Morning Rundown: Bullpen blows another game, offensive explosion in Bradenton, Jared Jones rehab

Pirates bullpen give up another lead, Marauders score 10 runs, Jones has rehab start

Aug 09, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates fought back from a 4-0 deficit to eventually take the lead, but they blew it in the ninth inning and were swept by the San Diego Padres at home.

David Bednar blew a save on a second consecutive day, with Kyle Nicolas needing to come in to finish the inning.

Luis Ortiz struggled initially again but recovered to pitch six innings. He allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three. The long ball hurt him in the end, allowing two.

The offense was driven by the middle of their lineup, with Oneil Cruz (3), Joey Bart (2), and Rowdy Tellez (2) combining for seven of the team’s 12 hits. Bart hit a two-run home run that gave them the lead in the seventh, an inning after the team chipped away three runs.

The bullpen let another slip through their fingers, as Bednar now has five blown saves on the season.

Pittsburgh heads west for three games against the Dodgers and another series with the Padres.

Late Thursday, it was reported that the Pirates would be bringing up Domingo German for the Dodgers series. He had an opt-out on August 9, and the Pirates decided to add him to the roster this time.

German, 32, had a 5.29 ERA in 68 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis, striking out 66 and walking 31.

The Bradenton Marauders took it to the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday, clinching at least a series split with their third win in as many days.

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They were led by Jhonny Severino, who picked up four hits on the day—including two triples. He scored three times, driving in another, and walked once. In seven games with the Marauders, he has 10 hits in 29 at-bats, with three going for extra bases.

He wasn’t the only newer face to get the offense going, with Duce Gourson and Derek Berg picking up their first professional hits.

Gourson hit an RBI double in the sixth inning, with Berg picking up an inside-the-park grand slam. That was one of two hits for Berg, who also walked. Gourson has three walks in two games now.

Nick Yorke continued his hitting streak in the Pirates’ organization, hitting an RBI double for the Indianapolis Indians. He’s hit safely in each game he’s played since the trade.

Jared Jones made a rehab start in Triple-A, going 2.2 innings, allowing two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out three. He walked the first batter of the game before allowing a two-run home run to Vinny Capra.

He averaged 96.4 mph with his fastball, topping out at 98. Overall, he got six whiffs on 22 swings.

Mike Burrows did most of the bulk work afterward, pitching five shutout innings to finish the game. He allowed two hits while striking out a pair of hitters.

The fastball is still struggling to miss bats (1-12), but he did top out at 96 mph with it. His slider and change-up did most of the work, picking up nine whiffs on 14 swings.

LHP Anthony Solometo assigned to Altoona Curve from Bradenton Marauders
RHP Bubba Chandler assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve
RHP Patricio Ress assigned to DSL Pirates Gold from DSL Pirates Black
OF Andres Villafane assigned to DSL Pirates Gold from DSL Pirates Black
Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Jared Jones on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians placed LHP Josh Walker on the 7-day injured list retroactive to August 6, 2024
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of RHP Ben Heller from Indianapolis Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates sent CF Joshua Palacios on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians

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