Morning Rundown: Oneil Cruz benched as Pirates drop game two against Brewers
Brewers take game two, Pirates make several minor league moves
The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped the second of three games against the Milwaukee Brewers, 9-3.
Andrew Heaney was beaten up for a second straight start, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings pitched. Michael Darrell-Hicks made his Pirates’ debut, pitching two shutout innings while striking out a pair.
Following up his five-hit game on Monday, Nick Gonzales blasted a three-run home run in the sixth inning, accounting for all the scoring done by the Pirates.
The biggest story to come out of the game was that Oneil Cruz was benched due to “energy and effort.”
There have been multiple cases recently, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out going forward. Alexander Canario replaced Cruz in center field.
Paul Skenes is set to pitch the series finale on Wednesday.
Several roster moves were made throughout the Pirates’ organization, which are listed below. Here’s a look at some of the more notable performances among players making their debuts at new affiliates:
Dariel Francia: 3 IP, H, 2 BB, K - picked up the win in his first appearances
Richard Ramirez: 0-4, K
Inmer Lobo: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 K
Ryan Harbin: 1.2 IP, 3 K
Altoona Curve transferred CF Hudson Head to the Development List
SS Duce Gourson assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
LHP Tyler Samaniego assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
RHP Ryan Harbin assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
RHP Antwone Kelly assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
RHP Brandan Bidois assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
RHP Jarod Bayless assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Altoona Curve
RHP Peyton Stumbo assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Bradenton Marauders
C Richard Ramirez assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates
C Luke Scherrer assigned to FCL Pirates from Braddnton Marauders
RHP Dariel Francia assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates
LHP Inmer Lobo assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Bradenton Marauders
RHP Jake Shirk assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Bradenton Marauders
Indianapolis Indians sent LHP Nick Dombkowski on a rehab assignment to Greensboro Grasshoppers
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Michael Darrell-Hicks from Indianapolis Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Hunter Stratton to Indianapolis Indians
Top Exit Velocity
Darick Hall - IND - 108.4 mph - GIDP
Darick Hall - IND - 108 mph - Single
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 105.8 mph - Double
Ronny Simon - IND - 102.6 mph - Double
Nick Solak - IND - 102 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 100.3 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.4 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.4 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.3 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Wilber Dotel - ALT - 12
Connor Wietgrefe - GBO - 11
Hunter Barco - IND - 9
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 9
Greiber Mendez - BRD - 7
Ryan Harbin - ALT - 7
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Indianapolis Indians - 9 vs Omaha Storm Chasers - 1
Top Hitter - Billy Cook: 2-3, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Hunter Barco: 6 IP, 5 H, BB, 6 K
Altoona Curve - 6 vs Chesapeake Baysox - 3
Top Hitter - Aaron McKeithan: 1-3, 2 R, BB, HR, RBI
Top Pitcher - Wilber Dotel: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - vs
Top Hitter - Keiner Delgado: 1-2, 2 RBI, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Connor Wietgrefe: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
Bradenton Marauders - 3 vs Dunedin Blue Jays - 2
Top Hitter - Jhonny Severino: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Dariel Francia: 3 IP, H, 2 BB, K
FCL Pirates - 9 vs FCL Rays - 5
Top Hitter - Samuel Escudero: 1-3, R, HR, 3 RBI
Top Pitcher - Cesar Aquino: 3 IP, 3 K
DSL Pirates Black - 2 vs DSL Giants Orange - 3
Top Hitter - Miguel Rodriguez: 1-2, R, HR, RBI
Top Pitcher - Leudy Reyes: 2.1 IP, ER, 2 BB, 3 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 2 vs DSL Royals Ventura - 8
Top Hitter - Fredderick Ovalle: 1-1, 2B, RBI
Top Pitcher - Roilan Portuondo: 2.1 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 3 K
The lack of hustle and baseball IQ has occasionally been a problem with this dude since he stepped on a field. Someone needs to get to him quickly or he's going to waste his God given talent.
Nice start by Barco. Good to see him pitch well. He’s who I hope is starting in one of the two LHSP roles for Pirates in 2026.
Use the $$$ used in recent years for LHSP reclamation project towards a better hitter.