Monthly Archives: November 2009

Pirates’ players and friends in Sunday’s winter league action:

VENZUELAN LEAGUE

Tiburones de La Guaira 7, Aguilas de Zulia 6

Los Tiburones jumped up and bit Los Aguilas with 6 runs in the bottom of the 9th to get the walk-off win. Zulia was sitting on a 6-1 lead going into the bottom of the 9th, and former Pirate Ronald Belisario had just pitched the top of the 9th (and so was the pitcher of record) for La Guaira. His teammates began the bottom of the 9th with two singles, and a throwing error on a pickoff attempt put both runners into scoring position. A sacrifice fly brought in one run, and a walk and another single loaded the bases with one out. Another former Pirate, Chris Hernandez came on in relief for Zulia. Hernandez was charged with a Blown Save and the loss when he allowed two singles, both bringing in a run, and then a 3-run double that gave La Guaira the win.

Tigres de Aragua 2, Navegantes del Magallanes 1

Aragua recorded 11 hits, but the only two that counted were the two solo homers by

SS Ronny Cedeno — on in the bottom of the 1st inning and the other in the 5th inning. C Raul Chavez and 1B Hector Gimenez each had a single for Aragua. Magallanes’ only run came on two doubles in the top of the 9th inning, and they had only two other hits besides those. DH Mike Ryan was hitless in 3 trips to the plate.

Caribes de Anzoategui 4, Bravos de Margarita 3

Margarita scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, but could not score again. Los Caribes posted 4 unanswered runs in the late innings — one in the 6th, one in the 7th, and 2 in the 9th. CF Gorkys Hernandez went 0-for-3 for Los Caribes.

Cardenales de Lara 5, Leones del Caracas 0

Caracas was held to just 4 hits in this shut-out. Lara scored one run in the 1st and 4 runs in the 7th. Romulo Sanchez pitched the top of the 9th for Lara, and walked the first batter, then erased him with a double play before striking out the last batter of the game.

DOMINICAN AND PUERTO RICAN LEAGUES

Aguilas Cibaenas 2, Lobos de Aricebo 0

Los Aguilas scored a run in the 2nd inning on a single, a wild pitch, a stolen base and a throwing error. Two singles and a fielding error gave them another run in the 4th inning. Los Aguilas’ starter Ben Jukich (Reds) earned his third win with 8.1 scoreless innings, scattering 7 hits and no walks. C Erik Kratz went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.

Tigres del Licey 9, Leones del Escogido 2

Indy area native LF Jake Fox (Cubs) singled and scored in Licey’s 3-run 3rd inning, and smacked a 2-run double in the 5-run 5th inning. A 2-run homer was Escogido’s only scoring opportunity.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tomateros de Culiacan 5, Naranjeros de Hermosillo 1

2B/RF Luis Cruz led Culiacan with 2 singles and 2 RBI. In the bottom of the 1st inning, two singles and two wild pitches brought in one run, and Cruz’s RBI single gave Los Tomateros their second run. Cruz walked to lead off the 7th inning, then scored on a sacrifice bunt and a throwing error in the 7th. An RBI single brought in a second run in that inning. Cruz had the third single in the 8th inning, bringing in another run for Culiacan.

Algodoneros de Guasave 3, Yaquis de Obregon 2

Two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning and a total of 4 Obregon errors gave Guasave this win. After a single and a walk to lead off the inning a sacrifice bunt was complicated by two throwing errors, one by Obregon’s pitcher and another by 1B Chris Snelling, allowing two runs to come in. Guasave had scored their first run of the game in the 3rd inning on another error and an RBI single. LF Yurendell de Caster reached base on another error in the 2nd inning but was out in a double play. He also singled twice but was left on base. Snelling was involved in both of Obregon’s run-scoring innings. In the 5th, CF John Mayberry (Phillies) led off with a double, moved to third on Snelling’s ground out to the right side of the infield, and scored on a sacrifice fly. A walk, a single, and a hit batter loaded the bases for Obregon in the 6th, and Snelling picked up an RBI with a singled into right field.

Saturday’s winter league action with the Pirates’ farmhands and friends:

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE

Navegantes del Magallanes 13, Tiburones de La Guaira 4

Magallanes scored 9 runs in the first two innings, and didn’t stop there. LF Mike Ryan had a 2-run single in the 4-run 1st inning and came around to score on a throwing error. He also had a one-RBI single in the 5th, and scored on 1B Luis Landaeta’s 3-run homer. Magallanes scored again in the 3rd, two more runs in the 7th and another run in the 8th. La Guaira picked up a run on a solo homer in the 2nd and 7th, and another single run in the 5th. After the homer in the 7th, La Guaira loaded the bases on a single and two walks, and then another walk forced in a run. Reliever Corey Hamman came on in relief at that point, and got the only batter he faced to fly out, ending the inning with the bases loaded.

Leones del Caracas 6, Cardenales de Lara 3

Four runs in the 6th inning gave Caracas the boost they needed. Ronald Uviedo came on to pitch for Caracas in the 7th with one out. He gave up a single, then struck out the next two batters to end the inning. He also got the first out in the top of the 8th before being relieved, earning a Hold.

Aguilas de Zulia 10, Tigres de Aragua 9

A 6-run rally in the bottom of the 9th was not quite enough to push Aragua past Zulia. The inning began with a double, an RBI single, and a throwing error, leaving two runners on base for 1B Hector Gimenez. Gimenez’s RBI single brought in one run, and with two outs, another single added run #3. Zulia brought on their relief ace Chris Hernandez, but Hernandez gave up three singles, bringing in 3 more runs. Aragua had also scored 2 runs in the 1st inning. on a double, a single by SS Ronny Cedeno, and two sacrifice flies, one by Gimenez. Cedeno also singled in the 3rd, but was out at the plate on a fielder’s choice. Gimenez walked to lead off the 6th, and came around to score on an RBI single. All that was not enough, though, as Zulia scored 3 runs in the 1st and another 3 in the 6th, then 2 runs in both the 8th and 9th innings.

Bravos de Margarita 5, Caribes de Anzoategui 4

Los Caribes rallied for 2 runs in the top of the 9th, but Los Bravos hung on for the one-run win. Los Caribes posted only 5 hits, and CF Gorkys Hernandez went 0-for-2, with a sacrifice bunt in the 2-run rally in the 2nd.

The Dominican and Puerto Rican leagues added some interleague games to the mix.

Tigres del Licey 6, Toros del Este 5

Los Toros scored 4 runs in the top of the 1st and one more in the 5th, while Los Tigres scored one run in the 2nd on Indy native LF Jake Fox’s solo homer, then scored 4 runs in the 4th, on two singles and 5 walks (one to Fox). The 5-5 tie lasted until the 9th. Denny Bautista took the mound to begin the 8th inning for Licey, and he was relieved after he loaded the bases with three walks around two outs. His relief got the third out, and the score remained tied. In the bottom of the 9th, a single and a stolen base put a Licey runner on second base. He tried to score on another single, but was thrown out at the plate. Finally another single brought in the winning run.

Leones del Escogido 4, Aguilas Cibaenas 3

Escogido got an early lead with 3 runs in the 2nd inning, but Los Aguilas caught up with 2 runs on three singles and a double in the 6th, then another run on two singles and a fielding error in the 7th. Three singles gave Escogido the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th, and Los Aguilas could not respond in the bottom of the frame. C Erik Kratz went 0-for-2 for Los Aguilas. Reliever Ramon Aguero pitched the 6th inning for Los Aguilas. He gave up a single and a walk but kept Los Leones from scoring.

Leones de Ponce (PR) 6, Gigantes del Cibao (DR) 5

These two teams battled back and forth until the game was decided in the bottom of the 9th. Ponce led 2-1 after one inning, then Los Gigantes took a 4-2 lead in the 4th. Ponce tied it up again in the 6th, then Los Gigantes scored one in the 7th and Los Leones scored one in the 8th to tie the score at 5-5. In the top of the 9th, with one out, RJ Rodriguez came on to get the final two outs of the inning for Ponce. He was the pitcher of record when his teammates got on base with a single and a hit batter in the bottom of the inning. A ground out moved the lead runner to third base, and a wild pitch let the winning run score. Former Pirate Juan Perez pitched to one batter (fly out) in the 7th for Los Gigantes.

Lobos de Arecibo 11, Estrellas de Oriente 9

Maiko Loyola homered and 1B Brian Myrow singled and doubled for Los Estrellas, but even a 5-run 8th inning wasn’t enough for Los Estrellas to overcome Los Lobos. Los Estrellas had the early lead with 3 runs in the 1st inning on doubles by Myrow and LF Henry Mateo. A double, a stolen base, and a throwing error gave Los Estrellas another run in the 2nd. Aricebo scored in 4 consecutive innings, including 3 runs in the 3rd and 4 in the 5th, and then 2 more runs in the 7th inning gave them a total of 11. Myrow singled in the 7th, but Los Estrellas didn’t score again until the 8th. That inning began with a walk and two singles, then SS Pedro Lopez hit a 2-run single. Loyola followed with his 3-run homer. That was all Los Estrellas could get, though, and they fell short of Los Lobos.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Aguilas de Mexicali 9, Venados de Mazatlan 1

Los Venados put base runners on, but could not get them around to score. Their only run came in the 6th, on a double, a walk, and an RBI single by DH Robert Saucedo. Rogelios Noris made a pinch-hit appearance in the 8th inning for Mazatlan, but flied out.

Tomateros de Culiacan 6, Naranjeros de Hermosillo 5

Another back-and-forth game, which was tied at 4-4 after 6 innings, and at 5-5 after each team scored one run in the 7th. Culiacan took the lead with a run in the top of the 8th on RF Mike Cervenak’s (Phillies) solo homer, and Los Tomateros held on to win. 2B/RF Luis Cruz singled in the 4th inning, but was thrown out stealing 2nd base.

Algodoneros de Guasave 11, Yaquis de Obregon 5

LF Yurendell de Caster led Guasave with 3 hits, including 2 doubles, and 2 RBI. A 3-run homer gave Guasave the lead in the bottom of the 1st, and de Caster followed the homer with his first double. He singled in the 3rd inning when Guasave scored one run. In the 5th, Guasave added 5 runs, and de Caster brought in two of them with his second double, then scored on an RBI single. Guasave scored 2 more in the 6th. De Caster was safe on a force out, and an error allowed a run to score and de Caster to move to second base. 1B Chris Snelling went 0-for-3 for Obregon.

Looking in on Pirates players and friends in Friday’s winter league action:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Caribes de Anzoategui 6, Bravos de Margarita 4

Los Caribes broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 8th inning, with a solo home run, followed by two more runs on a single, an intentional walk, and a 2-RBI double. CF Gorkys Hernandez contributed to the rally with a sacrifice bunt. He also singled in the 2nd inning. Former Indy Indian Tim Harikkala pitched 5.1 innings in his start for Margarita, allowing a run in the 1st inning on two doubles and another run in the 3rd inning on a walk and two singles. He retired the side in order in the 4th and 5th innings, then gave up a single and a sacrifice bunt to start the 6th inning before being relieved.

Cardenales de Lara 12, Tigres de Aragua 2

Los Cardenales ran over Los Tigres, scoring all of their runs in the first 4 innings, before the Aragua bullpen finally was able to shut them down. Aragua scored one run in the 4th inning on a double and a single by 1B Hector Gimenez, which was aided by a fielding error (no RBI). A walk and two singles gave them another run in the 8th. SS Ronny Cedeno went 0-for-3, and he was replaced late in the game by Anderson Machado, who had the walk in the 8th. DH Raul Chavez went 0-for-4, and another late-inning replacement, RF Jorge Cortes was hitless in his only plate appearance.

Navegantes del Magallanes 6, Leones del Caracas 5

Late-inning rallies by Caracas were not enough to catch up to Magallanes. Los Navegantes got onto the scoreboard with a 2-run homer by RF Richard Hidalgo in the 1st inning. They added another 4 runs in the 6th, sparked by DH Mike Ryan’s 2-RBI triple, plus two more RBI singles. Caracas’ reliever Ronald Uviedo came on in relief to finish the 4th inning and remained in the game for the 5th. He retired all four batters he faced, three by strikeouts. Caracas scored a run in the 4th and another in the 6th, and had a solo homer in the 8th. In the top of the 9th, with Jean Machi on the mound for Magallanes, Caracas scored twice to come within a run of Los Navegantes. Machi struck out the first batter, but strike three was a wild pitch, and the batter made it safely to first. He scored on a double and a ground out, and another RBI ground out brought in the second run. But Machi held on to retire a pinch-hitter, earning his 13th save.

Aguilas de Zulia 10, Tiburones de La Guaira 8

Reliever Chris Hernandez collected his 12th save with a perfect 9th inning, as these two teams combined for a total of 29 hits.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Naranjeros de Hermosillo 4, Tomateros de Culiacan 3 (12 innings)

A solo home run by SS Jose Luis Sandoval in the bottom of the 12th gave Hermosillo the win. Culiacan posted 18 hits, 4 of them by 2B/RF Luis Cruz, but also left 15 runners on base (Hermosillo left only 5 on base). Culiacan scored first, with a run in the top of the 1st on a single, a bunt, and an RBI single. They scored again in the 5th, when 3B Mike McCoy (Blue Jays) singled, stole both second and third bases (his 21st of the season) and scored on a sacrifice fly. Three more singles brought in another run in that inning. Cruz singled in the 4th and stole second base, and singled in the 8th, but was out at the plate on a throw in from the outfield on a double. He also singled in the 10th and in the top of the 12th. Hermosillo scored a run in each of the 3rd and the 6th, then sent the game into extra innings with a run in the bottom of the 9th on a solo home run.

Algodoneros de Guasave 11, Yaquis de Obregon 2

A 6-run 8th inning put Guasave ahead to stay. 1B Chris Snelling brought in Obregon’s first run with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. Los Yaquis loaded the bases in the 3rd with two singles and a hit batter, then brought in their only other run on a sacrifice fly. Snelling also walked and stole second base in the 8th. Guasave got started in the 4th inning, with a triple and three singles for 2 runs. Former Indy Indian LF Yurendell de Caster had a walk in that inning. He bunted into a force out in the 6th inning and scored moments later on RF Mario Valenzuela’s 3-run homer. Three doubles, a single, and two walks contributed to that 6-run rally in the 8th.

DOMINCAN LEAGUE

Gigantes del Cibao 5, Estrellas de Oriente 4

1B Brian Myrow continued his hot hitting by going 2-for-4 (.350 average). He doubled and score for Los Estrellas in the 4th inning, and doubled again off former Pirate Juan Perez to lead off the 8th inning. Pinch-hitter Maiko Loyola brought in Myrow with an RBI single. Myrow was the only batter Perez faced. Los Estrellas also scored one run in the 3rd and the 5th, but it wasn’t enough to overcome 3 runs by Los Gigantes in the 2nd, plus single runs in the 4th and the 6th. Former Indy Indian Roberto Giron gave up Los Gigantes’ solo homer in the 4th inning.

A few signing notes:

Albert Laboy, who was the Pirates’ 14th round pick in 2005, has been signed by the Cincinnati Reds to a minor league contract. Laboy had reached as high as A+ Lynchburg in 2008, but had been released by the Pirates and does not appear to have played professionally in 2009.

The Yankees have added former Pirate Romulo Sanchez to their 40-man roster.</p.

The Phillies have signed former Pirate farmhand OF Rich Thompson to a minor league contract. He’s played with their AAA Lehigh Valley team for the past 2 seasons.

Winter League play on Thursday: The Dominican and Puerto Rican Leagues both had scheduled days off.

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tomateros de Culiacan 2, Aguilas de Mexicali 0

Los Tomateros came out ahead in this pitching duel, despite collecting only 4 hits — Mexicali had only 5 hits. Culiacan scored their first run in the 4th when two singles and a walk loaded the bases, and then 2B Luis Cruz walked to force in the run. A solo homer gave them another run in the 6th. Cruz was hitless in two other trips to the plate.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Aguilas de Zulia 8, Navegantes del Magallanes 3

DH Mike Ryan singled and scored on an RBI double in the bottom of the 8th, but Magallanes could not catch up to Zulia. SS Argenis Diaz went 0-for-5 in the game.

Tigres de Aragua 6, Cardenales de Lara 5

SS Ronny Cedeno homered for the second night in a row, and reached base on an error twice. C Raul Chavez walked once but did not score, and Hector Gimenez pinch-hit for him in the 9th, but struck out. Relievers Romulo Sanchez and Giovanni Carrarra each pitched for Lara. Carrarra was responsible for one Aragua run in the 7th, when he gave up a lead-off triple, and Sanchez allowed a sacrifice fly. Sanchez also surrendered a solo homer in the 8th.

Caribes de Anzoategui 15, Bravos de Margarita 3

Los Caribes overran Los Bravos, aided by a 6-run 4th inning. OF Gorkys Hernandez doubled and scored in that inning, and smacked a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning. Margarita pitcher Michael Tejera suffered his first loss for Los Bravos.