In Australian League action from today, Adelaide won a 10-9 slugfest. Both Justin Howard and Stefan Welch were in the starting lineup for the Bite. Howard continued his current hot streak, going 3-for-4, with two runs scored and his sixth double. In his last five games, Howard has gone 11-for-18 at the plate. Welch went 1-for-5, with two strikeouts.
Rinku Singh had his first rough outing of the ABL season. After not allowing a run in his first seven outings, Singh gave up four runs on three hits and two walks over his one inning of work. He wasn’t alone in the pitching struggles, as each of the first four pitchers in the game allowed at least three earned runs, leaving the score at 9-8 through six innings.
In Dominican League action last night, Kris Johnson continued his impressive start to his Winter League season. After throwing a combined four hitless innings during his first two appearances, Johnson threw five shutout innings. He allowed three hits, all singles, walked one and struck out three batters.
Starling Marte went 0-for-4 last night, as his Winter League schedule winds down. Marte will be with the Pirates Winter Caravan on Wednesday night, so tonight’s game will likely be his last of the off-season.
Anderson Hernandez led off last night, going 0-for-5, with two strikeouts. Coming into the game, he had at least two hits in six of his last nine games.
Felix Pie went 2-for-3, with a walk, a double and two RBI’s. He has reached base 56 times in 36 games.
Alex Valdez went 2-for-4, with an RBI and a run scored. He now has 19 RBI’s on the year.
In Venezuela, Luis Sanz walked the only two batters he faced, throwing eight of his 11 pitches for balls. He allowed his first run of the year, after throwing 6.1 scoreless innings in his first five appearances.
Nate Baker pitched a scoreless inning of relief, facing the minimum. He got a groundout, fly out and a strikeout in his only inning of work. Baker has worked three total innings over his three appearances.
In Mexico, Ali Solis went 1-for-3, before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning.
