Morning Rundown: Bubba Chandler strikes out nine, Paul Skenes walks four
Chandler continues AAA dominance, Skenes struggles with control, long ball
Bubba Chandler continued his dominance of Triple-A, pitching five innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk, striking out a season-high nine batters.
As usual, his fastball was electric, averaging 98 mph and hitting triple-digits three times. He picked up 15 total whiffs, 12 coming from the fastball (60% whiff rate).
He now owns a 2-0 record this year with Indianapolis, posting a 1.42 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 25.1 innings pitched.
Mike Burrows also pitched and dominated in three innings out of the bullpen. He struck out five while allowing just a hit and a walk.
It was the first game he had pitched in since April 18.
Javier Rivas picked up his system-leading seventh home run of the season in Thursday’s win for the Greensboro Grasshoppers. He went 2-4 on the day and owns a .954 OPS in 22 games played this season.
It got him back in the hit column after not reaching safely for three straight games, his longest stretch of the season.
Paul Skenes had an uncharacteristically off game, walking four batters and allowing three solo home runs over five innings. He threw 89 pitches, 49 of which went for strikes.
In his previous six starts, Skenes had just four walks and had allowed just one home run.
The Pirates lost the series finale against the Cubs, 8-3. Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run home run in the first. They picked up two of the five hits they’d record in the first inning, and two of the three runs they would score.
They open up a weekend series against the San Diego Padres. Mitch Keller will start the opener on Friday.
Altoona Curve activated C Wyatt Hendrie
Altoona Curve transferred C Aaron McKeithan to the Development List
Indianapolis Indians activated CF Matt Fraizer
Top Exit Velocity
Alexander Canario - PIT - 110.6 mph - Groundout
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 108.6 mph - Double
Joel Mendez - BRD - 107.6 mph - Field Error
Ethan Lege - BRD - 107.5 mph - Single
Derek Berg - BRD - 107.3 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100.4 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100.2 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.8 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.7 mph
Most Whiffs
Bubba Chandler - IND - 15
Mike Burrows - IND - 13
Po-Yu Chen - ALT - 11
Paul Skenes - PIT - 9
Peyton Stumbo - BRD - 9
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Indianapolis Indians - 7 vs Omaha Storm Chasers - 2
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 3-5, R, HR, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler: 5 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 9 K
Altoona Curve - 2 vs Akron RubberDucks - 4
Top Hitter - Jack Brannigan: 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Top Pitcher - Po-Yu Chen: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R (ER), 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 6 vs Winston-Salem Dash - 1
Top Hitter - Javier Rivas: 2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Connor Wietgrefe: 4 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 1 vs Tampa Tarpons - 0
Top Hitter - Yordany De Los Santos: 1-3, R, HR, RBI
Top Pitcher - Peyton Stumbo: 4 IP, 2 H, 5 K
Headline on today’s BA newsletter:
“Bubba Chandler has little left to prove in the minors.”
I see that Pirate draftee Gunnar Hoglund is going to start today for the A's. Glad to see he made it to the big leagues. It must have been quite the journey.