PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

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The Scottsdale Scorpions were missing their sting on Thursday afternoon in the Arizona Fall League. �The Rafters held the Scorpions to just 5 hits, and the Scorpions hurt their own cause by committing 3 errors.

The two Pirates' prospects who got into the game, SS Chase d'Arnaud and CF Jose Tabata, each had one of the hits. �D'Arnaud's triple in the 6th inning was the only extra-base hit the Scorpions posted. �He also collected the only walk for the Scorpions. �The Scorpions managed only two hits over the first five innings, when C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) and 2B Pedro Ciriaco (Diamondbacks) had back-to-back singles with two outs in the 3rd inning. �Both were left on base when Chase d'Arnaud struck out to end the inning. �DH Wilin Rosario (Rockies) singled in the 7th inning, but was erased when 1B Brandon Allen (D'backs) bounced into a 3-6-3 double play.

The only other threat by the Scorpions came in the 9th inning. �With one out, d'Arnaud walked, and Tabata followed with a single. �A fielding error by the Rafter's first baseman on a ball hit by RF Domonic Brown (Phillies) loaded the bases. �But a strikeout and a fly out ended the inning and the game, preserving the shutout for the Rafters.

Bryan Augenstein (D'backs) made the start for Scottsdale. �He pitched 3 innings and allowed one run in the 1st, on a single and a double by the first two batters of the game. �Augenstein retired the next 6 batters in order. �Then two singles and two throwing errors -- by Augenstein on a pickoff attempt, and by 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants) on an infield ball -- loaded the bases with one out. �Augenstein held on, though, and got out of the inning with a double play, started by Chase d'Arnaud.

The Rafters scored again in the 5th inning, off Japan's Ken Nishimura, on a walk, a stolen base, a grounder, and an RBI single. �Daniel Turpen (Giants) took the mound for the 6th and 7th innings, and he allowed the third Rafters' run, on a triple and a double and another fielding error in the 6th inning. �Tom Layne (D'backs) and Steve Edlefsen (Giants) each pitched a scoreless inning to complete the game.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 2, �Naranjeros de Hermosillo 1

A walk-off RBI single by RF Christian Quintero won the game for Mazatlan. �With the score tied 1-1 and a runner on first, rookie LF Rogelio Noris dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position. �SS Heber Gomez was intentionally walked, and 2B Brian Bixler flied out to center field. �That set up Quintero for his single into right field, allowing the winning run to score from second base.

Bixler scored Mazatlan's first run in the 6th inning. �He led off the inning by being hit by a pitch, and Quintero bunted him to second base. �Bixler scored on 3B Freddy Sandoval's double. �Los Venados missed the chance to score again in the inning, though. �After Sandoval's double, a walk and another hit batter loaded the bases, but a fly out and a ground out ended the inning with all three runners still on base. �Bixler reached third base again in the 7th inning, when he and Quintero hit back-to-back singles, but both were left on base. �Rogelio Noris singled in the 3rd inning, and advanced to third base on a wild pitch and a ground out, but he could not score either.

Tomateros de Culiacan 3, �Aguilas de Mexicali 1

2B Luis Cruz went 0-for-4 for Culiacan in his third game of the winter season. �Culiacan scored one run in the 1st inning on three singles, and another run in the 5th on a solo homer. �They scored one more in the 9th with some help from the Mexicali team -- two singles, a fielding error, a walk, and a hit batter.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Tiburones de La Guaira 18, �Bravos de Margarita 17

It's too bad that Neil Walker had this game off, because everyone got to boost his batting average -- the two teams combined for 44 hits and 35 runs. �Margarita had a 7-run 2nd inning and a 6-run 3rd inning. �La Guaira had a 7-run 7th inning. �All of that scoring was done with only two homers, both for La Guaira. �CF Jonel Pacheco came in as a late-inning defensive replacement for Margarita and grounded out in his only plate appearance. �3B Jorge Velandia was also a late-inning replacement and did not come to the plate. �Not such a good game for the pitchers' stats, of course. �La Guaira used 9 pitchers and Margarita used 7.

Tigres de Aragua 7, �Aguilas de Zulia 1

1B Hector Gimenez had an RBI single and came around to score in Aragua's 4-run 3rd inning, which featured a hit batter and five singles. �Los Tigres also had a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning and another run on three singles in the 9th. �Jorge Cortes pinch-ran in the 7th inning for Aragua, but was forced out in a double play. �C Alex Delgado went 0-for-4.

Navegantes del Magallanes 6, �Leones del Caracas 3

SS Argenis Diaz and LF Mike Ryan each had 2 hits for Magallanes. �Los Navegantes scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning with a solo homer by RF Richard Hidalgo, then singles by Ryan and 3B Jesus Merchan, followed by a homer by C Robinson Chirinos. �Diaz singled to begin the 5th inning, and he scored on an RBI double. �Diaz also singled and stole second base in Magallanes' 9th inning rally, which scored one run. �Ronald Uviedo pitched the 9th inning for Caracas, and gave up that run on two singles. �Jean Machi pitched the 9th for Magallanes, and gave up 2 runs on 2 singles and a double.

Caribes de Anzoategui 9, �Cardenales de Lara 8

Lara had an early 7-2 lead after scoring 5 runs in the 3rd inning, but Los Caribes kept chipping away at the lead, mostly thanks to RF Daniel Dorn (Reds). �They scored 2 in the 2nd inning on back-to-back solo homers by 2B Niuman Romero (Clevelan) and Dorn. �Dorn homered again for 2 runs in the 4th inning, an popped a 3-run homer in the 6th. �Reds' teammate LF Lew Ford got in on the homer party in the bottom of the 9th, when he tied the score at 8-8 with a solo home run. �A single by 1B Luis Gonzalez and a walk-off RBI double by 3B Travis Metcalf (Rangers) gave Los Caribes the win. �CF Gorkys Hernandez had one hit in the game.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Leones del Escogido 7, �Aguilas Cibaenas 6

CF�Starling Marte went 1-for-3 with a walk for Los Aguilas. �Escogido scored early, with one run in the 1st, three runs in the 2nd, and one run in the 3rd inning. �They threatened again in the 4th inning, with former Pirate Franquelis Osoria on the mound. �Osoria loaded the bases with two singles and a walk before recording an out on a pop-up/infield fly rule. �Osoria was relieved, and the new pitcher got out of the inning with a timely double play. �Another former Pirate farmhand, Franklyn German took the mound in the 6th, and he gave up two more runs on two walks, a wild pitch, and a 2-RBI single. �The rest of the bullpen kept Escogido quiet, including Ramon Aguero, who struck out the side in the 8th inning. �Los Aguilas' batters didn't get started until the 6th inning, when they sent 10 batters to the plate and scored 5 runs, including a grand slam by 3B Nelson Castro. �Marte walked in the inning. �Castro also had an RBI single in the 7th inning for Los Aguilas' only other run. �Marte led off the 8th inning with a swinging bunt that turned into a single and a throwing error by the catcher. �Marte stole third base, but was out at the plate on a subsequent fielder's choice grounder to short.

Estrella de Oriente 12, �Gigantes del Cibao 3

Los Estrellas scored 3 runs in each of four innings, with a total of 16 hits. ��2B Pedro Lopez walked and scored in the 3rd inning. �C Robinzon Diaz led off the 4th with a single, but was out at second on a force out. �Lopez also walked in the 4th, but was out at the plate on a fielder's choice. �Lopez hit an RBI double in the 5th inning. �Diaz also doubled in the 2nd inning, but did not score in that inning.

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The Scorpions surrendered 5 runs in the first inning of Wednesday afternoon's AFL game, and it went downhill from there. �The Solar Sox posted 15 hits for 12 runs, with 11 of those runs coming in the first four innings. �Four errors by the Scorpions' infield aided the Solar Sox.

Scottsdale starter Chaz Roe (Rockies) did not make it out of the first inning. �He started out �with a strikeout, then gave up a single and a walk before getting another strikeout. �then a single, a fielding error by 1B Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks), a walk, and a 3-run triple gave the Solar Sox a 5-0 lead. �Japan's Tooru Murata relieved Roe and got a ground out to end the inning. �Murata returned for the second inning, and he gave up 4 singles for 2 more runs.

Edgar Garcia (Phillies) started the 3rd inning on the mound for the Scorpions. �The first batter of the inning reached base on a throwing error by 3B Brandon Crawford (Giants), and a single and two doubles produced 3 more runs. �In the 4th inning, two more doubles added another run. �Crawford made another throwing error, though it did not contribute to the scoring.

The Scorpions finally got their bats going in the top of the 5th inning. �DH Buster Posey (Giants) singled to lead off the inning, and LF Steve Susdorf's (Phillies) blast over the right field wall gave Scottsdale their first 2 runs. �After two outs, CF Jose Tabata singled, and he scored on 2B Chase d'Arnaud's RBI double. �A throwing error put d'Arnaud on third base, but he got no further. �Brandon Crawford made up for his errors with a solo home run in the 6th inning. �The Scorpions added one more run when Posey and Susdorf both walked, and SS Hector Gomez (Rockies) plated Posey with a single up the middle.

The Solar Sox collected one more run in the 7th inning, on a solo home run by Bryan Petersen (Marlins), hit off reliever Matt Reynolds (Rockies). �Andrew Johnston (Rockies) pitched two scoreless innings �and Craig Baker (Rockies) pitched one scoreless inning for the Scorpions. �Starter Chaz Roe was charged with the loss.

Some pitching stats for the Scorpions:

2 wins: Edgar Garcia, Steve Edlefsen

2 losses: Tooru Murata

the only save: Craig Baker

10 innings pitched: Edgar Garcia, Joe Martinez

0.90 ERA: Joe Martinez

hits allowed: Edgar Garcia -- 13, Danny Moskos -- 11

5 walks allowed: Daniel Turpen, Michael Cisco

strikeouts: Joe Martinez -- 10; Danny Moskos and Scott Mathieson --8

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What more can the Scorpions ask of CF Jose Tabata?

He had 3 hits, a triple short of the cyle. The homer brought in 3 runs. He had 6 RBI, which was two-thirds of the Scorpions' total runs. He's hitting .326 over 10 games.

It wasn't enough on Tuesday night, though, as the Javelinas scored in four consecutive innings, including a 4-run 8th, for the Arizona Fall League win.

Tabata's 3-run blast over the right-center field wall came in the 2nd inning. After two ground outs, 3B Darin Holcomb (Rockies) started the Scorpions' rally with a bloop single into center field. DH Brandon Crawford (Giants) also singled, and SS Hector Gomez (Rockies) reached base when the Javelina's second baseman had trouble with a grounder. That let Holcomb score and left Scorpions on first and third for Tabata. Tabata's homer gave the Scorpions a 4-0 lead.

Peoria got two of the runs back in the top of the third inning, on a throwing error by 3B Holcomb and two singles. Tabata gave Scottsdale another run in the 4th inning, when his double brought in Brandon Crawford, who had walked. Peoria got another two runs in the top of the 5th, but the Scorpions stayed ahead of them with one more run in the bottom of the inning. C Buster Posey (Giants) walked, LF Cole Gillespie (Diamondbacks) singled, and Darin Holcomb walked to load the bases. Crawford's sacrifice fly brought in Posey, and the Scorpions were still leading, 6-4.

With reliever Tom Layne (D'backs) on the mound in the 6th, Peoria made it a one-run game, courtesy of Cale Iorg's (Tigers) solo home run. Tony Watson came in from the bullpen to pitch the 7th inning. He was charged with a Blown Save, when he gave up the tying run on a walk, a wild pitch, and an RBI single.

The Javelinas took the lead in the top of the 8th, striking Danny Moskosfor 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits and a walk. With one out, two singles and a passed ball by C Posey had Moskos working with runners on the corners. A walk followed by two RBI singles plated 2 runs. Moskos was relieved by Scott Mathieson (Phillies), who got the first batter he faced to ground to short, for what should have been an inning-ending double play. The out was made at second, but 2B Brian Friday's throw to first base was wild, allowing one run to score on the grounder, and a 4th run to score on the error.

The Scorpions had one more chance in the bottom of the 9th inning, and again Jose Tabata was in the middle of the rally. Buster Posey led off the inning by working a walk. Cole Gillespie doubled, moving Posey to third. A walk to Brandon Crawford loaded the bases, and after a strikeout by Hector Gomez, a wild pitch allowed Posey to come in from third. Tabata slipped a single up the middle, and both Gillespie and Crawford scored, and the Scorpions were within one run. But Brian Friday also struck out, ending the rally and the game.

Friday had one hit in the game, a single in the 2nd inning following Tabata's home run.

Michael Cisco (Phillies) made the start for the Scorpions, and went 3 innings, allowing 2 unearned runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Cesar Valdez (D'backs) pitched one scoreless inning, and Scott Mathieson contributed 1.2 scoreless innings. Japan's Takanobu Tsujiuchi gave up the 2 runs in the 5th inning.

A few more Scorpions' batting stats:

Pedro Ciriaco: .433 in 6 games

Cole Gillespie: .387 in 8 games

Thomas Neal: .333 in 8 games, 5 stolen bases

Jose Tabata: .326 in 10 games, 2 doubles, 2 triples, one homer, 11 RBI

Domonic Brown: .319 in 12 games, 5 doubles, 2 homers, 10 RBI

Darin Holcomb: .310 in 8 games

Brian Friday: .222 in 6 games, one double, 4 RBI

Chase d'Arnaud: .200 in 6 games, 2 doubles, 1 RBI

Buster Posey: .194 in 9 games

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan 3, Naranjeros de Hermosillo 0

Brian Bixler played left field for Los Venados last night, and contributed one of Mazatlan's four hits, a single in the 4th inning. Mazatlan scored a run in the bottom of the 1st on a walk and an RBI double by 1B John Lindsey. They loaded the bases in the 3rd inning on two walks and a hit batter. One run was forced in with another walk, and DH Robert Saucedo brought in a run with an RBI single. Three Mazatlan pitchers combined for the shutout, with starter Pablo Ortega scattering 5 hits over 7 innings.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita 6, Tiburones de La Guaira 3

3B Neil Walker went 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts in the game. Margarita scored a run in each of the first two innings, and added 4 runs in the 3rd, on a double, three singles, and fielding error. Former Indy Indian (2006) Scott Strickland pitched the final inning for Margarita and gave up a solo home run and two singles. Another former Indian (2005) SS/3B Jorge Velandia appeared in his first game of the season for La Guaira, going 0-for-2 at the plate.

Navegantes del Magallanes 11, Tigres de Aragua 7

SS Argenis Diaz went 0-for-4 and former Indy Indian (2005) LF Mike Ryan was 0-for-2 with 2 walks for the winning side -- unusual that Ryan was not contributing to an 11-hit and 11-run effort, as Magallanes had a 4-run inning and two 3-run innings. Aragua also had a 4-run inning, and they posted 15 hits. 1B Hector Gimenez went 4-for-4, with a double and 3 singles. The double began the 4-run 4th inning, and Gimenez scored on another double. A walk and three more singles added three more runs. C Raul Chavez was hitless in 5 trips to the plate, and pinch-hitter Jorge Cortes struck out in his only plate appearance.

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Aguilas Cibaenas 4, Gigantes del Cibao 3 (10 innings)

Starling Marte contributed to the 10th inning rally that gave Los Aguilas the win. Los Gigantes had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the 8th inning. Los Aguilas scored one run on a single and a double, and had a runner on second base with two outs when Los Gigantes brought in former Pirate Juan Perez in relief. Marte also entered as a pinch runner for the man on second, and he scored when the next batter singled off Perez. A solo home run by Los Aguilas tied the game in the bottom of the 9th inning. Los Aguilas led off the bottom of the 10th with a single, and a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second base. Marte, who had remained in the game to play center field, singled into right field, and the runner advanced to third. A grounder to short for a fielder's choice allowed the Aguilas to score the winning run.

Toros del Este 6, Estrellas de Oriente 0

Los Estrellas were held to just 4 hits in this shut-out. C Robinzon Diaz went 0-for-3 with a walk. 3B Pedro Lopez, who came into the game as a late-inning defensive replacement, popped out in his only plate appearance. LF Maiko Loyola, another defensive replacement, did not get a plate appearance. Former Indian Roberto Giron pitched a scoreless 6th inning for Los Estrellas, but gave up a single, a sacrifice bunt complicated by a fielding error by Robinzon Diaz, and a sacrifice fly to begin the 7th inning. Giron was charged with the loss.

The former first round draft pick from 2005 began the 2009 season with the Indianapolis Indians. He had a strong month of April, hitting .282, and an even better May, when he hit .304 and collected 14 RBI. When he was called up to the Pirates in early June, McCutchen had an overall .303 batting average with the Indians, as well as 10 doubles, 8 triples, and 4 home runs. His OBP with the Indians was .361.

McCutchen didn't miss a beat when he arrived in Pittsburgh. He jumped right into the Pirates' lead-off spot in the batting order and went 2-for-4 in his major league debut on June 4th, with a walk, an RBI, and 3 runs scored. He went 0-for-4 the next day, then had a hit in each of his next 4 games. After another 0-for day, he put up a 13-game hitting streak. McCutchen finished June with 31 hits in 25 games, for a .284 average and a .333 OBP, with 4 doubles, 5 triples, and 18 RBI. July brought 28 more hits for a .277 average. August was even better, with 31 hits and a .304 average and 19 RBI, and in September he had 30 hits and a .268 average. McCutchen finished the season with a total of 124 hits and a .286 average, 26 doubles, 9 triples, 12 homers, and 54 RBI, with a .365 OBP. He also stole 22 bases.

McCutchen also led National League rookies in extra-base hits (47). He was second in multi-hit games (36), runs (74), walks (56), and total bases (204). He was third in doubles and RBI, stolen bases, and slugging percentage (.471).

Baseball America also named Garrett Jones to the 2009 All-Rookie team as a first baseman. Jones also began the 2009 season with the Indianapolis Indians, where he hit .307, with 18 doubles, 12 homers, 50 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. Jones was called up to Pittsburgh and made his Pirates' debut on July 1st. He hit .293, with 21 doubles and 21 home runs, 44 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. The 21 homers lead the year's rookies.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

box

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.

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.