Morning Rundown: Dauri Moreta Returns; Bullpen Game Gets 16 Strikeouts In Loss
Morning Rundown: Dauri Moreta Returns; Bullpen Game Gets 16 Strikeouts In Loss
The Pirates switch out relief pitches on the injured list, with their Sunday bullpen game netting them a total of 16 strikeouts.
Acquired in the trade that sent Kevin Newman to the Cincinnati Reds, Dauri Moreta was one of the standouts during the Pirates hot start to the season.
He made an immediate name for himself for his ability to strand base runners after coming into the game, and overall has struck out 63 batters in 48.1 innings pitched this year.
After a stint on the Injured List due to lower-back soreness, Moreta returned to the Pirates on Sunday, pitching the seventh inning, walking one and striking out three.
It was a common theme on the day for Pirates’ pitching, as of the 24 outs they recorded, 16 were by strikeout.
Ryan Borucki started the game and punched out three in two innings, before Osvaldo Bido picked up six in 3.1.
In fact, Moreta and Colin Selby combined to strike out the final six Minnesota Twins’ hitters to come to bat.
The bullpen held strong, allowing just five hits and two earned runs, but the Pirates bats fell silent - with only Bryan Reynolds reaching safely.
To make room for Moreta, Angel Perdomo was placed on the IL with elbow discomfort.
The towering lefty has had a surprisingly strong season, striking out 37.6% of the batters he’s faced, while keeping the walk rate under 10% and owning a 122 ERA+.
That puts the bullpen back down to two lefties, with just Borucki and Jose Hernandez.
First overall pick Paul Skenes made his second appearance for the Bradenton Marauders on Sunday, striking out a pair of hitters across two innings of work.
He hit 98 mph four times, mainly relying on his sinker throughout the day. Taking a look at Baseball Savant, and trying to sort through the pitches that might have been mislabeled, the sinker appeared to average about 15 inches of horizontal break on it.
Two starts may be it for Skenes in Bradenton, but with no much time left in the season, the next step will remain to be seen. Greensboro is on the road against Rome this coming week, while the Curve plays at home against Akron.
Minor League Recap 8/20
Indianapolis Indians - 6 vs St. Paul Saints - 7
Top Hitter - Vinny Capra: 3-5, R, 2B
Top Pitcher - Cody Bolton: IP, BB, K
Altoona Curve - 6 vs Bowie Baysox - 7
Top Hitter - Joe Perez: 1-5, R, 2 RBI, HR (3)
Top Pitcher - Grant Ford: 2 IP, 2 BB, K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 12 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 5
Top Hitter - Jack Brannigan: 1-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR (10)
Top Pitcher - Joshua Loeschorn: 3 IP, H, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 0 vs Lakeland Flying Tigers - 6
Top Pitcher - Rodolfo Nolasco: 1-2, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Jaden Woods: 2 IP, H, 4 K
Surprised we haven’t signed Luke Weaver, I know he’s not good, but we need arms to finish the season.
Roansy pitched, 'member him?