Morning Rundown: Offense goes quiet as Pirates drop second straight to Braves
Morning Rundown: Offense goes quiet as Pirates drop second straight to Braves
Pirates managed just one run in extra-innings loss
The Pirates' offensive woes continued on Saturday. They scored one run on seven hits but lost to the Atlanta Braves 2-1 in extra innings.
Edward Olivares drove in the game's only run, plating Michael A. Taylor in the fifth inning. Ke’Bryan Hayes was the lone Pirate to record a multi-hit game, and Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak with a triple in the ninth inning.
With two outs, Raisel Iglesias intentionally walked Oneil Cruz before getting Olivares to ground out to end the inning.
It wasn’t the sharpest you will see Paul Skenes, but he still ‘managed’ nine strikeouts over six innings of one-run baseball.
With him crossing the 50-inning threshold, he has officially graduated from all prospects lists. You can see who replaced him as the top prospect in the system, as well as who joined the top 25 here;
The Pirates will now look to avoid getting swept by the Braves on Sunday, with Bailey Falter on the mound against rookie Spencer Schwellenbach.
The game will start at 11:35 am ET and be featured nationally on Roku.
Mike Burrows made another rehab start for the Bradenton Marauders on Saturday, pitching 2.1 innings while allowing three earned runs on four hits, a walk, and four strikeouts.
The fastball looked much better, topping out at 96.5 mph and picking up nine whiffs on 18 swings—part of 15 overall. He did miss some of his spots in the strike zone, leading to a pair of home runs being allowed, but overall, the stuff seemed to take a step forward in the right direction.
It’s been a tough week for pitchers in the Pirates organization, as quite a few have been placed on the injured list, headlined by Braxton Ashcraft earlier in the week.
Some other notable names have been Alessandro Ercolani and David Matoma, which also went on earlier in the week. Khristian Curtis was also placed on during the previous week.
A few more names joined the list Saturday, Altoona’s Sean Sullivan and Bradenton’s Antwone Kelly. Both were placed on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to June 28.
Having Kelly land on the injured list means half of the rotation is now on the shelf, with Curtis and Michael Kennedy already on the shelf. Aaron Shortridge and Burrows have been on a rehab assignment, so that has helped in eating some of the innings now.
Altoona Curve placed RHP Sean Sullivan on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 28, 2024
Bradenton Marauders placed OF Esmerlyn Valdez on the 7-day injured
Bradenton Marauders placed RHP Antwone Kelly on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 28, 2024
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Top Exit Velocity
Malcom Nunez - IND - 108.1 mph - Home Run
Liover Peguero - IND - 106.1 mph - Single
Axiel Plaz - BRD - 105.7 mph - Lineout
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 104.8 mph - Single
Axiel Plaz - BRD - 104.6 mph - Lineout
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 102.9 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 102.3 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.8 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.7 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.5 mph
Most Whiffs
Mike Burrows - BRD - 15
Garrett McMillan - BRD - 13
Paul Skenes - PIT - 13
Patrick Reilly - GBO - 11
Tyler Samaniego - ALT - 11
Indianapolis Indians - 13 vs Rochester Red Wings - 4
Top Hitter - Malcom Nunez: 3-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Ben Heller: 2 IP, 5 K
Altoona Curve - 0 vs Akron RubberDucks - 3
Top Hitter - Charles McAdoo: 0-1, 3 BB
Top Pitcher - Tyler Samaniego: 2 IP, H, 6 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 16 vs Jersey Shore BlueClaws - 1
Top Hitter - Termarr Johnson: 4-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Patrick Reilly: 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 2 vs Clearwater Threshers - 4
Top Hitter - Keiner Delgado: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Garrett McMillan: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 6 K
FCL Pirates - 1 vs FCL Orioles - 0
Top Hitter - Yordany De Los Santos: 1-2, BB
Top Pitcher - Jonawel Valdez: 4 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K
DSL Pirates Black - 6 vs DSL Cubs Red - 7
Top Hitter - Kendrick Herrera: 1-3, R, RBI, RBI
Top Pitcher - Dariel Florentino: 0.2 IP, H, K
A report from the game and repeat B***h on my part.
Game was great and you can always nitpick. Fried vs. Skenes in person lived up to it's billing more because neither was at their peak but still after 6 it was 1-1. That is what aces do. Yes each had a little luck as both gave up some hard hit balls that found the defense that could have broken the game open. Oliveras could have made a better slide at home but had a professional sac fly (which is easier said then done against Fried). Hayes and Taylor looked better at the plate than I have seen in weeks(months?)... not predicting a hot streak just reporting on ONE game. Overall the at bats vs. one of the best looked good for ONE day, that doesn't miraculously make this a good offense.
My B***H. I'll be frank.. I came home looking forward to see how our community commented on things like Oliveras Sac fly, Taylor long shot to wall, Grandal a base hit and a shot to the gap that Kelencic made a real nice grab to prevent a 2 run Pirate lead. Skenes and Fried working out of jams and an aces duel. A LOT of good baseball to discuss. The chat was CRAP. To each their own, but do we need a daily Game Chat and a Repeat the same bitches Chat? The net.. from my standpoint, it is just disappointing that is the best we can do and I guess it is what it is.
This curmudgeon is looking forward to an early start for today's game but also realizing sport is my outlet so I won't be in the daily chat. btw.. this stuff (lame chat or Pirate loss) does NOT keep me up at night just using my right to post what I want. Enough said.
A head-first slide or a properly executed foot-first slide by Olivares where the front foot touches the plate and your body stays low, and the Pirates could have been going into the bottom of the 10th looking for a Save.
Mike Burrows did not have the best outing, but the 15 Whiffs are a positive indication he is starting to feel it better in his comeback from TJ Surgery. Keeping it moving in the right direction.
Probably the first time I have seen the Top Hitter be a guy who did not have a hit - Mac at AA Altoona was the Top Hitter at 0-1, 3 BB.
Two weeks from the MLB Draft that begins on July 14. The Pirates first 4 picks are #9, #37 (Tradeable), #47, and #83.