Sunday’s winter league action with Pirates’ players and friends:
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Cardenales de Lara 5, Tiburones de La Guaira 2
Shairon Martis made the start for Los Tiburones, going 5.1 innings, but he was not involved in the decision. Martis allowed just one run over the first 5 innings, with a solo homer to lead off the 2nd inning. He scattered a double and three singles over those innings, and in both the 4th and the 5th, got a double play to erase singles. Martis began the bottom of the 6th with a fly out and a walk, and was relieved at that point. An error and a single allowed that base runner to score, then a sacrifice fly brought in a run that was charged to Martis’ reliever. Lara scored two more runs in the 8th inning, while Los Tiburones scored one run in the 1st and one more in the 5th.
Tigres de Aragua 4, Aguilas de Zulia 3
After 7 scoreless innings, both teams scored 3 runs in the 8th. Los Tigres opened the top of the 8th with a triple off reliever Diego Moreno, who had pitched a scoreless 7th inning. Moreno was replaced, but was responsible for the runner on third, who scored on a sacrifice fly. A single, then a throwing error that allowed 1B Hector Gimenez to reach base, loaded the bases. A single up the middle drove in two runs to give Los Tigres their 3 runs. Two singles, a triple, and another single gave Los Aguilas their three runs in the bottom of the frame, tying the score at 3-3. Los Tigres broke the tie in the top of the 9th. They loaded the bases on a walk, a sacrifice bunt with an error, and a hit batter. A single grounded through the left side of the infield brought in the runner from third for the winning run. LF Jonel Pacheco also doubled for Los Tigres.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Leones del Escogido 11, Aguilas Cibaenas 2
Los Leones scored runs a few at a time, but posted 15 hits and 11 runs. The game began with a single, then a walk to CF Starling Marte. Marte moved to second when the lead runner was caught stealing third, and he scored on an RBI single. Los Leones went on to scored 2 runs in the 2nd and 3 runs in the 4th and 3 again in the 5th. They wrapped up their scoring with 2 more runs in the 7th, and the pinch-hitter who came into the game for Marte drove in both of those runs with a double. Los Aguilas scored on a 2-run homer in the 6th.
Tigres del Licey 4, Estrellas de Oriente 3
SS Yamaico Navarro walked and singled twice for Los Tigres. The first single drove in Los Tigres’ run in the 4th inning. Los Estrellas took the lead in the top of the 5th, beginning with 2 runs on two singles, including one by C Dusty Brown. A fielding error in right field let both runs score. Los Tigres tied the score with a run in the bottom of the 5th on an error and a single. Licey took a 3-2 lead in the 7th, on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly. 1B Jake Fox tied the score for Los Estrellas in the top of the 9th with his own sacrifice fly. But Licey took advantage of an error in the bottom of the 9th, and a stolen base and an RBI single gave Los Tigres the walk-off win. Brown also walked in the 9th. Fox walked in the 7th but was erased when Brown bounced into a double play.
Toros del Este 1, Gigantes del Cibao 0
Only one run scored in this pitching duel — on a double, a ground out, and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 3rd by Los Toros. SS Pedro Ciriaco had one of the remaining 3 Toros’ hits, when he singled to lead off the 4th; he was caught stealing second base. 1B Matt Hague went 0-for-3 for Los Toros.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Aguilas de Mexicali 10, Venados de Mazatlan 5
Los Venados scored 4 runs in the top of the 8th, but that rally was not enough to overcome Los Aguilas, who scored in all but two of their turns at bat. Rogelio Noris came on to pinch-hit for Los Venados in that 8th inning, with a runner on second and two outs. He bounced to short, but a throwing error let Noris reach second base safely, and let the runner come around from second base to score. Noris scored on a double, then a walk and two more singles added two more runs for Los Venados.
