Boggs brings in three for Magallanes
Pirates farmhand goes deep, adds three RBIs in win over Lara
Venezuelan Winter League
Magallanes 6, Lara 4
Brandon Boggs homered and drove in a game-high three runs to lead the Navegantes past the Cardenales on Thursday in the Venezuelan opener. The 29-year-old outfielder appeared in 127 games for Pirates' Triple-A affliate Indianapolis, batting .259 with nine longballs and 57 RBIs. Brewers first baseman Sean Halton also went deep for Magallanes while catcher Carlos Maldonado (Nationals) added two RBIs. Phillies farmhand Tyson Gillies went 3-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored out of the top spot in the Cardenales order. Box score
Anzoategui 1, Caracas 0
Former Major Leaguer Ramon A. Ramirez surrendered only three hits and struck out two in 5 1/3 frames during the Caribes' blanking of the Leones. A foursome of relievers -- Jose Alvarez (Marlins), Jean Toledo (unaffiliated), Jon Meloan (Yankees) and Robert Wooten (Brewers) -- nailed down the remaining 3 2/3 shutout frames. Former Pirate, Giant and Astro Jose Castillo drove in the game's only run in the first inning and finished 3-for-4. International League All-Star Carlos Rivero (Nationals) doubled for the Leones' only extra-base hit of the night. Box score
Margarita 7, La Guaira 4 Aaron Hicks (Twins), Wilmer Flores (Mets) and Sean Burroughs (free agent) put together back-to-back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the ninth inning to gives the Bravos the opening win over the Tiburones. After Jan Granado gave up four runs on five hits in just 2 2/3 innings, reliever Luis Chirinos struck out six in 2 2/3 scoreless innings to keep Margarita in the contest, but the right-hander did not factor in the decision. For the Tiburones, Cesar Suarez provided some pop with a two-run homer while Phillies' No. 20 prospect Darin Ruf finished 1-for-4 with an RBI. Box score
Zulia 10, Aragua 3
Giants prospect Jose Flores drove in four runs and finished a triple shy of the cycle as part of a 4-for-4 showing in the Aguilas' trouncing of the Tigres. Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis also contributed four hits, going 4-for-5 with a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored. Former Major Leaguers Edgardo Alfonzo and Alex Romero both went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the losing effort for the Tigres. Box score