Morning Rundown: Pirates defeat Nationals, German DFA, Grasshoppers come from behind win.
Pirates win after big second inning, Domingo German DFA, late home run propels Grasshoppers
A five-run second inning did a good job not only erasing that 12-0 no-hitter the Pirates suffered the day before and the three runs they gave up in the first to the Washington Nationals.
The offense scored nine runs in total, defeating the Nationals 9-4.
Bailey Falter pitched five innings, giving up three in the first but then blanking the Nationals over the last four. That earned him his seventh win of the season, with Dennis Santana, Carmen Mlodzinski, Kyle Nicolas, Joey Wentz, and Aroldis Chapman pitching to close the game.
Wentz made his Pirates debut but only got one batter out before being pulled. He allowed a hit and walked two as well. Of his 26 pitches, only 11 went for strikes.
Nick Gonzales drove in three while going 1-3. He drove in the first two on a single and then the third on a bases-loaded walk.
Oneil Cruz picked up his 32nd double of the season. Six total Pirates drove in runs on the day.
On Friday, Luis Ortiz will take the mound against DJ Herz.
As stated in the recap above, Joey Wentz was activated after being claimed off waivers earlier in the week. To make room, the Pirates designated Domingo German for assignment.
In seven games, two starts, German posted a 7.84 ERA with the Pirates, walking 13 batters in 20.2 innings pitched.
After giving up the lead late, the Greensboro Grasshoppers rallied. A Hudson Head single tied the game, and PJ Hilson hit a home run to give them the lead and eventually the win.
Wilber Dotel struck out three in his three shutout innings, with Julian Bosnic, Darvin Garcia, Magdiel Cotto, and Elijah Birdsong throwing the rest of the way.
Mitch Jebb picked up a couple of hits, scored twice, and added to his system lead stolen base total.
Altoona Curve placed C Carter Bins on the 7-day injured list
C Geovanny Planchart assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
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Top Exit Velocity
Connor Joe - PIT - 104.7 mph - Double
Jack Suwinski - IND - 104.7 mph - Single
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 103.4 mph - Groundout
Malcom Nunez - IND - 103.1 mph - Single
Liover Peguero - IND - 102.5 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.2 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.4 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 99.2 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 97.1 mph
Carmen Mlodzinski - PIT - 96.9 mph
Most Whiffs
Thomas Harrington - IND - 12
Wilber Dotel - GBO - 12
Justin Meis - ALT - 9
Darvin Garcia - GBO - 8
Bailey Falter - PIT - 7
Indianapolis Indians - 2 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 3
Top Hitter - Liover Peguero: 2-3, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Thomas Harrington: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 K
Altoona Curve - 3 vs Hartford Yard Goats - 2
Top Hitter - Brenden Dixon: 1-4, R, HR, RBI
Top Pitcher - Justin Meis: 3 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 5 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods
Top Hitter - Mitch Jebb: 2-4, 2 R, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Julian Bosnic: 2 IP, 4 K
Neat quotes from Santana in today's PG, and reinforces my hope that we re-sign Chapman:
“Aroldis Chapman has had a big influence on him in the two months or so that he’s been here,” Meccage said. “He has made a big impact on how he goes about his business from a day-to-day level, and that’s showing up on the field.”
Despite having played with a handful of other notable relievers, Santana said he has learned more from Chapman than anyone else. The two are frequently seen around the ballpark together before, during and after games.
"He's taught me everything,” Santana told the Post-Gazette. “His routine, I practice with him, go to the gym, work out, watching his confidence in the bullpen. He's always ready."
"He's the best example I could have,” Santana added later on. “The best thing that happened was me coming to the Pirates because I have him by my side. He was in the big leagues for years before I made it here. He's been here so long, so he must be doing something good."
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/hopes-and-skenes/