Morning Rundown: Offense comes through, scores seven, Pirates defeat Reds
Pirates defeat Reds, Bubba Chandler strikes out six, Greensboro comeback
After struggling to put runs on the board in Texas, the Pittsburgh Pirates scored seven runs on seven hits, defeating the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.
Bryan De La Cruz picked up three hits, including his first two doubles. Yasmani Grandal hit his sixth home run of the season in the win.
Paul Skenes pitched six shutout innings, striking out nine while allowing just two hits and a walk. It’s his eighth win of the season.
Ben Heller pitched a pair of innings, striking out four, and Hunter Stratton completed the shutout with a scoreless ninth.
On Friday, the Pirates will face yet another lefty, Andrew Abbott. They counter with a lefty of their own, Bailey Falter.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm ET.
It was nearly a quick night for Bubba Chandler as three of the first four batters he faced reached base, including a three-run home run.
He was able to work his way out of that frame and go on to pitch an additional four shutout innings. Chandler allowed just a hit and struck out four in those final frames.
Chandler mixed his four pitches well, getting a 50% or better whiff rate on the curveball and change-up. Despite not having the same velocity as usual on his fastball, he still managed to get four whiffs on 13 swings with it.
Liover Peguero had three hits on the night, two home runs and another double. Nick Gonzales hit another home run.
The Greensboro Grasshoppers erased a 4-1 deficit in the bottom of the eighth, scoring four runs to eventually win 5-4.
Josiah Sightler drew a walk with the bases loaded. That was followed up by a two-run single from Geovanny Planchart that tied the game. Sightler later scored on a fielding error by Kenni Gomez.
JP Massey allowed two earned runs but struck out a season-high eight batters while generating 17 whiffs. He’s pitched well over his last three games, allowing just three earned runs in 13 innings (2.07 ERA) while striking out 17. The key has been the walks, with just four in that span, three coming last night.
Connor Wietgrefe went six up, six down as the opener for the Bradenton Marauders on Thursday. Carlos Jimenez pitched five innings to follow him up, allowing just two unearned runs in that span.
Will Taylor picked up his third hit of his professional career. All three have gone for extra bases and hit a bases-clearing double in the second inning. He has seven RBI on three career hits.
Axiel Plaz hit a double in the fifth that scored Ethan Lege, extending the Maraude’s lead to 4-2.
Altoona Curve activated C Eli Wilson
LHP Blake Townsend assigned to FCL Pirates
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Top Exit Velocity
Axiel Plaz - BRD - 110.5 mph - Single
Nick Gonzales - IND - 107.3 mph - Home Run
Liover Peguero - IND - 106.9 mph - Home RUn
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 106.4 mph - Single
Yasmani Grandal - PIT - 106.1 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
Paul Skenes - PIT - 100.1 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.9 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.8 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.7 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.7 mph
Most Whiffs
JP Massey - GBO - 17
Bubba Chandler - IND - 15
Paul Skenes - PIT - 12
Carlos Jimenez - BRD - 9
JC Flowers - ALT - 9
Indianapolis Indians - 9 vs Columbus Clippers
Top Hitter - Liover Peguero: 3-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 HR
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K
Altoona Curve - 6 vs Richmond Flying Squirrels - 7
Top Hitter - Jackson Glenn: 1-5, R, 2 RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Jaden Woods: 1.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 5 vs Asheville Tourists - 4
Top Hitter - Kalae Harrison: 1-3, RBI, SB
Top Pitcher - Ryan Harbin: IP, 2 H, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs Lakeland Flying Tigers - 2
Top Hitter - Axiel Plaz: 2-3, R, RBI, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Carlos Jimenez: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 5 K
Was listening to Eno and DVR this morning, they think Yorke's floor could be a 15/15 guy at second base which is no star but certainly valuable. Also, they talked a bit comparing coby mayo and hank as guys that killed AAA but are struggling with fastballs in the majors. Advanced scouting reports early are one thing they noted as well as the ABS in AAA having lowered the top of the zone, so they might be giving up called strikes in that area that they werent seeing in the minors. DVR and Eno agreed that if you have a sample size of 10 guys with an OPS > .900 at AAA then they would confidently expect at least 7 to be big league average or better hitters.
Just thought this was some interesting stuff and wanted to share with yinz
Ok, I’m ready for Cook to replace Joe and Yorke to replace either Williams.