Tag: Argenis Diaz

Shortstop signings:  Former Pirate Brian Bixler has signed a minor league contract with the Nationals, and will likely be back to face the Indy Indians as a member of the Syracuse Chiefs.  Former Pirate Argenis Diaz, who was not offered a contract by the Pirates after this season, has signed a minor league contract with the Tigers.  We will likely see him again as a member of the Toledo Mudhens.

Cheering for Pirates' players and friends in Tuesday's winter league action: 

DOMINICAN LEAGUE   -- Final regular season games
Leones del Escogido  6,  Toros del Este  2  --  Los Leones' 4-run 6th inning gave them plenty of offense.  Los Toros were held to just 4 hits, with only one hit over the first 6 innings.  They scored one run in the 7th on a triple and a sacrifice fly, and one in the 9th on a single, a double, and an RBI ground out.  SS Pedro Ciriaco struck out in all three of his at-bats and also committed a fielding error which led to a run in the 4th.  


PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Gigantes de Carolina  5,  Senadores  de San Juan  4  -- Benji Gonzalez got into a game for Los Gigantes for the first time in over a month.  He entered the game in the top of the 8th to pinch-run after a double.  A fly out moved him to third base, but he was left there when the inning ended.  Then Gonzalez remained in the game to play second base, where he made 2 plays.  Los Senadores scored 3 runs in the 1st inning, an were leading 4-3 going into the 9th.  A 2-run homer in the top of the 9th gave Los Gigantes the win.  

 
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Cardenales de Lara  6,  Tiburones de La Guaira  3  --  Former Indy Indian (2008) TJ Beam made his Venezuelan League debut for Los Tiburones, but it was not a happy start.  He faced 4 batters and allowed 2 singles and 2 walks, with one run scoring before he was relieved.  A wild pitch by his relief and a double gave Lara 4 runs in the top of the 1st.  They added single runs in the 7th and 9th innings.  Los Tiburones cut the early lead in half with 2 runs in the 3rd.  Then in the bottom of the 8th, Los Tiburones homered off Lara's reliever Romulo Sanchez, who gave up 2 walks after the homer.  

Caribes de Anzoategui  7,  Tigres de Aragua  3  (Game 1) --  Los Caribes scored 5 runs in their last two at-bats for the come-from-behind win.  In the 5th, a single, a sacrifice bunt, a wild pitch, and a walk put Caribes on the corners.  LF Jose Tabata reached base on a throwing error, which allowed the runner on third to score.  A double drove in two more runs (including Tabata).  The 6th inning began with a pair of walks and a triple brought those runners across the plate.  Tabata also singled in the 1st inning, when Los Caribes scored one run, but he was out at third base.  Los Caribes also scored a run in the 2nd.  Los Tigres began the game with a 2-run homer in the top of the 1st, and they added another run on a walk and a double in the 5th.  1B Hector Gimenez singled for Aragua after the home run in the 1st.  SS Ronny Cedeno and CF Jorge Cortes were both hitless in the first game of the double header.  

Caribes  5,  Tigres  0  (Game 2)  --  Cedeno, Cortes, and Gimenez were all hitless in the night-cap, as Los Tigres were held to just 3 hits.  Los Caribes scored 3 runs in the 1st and 2 more in the 2nd.  Tabata did not get into the game.  
 

Looking in on Pirates' players and friends in Saturday's winter league action:

DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Estrellas de Oriente  6,  Tigres del Licey  3   --  Los Tigres posted only 5 hits, but they also hurt themselves by committing 4 errors.  They scored all of their runs in the 3rd inning on a 3-run homer.  DH Ronny Paulino, C Robinzon Diaz, and 1B Jake Fox were all hitless for Los Tigres.  Los Estrellas took advantage of the errors to score 2 runs in each of the 1st, 5th, and 8th innings.  Half of their runs were unearned.

Gigantes del Cibao  7,  Leones del Escogido  3  --  Mike Dubee earned his third Dominican League win for Los Gigantes.  Dubee entered the game in the top of the 5th inning, with Los Gigantes leading 3-2, two runners on base, and two outs.  The first batter he faced reached base on a fielding error at third base, allowing the tying run to score.  The next batter singled up the middle, but the throw in from center field let C JR House tag the lead runner out at the plate to end the inning.  House was the lead-off batter in Los Gigantes' half of the inning, and he began a rally with a single into center field.  A sacrifice bunt and a single brought in House with the go-ahead run, and another single and an RBI ground out gave Dubee and Los Gigantes an insurance run.  Dubee pitched a scoreless 6th inning, and then was relieved.  Los Gigantes added 2 more runs in the 8th on two singles, a walk, and a fielding error.  




PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Criollos de Caguas  2,  Leones de Ponce  0  --  The Caguas pitchers allowed only 4 Ponce hitters to reach base, on three singles and a double scattered throughout the game, and two of the base runners were erased with double plays.  Los Criollos scored their first run in the 4th, when 3B Ramon Vazquez led off with a walk, and scored on a single and an RBI double.  A triple and an RBI single gave them another run in the 7th, and that was all they needed.   

Checking in on some Pirates' players and friends in Friday night's winter league games:

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Navegantes del Magallanes  7,  Bravos de Margarita  5  --  Jean Machi pitched a perfect 9th inning to earn his 6th Save for Los Navegantes.  His teammates took a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the 6th with a two-out rally, scoring 5 runs on two doubles, four singles, and a walk.  They added 2 more runs in the 7th on four more singles.  Los Bravos put their first run on the board in the 3rd with three singles.  A grand slam by CF Frank Diaz in the top of the 8th brought Los Bravos closer, but Machi held them off in the 9th.  Just released SS Argenis Diaz came into the game to play shortstop in the top of the 9th, and he scooped the grounder that was Machi's first out.  

Tigres de Aragua  8,  Aguilas de Zulia  1  --   Two Pirates' teammates on Los Tigres.... one tendered a contract, one not... SS Ronny Cedeno was hit by a pitch in the top of the 1st, stole second base, then scored on a 2-run homer.  C Raul Chavez's home run in the 2nd inning gave Los Tigres a 3-0 lead.  In the 5th, a throwing error and a single put two runners on base.  Cedeno bunted them both into scoring position, then CF Lastings Milledge drove in one run with an RBI single into right field.  Los Tigres capped their scoring with 4 runs in the 6th.  A single and two walks loaded the bases.  Chavez was hit by a pitch, forcing in the first run.  A single brought in the second run, and Cedeno's ground out plated the third run.  A walk to Milledge loaded the bases again, and another walk forced in Chavez with the fourth run of the inning.  Chavez had an embarrassing moment in the 5th -- with runners on first and second bases, Chavez lined right to the Zulia third baseman, who started a triple play.  


PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE  
Criollos de Caguas  4,  Gigantes de Carolina  3  --  Los Gigantes had the early lead, starting with a run in the 1st, when former Indy Indian LF Luis Matos doubled and scored.  In the 2nd, a ground-rule double, a walk, a fielding error by 3B Ramon Vazquez, and a single gave them a 3-0 lead.  An RBI single by SS Luis Figueroa drove in Los Criollos' first run in the 5th.  Then a single, a triple, and a 3-run homer in the 6th gave Los Criollos the win.  Figueroa also singled in the 1st, and Vazquez singled in the 3rd.  

When the deadline for offering contracts passed last night, four new free agents were created.  
The Pirates offered contracts to pitcher Jeff Karstens and SS Ronny Cedeno, both as expected.  But they elected not to tender contracts to pitchers Donnie Veal and Brian Burres, SS Argenis Diaz, and OF Lastings Milledge.
Veal is still recovering from elbow surgery, and is expected to sign a minor league deal with the Pirates.  Since he is going to have to spend some time in the minors when he returns anyway, this is not likely to affect his progress much.  The other three are all free agents now.


Other notes:  Former Pirate C Ronny Paulino was also non-tendered by the Marlins, and he also is now a free agent.  Pittsburgh native INF Josh Wilson, who played for the Indy Indians in 2008, was resigned by the Mariners. (NOT Jack Wilson, who is also on the Mariners' roster.)  OF Eric Hinske was signed as a free agent by the Braves.  P Zach Duke signed a contract with the Diamondbacks, avoiding arbitration.  

A few signing notes for some former Pirates -- LHP Phil Dumatrait has signed a minor league contract with the Twins, and LHP Neal Cotts has signed a minor league contract with the Yankees.  OF Rajai Davis was traded from the A's to the Blue Jays.  

Sunday's winter league action involving a few Pirates' players and friends:

DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Aguilas Cibaenas  12,  Tigres del Licey  1 --  A 6-run 1st inning put the game into Los Aguilas' pocket right from the start.  Starling Marte came into the game in the 5th inning as a pinch runner (he didn't score), then remained in the game in left field.  He flied out in the 7th, then hit an RBI single in the 8th.  Denny Bautista was one of the few Licey pitchers who held Los Aguilas scoreless, as he threw a perfect top of the 9th for Los Tigres.  Indy area native Jake Fox went 0-for-4 for Los Tigres.


VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Tiburones de La Guaira  6,  Tigres de Aragua  2 --  Los Tiburones scored 5 runs over the first 3 innings, and Los Tigres could only manage 2 runs.  In the top of the 1st, SS Ronny Cedeno followed a lead-off single with a sacrifice bunt, then another single brought in the first Aragua run.  Their second run came in the 6th inning, when Cedeno led off with a double into left field, and a few minutes later, 1B Hector Gimenez doubled into right field, bringing in Cedeno.  C Miguel Perez came in as a defensive replacement behind the plate, but flied out in his only plate appearance.  CF Jorge Cortes went 0-for-3 with a walk.  Former Pirate pitcher Chris Hernandez pitched the top of the 9th for La Guaira.  He gave up a walk, but then got Cortes to bounce into a double play to end the game.  

Cardenales de Lara  7,  Navegantes del Magallanes  2  --  Los Navegantes were also only able to put up 2 runs, one in the 2nd, and one in the 7th.  SS Argenis Diaz contributed one of Los Navegantes' 5 hits, but he did not score.  Corey Hamman pitched the 7th inning for Magallanes, and he gave up a solo home run.

Bravos de Margarita  2,  Aguilas de Zulia  1 --  Anthony Claggett won his second game in two days for Los Bravos, this time with one scoreless inning of work (it was 1.1 innings yesterday).  Los Bravos scored one run in the bottom of the 4th on a double, a single, and a grounder.  Los Aguilas tied the score in the top of the 6th, also with a single and a double.  Claggett took the mound to begin the 7th.  He gave up a lead-off single, then retired the next three batters he faced.  In the bottom of the inning, Los Bravos scored the go-ahead run on a single, a bunt, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly.  That made Claggett the pitcher of record.  Ronald Belisario pitched a perfect 9th inning for Margarita to collect his 10th save of the season.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  
Everyone has probably seen that Zach Duke has been traded to Arizona for a player to be named later.
Also, former Pirate Bryan Bullington, who was removed from the Kansas City Royals' 40-man roster last week, was released by the Royals yesterday.  Then Bullington signed a contract to play in Japan for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp for 2011.

Cheering for Pirates' players and friends in the winter leagues on Wednesday..... 

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Tiburones de La Guaira  4,  Bravos de Margarita  1  (Game 1)  --  This was supposed to be a 7-inning game, but the score was still tied at 1-1 after 7.  A bases-loaded walk forced in Los Bravos' run in the bottom of the 1st.  Los Tiburones tied the score with a run on a single, a ground out, and another single in the 3rd.  Anthony Claggett had pitched a scoreless 7th inning -- he gave up a single, but then picked the base runner off first.  But he started the top of the 8th with a single and a sacrifice bunt, and was then relieved.  The next pitcher loaded the bases with a pair of walks, then he was relieved too.  Two singles and a sacrifice fly brought in 3 runs for Los Tiburones, with the first one charged to Claggett, making him responsible for the loss.  Margarita won the second game 3-0, holding Los Tiburones to just 3 hits in the 7-inning game.  Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Belisario allowed one of the hits along with a walk in the 7th inning, earning his 8th save.

Tigres de Aragua  7,  Navegantes del Magallanes  5  --  Both SS Ronny Cedeno and 1B Hector Gimenez hit 2-run homers for Los Tigres in this win.  Gimenez's blast got Aragua going in their 4-run 1st inning, and Cedeno's homer made the score 6-1 in the 2nd inning.  Gimenez also doubled in the game.  CF Jorge Cortes walked and scored for Los Tigres, and C Raul Chavez was 0-for-3 at the plate.  

Sunday's winter league action with the Pirates' players and friends...
As usual, the Arizona Fall League has Sunday off.  Guess who is leading the AFL in RBI?  That's right, it's OF Andrew Lambo.
The Australian League also has a few days off, with the Adelaide Bite and Quincy Latimore back in action on Wednesday.


 VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
 
Tigres de Aragua  6,  Cardenales de Lara  4  --  A 4-run 4th inning gave Los Tigres the edge over Los Cardenales.  A pair of singles opened the inning, then after a fly out, CF Jorge Cortes loaded the bases with a single into right field.   Lara changed pitchers, but he gave up three more singles.  The first drove in one run, then SS Ronny Cedeno singled in two more runs.  A passed ball put runners onto second and third bases, and RF/LF Lastings Milledge's single drove in the fourth run of the inning.  Los Tigres' first run came on a solo home run that opened the game in the top of the 1st.  Cedeno singled and Milledge walked after the home run, but they did not score in that inning.  Aragua added a run on a double and a fielding error in the 2nd inning.  Cedeno also singled in the 3rd inning, for a total of 3 hits in the game.  C Raul Chavez was hitless in 5 at-bats.  Lara also scored one run in the 1st inning, to tie the score.  Los Cardenales took a 3-2 lead with 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, but that lead lasted only a few minutes, until Aragua scored 4 in the 4th.  

Aguilas del Zulia  10,  Navegantes del Magallanes  4  --  Los Aguilas also had a 4-run inning, the 9th, to cap their scoring and take the win.  LF Mike Ryan singled in the 1st inning for Magallanes but did not come around to score.  Magallanes scored one run in the 3rd and another in the 4th.  In the 9th, Los Navegantes loaded the bases on two singles and a walk, then scored one run on SS Argenis Diaz's sacrifice fly.  Another single plated one more run, but a double play ended the rally.  


Los Bravos de Margarita are reporting that manager Luis Dorante has been hospitalized with kidney failure.  He will be out for two weeks.

Just a few Pirates' players and friends saw winter league action on Friday...

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Gigantes del Cibao  9,  Toros del Este  4  --  This game was a little home run derby.  Los Toros scored their only runs in the top of the 3rd inning, on a pair of 2-run homers, each one following a double.  SS Pedro Ciriaco tripled in the 4th inning, but did not score.  Mike Dubee pitched the 7th inning for Los Gigantes, and he allowed Los Toros only a walk in the scoreless inning.  Los Gigantes scored one run on a solo homer in the 2nd, then had three solo homers in the bottom of the 3rd.  They also added a run in the 5th and 4 more in the 7th, but without needing the long ball. 

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VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Navegantes del Magallanes  6,  Tiburones de La Guaira  3  --  Three runs in the top of the 10th broke a 3-3 tie and gave Magallanes the win.  LF Mike Ryan led off the inning with a single up the middle, and he was replaced by a pinch-runner.  Another single and a double drove in two runs, and the third single of the inning brought in the third run.  La Guaira could only manage one single in the bottom of the inning, and Los Navegantes had the win.  Los Navegantes scored their first 2 run in the 6th, when they loaded the bases on a single, a throwing error, and an intentional walk to Ryan.  A single and another error pushed 2 runs across the plate.  A triple and an RBI single gave them one more run in the 7th.  Argenis Diaz came in to pinch run for Los Magallanes in the bottom of the 9th, but did not score.  He remained in the game at shortstop, and struck out in his only plate appearance. 

Bravos de Margarita  3,  Caribes de Anzoategui  1  --  Justin Thomas pitched a hitless but wild 4.1 innings in his start for Los Bravos.  He struck out 4 batters, but walked 5 and was responsible for Los Caribes' only run.  After retiring the side in the top of the 1st, Thomas walked one in the 2nd, but erased him with a double play.  He walked 2 batters in the 3rd and left both on base.  One walk in the 4th, also left on base.  One more walk to lead off the 5th inning, then a fly out, and Thomas was relieved by Renee Cortez.  Cortez gave up another walk and two singles, allowing the runner Thomas had walked to score.  Los Bravos scored 2 runs in the 4th inning on two singles and a double, then added one more in the 7th, on a solo home run by C Henry Blanco. 

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A few roster moves by the Pirates today:

Several players have been removed from the 40-man roster and outrighted to AAA Indianapolis:� LHP Justin Thomas, RHP Sean Gallagher, RHP Steven Jackson, 1B Jeff Clement, and OF Brandon Moss.

Of these, Thomas, Jackson, and Moss are now all free to declare themselves minor league free agents.� Clement does not have enough service time to get to be a free agent, so he's "stuck" on the Indianapolis roster.� He's had knee surgery, and hopes to be ready by spring training.� Gallagher does have the service time, but the Pirates are probably negotiating with him to try to keep him.

LHP Wil Ledezma has signed a one-year contract with the Pirates for 2011.

RHP Jose Ascanio and 1B Steve Pearce (who has also had knee issues) are officially off the DL and back on the 40-man roster.� RHP Ross Ohlendorf also falls into this category.

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On to Wednesday's winter league action, with Pirates' players and friends:

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Senadores de San Juan� 4,� Gigantes de Carolina� 3� -- San Juan rallied from a 3-1 deficit to score one run in the 5th and 2 runs in the 6th for the win.� Los Gigantes scored one run in the 4th on a double and a single.� They added 2 runs in the 5th, on two singles, an error, a walk, and a sacrifice fly.� Benji Gonzalez made a pinch-hitting appearance for Los Gigantes in the 8th inning, but flied out.� He remained in the game at third base for the final inning.

Criollos de Caguas� 4,� Indios de Mayaguez� 0� -- 3B Ramon Vazquez and SS Luis Figueroa each had one hit for Los Criollos in their win.� Vazquez's single in the 5th drove in one of Los Criollos' runs.� They also scored 2 runs in the 4th on two singles and two errors, and another run in the 6th on two singles and a sacrifice fly.

Cheering for Pirates' players and friends in the winter leagues on Tuesday...

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Criollos de Caguas� 8,� Senadores de San Juan� 2� -- Former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa was just a homer away from hitting for the cycle, with 3 of Los Criollos' 15 hits.� 3B Ramon Vazquez also had a hit for Caguas.� Figueroa doubled in the 1st inning but was left on base.� He singled in the 3rd and scored on an RBI double in the 4-run 3rd inning, then he tripled a run in and scored in the 2-run 4th inning.� Caguas also scored one run in the 2nd and the 8th innings.

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DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Toros del Este� 6,� Tigres del Licey� 4� -- Los Toros posted a pair of 3-run innings to take the win.� They scored on three walks and two doubles in the 4th inning, and on two walks and three singles in the 5th, complicated by a throwing error by Los Tigres' C Robinzon Diaz.� Diaz had one hit for Licey, a single in the 8th inning, after a solo home run.� 1B Jake Fox also had one single for Los Tigres, but did not score.

Aguilas Cibaenas� 8,� Leones del Escogido�� 7� -- Another hit-fest, with Los Aguilas recording 12 hits and Los Leones piling up 17.� LF Starling Marte had one hit for Los Aguilas, a single to load the bases in the 5th.� A strikeout ended that inning without a run scoring.� He also reached base on fielding error in the 2nd inning, which allowed a run to score.� Los Aguilas' biggest inning was the 3rd, when DH Eric Patterson hit a grand slam.� Luke Carlin came into the game to catch for Los Aguilas in the 9th inning, but did not get a plate appearance.� Los Aguilas scored again in the 4th and 6th innings, and had an 8-2 lead going into the bottom of the 7th.� Los Leones scored 3 runs in the 7th, plus one more in each of the 8th and 9th innings, but still came up short.

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VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Cardenales de Lara� 5,� Navegantes del Magallanes� 4� -- Three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning gave Lara the win.� A walk and two singles brought in the first two runs, to tie the game.� Jean Machi came on in relief for Los Navegantes, and he was able to prevent a run from scoring by fielding a come-backer and firing it back to the plate, to make the out at the plate. But a passed ball allowed the next runner on third base to score the go-ahead run.� Magallanes had scored 3 runs in the top of the 1st on a walk and three doubles, including a double by 1B Mike Ryan.� A home run added another run in the 6th.�� SS Argenis Diaz singled in the 2nd inning and walked to lead off the 7th inning for Magallanes, but did not score.� Former Pirate Romulo Sanchez pitched 1.2 innings for Lara.� He entered the game in the top of the 6th after the home run, with one runner on base and no outs.� He got a double play, then gave up a single before ending the inning with a ground out.� He walked Diaz and gave up a single in the 7th inning.