For a season preview of the Pittsburgh Pirates two Dominican Summer League teams, check out our article here. For a recap of the DSL All-Star game, check out our article here. Throughout the year, we will provide the recaps of both teams, as well as highlight one player each day.
PIRATES1
Result: Pirates 8, Phillies 0
Starting Pitcher: Christian Henriquez, LHP (3-1, 1.53) – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Pablo Reyes, 2B (.308) – 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.205) – 0-for-0, BB, SB
Dennis Hurtarte, 1B (.209) – 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Gerardo Navarro, RHP (2.84) – 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.180) – 1-for-2, RBI, BB
Game Notes: The Pirates got beat bad yesterday by the Phillies, losing 12-3 in a rain-shortened game. Today, they turned the tabled on the Phillies with strong pitching from starter Christian Henriquez and reliever Gerardo Navarro. They combined to throw a five hit shutout. Henriquez has allowed one earned run in his last six starts combined, going five innings in each game. Navarro picked up his second career save with four no-hit innings. Pablo Reyes hit his third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Dennis Hurtarte hit his tenth double and drove in two runs. He is hitting .344 in his last nine games, with seven doubles.
PIRATES2
Box Score (game one)
Result: Pirates 4, Cardinals 3 in 8 innings
Starting Pitcher: Omar Basulto, LHP (3-3, 1.83) 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Ramy Perez, C (.216) – 1-for-3, HR, 4 RBI, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.316) – 0-for-4
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.236)- 0-for-2
Luylli Miranda, LHP (2.57) 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.183) – DNP
Box Score (game two)
Result: Pirates 5, Cardinals 0
Starting Pitcher: Francis Rodriguez, RHP (4.12) 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.244) – 2-for-4, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.316) – 0-for-4
Dario Agrazal Jr, RHP (5-0, 2.62) 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.183) – DNP
Game Notes: The Pirates2 won for the seventh time in a row, sweeping the Cardinals in a doubleheader today and improving their record to 37-23, with less than two weeks left in the season. Game one went extra innings(scheduled for seven innings), with the Pirates winning in the bottom of the eighth on a bases loaded walk by catcher Ramy Perez. They loaded the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. In the second inning, Perez hit a three-run home run, the first homer of his career. In game two, the Pirates had just four hits, all singles. Despite that, they scored five runs and that was because the Cardinals committed nine errors in the seven inning contest. This game was started Monday, but was called in the second inning due to rain. Dario Agrazal Jr took over today and threw five shutout innings to close out the game. His record to begin his career remained perfect through 12 appearances. Jhoan Herrera drove in his 33rd run of the season. Top prospect Michael de la Cruz went 0-for-8 between both games.
Stats Of The Day
The Pirates have hit 28 homers this season between the two clubs. It matches last year’s combined total, the first year they had two clubs in the DSL.
On the Pirates1 club, they are led by five homers from Yunelky Adames. He has been out since late June with an ankle injury and won’t return this year. Second on the club is Julio de la Cruz, with four homers. He was signed during the last July 2nd signing period to a $700,000 bonus, tied for the highest bonus last year with Michael de la Cruz.
The team has 16 homers coming from just five of their 18 position players. Pablo Reyes hit his third homer of the season on Tuesday, while All-Star outfielder Tito Polo and right fielder Sandy Santos each have two home runs.
The Pirates2 squad has 12 homers, led by All-Star first baseman Carlos Munoz, who has three. Two rookies, Edgar Figueroa and Jhoan Herrera, each had two homers. Five other players have hit one apiece, including Henrry Rosario, who is now in the Gulf Coast League.
Last season’s home run leader was Julio Perez, who hit five round trippers. He is playing in the Mexican League this season.
Since records have been available, going back to 2006, the DSL Pirates season record for homers is 11 by Jesus Vasquez in 2011. He was released this year.
