In our latest podcast episode, we discuss some of the standouts for opening weekend for the rest of the affiliates in the Pirates’ system. Between Garrett McMillan and Javier Rivas, we discuss all the top performers from the early games of the minor league season.
We also talk, short-term, some things we are watching for from some of the rest of the affiliates, like the usage of Alessandro Ercolani and Konnor Griffin at shortstop.
Paul Skenes had a rare off night, and despite a late rally by the offense, the Pittsburgh Pirates dropped game two of their three-game series to the St. Louis Cardinals.
In six innings, Skenes allowed five earned runs on six hits and a walk, striking out seven. Chase Shugart allowed a hit and a walk in two innings, and Tim Mayza struck out a pair of hitters in the ninth.
Bryan Reynolds hit a double and his second home run of the season. Joey Bart hit a double in the ninth after coming into the game as a pinch-hitter earlier.
The offense managed just six hits total.
Wednesday’s day game will decide the winner of the series, with Mitch Keller facing Erick Fedde. The game has a scheduled first pitch of 12:35 pm ET.
In some unfortunate news, Tony Blanco Sr. (father of current prospect Tony Blanco Jr.) and Octavio Dotel were among those who passed away when the roof at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed.
Dotel was 51 and played 41 games with the Pirates during the 2010 season. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for James McDonald and Andrew Lambo.
He finished his career with a 3.78 ERA and 1,143 strikeouts in 951 innings while earning 109 saves.
Blanco, 43, played in 56 games with the Washington Nationals in 2005. His son, Tony Jr., is currently in the Pirates’ organization, playing in the Spring Breakout this year.
Also, Nelsy Cruz—sister of former major leaguer Nelson Cruz—and the governor of the Monte Cristi province, were among those who passed away in the tragedy.
LHP Jacob Bimbi was placed on the full-season injured list
Top Exit Velocity
Konnor Griffin - BRD - 114.2 mph - Single
Henry Davis - IND - 111 mph - Double
Matt Gorski - IND - 108.9 mph - Groundout
DJ Stewart - IND - 107 mph - Home Run
Jack Suwinski - PIT - 106.8 mph - Flyout
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.7 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.6 mph
Most Whiffs
Paul Skenes - PIT - 15
Khristian Curtis - GBO - 14
Bubba Chandler - IND - 12
Po-Yu Chen - ALT - 11
Blake Townsend - GBO - 7
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Indianapolis Indians - 2 vs Louisville Bats - 4
Top Hitter - Henry Davis: 2-4, 2B
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler: 4 IP, H, 2 BB, 8 K
Altoona Curve - 5 vs Akron RubberDucks
Top Hitter - Termarr Johnson: 1-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Po-Yu Chen: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 4 vs Winston-Salem Dash - 3
Top Hitter - Keiner Delgado: 3-5, 3 RBI, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Blake Townsend: 2 IP, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs Palm Beach Cardinals - 9
Top Hitter - Axiel Plaz: 3-5, R, RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Peyton Stumbo: 4 IP, 5 K
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