Tag: Jeff Salazar

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  
Everyone has probably seen that Zach Duke has been traded to Arizona for a player to be named later.
Also, former Pirate Bryan Bullington, who was removed from the Kansas City Royals' 40-man roster last week, was released by the Royals yesterday.  Then Bullington signed a contract to play in Japan for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp for 2011.

Cheering for Pirates' players and friends in the winter leagues on Wednesday..... 

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Tiburones de La Guaira  4,  Bravos de Margarita  1  (Game 1)  --  This was supposed to be a 7-inning game, but the score was still tied at 1-1 after 7.  A bases-loaded walk forced in Los Bravos' run in the bottom of the 1st.  Los Tiburones tied the score with a run on a single, a ground out, and another single in the 3rd.  Anthony Claggett had pitched a scoreless 7th inning -- he gave up a single, but then picked the base runner off first.  But he started the top of the 8th with a single and a sacrifice bunt, and was then relieved.  The next pitcher loaded the bases with a pair of walks, then he was relieved too.  Two singles and a sacrifice fly brought in 3 runs for Los Tiburones, with the first one charged to Claggett, making him responsible for the loss.  Margarita won the second game 3-0, holding Los Tiburones to just 3 hits in the 7-inning game.  Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Belisario allowed one of the hits along with a walk in the 7th inning, earning his 8th save.

Tigres de Aragua  7,  Navegantes del Magallanes  5  --  Both SS Ronny Cedeno and 1B Hector Gimenez hit 2-run homers for Los Tigres in this win.  Gimenez's blast got Aragua going in their 4-run 1st inning, and Cedeno's homer made the score 6-1 in the 2nd inning.  Gimenez also doubled in the game.  CF Jorge Cortes walked and scored for Los Tigres, and C Raul Chavez was 0-for-3 at the plate.  

Pirates' infielder Benji Gonzalez is on the roster for Los Gigantes de Carolina in the Puerto Rican League.  He has not been seeing a lot of playing time, but he did get into the game on the 17th, starting at second base.  Gonzalez went 0-for-4 and struck out 3 times.  Los Indios de Mayaguez beat Los Gigantes 6-5.  
Ramon Vazquez has not been playing a lot either.  He was at third base for Los Criollos de Caguas on Sunday, and went 0-for-3 with 2 walks.  He led off the 4th inning with a walk, and he later scored when another walk with the bases loaded forced him in from third base.  Carolina beat Caguas 5-4, when a hit batter forced in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th.  
Vazquez went 1-for-3 on Tuesday night, as Los Criollos beat Los Senadores de San Juan 4-1.  Caguas scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st.  Former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa singled with one out, then moved to second base on a passed ball.  Vazquez walked, then an RBI single plated Figueroa and put Vazquez on third.  A sacrifice fly brougth in Vazquez.  Figueroa had his second single of the game in the 3rd inning, and he scored on an RBI double.  Both Figueroa and Vazquez singled with two outs in the 7th, but that time they were both left on base.  A solo home run gave Los Criollos their final run in the 8th.  San Juan scored their one run in the top of the 5th. 

Pirates' Rogelios Noris has not gotten into any games for his hometown Venados de Mazatlan in the Mexican Pacific League since he pinch-ran and scored in the game against Guasave on the 14th.  

A few winter league games with Pirates' players and friends on Saturday...

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Aguilas de Zulia� 2,� Caribes de Anzoategui� 1�� (Game 1 and Game 2)� -- No kidding, the same score in both games.� Zulia recorded 6 hits in both games also.� In the first game, Los Caribes were held to just two hits, and their only run scored on a walk, a ground out, and an RBI double in the 2nd inning.� Zulia scored a run in the 1st on a pair of singles and a throwing error.� The tie-breaker scored in the 4th inning on two singles and a double play.� Adenson Chourio came in to pinch run for Los Caribes in the top of the 7th after a walk.� He got as far as third base on a bunt and a ground out, but was left there when the game ended.� The second game began with Los Aguilas scoring 2 runs on two walks and a 2-RBI single in the 1st inning.� Los Caribes had 7 hits in this game, but still scored only one run, again on two singles and a double play.� Chourio made the start at shortstop in this game, but went 0-for-2 at the plate.

Leones del Caracas� 8,� Tiburones de La Guaira� 6� -- A 3-run homer made the difference for Caracas in the 8th inning.� Los Leones scored their first run in the 1st on a walk and an RBI single.� They added 2 more in the 4th, on a double, and two RBI singles, one by C Carlos Maldonado.� Maldonado ended the inning when he was thrown out trying to steal second base -- something that would not surprise Indy Indians' fans.

Navegantes del Magallanes� 4,� Cardenales de Lara� 0� -- Los Cardenales posted just 3 hits in the shutout.� Los Navegantes scored 2 runs in the 4th, on three singles, a walk, and two wild pitches.� They added another pair in the 7th, when they got a single and a walk off Lara reliever Romulo Sanchez.� Sanchez was relieved, but two more singles drove in the 2 runs.� DH Mike Ryan went 0-for-3 for Los Navegantes.

Bravos de Margarita� 6,� Tigres de Aragua� 4� -- Los Tigres got onto the scoreboard first with 3 runs in the 3rd inning.� A walk and a single opened the inning.� SS Ronny Cedeno struck out, but a wild pitch on strike three let the runners advance one base.� LF Lastings Milledge hit a fielder's choice to his Pirate teammate 3B Andy LaRoche, who threw to the plate to get the lead runner out.� But moments later, LaRoche's error at third let a run score, and two mroe runs came in on an RBI single.� Los Bravos came back with 5 runs in the top fo the 4th.� LaRoche hit the middle of three consecutive singles to open the inning, scoring a run.� A walk loaded the bases, and C Henry Blanco cleared them with a grand slam.� Aragua got one run back with a homer in the bottom of the 4th, to make the score 5-4, with Margarita ahead.� Blanco singled in the 9th, and scored again for Margarita, on a fielding error by Cedeno.� Ronald Belisario came on to pitch for Margarita in the 9th inning.� He earned his 5th save, despite giving up two singles, including one to pinch-hitter Hector Gimenez. A double play ended the inning for Belisario.� C Raul Chavez also had a single for Aragua.

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A few roster moves by the Pirates today:

Several players have been removed from the 40-man roster and outrighted to AAA Indianapolis:� LHP Justin Thomas, RHP Sean Gallagher, RHP Steven Jackson, 1B Jeff Clement, and OF Brandon Moss.

Of these, Thomas, Jackson, and Moss are now all free to declare themselves minor league free agents.� Clement does not have enough service time to get to be a free agent, so he's "stuck" on the Indianapolis roster.� He's had knee surgery, and hopes to be ready by spring training.� Gallagher does have the service time, but the Pirates are probably negotiating with him to try to keep him.

LHP Wil Ledezma has signed a one-year contract with the Pirates for 2011.

RHP Jose Ascanio and 1B Steve Pearce (who has also had knee issues) are officially off the DL and back on the 40-man roster.� RHP Ross Ohlendorf also falls into this category.

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On to Wednesday's winter league action, with Pirates' players and friends:

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Senadores de San Juan� 4,� Gigantes de Carolina� 3� -- San Juan rallied from a 3-1 deficit to score one run in the 5th and 2 runs in the 6th for the win.� Los Gigantes scored one run in the 4th on a double and a single.� They added 2 runs in the 5th, on two singles, an error, a walk, and a sacrifice fly.� Benji Gonzalez made a pinch-hitting appearance for Los Gigantes in the 8th inning, but flied out.� He remained in the game at third base for the final inning.

Criollos de Caguas� 4,� Indios de Mayaguez� 0� -- 3B Ramon Vazquez and SS Luis Figueroa each had one hit for Los Criollos in their win.� Vazquez's single in the 5th drove in one of Los Criollos' runs.� They also scored 2 runs in the 4th on two singles and two errors, and another run in the 6th on two singles and a sacrifice fly.

Saturday's winter league action for the Pirates' players and friends.� The Puerto Rican League had their Ponce/Caguas game postponed.

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VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita� 11,� Cardenales de Lara� 1� -- Despite 10 hits, Los Cardenales were able to score just one run, which came in the 3rd inning.� Los Bravos piled up 12 hits and 11 runs, with two big innings.� Margarita began with one run in the 1st, then added another in the 2nd.� With all of the hits Lara was collecting, the Margarita starter, Will Savage, was relieved in the 5th inning, with one on and one out.� Jhonathan Ramos came in for Savage, and ended the inning by getting a double play.� He only pitched to one batter, but with the Bravos' rally in the bottom of the inning, Ramos was awarded his second win of the season.� Margarita scored 4 runs in the 5th.� 3B Andy LaRoche singled and stole second base in the inning, then scored on a later RBI single.� LaRoche also walked in the 7th, and scored on another RBI single, for the first run of what would be a 5-run inning.

Navegantes del Magallanes� 6,� Tigres de Aragua� 3� -- LF Lastings Milledge singled twice and walked once for Aragua, but it wasn't enough for a win.� Milledge led off the bottom of the 4th with a single, and a fielding error, a single, and a grounder force out gave Aragua 2 runs, for a 3-1 lead.� Milledge also singled to lead off the 6th and stole second base, but was left on base when Corey Hamman came on in relief for Magallanes and struck out the only batter he faced.� Another pitcher relieved Hamman and ended the inning with Milledge still on third base.� Milledge also reached third base in the 8th, when he walked, and advanced to third on a single.� Magallanes scored 3 runs in the 6th inning, then two more in the 7th, to take the lead and the win.� Jean Machi earned his 2nd win for Magallanes when he struck out the side (all swinging) in the 9th inning. � LF Mike Ryan went 0-for-4 for Magallanes.� C Hector Gimenez went 0-for-4 for Aragua.

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Cheering for Pirates' players and friends in the Winter Leagues on Thursday...

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey� 6,� Gigantes del Cibao� 3 -- C Robinzon Diaz singled and doubled, and Indy area native 1B Jake Fox went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI as Licey posted 14 hits.� Licey scored one run in the 2nd, and another run in the 3rd (including a single by Fox).� Fox also hit the second of two doubles in the 7th inning, giving Los Tigres another run.� Licey plated 3 runs in the 8th, on four singles, including one by Diaz, a hit batter, and Fox's sacrifice fly.� Diaz's double came in the 9th inning.

Estrellas de Oriente� 6,� Aguilas Cibaenas� 3� -- CF Starling Marte went 0-for-4 as Los Aguilas were held to just 4 hits.� They scored one run in the 7th inning when a bases-loaded walk forced in a run.� That inning ended when Los Estrellas' Franquelis Osoria got pinch-hitter Luke Carlin to ground out.� A double added 2 runs for Los Aguilas in the 8th, but it wasn't enough to catch up the Los Estrellas.

Leones del Escogido� 4,� Toros del Este 3� -- Los Toros scored their runs all in the 5th inning, on an RBI double and a 2-run homer.� Escogido caught up with 2 runs in the 7th and one mor in the 8th to tie the score.� In the bottom of the 9th, two singles and a sacrifice fly by SS Pedro Lopez brought in the winning run.� Lopez had only a walk in his previous 3 plate appearances for Los Leones.� Jason Jaramillo singled in the 6th for Los Toros, but he was out on an unusual double play -- the runner who had been on first base was thrown out at third on the throw in from right field, and when Jaramillo tried to get to second on the throw, he was also thrown out.� Jaramillo also walked in the 9th inning.

Wednesday's winter league games with Pirates' players and friends...

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VENZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita� 6,� Leones del Caracas� 4 -- Margarita starter Justin Thomas gave up 2 runs in the 2nd inning on a walk and a home run.� He zipped through the 3rd inning, then allowed a single and a walk in the 4th before being relieved, though both of those runners were left stranded.� Caracas scored 2 more runs in the 5th on three walks, a single, and an error.� Los Bravos had been scoreless for the first 4 innings, then exploded for 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th.� 3B Andy LaRoche followed a lead-off single with an RBI double.� Three consecutive walks by a new Caracas pitcher forced in LaRoche with the second run of the inning, leaving the bases loaded.� Another new Caracas pitcher was greeted by LF Frank Diaz's grand slam, to give Margarita a 6-4 lead.� Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Belisario pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 9th to earn the save.

Navegantes del Magallanes� 2,� Cardinales de Lara� 1 -- Los Cardenales were held to just 4 hits in this game, while Los Navegantes posted 11 hits.� Magallanes scored their first run in the 3rd inning, on an RBI single by 1B Mark Trumbo (Angels).� Their starter Anthony Lerew (Royals) pitched 6 innings and allowed the 4 hits, one of which was a solo home run in the 6th inning, to tie the score and make Lerew ineligible for the win.� Corey Hamman came on in relief, and pitched a perfect 7th inning.� Jean Machi followed with a perfect 8th, and Yoel Hernandez retired the side in order in the 9th.� In the top of the 8th, DH Mike Ryan broke the tie with a solo home run, which became the game-winner.� That gave Hamman the win and Hernandez his 2nd save.� Ryan went 3-for-4 in the game, raising his batting average to .389.� SS Argenis Diaz went 1-for-4 for Magallanes.

Caribes de Anzoategui� 3,� Tigres de Aragua� 2� --� Brian Bass gave up 2 runs on 2 hits in his start for Los Tigres, and he was lucky that it wasn't more runs, because he walked 5 batters.� He gave a free pass to 2 batters in each of the 1st and 2nd innings, and both times left them on base.� In the 3rd, he gave up a 2-out walk, and the next batter smacked a 2-run homer.� He gave up a single in the 5th, and was relieved after getting a ground out.� Aragua tied the game in the 5th inning when former Indy Indian LF Jorge Cortes walked, then a hit batter and a ground out pushed Cortes to third.� he scored on an RBI single.� The score remained tied until the bottom of the 10th, when Los Caribes got a lead-off single.� Adenson Chourio came in as a pinch-runner, and he stole second base.� A walk-off double plated Chourio with the winning run.� 1B Hector Gimenez singled and walked twice for Los Tigres, and C Raul Chavez singled and walked, but neither scored.

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PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Criollos de Caguas� 2,� Senadores de San Juan 1 -- San Juan scored one run in the top of the 1st on a walk, a stolen base, an error, and an RBI ground out.� Then they had only 4 hits for the rest of the game.� Caguas tied the score in the 5th inning on a walk, a single, and an RBI single by former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa.� A solo home run by DH Omir Santos gave Los Criollos the winning run in the 7th inning.� Figueroa had 2 more hits in the game -- a double to lead off the bottom of the 1st inning, and a single after the homer in the 7th.� 3B Ramon Vazquez singled twice in the game, in the 6th and the 8th innings.

A busy Sunday afternoon and evening in the winter leagues... the Arizona Fall League has the day off on Sundays.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Navegantes del Magallanes� 2,� Caribes de Anzoategui� 0� --� Corey Hamman earned his first save of the winter season for Magallanes.� Hamman entered the game in the top of the 8th, with pinch-runner Adenson Chourio on first and no outs.� He got a ground out to first to end the inning, then came back out in the 9th, w hen he worked around a lead-off walk for a scoreless inning.� Los Caribes were held to just 4 hits in the game, and Los Navegantes did not hit much better -- only 5 hits.� Magallanes scored one run in the top of the 1st on a walk, a ground out by DH Mike Ryan which moved the runner over, and an RBI single.� A walk and a double brought in the run in the 5th.� Ryan also singled in the 8th, but was left on base.

Leones del Caracas� 14,� Tiburones de La Guaira� 5� -- The Sharks were clawed up by the Tigers this afternoon, as every member of the Caracas lineup had at least one hit.� La Guaira scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning, but Caracas scored in each of the last 5 innings, including 4-run innings in the 8th and 9th.� C Carlos Maldonado singled in the 2nd inning, but did not factor into any of the late scoring.

Bravos de Margarita� 5,� Aguilas de Zulia� 0 -- Los Bravos did all their scoring in the 7th (3 runs) and 8th (2 runs), and held Los Aguilas' hitters to just 5 hits.� Andy LaRoche did not get into the game.

Tigres de Aragua� 5,� Cardinales de Lara� 3 -- DH Raul Chavez, C Miguel Perez, and pinch-hitter Hector Gimenez all went hitless in the game, but Chavez was hit by a pitch and scored in the 2-run 1st inning for Aragua.� A walk and four singles gave Los Tigres 3 more runs in the 3rd.� Lara also had a walk and four singles, plus an Aragua throwing error, in the top of the 5th, when they also scored 3 runs.

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The Dominican and Puerto Rican winter leagues open their seasons tonight.� So far, many of the teams in those leagues have only partial rosters or no rosters posted.

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PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Gigantes de Carolina -- SS Benji Gonzalez (West Virginia Power in 2010), and former Indy Indian (2007) OF Luis Matos.

Criollos de Caguas -- former Indy Indian (2004) SS Luis Figueroa and former Pirate INF Ramon Vazquez

tonight's game:

Gigantes de Carolina� 4,� Criollos de Caguas� 0 -- Of these players, Figueroa and Vazquez were the only ones to get into the game.� They went 0-for-9 between them as Caguas was held to just 6 hits in the shutout.

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DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Aguilas Cibaenas --� C Luke Carlin (Indy Indians in part of 2010) and OF Starling Marte (Bradenton Marauders in 2010).

Toros del Este -- managed by Dean Treanor, with C Jason Jaramillo and maybe SS Pedro Ciriaco.

Tigres del Licey� -- Three former Pirates: C Ronny Paulino, C Robinzon Diaz, and RHP Denny Bautista.

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Gigantes del Cibao� 5,� Aguilas Cibaenas� 1� -- C Luke Carlin started the game behind the plate for Los Aguilas.� He walked to open the top of the 3rd but was out in a double play, then struck out in the 5th.� Los Aguilas managed only 3 hits, and they scored their only run in the 6th inning, aided by two errors and a wild pitch.

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VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita� 4,� Aguilas de Zulia� 1 -- Margarita took advantage of mistakes by Zulia.� They scored a pair of runs in the 5th on a single, a walk, and an error, then two insurance runs in the 9th on two walks, two wild pitches, and another error.� Andy LaRoche started the game at third base.� In three trips to the plate, he flied out, struck out, and walked -- and was picked off base.� When the next half inning began, LaRoche was removed from the game.� Los Bravos might be getting a little frustrated with LaRoche, who is hitting .100.

Thursday's winter league action with Pirates' players and friends...� the Dominican and Puerto Rican Leagues begin play on Friday.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita� 3,� Cardinales de Lara� 2� -- 3B Andy LaRoche continued to struggle at the plate, going 0-for-4 for Margarita.� Los Bravos scored one run in the top of the 1st on a double, a stolen base, and a throwing error.� Lara tied the score in the bottom of the 4th with a solo home run.� Margarita took the lead again in the top of the 7th, and another fielding error jump started the inning.� After a walk and a strikeout, LaRoche grounded to third, resulting in a force out at second base, though LaRoche was safe at first.� He scored on a 2-run double by DH Selwyn Langaigne.� Lara scored one run in the 8th on a double and a single, and they had the bases loaded, but Los Bravos got out of the inning without any more runs scoring.� Jhonathan Ramos came on in relief of Margarita's starter Will Savage in the 6th.� Ramos got the ground out to end the inning, then retired three straight batters in the 7th.

Leones de Caracas� 6,� Tiburones de La Guaira� 4� -- Former Pirate C Carlos Maldonado blasted a 3-run homer in Caracas' 4-run 7th inning, and he also singled earlier in the game.� Caracas posted 13 hits in the game.

Navegantes del Magallanes� 5,� Tigres de Aragua� 1� -- Magallanes also had a 4-run inning, then scored another run in the 8th, while holding Los Tigres to just 4 hits and one run.� C Hector Gimenez and DH Raul Chavez were both hitless for Aragua, whose lone run came in the 3rd inning on a single and a double.� Los Navegantes began the 6th with a single and a sacrifice bunt, the SS Argenis Diaz worked a walk.� A wild pitch and a double brought in the first two runs, including Diaz.� Former Pirate LF Mike Ryan singled, plating another run, and he scored on the second double of the inning.

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MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE --

Venados de Mazatlan� 3,� Aguilas de Mexicali� 0 -- Mazatlan did all their damage in the 5th inning.� They began the inning by loading the bases on a single by 2B Freddy Sandoval, a walk to RF Rogelios Noris, and a hit batter SS Elliot Johnson.� A wild pitch scored Sandoval and moved Noris and Johnson up one base.� A double scored Noris, and an RBI ground out brought in Johnson.� That was all Los Venados needed.� Noris singled in the top of the 9th, but did not score.� Mexicali was held to just 4 hits in the shutout.

Yaquis de Obregon� 5,� Naranjeros de Hermosillo� 3� -- CF Jeff Salazar continued his hot hitting, with a single and a double for Obregon.� He opened the game with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on a passed ball, then scored on a sacrifice fly in Los Yaquis' 3-run 1st inning.� Salazar's double in the 2nd inning drove in another run for Obregon.

Pirates' players and friends in action in the winter leagues on Wednesday...

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Tigres de Aragua� 5,� Aguilas de Zulia� 3� --� Brian Bass pitched 6 shutout innings, allowing only 2 hits for Aragua tonight.� He did not walk anyone, and he struck out 6 batters.� Bass retired the first 10 batters he faced, then with one out in the 4th, gave up a double and a single.� Thanks to some heads-up play by LF Brandon Guyer and C Raul Chavez, the runner who had singled was tagged out at second base, leaving a runner on third.� Bass got a ground out to end that inning.� He hit a batter in the 5th, but Chavez threw him out trying to steal second base, and Bass retired the side again in the 6th.

Unfortunately, Bass did not get the win.� Los Tigres were also held scoreless for the first 6 innings.� They scored one run in the top of the 7th, with Bass still the pitcher of record, on a walk, a single, a wild pitch, and an RBI ground out.� But in the bottom of the 7th, with Jeff Farnsworth taking over for Bass, Zulia scored 3 runs.� Aragua came right back in the top of the 8th.� Guyer singled, and scored from first base on DH Hector Gimenez's double.� Gimenez went to third on a ground out, then scored on an RBI single.� A 2-run homer by CF Jamie Hoffman gave the lead and the win to Aragua.

Bravos de Margarita� 7,� Navegantes del Magallanes 3 � -- Justin Thomas made the start for Margarita, though he lasted only into the 4th inning and was not eligible for the win.� Thomas gave up singles to the first two batters he faced, then got a double play and a strikeout to end the inning.� He faced only 7 batters over the next two innings, surrendering only one hit, to his Indy Indians' teammate SS Argenis Diaz. Thomas got into trouble in the bottom of the 4th, opening the inning by allowing 3 straight singles, including one to former Pirate/Indian DH Mike Ryan, for a run.� That was the only run Los Navegantes scored until the bottom of the 9th, when a walk and another single by Diaz put runners on the corners.� Diaz moved to second base on defensive indifference, and both runners scored on another single.� It was too little too late, though.� Los Bravos scored 3 runs in the top of the 1st, on four singles, a walk to 3B Andy LaRoche, and a sacrifice fly.� Margarita scored one more run in the 5th, and LaRoche's RBI double gave them another run in the 5th.� A single, a double, and a sacrifice fly gave Los Bravos two more insurance runs in the top of the 9th.

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MEXICAN LEAGUE

Venados de Mazatlan� 8,� Aguilas de Mexicali� 3� -- RF Rogelios Noris had 2 hits, a single and a double, raising his average to .273.� Noris was the only member of Los Venados' lineup to not come to the plate in their 3-run 1st inning.�� They scored after two outs had been recorded, on a walk, a single, a hit batter, then two RBI singles.� Mexicali scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the 3rd, then one more run in the 6th.� In the top of the 5th, Mazatlan added two runs on a double, a triple, and an RBI triple by the hometown favorite Noris.� 1B Robert Saucedo added a 2-run homer in the 8th, followed by another run on a single and a double.� Noris singled in the 7th, but was out at second base on a double play.

Yaquis de Obregon� 3,� Naranjeros de Hermosillo� 0� -- Former Pirate CF Jeff Salazar's batting average dropped to .379, since he had just one hit in 4 at-bats.� He singled to lead off the game, but was left on base.� Obregon scored 2 runs in the 2nd and one more in the 3rd inning.� They held Hermosillo to just 4 hits in the shut-out.� Former Pirate C Humberto Cota went 0-for-4.

Looking at our Pirates' players and friends in Tuesday's winter league games....� the Dominican and Puerto Rican leagues begin in a few days.

Here's an article on MILB about Indy Indians' All-Star Catcher Erik Kratz.

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VENEZUELAN LEAGUES

Aguilas de Zulia� 5,� Tigres de Aragua� 4 -- Los Tigres had a 4-1 lead after 4 innings, but Los Aguilas got 2 runs back in the 6th and another in the 7th to tie the game.� Then with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, a single and a stolen base put the winning run on second base.� After an intentional walk, DH Tony Alvarez lined a single to right, scoring the runner from second base.� Hector Gimenez, behind the plate tonight, had the first of two walks to lead off the 3-run 2nd inning, then scored on 1B Ramon Castro's 3-run homer.� DH Raul Chavez doubled in the 6th, but was left on base.

Navegantes del Magallanes� 7,� Cardinales de Lara� 6� -- Magallanes also broke a tie with a run in the bottom of the last inning.�� In this case it was the 10th, and Argenis Diaz scored the winning run in his first appearance for Magallanes.� Diaz entered the game as a defensive replacement at shortstop in the top of the 7th, and of course the first batter of the inning grounded right to him (easy out).� He lined out to right field in the 7th inning.� With the score still tied at 6-6, Jean Machi pitched a scoreless top of the 9th, and Los Navegantes went down in order in the bottom of the frame.� Machi returned the favor, with three straight ground outs in the top of the 10th.� Then in the bottom of the 10th, with one out, Diaz singled into center field.� Another single pushed Diaz to second base, and LF Johermyn Chavez singled into left field, and the speedy Diaz raced around from second base to score the winning run.� Machi earned the win, his first of the winter season.� DH Mike Ryan went 0-for-4 at the plate (unusual for him, with his .357 average), and walked and scored in Magallanes' 5-run 6th inning.

Caribes de Anzoategui� 6,� Leones de Caracas� 0� -- Los Leones managed 8 hits, but could not get any runs across the plate.� C Carlos Maldonado had two of those hits, a single and a double.� Los Caribes scored 3 runs on 2 homers in the 1st inning, then two more runs in the 3rd inning.� Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Uviedo came on in relief for Caracas in the bottom of the 7th, when he got two outs to end the inning.� Then he gave up the final Caribes' run in the bottom of the 8th, on two singles and a double.

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MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Naranjeros de Hermosillo� 12,� Yaquis de Obregon� 8� -- Former Pirate CF Jeff Salazar went 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Obregon's losing effort.� Another former Pirate, C Humberto Cota, singled and homered -- a 3-run homer in the 5-run 6th inning.

Venados de Mazatlan� 7,� Aguilas de Mexicali� 6� -- Mazatlan took the lead with 4 runs in the 3rd inning, then kept ahead of Mexicali with another run in the 5th and two more in the 7th.� RF Rogelios Noris went 0-for-4 for Los Venados.