Morning Rundown: Pirates clinch series against Mets, David Matoma returns
Pirates get a big win against the Mets, Matoma returns from IL
The Pittsburgh Pirates clinched their weekend series against the New York Mets and can now go for the series sweep on Sunday. A rain delay cut Bailey Falter’s start short, but Braxton Ashcraft stepped in and eventually got the win after pitching 2.2 innings of one-run ball.
It wasn’t a save situation, but David Bednar pitched in the ninth and struck out two. His ERA is now down to 2.83.
Andrew McCutchen, Nick Gonzales, Joey Bart, and Ke’Bryan Hayes all ended up with multiple hits. Bryan Reynolds, Hayes, and McCutchen all drove in multiple runs.
Six different players drove in runs for the Pirates.
Mike Burrows is scheduled to pitch for the Pirates on Sunday, a chance for him to pick up his second win and clinch a series sweep.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 pm ET.
David Matoma returned from the IL, having not pitched since leaving a game on June 11th with an apparent injury. It wasn’t the smoothest outing, as he recorded just one out among the five batters he faced.
Bubba Chandler struggled with his control to start, but settled in and finished with 3.1 innings pitched. He walked three in the first inning, throwing 18 balls among his 35 pitches he threw.
He threw just 17 more balls the rest of the night and had a strike rate of nearly 60%.
Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Midseason Update
We are past the halfway mark of the 2025 minor league season, and it seems like a perfect time for an update on our Top Prospect list, which has been expanded to 30 players.
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Bradenton Marauders activated RHP David Matoma from the 7-day injured list
Greensboro Grasshoppers sent LHP Yoldin De La Paz on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates
Indianapolis Indians released RHP JC Flowers
Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 112 mph - Single
Joey Bart - PIT - 109.7 mph - Single
Joel Mendez - BRD - 106.6 mph - Double
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 106.5 mph - Single
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 106.4 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.7 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.5 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.5 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Khristian Curtis - GBO - 15
Bubba Chandler - IND - 14
Matt Ager - BRD - 9
Jonawel Valdez - BRD - 8
Justin Meis - ALT - 8
Mike Walsh - GBO - 8
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Indianapolis Indians - 12 vs Omaha Storm Chasers - 1
Top Hitter - Jack Suwinski: 2-4, 2 R, HR, BB, 5 RBI
Top Pitcher - Dauri Moreta: 2 IP, 4 K
Altoona Curve - 4 vs Bowie Baysox - 2
Top Hitter - Termarr Johnson: 3-5, HR, SB, RBI, R
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 5 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 3 vs Winston Salem Dash - 1
Top Hitter - Konnor Griffin: 3-4, R, RBI, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Khristian Curtis: 5 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs Dunedin Blue Jays
Top Hitter - Edward Florentino: 2-3, R, RBI, BB, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Matt Ager: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 K
FCL Pirates - 5 vs FCL Orioles - 8
Top Hitter - Michell Ojeda: 1-4, R, HR, 4 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Dioris Martinez: 4 IP, BB, 4 K
DSL Pirates Black - 2 vs DSL Giants Black - 3
Top Hitter - Javier Acevedo: 2-3, R, 3B
Top Pitcher - Yhosneiber Torres: 5 IP, BB, 6 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 4 vs DSL White Sox - 6
Top Hitter - Iverson Allen: 1-2, 2B, RBI
Top Pitcher - Alejandro Rondon: 4 IP, 3 H, R, 4 K
A very un-Pirate-like game yesterday in that it was them getting a lot of runs late to win the game going away. They seem to be playing a lot better - there will always be issues attached to both winners and losers, but for the Pirates, we at least now have hope. Fun facts -
* Under Manager Don Kelly the Pirates are now 22-24 in 46 games
* Of the 12 teams played during those 46 games only 3 are under .500 - Rangers 41-42, Braves 38-44, and Marlins 36-45 - a combined 14 games under .500. Games against the Pirates - 9 games.
* Of the 9 teams .500+ - a combined 97 games over .500. Games against the Pirates - 37 games.
* Playing good baseball against a very tough schedule.
Still much to do to become a .500 team, but they are on the right track. Seeing them play well when one of their best offensive contributors', Oneil Cruz, is struggling, magnifies that some of the other young players are making strong contributions - right now, Nick Gonzales and newly acquired Spencer Horwitz. Reynolds and Hayes have both picked it up also.
We have some needs and it will take some effort by Nutting and BC to get that accomplished - with existing game changers like Cruz, and an additional LH hitting OF with power and D. I'm still looking at the Dodgers as a team we can work with - our pitching, their young LH hitting OF's Josue DePaula, Zyhir Hope, both 20. There are others, some closer to or in MLB already, but that is always more expensive.
https://x.com/MLBPipeline/status/1939174533459779609
Griffin hittin and stealin!