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/stat each day.
PIRATES1
Result: Rockies 7, Pirates 2
Starting Pitcher: Ramon Rodriguez, RHP (1-5, 2.86) 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jesus Ronco, 3B (.200) – 1-for-2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Dennis Hurtarte, 1B (.245) – 0-for-4
Julio de la Cruz, DH (.197) – DNP
Brayan Almonte, RHP (8.00) – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.188) – 0-for-1
Game Notes: The Pirates1 lost 7-2 to the Rockies, getting outhit 13-1 in the games. Jesus Ronco had the only hit and it didn’t leave the infield. He singled to the pitcher in the third inning. Ronco also drew one of the team’s two walks. Starter Ramon Rodriguez finished the season with a 2.86 ERA in 14 starts, but he was able to pick up just one win all season. Rudy Guzman and Sandy Santos each drove in one run, Ronco and Dennis Hurtarte scored the runs. Relievers Brayan Almonte and Arquimedes Lorenzo each pitched on Friday, likely their last game in the DSL as both are fourth year players, the league limit for seasons played. Both could be moved to the Pirates2 if they make the playoffs.
PIRATES2
Result: Orioles2 4, Pirates 3 in 11 innings
Starting Pitcher: Julio Vivas, RHP (2.30) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Fredis Padilla, 2B (.268) – 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.290) – 0-for-6
Alexis Bastardo, RF (.276) – 1-for-5
Eduardo Figueroa, CF (.270) – 1-for-5, RBI
Richard Mitchell, RHP (4-4, 4.74) – 3.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.234) – 1-for-4, 2B
Box Score Game Two(has not been uploaded yet)
Result: Pirates 5, Orioles2 1
Starting Pitcher: Omar Basulto, LHP (5-3, 1.96) – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Yoel Gonzalez, C (.188) – 2-for-2, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Carlos Munoz, 1B (.319) – 1-for-3, RBI
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.290) – 2-for-3, RBI
Eduardo Figueroa, CF (.270) – 1-for-3, RBI
Andres Mendoza, RHP (0.00) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.234) – 1-for-3
Game Notes: The Pirates2 were able to clinch the Wildcard spot by winning one game today. They could have also made it if the Mets2 lost. Game one was a suspended game from early August that picked up with the no score in the fifth inning and ended up going 12 innings before a winner was decided. Hector Garcia was on the mound when the game was suspended and continued to pitch when they resumed. He threw a total of six innings and had ten strikeouts. Richard Mitchell was saddled with the loss despite throwing three no-hit innings. The winning run scored on a walk, throwing error and wild pitch.
In game two, the Pirates won 5-1 behind the strong pitching of Omar Basulto and the hitting of two of their top signings from last July. Michael de la Cruz and Yoel Gonzalez each had two hits, with de la Cruz scoring two runs and Gonzalez driving home a pair. It was a seven inning game due to the doubleheader rules in the minors. Andres Mendoza finished the game with two shutout innings. He recently switched affiliates and hasn’t allowed a run in five appearances for the Pirates2.
Stats Of The Day
Today is the final day of the regular season. The Pirates2 won the Wildcard spot thanks to a rainout on Thursday. The Mets2 and Rangers weren’t able to get in their game that day and it won’t be made up. With the win on Friday by the Pirates2 in game two of the doubleheader, that gave them two more wins than the Mets2 and one less loss. Fortunately for the Pirates2, they were able to get in their Thursday game and they won. So worst case scenario from Saturday is that the Mets2 win, Pirates2 lose and their records end up 46-25 and 47-25 respectively.
