Morning Rundown: Pirates blow late lead, face sweep, Endy Rodriguez hits first home run of 2024
Bullpen blows late lead, Endy Rodriguez hits home run for Indianapolis
Behind strong performances from rookies Billy Cook and Nick Yorke, the Pirates were able to claw their way back from a 4-0 deficit to take the lead in the sixth, only to give up six runs in the seventh.
They now face a four-game sweep of a divisional rival, and their next loss guarantees them a losing season.
After collecting the first three hits of his major league career on Tuesday, Nick Yorke added two more last night, including his first RBI. Cook hit a three-run home run, his first in the majors, to give the Pirates the lead in the sixth.
Jared Triolo, Andrew McCutchen, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Nick Gonzales joined them in multi-hit games.
David Bednar entered the game in the seventh but only recorded a single out while allowing the game-tying home run. He was charged with three runs (two earned) on one hit and a walk.
Jalen Beeks allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. He allowed both inherited runners to score.
The Pirates will look to avoid a sweep with Luis Ortiz on the mound. He will face Erick Fedde for the Cardinals.
The Indianapolis Indians went on an offensive tear Wednesday, launching three home runs en route to a 10-2 victory over Saint Paul.
Jack Suwinski picked up three hits, including a double and home run, while driving in a pair. Endy Rodriguez hit his first home run of 2024 and has three hits in two games so far with Indianapolis.
Tsung-Che Cheng made his first Triple-A start at shortstop and went 1-3 with two runs and a walk. He also made two strong defensive plays.
Thomas Harrington had a rough first inning but rallied back to pitch five effective innings in what was likely his last start of the 2024 season.
To make room for Jake Woodford on the active roster, the Pirates placed Kyle Nicolas on the 15-day injured list, effectively ending his season.
Nicolas, 25, has a 2-2 record on the season with a 3.95 ERA over 54.1 innings pitched. He showed some progress with the control this year but was still up and down at times.
Ben Heller was moved from the 15-day to 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster for Woodford.
RHP Eddy Yean assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Isaac Mattson from the temporarily inactive list
Indianapolis Indians transferred RHP Bubba Chandler to the Development List
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of RHP Jake Woodford
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Top Exit Velocity
Endy Rodriguez - IND - 110.7 mph - Home Run
Ji Hwan Bae - IND - 106.3 mph - Double
Jack Suwinski - IND - 105.9 mph - Double
Nick Yorke - PIT - 105.8 mph - Groundout
Billy Cook - PIT - 104.2 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
Colin Holderman - PIT - 98.3 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 98 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 97.3 mph
Eddy Yean - IND - 97.1 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 97.1 mph
Most Whiffs
Thomas Harrington - IND - 11
Jake Woodford - PIT - 6
Isaac Mattson - IND - 3
Eddy Yean - IND - 2
Colin Holderman - PIT - 2
Indianapolis Indians - 10 vs Saint Paul Saints - 2
Top Hitter - Jack Suwinski: 3-5, R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR
Top Pitcher - Thomas Harrington: 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R (ER), 2 BB, 5 K
our boi Endy lookin thickkkk.
Ignoring the FO/coaching stuff (I'm tired and what hasn't been said)...
I am warming to the concept of Reynolds potentially moving to 1B next year and Cook/EDIT: Cruz lol/FA (hopefully not BDLC) in the outfield. It's a total bummer we don't have several weeks of additional evidence on Cook and Yorke in the big leagues to help facilitate these decisions.