Morning Rundown: Luis Ortiz throws seven shutout, Pirates can go for series sweep
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
Worst AB Cruz has had in quite awhile.
Doubt Milwaukee or LAD will trade for Marco. He'd have already given up 2 HRs in their parks.