Morning Rundown: Josh Palacios Walk-Off, Pirates Series Win, Trade Deadline

Celebrating his birthday, Josh Palacios send the Pirates home with a walk-off home run in extra innings.

During his first stint with the Pirates this season, Josh Palacios may not have been the most consistent of hitters, but it always seemed like with the game on the lineup, or when they needed a big hit - he was capable of getting it.

In 117 plate appearances this season, Palacios has 13 extra-base hits, two of which are home runs. They are the only two of his major league career.

He made sure the second one counted, and was special.

Celebrating his 28th birthday, the outfielder who was recently called back up hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving the Pirates the game, and series, against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The win gave the Pirates their second series in a row, and have won six of their last 10 games.

Palacios came up big for the Pirates, collecting three total hits, including a double as well.

Rich Hill pitched five innings, logging just 79 pitches on the day, far lower than what he usually picks up. That obviously leads into what the next couple of days may bring for the Pirates, with the Trade Deadline coming up.

Two of the more likely names to move, Hill and Austin Hedges, were both lifted early in the game. Hedges was pinch-hit for by Endy Rodriguez in a close game, something that probably isn’t too out of the ordinary and not exactly something to read too much into.

It does become a little more interesting when you factor in some comments made by Ben Cherington on his radio show Sunday, mentioning that after the deadline that he imagines we see Henry Davis behind the plate more.

That scenario becomes far more likely if Hedges is traded to another team, creating more playing time behind Rodriguez.

Minor League Recap 7/30

Indianapolis Indians - 11 vs Louisville Bats - 3

Top Hitter - Jason Delay: 3-3, 3 R, BB, 3 2B

Top Pitcher - Cam Alldred: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Altoona Curve - 3 vs Harrisburg Senators - 4

Top Hitter - Tsung-Che Cheng: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR (1),

Top Pitcher - Nick Dombkowski: 1.2 IP, H, K

Greensboro Grasshoppers - 2 vs Winston Salem Dash - 7

Top Hitter - Francisco Acuna: 3-4, RBI, 2B

Top Pitcher - Jack Carey: 2 IP, H, 5 K

Bradenton Marauders - 7 vs St. Lucis Mets - 1

Top Hitter - Jesus Castillo: 2-4, 3 RBI, BB, 3B

Top Pitcher - Wilber Dotel: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, K