Morning Rundown: Pirates clinch series against Cardinals with win
Pirates win 5-0 against Cardinals, head west for series against Diamondbacks
On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up a crucial series win against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Martin Perez spun six shutout innings despite walking five batters. It’s his second win of the season. Carmen Mlodzinski, Colin Holderman, and Aroldis Chapman combined to complete the shutout.
They didn’t do themselves any favors, walking nine batters while only striking out four.
Rowdy Tellez picked up another two hits, one of which was his ninth home run of the season. It was a monster shot that found its way into the river.
Pittsburgh has a day off on Thursday before starting a three-game weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed their fourth-round pick, Eddie Rynders, on Wednesday. The deal is worth the full slot amount of $647,700. A shortstop in high school, most think he will eventually move over to third base.
He also has some interesting raw power potential. Rynders was committed to Kent State if he hadn’t signed.
That’s seven of the team’s 21 draft picked they have now signed.
The FCL Pirates play their final regular season game against the Braves on Thursday. They are tied with the Rays for first place in the FCL South division. The Pirates face the Braves, who have the worst record in the division, while the Rays face the Red Sox, who are a game back out of first.
Zander Mueth has been starting on Thursday’s and looks to continue his string of outings where he’s completed at least five innings.
RHP Drake Fellows assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians transferred CF Gilberto Celestino to the development list
Pittsburgh Pirates sent LHP Bailey Falter on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians
Bradenton Marauders placed LHP Hunter Furtado on the 7-day injured list
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Top Exit Velocity
Rowdy Tellez - PIT - 108.8 mph - Home Run
Rowdy Tellez - PIT - 108.1 mph - Single
Omar Alfonzo - BRD - 107.4 mph - Double
Keiner Delgado - BRD - 105.6 mph - Double
Matt Fraizer - IND - 104.2 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.8 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.2 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.3 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 99 mph
Colin Holderman - PIT - 98.2 mph
Most Whiffs
Carlos Jimenez - BRD - 13
Wilber Dotel - GBO - 8
Martin Perez - PIT - 7
Emmanuel Chapman - ALT - 5
Drake Fellows - ALT - 5
Indianapolis Indians - 14 vs Iowa Cubs - 3
Top Hitter - Matt Fraizer: 2-4, 3 R, HR, 5 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Isaac Mattson: 2 IP, K
Matt Fraizer and Liover Peguero each hit grand slams for the Indians, and Bailey Falter made a rehab start, pitching three innings. Isaac Mattson pitched two innings in relief and picked up the win. Indianapolis collected 14 hits in the win, with everyone except Jake Lamb reaching safely.
Altoona Curve - 2 vs Erie Seawolves - 5
Top Hitter - Charles McAdoo: 3-4, R, 2 RBI, HR, 2B
Top Pitcher -JC Flowers: 2 IP, H, K
Charles McAdoo has five hits in the series' first two games after picking up three on Wednesday. He has five home runs at the Double-A level and has driven in nine runs.
Drake Fellows allowed five earned runs in 2.2 innings, picking up the loss. Emmanuel Chapman pitched 3.1 innings out of the bullpen, allowing just a hit and a walk.
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 1 vs Asheville Tourist - 5
Top Hitter - Jack Brannigan: 1-4, R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Darvin Garcia: 2 IP, H, 2 K
Jack Brannigan hit his 16th home run of the season, representing the only game run for the Grasshoppers, who are now down 0-2 in their series against Asheville.
Wilber Dotel pitched five innings, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four.
Bradenton Marauders - 3 vs Lakeland Flying Tigers - 2
Top Hitter - Garret Forrester: 3-4, 2B
Top Pitcher - Carlos Jimenez: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Carlos Jimenez has had a couple of solid outings together lately. His ERA in July is just 2.76. He picked up his third win of the season after throwing five innings last night.
Javier Rivas hit his eighth home run of the season, a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning, while Garret Forrester collected three hits, including a double.
Sterling, Farrow and Lege signed.
FCL Bucs clinched a playoff spot, unless I'm reading the rules wrong. They'll either win their division outright, or finish tied with the Rays for both the division and the wild card. Not sure how the tiebreakers work.
Zander Mueth didn't have a good game, but they won, 9-3.