PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

SS Brian Bixler (photo) singled in his first at-bat with Mazatlan, and then singled again in the 9th inning. �Mazatlan scored 2 runs in the 5th inning, then Culiacan came back with 2 runs of their own in the 7th. �Each team scored another run in the 8th inning, and the tie continued into the bottom of the 10th, when Los Venados' CF Ruben Rivera led off with a double, and came in to score on 1B John Lindsey's (Marlins) walk-off RBI single. �

3B Neil Walker doubled in the 7th inning, but was left stranded on third base, and he also walked for Margarita. �Margarita scored first, with a double and a single in the first inning, but Caracas tied it up with a solo homer in the bottom of the frame. �Los Bravos were held scoreless after that, with former Pirate Romulo Sanchez contributing two scoreless innings for Caracas. �

Caracas scored again in the 7th. �The inning began with a double by Los Leones' Raul Padron, and a bunt attempt failed, as Margarita pitcher Michael O'Connor was able to scoop the bunt and fire to Neil Walker at third, who tagged Padron in time for the out. �A grounder force out left a runner at first base with two outs, but a stolen base and a missed catch error put that runner on third. �Pirates' farmhand Edgar Gutierrez�was brought on to pitch next, and he gave up a single, which scored the winning run, though it was charged to O'Connor. �That was the only batter Gutierrez faced. �He was relieved by Damian Moss, who got a ground out to end the innning. �Margarita threatened in the bottom of the 9th, with runners on first and second with no outs. �But the runner on second was picked off, and Walker bounced into a double play to end the game. �

1B Hector Gimenez singled for Aragua, while former Pirates' farmhand�SS Anderson Machado hit an RBIsingle and scored, and walked. �Former Indy Indian (2003-04)�C Alex Delgado singled and doubled and had 3 of Aragua's RBI.

Aragua scored one run in the 2nd inning on a single, a wild pitch, and an RBI double. �La Guaira tied it up with two doubles in the 3rd, but missed out on another scoring opportunity when a runner was out at the plate on a fielder's choice. �Aragua took the lead again in the 5th, on a single, a sacrifice bunt by Anderson Machado, and an RBI single by Alex Delgado. �La Guaira missed another opportunity in the 6th, when they had a runner picked off second base, and another runner thrown out at the plate on what could have been an RBI double. �

A fielding error and a walk set up Anderson Machado to hit his RBI single in the 6th inning, giving Aragua a 3-1 lead. �Alex Delgado had a 2-RBI single in the 8th inning, pushing the lead to 5-1. �La Guaira scored one run in the bottom of the 9th on two singles and a throwing error. �

SS Argenis Diaz and LF Mike Ryan were both hitless in the game for Magellanes. �Los Navegantes scored their run in the 1st inning, on a single and a double, but despite another 6 hits, could not push another runner across the plate. �Zulia scored one run in the 3rd on a single, a throwing error, and an RBI double. �They added the go-ahead run in the 5th, on a double, a fielding error, and a sacrifice fly. �Former Pirate Chris Hernandez earned his first save with a scoreless 9th inning for Zulia. �

More winter league action by Pirates, farmhands, and friends:

Walker went 2-for-4, and DH Jonel Pacheco singled and scored in his only plate appearance. �Former Indy Indian Scott Strickland earned the save with a scoreless 9th inning. �1B Hector Gimenez went 1-for-5 for Los Tigres.��

Pirates' farmhand Adenson Chourio entered the game as a pinch runner in the 8th inning for Los Caribes, and he came around to score. �Former Pirate Carlos Maldonado was the DH for Los Leones, and he walked and struck out twice in three trips to the plate. �

SS Argenis Diaz singled twice and was caught stealing second base for Los Navegantes. �Former Indy Indian LF Mike Ryan also had two hits, including an RBI double for Magellanes.�Jean Machi pitched a perfect 9th inning to seal the win.

Former Pirate DH Humberto Cota went 3-for-5, with a double, a solo home run, and 2 RBI for Hermosillo. �Indiana native Jeff Samardzija (Cubs) made the start for Mexicali and surrendered one run on 3 hits and 2 walks over 4 innings of work, but his bullpen fell apart after he exited the game. �

This was the only game played on the league's Opening Day.

NOTES:

Former Pirate P Dave Davidson was released by the Marlins yesterday.

Unfortunately, some of the team rosters are still a little sketchy... and if you find someone I've missed, please let me know. �(UPDATED as of Oct 10th)

Leones de Caracas -- RHP Ronald Uviedo is on the roster, along with former Pirates' RHP Romulo Sanchez, INF Jose Castillo, and C Carlos Maldonado. �INF Marco Scutaro, who was with the Indy Indians in 2000-01 is also listed. �Team USA fans will also recognize the name of OF Josh Kroeger (White Sox). �P Jose Ascanio is also listed, but he just had surgery.

Navagantes del Magellanes�-- �RHP Yoslan Herrera and RHP reliever Jean Machi will be on the mound for Los Bravos. �SS Argenis Diaz is also on the team. �Two former Indy Indians' outfielders will be joining them: �Mike Ryan (2007) and Jorge Cortes (2008).

Bravos de Margarita -- this team is managed by Pirates' coach Luis Dorante, and 3B Neil Walker will be joining him. �Also on the preliminary roster: �OF Jonel Pacheco (Altoona Curve), P Wilson Ortiz (West Virginia Power), INF Elevys Gonzalez (Bradenton Pirates and State College Spikes), P Edgar Gutierrez (Bradenton Pirates), and P Jhonatan Ramos�(Bradenton Pirates). �Some former Indy Indians' pitchers on the team: �reliever Scott Strickland (2006), starter Michael Tejera (2007), and Tim Harikkala (2000-02).

Tigres de Aragua -- Pirates SS Ronny Cedeno will be playing for Los Tigres. �Altoona catcher Miguel Perez and Indy/Altoona catcher Hector Gimenez�are on this roster, along with former Indy Indians C Alex Delgado�(2003 - 04) and INF Anderson Machado.

Tiburones de la Guaira -- Pirates' farmhand RHP Rafael Quintero (Bradenton Pirates) is in the bullpen for La Guaira, along with former Pirates' farmhand Ronald Belisario (after the Dodgers finish in the post-season) and former Indy Indian (2002-04) Roberto Giron.

Cardinales de Lara -- Pirates' minor league pitchers Derek Hankins (Altoona Curve) and Gerardo Esparza�(Bradenton Pirates) will be pitching for Lara, along with former Indy Indian (last in 2006) veteran Giovanni Carrera., who always puts in a few appearances for Lara. �

Caribes de Anzoategui -- West Virginia Power teammantes RHP Gabriel Alvarado and INF Adenson Chourio are both playing for Los Caribes. �Pirates' Venezuelan League pitcher Humberto Iriarte is also on the roster, one of four 20-year-old pitchers on the team. �Don't think that's young -- there are four more who are 19, and five who are 18.

Aguilas de Zulia -- former Pirate P Chris Hernandez is playing for Zulia. �

Other fun stuff:

The Sporting News has a list of the "Best Sports Cities" in the US, and due to the Steelers and the Penguins, Pittsburgh is listed at #1. �Some others of interest --

#20 -- Indianapolis

#48 -- State College, PA

#174 -- Lynchburg, VA

#299 -- Bradenton, FL

#334 -- Altoona, PA

#343 -- Charleston, WVA (home of the Power)

They have a clever system of awarding points based on teams, winning percentages, attendance at sporting events, etc. �But how close is the competition when you get down to the 200's and the 300's. �Is Larman, Miss at #386 that much better than Batavia, NY at #387? (Rochester, NY is #267).

RHP Ty Taubenheim�will be pitching for los Naranjeros de Hermosillo. �Joining him on the team will be former Pirate C Humberto Cota.

SS Brian Bixler and OF�Rogelios Noris (Bradenton Pirates) are�listed on the roster with los Venados de Mazatlan. �The Pirates have sent several players to Mazatlan over the past few years. �Two other North Americans on the roster will be familiar to fans of Team USA -- OF Jon Weber (Rays) and RHP (reliever) Ehren Wassermann (White Sox), both of whom just finished playing for the World Cup champions. �

INF Luis Cruz, a native of Navojoa, Mexico,��has not yet appeared on any rosters though he is reported to be planning to play. �He has played in this league for the past few years, both in the infield and in the outfield. �

No, there isn't a lot going on in the minor league arena just now, and the major league teams have just two more games in the regular season. �

But don't go away... there is still baseball to come:

The Arizona Fall League season begins in 10 days. �Pirates' minor league coordinator Jeff Banister will lead the Scottsdale Scorpions. �Pirates' players on the Scorpions:

LHP Donnie Veal

LHP Danny Moskos

LHP Tony Watson

SS Chase d'Arnaud

SS Brian Friday

OF Jose Tabata�

Players from the Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks will also be participating. �The San Francisco Giants are also eligible to have players participate, but at this point, the only member listed from the Giants is C Buster Posey.

In the Caribbean Leagues:

The Venezuelan and Mexican Pacific Leagues are scheduled to begin on Oct 9th, and the Dominican Winter League on Oct 16th.

More roster info coming, but there are always Pirates' players and friends who participate. �3B Neil Walker plans to participate in the Venezuelan League, and SS Luis Cruz will be playing in his native Mexico.

Pirate' farmhand Dustin Molleken, who pitched for Team Canada in the World Cup tournament, was interviewed by his hometown newspaper.��Molleken pitched 11 scoreless innings for Canada in the tournament, and brought home a (huge!) Bronze Medal. �

No, there isn't a lot going on in the minor league arena just now, and the major league teams have just two more games in the regular season. �

But don't go away... there is still baseball to come:

The Arizona Fall League season begins in 10 days. �Pirates' minor league coordinator Jeff Banister will lead the Scottsdale Scorpions. �Pirates' players on the Scorpions:

LHP Donnie Veal

LHP Danny Moskos

LHP Tony Watson

SS Chase d'Arnaud

SS Brian Friday

OF Jose Tabata�

Players from the Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks will also be participating. �The San Francisco Giants are also eligible to have players participate, but at this point, the only member listed from the Giants is C Buster Posey.

In the Caribbean Leagues:

The Venezuelan and Mexican Pacific Leagues are scheduled to begin on Oct 9th, and the Dominican Winter League on Oct 16th.

More roster info coming, but there are always Pirates' players and friends who participate. �3B Neil Walker plans to participate in the Venezuelan League, and SS Luis Cruz will be playing in his native Mexico.

Pirate' farmhand Dustin Molleken, who pitched for Team Canada in the World Cup tournament, was interviewed by his hometown newspaper.��Molleken pitched 11 scoreless innings for Canada in the tournament, and brought home a (huge!) Bronze Medal. �