd, and then one run again in each of the 5th and 6th. �2B Brian Bixler walked in the 5th inning and advanced to third base on 3B Freddy Sandoval's single, but both runners were left stranded.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita vs Tigres de Aragua

The two teams got through two innings before rain halted play. �They will resume on Sunday. �3B Neil Walker singled up the middle for Margarita's only hit in the first two innings. �CF Jonel Pacheco had not even had his turn at bat yet. �1B Hector Gimenez had Aragua's only hit so far, while neither C Alex Delgado nor SS Anderson Machado had had a plate appearance yet.

Leones de Caracas 3, �Aguilas de Zulia 1

Zulia scored their only run in the bottom of the 1st inning, on a single, a sacrifice bunt, a ground out, and a throwing error. �After that, they managed only two more hits for the rest of the game. �Caracas scored a run in the 2nd inning, when former Pirate 2B Jose Castillo singled, then scored on two more singles. �Two singles, two walks, and a throwing error gave Los Leones two more runs in the 3rd inning. �Former Pirate Chris Hernandez pitched the final inning for Zulia. �He had a batter reach base on a throwing error, and get as far as third base on a steal and another throwing error, but Hernandez finished the inning with two strikeouts, leaving the runner on third base.

Navegantes del Magallanes 10, �Tiburones de La Guaira 4 �(13 innings)

A 6-run top of the 13th gave Magallanes a win in extra innings. �A lead-off single and a walk got the inning started, then a single by pinch-hitter Erold Andrus brought in the go-ahead run. �SS Argenis Diaz followed with a sacrifice bunt, and a throwing error left Diaz safe at first and the bases loaded. �The lead runner was erased when the next batter lined into an unassisted double play at third base, but 2B Andres Blanco lined a triple into right field, scoring Andrus and Diaz. �Another single scored Blanco. �A hit batter, a single, and a wild pitch let three more runs come in, and Magallanes had only to hold off La Guaira in the bottom of the inning for the win. �Magallanes used a total of 10 pitchers (remember, these teams have quite extensive roster, particularly on the pitching side), while La Guaira used 7 hurlers. �Jean Machi pitched 2 innings for Los Navegantes and allowed 3 hits and an unearned run. �Team USA pitchers Cedrick Bowers (Phillies) and Nate Field (Marlins) also took a turn.

Magallanes scored their first 3 runs in the 4th inning, on Blanco's triple, a sacrifice fly, back-to-back doubles by RF Richard Hidalgo and LF Mike Ryan, then an RBI single by C Gustavo Molina. �Ryan went 3-for-6 in the game, with 2 doubles and 3 RBI. �Argenis Diaz was 0-for-5 with that sacrifice bunt.

Caribes de Anzoategui 6, �Cardenales de Lara 5 �(10 innings)

A solo home run in the top of the 10th inning by 1B Eliezer Alfonzo gave Los Caribes the win. �They had taken the lead with 4 runs in the 7th inning. �After a lead-off double and a walk, a sacrifice bunt to load the bases. �A sacrifice fly scored one run. �Los Cardenales brought in former Pirate Romulo Sanchez for relief, but the first batter Sanchez faced was CF Gorkys Hernandez, who lifted a double into right field, bringing in the second run. �Then DH Luis Gonzalez brought in two more, including Hernandez with an RBI single.

Scottsdale Scorpions 11, � Mesa Solar Sox 1

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The Scottsdale Scorpions stung the Solar Sox on Thursday afternoon's AFL game, and Pirates' prospect DH Brian Friday was in the middle of the fun. �The Scorpions posted a total of 19 hits, including 6 doubles and a home run, and every member of the lineup had at least two hits, except for C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies), who had "only" one hit, but two RBI.

It didn't start out in a very promising way for the Scorpions. �In the top of the 1st inning, the first batter, 2B Pedro Ciriaco (Diamondbacks), singled but then was promptly picked off first base. �CF Cole Gillespie (D'backs) also singled, but he was erased on a 3-6-3 double play. �The Scorpions went down in order over the next two innings.

The bats woke up in the 4th inning. �With two outs, RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) singled, and after the Solar Sox changed pitchers, 1B Brandon Allen (D'backs) homered to give Scottsdale two runs. �LF Thomas Neal (Giants) doubled, 3B Darin Holcomb (Rockies) walked, and Brian Friday followed with a double, which plated Neal and put Holcomb on third. �SS Hector Gomez (Rockies) singled, to bring in Holcomb and give the Scorpions a 4-0 lead.

Mesa got one of the runs back in the bottom of the inning, on a triple and a sacrifice fly, but the Scorpions were not even close to being done yet. �Cole Gillespie doubled in the 5th inning, stole second, and scored on Domonic Brown's sacrifice fly. �They got three more runs in the 6th. �Thomas Neal, Darin Holcomb, Brian Friday, and Hector Gomez opened the inning with four consecutive singles, with Gomez picking up an RBI. �Tuffy Gosewisch grounded into a force out at second (Gomez forced out), but a throwing error �on the relay to first base allowed both Holcomb and Friday to score. �Scorpions 8, Solar Sox 1.

Another error by Mesa plus singles by Darin Holcomb and Tuffy Gosewisch added another run in the 7th inning. �Cole Gillespie singled, and both Domonic Brown and Brandon Allen doubled in the 8th, giving the Scorpions a total of 11 runs.

Chaz Roe (Rockies) got the start for the Scorpions, pitching 2 scoreless innings. �Edgar Garcia (Phillies) pitched the next 3 innings, and allowed the lone Mesa run on a total of 4 hits. �He was awarded the win. �Craig Baker (Rockies) pitched 2 scoreless innings, and Tom Layne (D'backs) and Michael Schwimer (Phillies) �took care of a scoreless inning each. �The Scorpions' pitching staff threw a total of 8 strikeouts.

Mesa Solar Sox 5, �Scottsdale Scorpions 4

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The Scorpions' 3-run rally in the 8th inning was not enough to overcome the early Solar Sox lead in AFL action on Wednesday. �Five of the six Pirates' AFL participants got to play in the game -- all but Donnie Veal, who was the starting pitcher in Tuesday night's game. �2B Chase d'Arnaud contributed a double to the Scorpions' effort, �SS Brian Friday had an RBI, and CF Jose Tabata was hit by a pitch and came around to score for Scottsdale. �Tony Watson and Danny Moskos each pitched an inning of relief.

Scottsdale starter Michael Cisco (Phillies) pitched 2 innings and gave up 2 runs in each, on a total of 6 hits and a walk. �Three singles and a double brought in the runs in the top of the 1st, and a walk, a triple, and a double did the job in the 2nd.

After going down in order in the first two innings, the Scorpions got onto the scoreboard in the 3rd. �DH Thomas Neal (Giants) led off with a single, then stole second base. �3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) also singled, moving Neal to third. �Neal came home on Brian Friday's grounder to third. �The Scorpions threatened in the 6th inning, when Chase d'Arnaud led off with a double. �A walk to 1B Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks) and a wild pitch put two runners into scoring position, but C Buster Posey (Giants) flied out to end the inning and leave the runners on base.

After the first two innings, the Scorpions' pitchers also held the Solar Sox quiet for a few innings. �Cesar Valdez (D'backs) pitched 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and 2 walks. �Valdez actually got three outs in the 4th, but C Buster Posey could not handle the 3rd strike on what should have been the strikeout for out #3, and the runner made it to first base. �Steve Edlefson (Giants) finished the 4th inning, then pitched a 1-2-3 5th inning. �Tony Watson struck out 2 batters in a scoreless 6th inning, with one batter reaching base on a fielding error by RF Domonic Brown (Phillies). �Danny Moskos pitched the 7th inning for the Scorpions, and he gave up the last Mesa run, on two singles and a passed ball.

The rally in the bottom of the 8th began with one out, when Jose Tabata was hit by a pitch. �After a pop out, Brandon Allen walked, then Buster Posey and Steve Susdorf (Phillies) hit back-to-back doubles. �Posey's double brought in both Tabata and Allen, and Susdorf's plated Posey. �A ground out ended the inning, leaving the Scorpions one run short.

Looking at Pirates' players and friends in Wednesday's winter league action:

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Mayos de Navojoa 8, �Venados de Mazatlan 3

Mazatlan had scoring opportunities, but could not take advantage of them, as they bounced into three double plays and left 9 runners on base. �2B Brian Bixler was the first example and also the last. �In the top of the 1st, Bixler slapped a single into right field, but was left stranded on base. �In the 9th inning, Bixler walked, but was erased in a game-ending 3-6-3 double play. �Mazatlan did score 2 runs in the 6th inning, on C Miguel Ojeda's 2-RBI double, and another run in the 7th on 2B Freddy Sandoval's RBI single.

Aguilas de Mexicali 5, �Algodoneros de Guasave 2

A four-run rally in the top of the 9th gave Mexicali the win and kept former Indy Indian and Altoona Curve reliever Sean Smith from suffering the loss. �Mexicali was leading 1-0 going into the bottom of the 7th inning, and Mexicali starter Enrique Quintanilla had allowed Guasave �just one hit and one walk over the first 6 innings. �Quintanilla began the 7th by giving up a single, and he was relieved by Sean Smith. �Smith gave up a double, then got an out, then intentionally walked the next batter to load the bases, in hopes of inducing a double play. �He did get the next batter to ground to second, but they could not turn two, and a run scored (charged to Quintanilla). �A single into left field brought in a second run (charged to Smith), before a tapper back to the mound ended the inning. �Smith was charged with a blown save, but the 9th inning rally gave Mexicali the win.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 6, �Cardenales de Lara 2

Los Bravos scored in 4 consecutive innings, and held Los Cardenales scoreless until the 8th. �Margarita scored first in the 3rd inning, on a single with a missed-catch error, a sacrifice bunt, and CF Francisco Leandro's RBI ground out. �They added 3 runs in the 4th inning, all coming with 2 outs already recorded. �Three consecutive batters walked, including�3B Neil Walker (the second walk), and the next batter was hit by a pitch, forcing in a run. �C Henry Blanco doubled, scoring two more, including Walker. �Two more walks, plus a single and a sacrifice fly gave Los Bravos another run in the 5th, and Leandro picked up another RBI in the 6th with a double. �Former Indy Indian Giovanni Carrara pitched 2.1 scoreless innings for Lara.

Navegantes del Magallanes 9, �Caribes de Anzoategui 2

A 6-run 4th inning put the game into Magallanes back pocket, and a total of four Navegantes' batters hit homers, including former Indy Indian LF Mike Ryan. �1B Brian Dopirak (Blue Jays) got the scoring started for Magallanes with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st inning. �RF Richard Hidalgo homered to lead off the 4th inning, and after 2 singles, C Gustavo Molina contributed a 3-run homer. �SS Argenis Diaz walked, and he came around to score on 2B Andres Blanco's RBI double, and Blanco came home on Dopirak's second hit of the inning, an RBI single. �Mike Ryan's solo homer led off the bottom of the 5th inning. �CF Gorkys Hernandez went 0-for-3 with a single for Los Caribes.

Tigres de Aragua 12, �Aguilas de Zulia 6

Another slug-fest, as the two teams combined for 29 hits, and scored in 5 of the final 6 half-innings. �DH Hector Gimenez and former Indy Indian RF Jorge Cortes each had 2 hits and an RBI, and both of Gimenez's hits were doubles. �Cortes singled to load the bases and came around to score in the 5-run 4th inning. �He also singled in the 7th inning rally. �Gimenez led off the 8th inning with a double, and scored on the next single. �He doubled again in the 9th inning, bringing the runner from first base in to score, and then scored moments later on another RBI single.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Aguilas Cibaenas 9, �Estrellas de Oriente 3

Los Aguilas scored 7 runs over the first two innings, and Los Estrellas could not catch up. �Los Estrellas' runs all came in the 3rd inning. �Two singles and a hit batter loaded the bases, and former Indy Indian Franklyn German was brought in from the bullpen to take over for Los Aguilas' starter. �German gave up a 2-RBI single to 3B Juan Richardson, and a passed ball brought in another run. �C Robinzon Diaz singled and walked in 4 trips to the plate for Los Estrellas, but was left on base both times.

The Pirates have announced three player moves, freeing up space on their 40-man roster by outrighting these pitchers to AAA Indianapolis. �None of these are completely unexpected, unfortunately.

RHP Denny Bautitsta -- Bautista spent most of 2009 with the Indians, where he made 36 relief appearances, for 48 innings. �He allowed 54 hits and 29 runs (26 earned), which is a 4.88 ERA. �He had one save and a 2-3 record. �He strikeout rate was good -- 58 K's -- with 34 walks. �Batters hit .284 against him. �Bautista was called up to the Pirates in late August, and made 14 appearances. �The first four, in August, went fine -- in a total of 6 innings, he allowed only two hits (in the last of the four games), and struck out a total of 8 batters. �Then he had a few poor outings, where he allowed 9 hits and 6 runs over 3 innings, then four more good appearances. �Overall, he finished with a 1-1 recored and a 5.27 ERA in 13.2 innings. �Bautista had been signed as a minor league free agent for 2009, and he could opt to do that again.

RHP Craig Hansen was part of the 2008 Jason Bay trade, coming to the Pirates from Boston, where he had been the Red Sox' first round draft pick in 2005. �He made 2 appearances in Indianapolis after the trade in 2008, and then was promoted to Pittsburgh, where he struggled a bit in 16 relief appearances. �He was eager to do better in 2009, but made only 5 relief appearances for the Pirates, before being completely shut down due to nerve spasms in his neck. � Those 5 appearances totaled 6.1 innings, in which he allowed 4 runs on 6 hits, with 4 walks and 5 strikeouts. �He has still not resumed throwing, and the Pirates may not have much incentive to offer him even a minor league contract.

RHP Chris Bootcheck -- Bootcheck was the go-to guy out of the Indianapolis bullpen for 2009, and was named to the International League All-Star Game (though he did not participate due to a family emergency). �In 40 appearances for the Indians, Bootcheck pitched 42.2 innings and recoreded 20 saves, with a 3-2 record and a 3.38 ERA. �H allowed 16 runs on 40 hit, with only 7 walks and a big 55 strikeouts. �June was his biggest month, when he piled up 7 saves in 11 appearances and did not allow a hit or a run in 10.2 innings. �He was promoted to Pittsburgh in early August, and never had the success he saw in Indianapolis. �In 13 relief appearances, Bootcheck allowed 18 runs on 16 hits, with 9 walks and 13 strikeouts over 14.2 innings. �The LaPorte, Indiana, native has been around for awhile, and so had the option to decline to be outrighted to Indianapolis. �He will declare free agency and look for another team for 2010.

Scottsdale Scorpions 7, �Surprise Rafters 3 box The Pirates' prospects Donnie Veal and Jose Tabata teamed up to lead the Scottsdale Scorpions to victory on Tuesday in AFL action. �Veal, the starting pitcher, earned the win with 3 strong innings of work. �He gave up one run in the top of the 1st inning on a 2-out single and RBI double. �Then he proceeded to retire the next 7 batters he faced, including 2 strikeouts. �Veal threw 35 pitches, 34 of which were strikes. Meanwhile, CF Tabata lead the Scorpions' offensive attack, with 3 of Scottsdale's 11 hits, including two triples, with 2 RBI. �Tabata opened the bottom of the 1st inning with a single. �2B Brandon Crawford (Giants) doubled, moving Tabata to third base. �1B Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks) singled, scoring Tabata. �After a walk to 3B Darin Holcomb (Rockies) to load the bases, RF Steve Susdorf (Phillies) �grounded out, allowing Crawford to score. Tabata tripled with one out in the 2nd inning, and scored on DH Buster Posey's (Giants) RBI single. �The Scorpions added another run in the 3rd, on a single by Susdorf and a double by SS Hector Gomez (Rockies). �Another rally in the 5th gave the Scorpions three more. �Susdorf singled again, and stole second base. �LF Cole Gillespie (D'backs) singled, moving Susdorf to third base, though Gillespie was thrown out stealing second base. �C Wilin Rosario (Rockies) walked, and Gomez singled, bringing in Susdorf and leaving runners on the corners. �A new Rafters' pitcher was greeted by Jose Tabata's second triple of the game, which scored both Rosario and Gomez. The Rafters scored a run on two doubles in the 7th inning, off Scottsdale reliever Daniel Turpen (Giants). �A single and a double off reliever Andrew Johnston (Rockies) in the 9th gave Surprise their third run. �Matt Reynolds (Rockies) pitched 2 perfect innings of relief for the Scorpions, and Craig Baker (Rockies) pitched a scoreless 8th inning, allowing one walk.