Morning Rundown: Jared Jones' dominance continues, Michael Kennedy throws six shutout innings
Jared Jones helps Pirates break losing streak
Just when we think we’ve seen the best of Jared Jones, he just keeps taking it to another level.
With the Pirates in desperate need of a win, their rookie did everything he could, and then some, to keep them in a position to win.
In just 96 pitches, Jones pitched seven one-hit innings, not walking a batter and striking out 10. The outing lowered his season ERA to 2.63, and although he didn’t get the win, there wasn’t much more you could ask from him.
The game remained tied going into the ninth inning, where Jack Suwinski drove in Connor Joe for the walk-off victory.
Jones’ mastery continues, and now has 52 strikeouts and just five walks in 41 innings pitched this season.
Jones isn’t the only pitcher in the Pirates’ system riding hot lately. Michael Kennedy strung together another strong outing, this time for six innings on Saturday.
The biggest key with Kennedy lately is control. He’s walked just three batters this season and none since April 13th. Over his last three starts, Kennedy has struck out 24 batters while not walking any.
The former fourth-round pick has allowed just one run in each of those three starts, bringing his ERA to 3.13.
LHP Nick Dombkowski placed on the 7-day injured list
Bradenton Marauders activated RHP Danny Carrion.
Bradenton Marauders placed RHP Owen Kellington on the full-season injured list
LHP Inmer Lobo assigned to the FCL Pirates from Bradenton Marauders
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Top Exit Velocity
Jake Lamb - IND - 107.4 mph - Sac Fly
Liover Peguero - IND - 107 mph - Groundout
Nick Gonzales - IND - 105.6 mph - Triple
Shalin Polanco - BRD - 104.7 mph - Single
Michael A. Taylor - PIT - 104.2 mph - Flyout
Top Pitch Velocity
Jared Jones - PIT - 100.3 mph
Jared Jones - PIT - 100.1 mph
Jared Jones - PIT - 99.9 mph
Jared Jones - PIT - 99.5 mph
Jared Jones - PIT - 99.4 mph
Most Whiffs
Jared Jones - PIT - 17
Michael Kennedy - BRD - 17
Alessandro Ercolani - GBO - 12
Ryder Ryan - IND - 10
Brady Feigl - IND - 9
Indianapolis Indians - 3 vs Indianapolis Indians - 9
Top Hitter - Ji-Hwan Bae: 2-3, R, RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Connor Sadzeck: 1.1 IP, H, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 3 vs Harrisburg Senators - 5
Top Hitter - Jackson Glenn: 1-5, R, 2 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Drake Fellows: 4 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 5 vs Winston Salem Dash - 4
Top Hitter - Mitch Jebb: 2-4, 2 R, SB
Top Pitcher - Brandan Bidois: IP, H, 3 K, SV
Bradenton Marauders - 10 vs Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 3
Top Hitter - Eddy Rodriguez: 2-3, R, 4 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Michael Kennedy: 6 IP, 5 H, ER, 8 K
Probable Pitchers 5/5
Pittsburgh Pirates - Bailey Falter
Indianapolis Indians - Paul Skenes
Altoona Curve - Anthony Solometo
Greensboro Grasshoppers - Hunter Barco
Bradenton Marauders - Khristian Curtis
Jones is now second in the majors in xFIP. In first is Jack Flaherty, the bounce-back candidate many of us wanted Cherington to sign in the offseason (and that supposedly we pursued but came up short).
Listening to the postgame NS9 show, and they said over last 22 games the Pirates have scored the fewest runs in MLB. Something like 2.5 runs/game. 22 games is not a SSS, it’s an indication something needs to change.
The FO response to this epidemic of lousy hitting has been to exchange Davis for Grandal. It’s well past time to sacrifice some defense for offense.
It’s well past time to give Nick G, Peggy, and/or Bae a chance to jumpstart this offense. This team can’t afford to have two defensive first IF in Triolo and Williams. Pick one and send down or DFA the other.
Patiently waiting for Reynolds, Hayes, Jack, Cruz and others to get it going isn’t going to cut it. BC needs to make some moves. Now!