Morning Rundown: Luis Ortiz throws seven shutout, Pirates can go for series sweep
Ortiz continues fantastic pitching stretch
Backed by another fantastic outing by Luis Ortiz, the Pittsburgh Pirates are now in position to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies coming out of the All-Star break.
Ortiz (5-2) allowed just three hits and two walks across seven shutout innings for the Pirates. He lowered his season ERA to 2.57.
It’s been an incredible run for Ortiz, who has allowed just two earned runs in 20.2 innings during the month of July. He hasn’t lost a game since May 8, and the seven innings is the most he’s thrown this season.
Oneil Cruz has continued his scorching hot tear, picking up another two hits—both going for extra-bases—including his 15th home run of the season, which actually came against a lefty.
All-Star Bryan Reynolds also picked up a pair of hits, as did Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Marco Gonzales will be on the mound on Sunday as the Pirates look to go for the sweep.
Speaking of pitchers on a tear, Thomas Harrington delivered his second straight outing with double-digit strikeouts.
He punched out 10 Somerset batters in six innings, allowing just one run on three hits. His fastball was sitting 92-93 the majority of the night, but he was dialing it up to 95 to get a few whiffs on elevated pitches.
In 20 innings pitched this month, Harrington has allowed just two earned runs, walking four and striking out 27.
Bradenton Marauders activated LHP Magdiel Cotto from the 7-day injured list
Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Hunter Stratton on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders
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Top Exit Velocity
Omar Alfonzo - BRD - 112.5 mph - Groundout
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 112 mph - Home Run
Axiel Plaz - BRD - 111.1 mph - Double
Michael A. Taylor - PIT - 108.9 mph - Lineout
Matt Fraizer - IND - 107.8 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 103.3 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 102.7 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.5 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.4 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.2 mph
Most Whiffs
Thomas Harrington - ALT - 13
Alessandro Ercolani - GBO - 11
Carlson Reed - BRD - 10
Hung-Leng Chang - BRD - 9
Luis Ortiz - PIT - 8
Indianapolis Indians - 4 vs Omaha Storm Chasers - 7
Top Hitter - Henry Davis: 2-4, RBI
Top Pitcher - Jake Woodford: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K
Altoona Curve - 1 vs Somerset Patriots - 2
Top Hitter - Sammy Siani: 2-3, RBI, HR, R, BB, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Thomas Harrington: 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 10 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 3 vs Hickory Crawdads - 7
Top Hitter - Termarr Johnson: 1-3, R, RBI, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Alessandro Ercolani: 4 IP, H, ER, BB, 6 K
Bradenton Marauders - 1 vs Tampa Tarpons - 2
Top Hitter - Shalin Polanco: 1-4, HR, RBI, R
Top Pitcher - Carlson Reed: 4 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 0 vs Tampa Tarpons - 7
Top Hitter - Miguel Sosa: 2-3, 2B
Top Pitcher - Hung-Leng Chang: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 K
FCL Pirates - 6 vs FCL Orioles - 5
Top Hitter - Luke Scherrer: 2-2, R, RBI, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Anthony Solometo: 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
Ortiz has made great strides with his control. His walk rate is half what it was last year, and it is insanely low the last two months. The org has shown some ability to improve pitchers in that regard.
Saturday, July 20
50 down. 31 to go.
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Pirates heating up with a 4-1 win over the Phillies behind seven innings of three-hit baseball by L’Ortiz and real firepower from O’Cruz and ChapMan. Pirates trail the second-place Cards by one game and are four games up on last place Chicago.
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CARROTS ON THE HOUSE!!!!
@> One (1) orange joy root for ChapMan who struck out the side in the 8th with lots of heat… up to 103 mph… daaaaang!
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@>@> Two (2) caratin crunchers for O’Cruz who was bangin’ last night going 2 for 4 with a double and a home run, driving in three runs.
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@>@>@> Three (3) Daucus Carota Sativii for L’Ortiz! The Frenchman threw a 7 inning gem against a strong lineup.
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-Wabbit