Morning Rundown: Pirates defeat Reds, Luis Peralta makes Double-A debut
Bryan Reynolds continued tear with another multi-hit game
Bryan Reynolds stayed hot, picking up another two hits, including his 13th home run of the season, as the Pirates defeated the Reds 9-5 on Tuesday.
Nick Gonzales picked up three hits while driving in a run. Jared Triolo hit his fourth home run of the season as well.
Mitch Keller earned his ninth win of the season, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks across 5.2 innings pitched while striking out six.
Carmen Mlodzinski threw 2.1 clean innings out of the bullpen, and Josh Fleming wrapped things up in the ninth.
The Pirates will aim for a series win against their divisional rival, and Luis Ortiz is expected to start.
After getting promoted to Altoona to begin the week, Luis Peralta didn’t waste any time making an impact in Double-A.
Pitching out of the bullpen, Peralta struck out four across 2.1 innings pitched, allowing two hits and not walking a batter.
Peralta, 23, pitched lights out while with Greensboro to start the season and now has 54 strikeouts in 32.1 innings pitched when you factor in his Altoona debut.
Altoona Curve activated C Eli Wilson from the 7-day injured list
LHP Luis Peralta assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
RHP Valentin Linarez assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Altoona Curve
C Wyatt Hendrie assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Altoona Curve
Indianapolis Indians sent RHP Aaron Shortridge on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Fineas Del Bonta-Smith from the 7-day injured list
Pittsburgh Pirates sent LHP Ryan Borucki on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians transferred CF Canaan Smith-Njigba to the Development List
RHP Jonawel Valdez assigned to FCL Pirates from DSL Pirates Gold
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned SS Ji Hwan Bae to Indianapolis Indians
Bradenton Marauders placed RHP Khristian Curtis on the 7-day injured list
Pittsburgh Pirates released OF Connor Scott
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Top Exit Velocity
Matt Fraizer - IND - 110.2 mph - Flyout
Omar Alfonzo - BRD - 107.4 mph - Single
Jared Triolo - PIT - 107.1 mph - Home Run
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 106.3 mph - Home Run
Esmerlyn Valdez - BRD - 106.1 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Mitch Keller - PIT - 97.9 mph
Carmen Mlodzinski - PIT - 97.6 mph
Mitch Keller - PIT - 97.6 mph
Mitch Keller - PIT - 97.6 mph
Mitch Keller - PIT - 97.5 mph
Most Whiffs
Antwone Kelly - BRD - 12
Braxton Ashcraft - IND - 10
Mitch Keller - PIT - 8
Drake Fellows - ALT - 7
Wilber Dotel - GBO - 6
Indianapolis Indians - 1 vs Rochester Red Wings - 2
Top Hitter - Ji Hwan Bae: 1-3, SB
Top Pitcher - Braxton Ashcraft: 5 IP, 5 H, BB, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 3 vs Akron RubberDucks - 4
Top Hitter - Yoyner Fajardo: 2-5, R, RBI, SB
Top Pitcher - Luis Peralta: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 11 vs Jersey BlueClaws - 4
Top Hitter - Shawn Ross: 1-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Cy Nielson: IP, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 9 vs Clearwater Threshers - 7
Top Hitter - Jeral Toledo: 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 2B
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
FCL Pirates - 1 vs FCL Rays
Top Hitter - Jhonny Severino: 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Top Pitcher - Victor Cabreja: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 K
DSL Pirates Black - 3 vs DSL Padres Gold - 11
Top Hitter - Frankeli Mesta: 1-2, 2 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Wali Pierre: 2.1 IP, BB
DSL Pirates Gold - 0 vs DSL Cardinals - 2
Top Hitter - Isaias Dipre: 3-5, 2B
Top Pitcher - Nicolas Carreno: 3 IP, 2 BB, 7 K
I’ll be a wise guy, somewhat quote NMR, voice my opinion, and then move on. I joined the thread of last nights game about mid game and it sure felt like Pirates were down 10. The NMR (I am sure I am misquoting) quote, “it is who we are and there is nothing wrong with that”. I don’t have grand counters to a lot of the comments, my only complaint is when they have become ground hog day. Some of the complaints are new or stated in a different way or have proposed alternatives, I prefer those not that anybody should care. But quite frankly many are just empty bitches and everybody has the right.
For those complaining about other Pirate sites (and I give a lot of credit to the core writers for basically moving on regarding another site), I’ll pick what I want to read and when. Clearly the complaint went well beyond just. I don’t like the content. Everybody can vent and absolutely has the right and that is likely all it was, just IMO not my preferred mid game thread post.
The Pirates – they obviously need offense. I think (even the bullpen to some extent as there is always some crap shoot to each season) the pitching is on the right path. The trade deadline will be interesting. I’ve said this before and stand by it: Any poor to bad GM can tank(it is the easiest, least risky, and postpones any real accountability). You also need some luck when you tank. Nats got Strasburg and Harper, Astros got Correa and Bregman. Pirates got one stud and without tanking would not have him. They tied for the third worst record and WERE lucky to get the first pick. If they would have been ‘trying’ and had the 8th worst record – NO SKENES. But like I said, tanking is simple. The Pirates (even with a spending owner) will never be able to win a Max Fried bidding war. In the Skenes window (how ever you want to count that) the GM (he is NOT going anywhere people) will have to make 1 or 2 bold moves with whatever $ is available and with trades. In the Pittsburgh market he HAS to nail those 2 moves. It could be trading ANYBODY to get value back. Jones for Crews (just for fun) is what I am talking about.
So Let’s Go Bucs.
I will go back to my quiet ways as I can’t mentally hang with the daily sky is falling rants.. we ARE hanging in a playoff race.
Through the end of April, the Pirates were one of the most passive offenses in baseball ranking 28th in swing rate (44.6%) and 6th in called strike rate (17.6%) resulting in the 25th best offense in the game (87 wRC+).
Since then, no team has gotten more aggressive.
For the month of June, they now sit 12th in swing rate (48.7%) and 20th in called strike rate (15.8%). Exactly what the masses have been demanding as the One Small Trick to Fix This Offense.
The results? I shit you not...
25th best offense in the game, at an 87 wRC+.
Exactly where we started. God I love this game.