A few Pirates’ players and friends in Friday’s winter league action… the Australian League is taking the holiday weekend off. They will be back in action next weekend. The Dominican League is off until their playoffs start in January.
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Caribes de Anzoategui 3, Leones del Caracas 2
Los Caribes were out-hit 10-4, but they made good use of their hits. Los Leones scored an unearned run in the 3rd and an earned run in the 4th. Los Caribes came back with a run in the 5th on two walks and an RBI single. They tied the score in the top of the 7th, with Justin Thomas on the mound for Caracas. Thomas gave up a walk, and was immediately relieved. A stolen base and a single brought in the tying run. Exicardo Cayones came in to pinch run for the second game in a row, and tonight he stole second base, but was left stranded. Los Caribes broke the tie in the top of the 8th, on a walk and a double.
Navegantes del Magallanes 5, Tigres de Aragua 4
Both teams posted 11 hits in this game, and CF Jorge Cortes led Los Tigres with 3 hits. Both Cortes and 1B Hector Gimenez homered for Los Tigres — both were solo blasts, Gimenez’s in the 6th, and Cortes’ in the 7th. Three more singles after Cortes’ homer brought in a second run in the 7th. A walk, a single by Cortes, and another single added their last run in the 8th. Los Navegantes scored one run in the 1st, and a 2-run homer in the 3rd. A bases-loaded single plated a run for Los Navegantes in the 6th, then they scored the winning run on a solo homer in the bottom of the 7th. Former Pirate Jean Machi recorded his 11th Save for Los Magallanes. SS Ronny Cedeno went 0-for-4 for Los Tigres.
PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Leones de Ponce 6, Indios de Mayaguez 5
Benji Gonzalez made the start at short but went 0-for-3 for Los Leones, before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 9th. Ponce scored one run in the 1st inning, then Los Indios took a 3-1 lead in the 5th on a walk, a single, and a double, aided by a wild pitch and an error. Los Leones caught up with a solo homer in the 8th, and a run on a single, a bunt, and a single in the bottom of the 9th. That sent the game into extra innings. Both teams scored 2 runs in the 10th — Los Indios scored on a double, a triple, and a single. A walk, a single, a bunt, and another single brought in 2 runs for Ponce n the bottom of the frame. Los Indios put two base runners on in the top of the 11th, but could not get them around to score. With two out in the bottom of the 11th, three straight singles drove in the winning run for Ponce.
