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Tag: Jake Fox

The Pittsburgh Pirates won in extra innings on Opening Day, beating the Miami Marlins by a 6-5 score after a Jared Triolo RBI single in the top of the 12th inning. The Pirates played comeback the entire...
Normally, I do a pre-season analysis, where I fill in my own depth chart and playing time estimates for the upcoming Pittsburgh Pirates season, along with ZiPS projected WAR totals. This year, I'm looking at the...

New Pitchers, Same Hitters

Two pitching acquisitions for the Pirates at the winter meetings, though both should remain at the major league level, with no impact on the minor league part of the organization:
RHP Kevin Correia is a 30-year old San Diego native, who came up through the Giants' organization, but pitched for his home-town Padres for the past two seasons.  In 61 games (all but 2 were starts) for the Padres, he earned a 22-21 record and 4.54 ERA.  In 343 innings, he allowed 346 hits and walked 128 batters, while striking out 256.
LHP Scott Olsen will turn 27 next month.  The Michigan native came up in the Marlins' organization and was traded to the Nationals at the end of 2008.  He has spent a lot of the past two seasons on the DL with left shoulder issues, so that over those two seasons he made only 28 appearances (2 in relief) for the Nats.  He has a 6-12 record and a 5.79 ERA in those games.  In 143 innings at the major league level, he allowed 176 hits and 52 walks, and struck out 95.  

Other news:
Former Pirate farmhand RHP Jimmy Barthmaier signed a minor league contract to return to the Nationals. 
Former Pirate INF Ty Wigginton is signing a contract with the Rockies.  

Just a little bit of winter league action on Tuesday, involving Pirates' players and friends:

DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Aguilas Cibaenas  3,  Leones del Escogido  2  --  
Los Aguilas scored 2 runs in the 4th inning, and that gave them all the runs they needed.  Indy Indians'  Kevin Melillo, in his first game with Los Aguilas, started the rally with a double, then scored on a 2-run homer.  He went 1-for-3 in the game.  Starling Marte came into the game as a pinch-hitter and remained in to play center field.  Marte struck out in both of his at-bats.  

Tigres del Licey  3,  Toros del Este  0  --  Los Tigres scored all of their runs in the top of the 5th.  Indy area native LF/1B Jake Fox led off with a double, then 3B Andy Marte moved Fox to third with a sacrifice bunt.  After a walk, a double plated Fox.  Another single brought in the second run, and a sacrifice fly added the third run.  DH Ronny Paulino went 0-for-4 for Los Tigres.  SS Pedro Ciriaco singled for Los Toros in the bottom of the 8th, but was erased with a double play.  


VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Aguilas de Zulia  5,  Navegantes del Magallanes  4   --  
This game was tied at 2-2 going into the top of the 7th.  A single, a sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk gave Los Aguilas two on and one out.  A grounder produced a force out at second base and gave Zulia runners on the corners.  Los Navegantes' Corey Hamman was brought in to get the last out of the inning.  The only batter he faced lifted a fly ball into center field, but the ball was misplayed, and the error allowed 2 runs to score.  Hamman was relieved, and a strikeout ended the inning, with Los Aguilas ahead 4-2.  Los Navegantes tied the score again in the bottom of the 9th, on a walk, two singles, and an RBI ground out, sending the game into extra innings.  Jean Machi came in to pitch for Los Navegantes, and he gave up the go-ahead run on a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a single.  Two walks in the bottom of the inning gave Los Navegantes one more chance to catch up, but a double play ended the inning without a run scoring. 

Dubee Wins #3, Hit-Fest For Aragua

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.   

A Win For Dubee And Two Hits For Milledge and Cedeno

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

DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Toros del Este  6,  Tigres del Licey   0  --  
Los Tigres were shut-out on 6 hits.  They had 2 runners on base in a few innings, but were never able to bring them around to score.  New Pirate 1B Andy Marte did not start, but came in to play at first in the 5th inning.  He bounced into a double play in the 6th, and was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 9th.  DH Ronny Paulino and LF Jake Fox were both hitless, though Fox walked in the 1st inning.  Denny Bautista pitched the final inning for Los Tigres, and gave up 2 runs on a single, a walk, and a double.  SS Pedro Ciriaco went 0-for-3 for Los Toros.  

Gigantes del Cibao  3,  Estrellas de Oriente  2  --  Mike Dubee earned his second Dominican League win for los Gigantes with 1.1 scoreless innings of work.  Each team started with a run in the 1st inning -- on a homer for Los Estrellas and on a double, a bunt, and a sacrifice fly for Los Gigantes.  After the homer, Los Gigantes' starter Roman Colon retired the next 10 batters in order.  Dubee relieved Colon to begin the 5th inning.  He gave up a double and a walk, but got out of the jam with a strikeout and a ground out.  Dubee started the 6th inning with a fly out and a walk, then he was replaced by Juan Perez.  Perez finished that inning, but gave up a run on a double and an error in the 7th.  Los Gigantes' C JR House singled to lead off the 5th, then scored on a sacrifice bunt and a single.  A solo homer gave Los Gigantes' one more run in the 6th.  House also singled in the 2nd inning.  


PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Criollos de Caguas  15,  Indios de Mayaguez  2  --  
Los Criollos posted 21 hits and scored in all but one of the first 7 innings, including 4 in the 2nd and 5 in the 6th.  SS Luis Figueroa singled and doubled and scored twice.  3B Ramon Vazquez singled twice and drove in 2 runs.  

Leones de Ponce  3,  Senadores de San Juan  0  --   Another shut-out, as Los Senadores were held to just 2 hits.  Starter Ben Snyder (Rangers, and Ball State University) gave up a walk in the 3rd inning, and lone singles in the 4th and 6th innings, as he pitched 7 innings for the win.  RJ Rodriguez earned his 7th Save with a perfect 9th inning.  


VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Cardenales de Lara  6,  Tigres de Aragua  5  --  
A single, two walks, and a sacrifice fly gave Los Cardenales the go-ahead run in the top of the 8th, then held on for the win.  Lara put up 13 hits, while Los Tigres had 7 hits, including 2 singles by SS Ronny Cedeno, and 2 doubles by LF Lastings Milledge.  Lara scored 4 runs in the 3rd and one more in the 5th.  Cedeno singled, stole second, and scored in the 1st inning.  He singled again in the 6th to begin a rally.  Two walks (one by C Hector Gimenez), a single, and Milledge's first double, brought in 3 runs for Los Tigres in that inning.  Aragua tied the score in the 7th, on an error, a bunt by Cedeno, and an RBI single.  That rally was cut short when Romulo Sanchez came on in relief for Lara and ended the inning with two strikeouts.  Milledge doubled again in the 8th inning and stole third base, but was out at home on a fielder's choice.  

 
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Venados de Mazatlan  4,  Tomateros de Culiacan  2  --
 LF Rogelios Noris led off the top of the 6th with his 5th double of the season for Los Venados.  That sparked a 4-run rally, with three singles driving in three runs, and three walks forcing in a fourth run.  Former Pirate SS Luis Cruz drove in Culiacan's runs with a 2-run homer in the 4th.  

 

Little Winter League Hitting

Cheering for Pirates' players and friends in Wednesday's winter league action (the new minor league free agents did not get into the games):

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Criollos de Caguas  2,  Leones de Ponce  1 --  
Not a lot of hitting or scoring here.  Ponce scored one run in the 3rd inning on a pair of doubles.  Los Criollos tied it up in the 6th with a walk, a single, and a throwing error.  3B Ramon Vazquez walked, then another single brought in the winning run.  SS Luis Figueroa singled in the 1st inning, but was left on base.  


VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Caribes de Anzoategui  2,  Navegantes del Magallanes  1 --  
Same thing in this game, not much offense.  The difference is that Los Caribes scored one run in two different innings -- a homer in the 2nd, and a double, a single, and an RBI grounder in the 7th.  Los Navegantes scored on a double and two wild pitches in the 6th.  Reliever Jean Machi pitched a perfect bottom of the 8th for Los Navegantes: two strikeouts and a ground out. 

Tiburones de La Guaira  5,  Aguilas del Zulia  4  --  This first game of a double-header was supposed to be only 7 innings, but the score was tied at 1-1 from the 5th through the 7th.  Los Tiburones scored 2 in the top of the 8th on a 2-run homer.  With Chris Hernandez on the mound for La Guaira, Los Aguilas responded with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th, and Hernandez was charged with a Blown Save.  Then three singles gave La Guaira the go-ahead run again in the top of the 9th.  An error and a wild pitch added an insurance run, which they would need.  Zulia scored a run in the bottom of the inning on three singles, but their rally was cut short, and Los Tiburones held on for the win, credited to Hernandez.


DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Estrellas de Oriente  5,  Tigres del Licey  4  --  
Los Tigres started the scoring in the 4th inning, on a single, a wild pitch, and an RBI single by Jake Fox.  Fox moved to second on an error on a pick-off attempt, then scored on an RBI single.  Robinzon Diaz also singled in the inning.  Diaz also singled in the 8th after a walk, and two errors on the play brought the run in.  A home run in the 6th gave Los Tigres one more run.  Los Estrellas scored one run in the 4th, and collected a 2-run homer in the 5th.  They took the lead in the bottom of the 8th on four singles.  

Toros del Este 10,  Aguilas Cibaenas  1  --  Los Aguilas scored one run on a triple and a sacrifice bunt in the 2nd inning, then gave up 10 unanswered runs, including 6 Toros' runs in the 8th inning.  SS Pedro Ciriaco walked in the 3rd inning but was out in a force play at second base.  He was 0-for-3 for the rest of the night.


MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Tomateros de Culiacan 2,  Venados de Mazatlan  1 --  
Los Venados were held to just 2 hits, and scored their only run in the 5th, on a walk, a stolen base, and an RBI ground out.  Culiacan's 2-run homer in the 2nd inning was all the scoring they needed.  LF Rogelios Noris came into the game as a late-inning defensive replacement, and struck out in his only plate appearance. 


AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE
The game between the Adelaide Bite and the Canberra Cavalry had to be postponed.  They will try for a double-header on Friday (early Friday morning for most of us).  The two teams are already scheduled to play a double-header on Saturday.
The Bite are reporting that the Pirates have signed reliever Jackson Lodge to a contract.  Lodge is a product of the Australian Baseball Academy, where he had a 2-3 record and a 2.03 ERA in 40 innings last year.  Lodge has pitched in 4 games for the Bite so far this season, with mixed results.  On Nov 13th, he pitched the 8th inning of the Bite's 8-3 win over Melbourne.  After striking out the first batter, Lodge gave up two doubles and two singles, for 2 runs.  On the 18th, he pitched to 4 batters in the Bite's win over Perth, and retired all four, including one strikeout.  Two days later, he earned a "Hold" in another victory over Perth, but he faced only two batters -- a ground out and a single, and that runner eventually came around to score.  On the 26th, Lodge came on in relief in the 4th when the starting pitcher had to leave the game due to an arm injury.  Lodge hit the first batter he faced, then ended the inning with a ground out.  But he got into trouble in the 5th, giving up 2 runs on a walk, three singles, and a sacrifice fly.  He retired two batters in the 6th, then was relieved.  It will be interesting to see where Lodge is assigned in the US -- the Pirates will surely be watching his progress in the ABL.



 

Two Hits For Ciriaco

After having a Monday off, the winter leagues are back to action on Tuesday night, as we cheer on the Pirates' players and friends:

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Leones de Ponce  1,  Gigantes de Carolina  0  --  
After 10.5 scoreless innings, the only run of the game came in the bottom of the 11th.  A fielding error, a double, and and intentional walk loaded the bases for Los Leones, then a balk forced in the winning run.  Former Pirate farmhand RJ Rodriguez was the winning pitcher.  He threw two scoreless innings (9th and 10th) and was the pitcher of record when his teammates scored the winning run.  Los Gigantes was held to just 2 hits and 3 walks.  The hits were both singles, in the 1st and 2nd innings. 

Criollos de Caguas  3,  Senadores de San Juan  1  --  Former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa got the scoring started with a solo home run in the top of the 1st.  Figueroa led off the 4th with a single, then scored on an RBI double.  A single and two doubles added Caguas' third run in the 6th.  Figueroa collected his third hit of the game with a lead-off single in the 8th.  3B Ramon Vazquez went 0-for-4 for Los Criollos.  


DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Aguilas Cibaenas  5,  Toros del Este  3  --  
SS Pedro Ciriaco had 2 of Los Toros' 8 hits.  He led off the bottom of the 6th with a single, then came around to score on a passed ball, a ground out, and an RBI single.  Los Toros added 2 more runs in the 7th, the first on a walk, a single, and a sacrifice fly.  Then Ciriaco drove in another run with his second single.  Los Aguilas scored 2 runs in each of the 4th and 5th, then one more in the 9th for the win.  

Tigres del Licey  6,  Estrellas de Oriente  5  --  Los Tigres were behind 5-0 going into the bottom of the 6th inning, when Indy area native DH Jake Fox put them onto the scoreboard with a 2-run homer.  C Robinzon Diaz led off the bottom of the 7th with a single, and two more runs scored that inning on another single and two errors.  Then Fox gave Los Tigres the win with another 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th.  


MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Venados de Mazatlan  5,  Tomateros de Culiacan  3  --  Los Venados held off late-inning rallies by Los Tomateros for the win.  LF Rogelios Noris singled in the game, but did not score.  

Not sure why the Venezuelan League info is not coming up.  Maybe more of that in the morning too.   --  7 am -- nope, still no info.  Odd.

Claggett’s First Win

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

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Criollos de Caguas  2,  Gigantes de Carolina  1  --  
A low-hitting game, and Caguas scored their 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th on two singles and some mistakes by Los Gigantes.  With the first two batters on base, SS Luis Figueroa bunted both into scoring position.  That put the runner on third base in position to score on a wild pitch.  Ramon Vazquez reached base on a fielding error at second base, which let the second run score.  Another wild pitch and a walk put two runners on base again, but no more runs scored.  Los Criollos also loaded the bases in the 3rd, on singles by Figueroa and Vazquez and a walk, and a walk and two more singles loaded the bases in the 6th, but both times the bases were left loaded.  Vazquez also walked in the 1st inning.   Los Gigantes' only run came in the 5th, on a single, a double by Luis Matos, and a sacrifice fly.  
 

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Navegantes del Magallanes  4,  Tigres de Aragua  0 --
Los Tigres could not score despite 7 hits and 2 walks.  RF Alex Romero had 3 of those 7 hits, and 1B Hector Gimenez had a single.  SS Ronny Cedeno, CF Jorge Cortes, and C Raul Chavez were all hitless in the game.  Los Navegantes scored all 4 of their runs in the top of the 2nd, on a solo homer, followed by four singles.  Corey Hamman pitched to one batter in the 6th, and gave up a single.  Two more walks loaded the bases for Magallanes, but the runners were left stranded.  Jean Machi pitched the 9th inning for Magallanes and gave up the single to Gimenez, but a double play erased Gimenez and ended the game.

Bravos de Margarita  6,  Aguilas del Zulia  4 --  Anthony Claggett earned his first Venezuelan League win with 1.1 scoreless innings for Margarita.  Los Bravos scored first, with a run in the bottom of the 1st, and Los Aguilas tied the score with one run in the top of the 2nd.  Zulia scored 2 more runs in the top of the 3rd on two walks and three singles, and Claggett was brought into the game with 2 runs in, one out, and the bases loaded.  he faced just one batter, and got the double play to end the inning.  Los Bravos' batters responded with 4 runs in the bottom of the 4th, on 4 singles, a walk, and a bases-clearing 3-RBI double.  That gave Los Bravos the lead, which they would not give up, and Claggett was the pitcher of record.  He began the top of the 4th with two outs, then a throwing error and a single put two runners on for Los Aguilas. Claggett was relieved at that point, but those runners did not score.  Ronald Belisario earned his 9th save for Margarita.  

Dominican League Recap

Looking in on the Pirates' players and friends in the Dominican League over the past few days...

Starling Marte went 1-for-4 for Los Aguilas Cibaenas on the 17th.  After reaching base on a grounder force out,  he scored one of the 4 runs in the 3rd inning.  Then Marte singled in a run in the 8th inning, as Los Aguilas beat Escogido 7-2.  The next night, Marte grounded out in the 2nd inning, then was removed from the game in the middle of the top of the 4th -- no explanation given. 
SS Pedro Ciriaco beat out an infield hit in his one plate appearance as a late-inning defensive replacement for Los Toros del Este on the 17th.  On Sunday, Ciriaco singled in the 3rd inning, then scored on a triple, as Los Toros beat Los Gigantes 7-3.  
Mike Dubee earned the win for Los Gigantes del Cibao on the 19th, beating Los Tigres del Licey 12 - 10.  Los Gigantes jumped out to a big lead with a 6-run 1st inning, and they added 4 runs in the 5th and 2 in the 8th.  Licey scored 4 runs in both the 4th and 7th, and one run in each of the 5th and the 9th.  Dubee came into the game in the 5th with two runners on base and one out.  He gave up an RBI single to Indy area native Jake Fox, then ended the inning with a grounder force out and a strikeout.  Dubee then pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 6th.  Los Gigantes scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 5th, and Dubee was the pitcher of record.  
C Jason Jaramillo went 0-for-2 for Los Toros on the 19th. He has not been getting much playing time lately.  

Tuesday's action:
Tigres del Licey  7,  Gigantes del Cibao  6  --  A double, an intentional walk, and an RBI single gave Licey the walk-off win in the bottom of the 11th.  Los Gigantes started things with a 5-run 1st inning, on an RBI double, a 2-run homer, and a pair of singles.  A sacrifice fly brought in another run in the 5th.  Los Tigres caught up with 2 runs in the 1st and one in the 2nd, then a 3-run homer by 1B Jake Fox in the 7th.  Unfortunately, that homer came off Mike Dubee, who had just entered the game in relief of Juan Perez.  Dubee was charged with a Blown Save.  

Gallagher and Bass Have Good Starts In Venezuela

Cheering for the Pirates' farmhands and friends in Saturday's winter league games...

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Cardenales de Lara  2,  Tigres de Aragua  1  --  Brian Bass suffered the loss for Los Tigres, though he did not pitch poorly.  Bass threw 7.2 innings and scattered 5 hits and 3 walks.  He gave up a run on a single and a double in the 3rd inning, and another on a hit batter and a double in the 6th.  A walk and a double play on a bouncer back to the mound started the 8th inning, then Bass was relieved.  Los Tigres scored their only run in the 5th inning.  A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for SS Ronny Cedeno, whose sacrifice fly plated the run.  Cedeno singled in the 1st inning.  LF Lastings Milledge singled in the 4th inning, but he was picked off.  DH Hector Gimenez doubled in the 8th, but was left on base.  CF Jorge Cortes was the only Tigres batter with 2 hits, both singles.  Romulo Sanchez pitched to two batters in the 6th for Lara -- he walked Milledge, then got a ground out.

Navegantes del Magallanes  6,  Leones del Caracas  3  --  Sean Gallagher earned his third win for Magallanes, going 5 innings in this start.  Gallagher faced only one batter over the minimum over the first three innings, allowing just a walk in the top of the 1st.  He allowed a lead-off homer to DH Jesus Guzman in the 4th, then a single and a double in that inning.  Guzman got to Gallagher again in the 5th, with a 2-run homer.  Jean Machi earned his 5th save of the season with a scoreless top of the 9th for Magallanes, allowing only a single to 

DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey  5,  Toros del Este  2  --  C Jason Jaramillo
drove in one of Los Toros' runs with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning, but Los Toros would not score after that.  SS Pedro Ciriaco singled in the 9th innning, but was left on base.  Los Tigres scored one run in the 3rd, and tied the game with a solo homer in the 5th.  Licey took the lead in the 6th.  Pinch-hitter Jake Fox began the rally with a single, and he came in on an RBI single.   C Robinzon Diaz gave the team a pair of insurance runs with a 2-RBI single.  


A Touch Of Winter (Leagues)

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.

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.

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.

Noris Homers, MIlledge Hitting Well

Saturday's winter league action for the Pirates' players and friends.� The Puerto Rican League had their Ponce/Caguas game postponed.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita� 11,� Cardenales de Lara� 1� -- Despite 10 hits, Los Cardenales were able to score just one run, which came in the 3rd inning.� Los Bravos piled up 12 hits and 11 runs, with two big innings.� Margarita began with one run in the 1st, then added another in the 2nd.� With all of the hits Lara was collecting, the Margarita starter, Will Savage, was relieved in the 5th inning, with one on and one out.� Jhonathan Ramos came in for Savage, and ended the inning by getting a double play.� He only pitched to one batter, but with the Bravos' rally in the bottom of the inning, Ramos was awarded his second win of the season.� Margarita scored 4 runs in the 5th.� 3B Andy LaRoche singled and stole second base in the inning, then scored on a later RBI single.� LaRoche also walked in the 7th, and scored on another RBI single, for the first run of what would be a 5-run inning.

Navegantes del Magallanes� 6,� Tigres de Aragua� 3� -- LF Lastings Milledge singled twice and walked once for Aragua, but it wasn't enough for a win.� Milledge led off the bottom of the 4th with a single, and a fielding error, a single, and a grounder force out gave Aragua 2 runs, for a 3-1 lead.� Milledge also singled to lead off the 6th and stole second base, but was left on base when Corey Hamman came on in relief for Magallanes and struck out the only batter he faced.� Another pitcher relieved Hamman and ended the inning with Milledge still on third base.� Milledge also reached third base in the 8th, when he walked, and advanced to third on a single.� Magallanes scored 3 runs in the 6th inning, then two more in the 7th, to take the lead and the win.� Jean Machi earned his 2nd win for Magallanes when he struck out the side (all swinging) in the 9th inning. � LF Mike Ryan went 0-for-4 for Magallanes.� C Hector Gimenez went 0-for-4 for Aragua.

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DOMINICAN LEAGUE

Tigres del Licey� 6,� Gigantes del Cibao� 3 -- C Robinzon Diaz singled and doubled, and Indy area native 1B Jake Fox went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI as Licey posted 14 hits.� Licey scored one run in the 2nd, and another run in the 3rd (including a single by Fox).� Fox also hit the second of two doubles in the 7th inning, giving Los Tigres another run.� Licey plated 3 runs in the 8th, on four singles, including one by Diaz, a hit batter, and Fox's sacrifice fly.� Diaz's double came in the 9th inning.

Estrellas de Oriente� 6,� Aguilas Cibaenas� 3� -- CF Starling Marte went 0-for-4 as Los Aguilas were held to just 4 hits.� They scored one run in the 7th inning when a bases-loaded walk forced in a run.� That inning ended when Los Estrellas' Franquelis Osoria got pinch-hitter Luke Carlin to ground out.� A double added 2 runs for Los Aguilas in the 8th, but it wasn't enough to catch up the Los Estrellas.

Leones del Escogido� 4,� Toros del Este 3� -- Los Toros scored their runs all in the 5th inning, on an RBI double and a 2-run homer.� Escogido caught up with 2 runs in the 7th and one mor in the 8th to tie the score.� In the bottom of the 9th, two singles and a sacrifice fly by SS Pedro Lopez brought in the winning run.� Lopez had only a walk in his previous 3 plate appearances for Los Leones.� Jason Jaramillo singled in the 6th for Los Toros, but he was out on an unusual double play -- the runner who had been on first base was thrown out at third on the throw in from right field, and when Jaramillo tried to get to second on the throw, he was also thrown out.� Jaramillo also walked in the 9th inning.

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VENZUELAN LEAGUE

Bravos de Margarita� 6,� Leones del Caracas� 4 -- Margarita starter Justin Thomas gave up 2 runs in the 2nd inning on a walk and a home run.� He zipped through the 3rd inning, then allowed a single and a walk in the 4th before being relieved, though both of those runners were left stranded.� Caracas scored 2 more runs in the 5th on three walks, a single, and an error.� Los Bravos had been scoreless for the first 4 innings, then exploded for 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th.� 3B Andy LaRoche followed a lead-off single with an RBI double.� Three consecutive walks by a new Caracas pitcher forced in LaRoche with the second run of the inning, leaving the bases loaded.� Another new Caracas pitcher was greeted by LF Frank Diaz's grand slam, to give Margarita a 6-4 lead.� Former Pirate farmhand Ronald Belisario pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 9th to earn the save.

Navegantes del Magallanes� 2,� Cardinales de Lara� 1 -- Los Cardenales were held to just 4 hits in this game, while Los Navegantes posted 11 hits.� Magallanes scored their first run in the 3rd inning, on an RBI single by 1B Mark Trumbo (Angels).� Their starter Anthony Lerew (Royals) pitched 6 innings and allowed the 4 hits, one of which was a solo home run in the 6th inning, to tie the score and make Lerew ineligible for the win.� Corey Hamman came on in relief, and pitched a perfect 7th inning.� Jean Machi followed with a perfect 8th, and Yoel Hernandez retired the side in order in the 9th.� In the top of the 8th, DH Mike Ryan broke the tie with a solo home run, which became the game-winner.� That gave Hamman the win and Hernandez his 2nd save.� Ryan went 3-for-4 in the game, raising his batting average to .389.� SS Argenis Diaz went 1-for-4 for Magallanes.

Caribes de Anzoategui� 3,� Tigres de Aragua� 2� --� Brian Bass gave up 2 runs on 2 hits in his start for Los Tigres, and he was lucky that it wasn't more runs, because he walked 5 batters.� He gave a free pass to 2 batters in each of the 1st and 2nd innings, and both times left them on base.� In the 3rd, he gave up a 2-out walk, and the next batter smacked a 2-run homer.� He gave up a single in the 5th, and was relieved after getting a ground out.� Aragua tied the game in the 5th inning when former Indy Indian LF Jorge Cortes walked, then a hit batter and a ground out pushed Cortes to third.� he scored on an RBI single.� The score remained tied until the bottom of the 10th, when Los Caribes got a lead-off single.� Adenson Chourio came in as a pinch-runner, and he stole second base.� A walk-off double plated Chourio with the winning run.� 1B Hector Gimenez singled and walked twice for Los Tigres, and C Raul Chavez singled and walked, but neither scored.

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Criollos de Caguas� 2,� Senadores de San Juan 1 -- San Juan scored one run in the top of the 1st on a walk, a stolen base, an error, and an RBI ground out.� Then they had only 4 hits for the rest of the game.� Caguas tied the score in the 5th inning on a walk, a single, and an RBI single by former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa.� A solo home run by DH Omir Santos gave Los Criollos the winning run in the 7th inning.� Figueroa had 2 more hits in the game -- a double to lead off the bottom of the 1st inning, and a single after the homer in the 7th.� 3B Ramon Vazquez singled twice in the game, in the 6th and the 8th innings.