Morning Rundown: Pirates blow huge lead late, Bubba Chandler pitches well again, Ercolani picks up sixth win

Pirates blow lead late, allow 11 straight runs, Chandler gets second win with Indy, Ercolani continues strong play.

Aug 29, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the seventh inning with a 10-3, looking well on their way to preventing getting swept by the Chicago Cubs.

By the time it was all said and done, the Cubs left with a sweep after scoring 11 straight runs—all in the seventh inning or later— beating the Pirates 14-10.

Despite having Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, and Paul Skenes start, the Pirates allowed 41 runs in the three games this week.

The disastrous season for David Bednar continued, allowing five earned runs on three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning pitched.

Skenes allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings pitched.

The Pirates will have Thursday to collect themselves before a three-game weekend series on the road against the Cleveland Guardians.

Bubba Chandler made his fourth Triple-A start, allowing just an unearned run while allowing three hits and two walks while striking out five. He picked his second win at the level for the performance.

After the fastball velocity was down his last time out, he got up to 99 mph and averaged 97.1 mph. He registered 13 whiffs on 44 swings (30%), eight of which came from the fastball.

He’s allowed three earned runs in 23 innings pitched, striking out 28 and walking just six.

Termarr Johnson picked up his first hit at Double-A, which was also a home run. On Tuesday, he went 0-2 with two walks in his first game with Altoona.

After striking out in his at-bat, then flying out to follow that up, his seventh plate appearance got him in the hit column, driving a two-run home run to right field. It’s his 14th home run overall on the season.

He wasn’t the only one who had things going for the Curve offensively, as Jase Bowen and Eli Wilson hit a home run, with Nick Cimillo and Tres Gonzalez (x2) picking up doubles.

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The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated the Rome Emperors in extra-innings, giving them a 2-0 series lead in their six-game set.

Alessandro Ercolani picked up his sixth win of the season after pitching four shutout innings, allowing just a hit while striking out four.

PJ Hilson hit a home run for the second consecutive day, giving him 12 with the Grasshoppers this season. Duce Gourson picked up his first two hits at the level, one of which was a double.

Josiah Sightler also recorded his 14th home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth inning.

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