Morning Rundown: Pirates drop both games of doubleheader, Michael Kennedy takes no-hitter into 6th inning
Pirates lose twice in one day, Kennedy takes no-hitter deep into game, Termarr has three hit game
The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped both games of their doubleheader against the Washington Nationals on Saturday and can, at best, get a series split with a win on Sunday.
It took until the seventh inning for the Pirates to pick up their first hit, and despite Rowdy Tellez hitting a pinch-hit, two-run home run, the damage was already done, and the Nationals won game one 5-3.
DJ Herz pitched five no-hit innings, striking out five and walking five. Luis Ortiz allowed four runs, three earned, in 5.2 innings pitched.
The bullpen surrendered another late lead in game two, with the Nationals scoring four in the ninth inning to come back and win 8-6. Aroldis Chapman allowed all four runs, pitching just two-thirds of an inning.
Offensively, the Pirates picked up four doubles, with Oneil Cruz hitting his 33rd of the season. Isiah Kiner-Falefa picked up three hits, including a double.
Mitch Keller allowed two runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts over six innings pitched.
Jared Jones will be on the mound Sunday as the Pirates look for the series sweep. Patrick Corbin is the scheduled starter for the Nationals.
In just his second High-A start, Michael Kennedy took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and struck out a career-high 10 batters as Greensboro defeated Bowling Green 1-0.
Omar Alfonzo’s third home run of the series was the only run scored, one of three hits for the Grasshoppers on the night.
Kennedy went toe-to-toe with Brody Hopkins, one of two prospects received in the Randy Arozarena trade.
The left-handed Kennedy walked two batters in the first inning but didn’t allow another baserunner until the sixth when he allowed an infield hit. Kalae Harrison made a good play to keep it in the infield but couldn’t finish.
There were six hits combined on Saturday, three by each side. Mitch Jebb hit a triple and Duce Gourson a single to round out the players to reach safely.
Billy Cook now has home runs in back-to-back games after launching a grand slam in the win by the Indianapolis Indians.
It was one of two hits he had on the night, giving him back-to-back multi-hit games. He now has eight multi-hit games in 30 with Indianapolis.
Termarr Johnson has five hits in his last two games after recording three on Saturday. He also hit his second home run at the Double-A level, this one off a left-handed pitcher.
After struggling at the beginning of his Double-A career (2-29), Termarr has gone 5-9 over his last two games. Two of those hits going for extra bases.
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Aaron Shortridge
Indianapolis Indians transferred RHP Luis Cessa to the Development List
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Top Exit Velocity
Rowdy Tellez - PIT - 113 mph - Home Run
Joey Bart - PIT - 109 mph - Fielders Choice
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 108 mph - Single
Bryan De La Cruz - 107.8 mph - GIDP
Michael A. Taylor - 107.1 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 102.1 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.5 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.1 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.3 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.1 mph
Most Whiffs
Michael Kennedy - GBO - 17
Connor Oliver - BRD - 12
Luis Ortiz - PIT - 12
Nick Dombkowski - ALT - 9
Mitch Keller - PIT - 8
Indianapolis Indians - 9 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 4
Top Hitter - Billy Cook: 2-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Aaron Shortridge: 3 IP, H, BB, 5 K
Altoona Curve - 4 vs Hartford Yard Goats - 2
Top Hitter - Termarr Johnson: 3-5, 2 R, HR, RBI
Top Pitcher - Nick Dombkowski: 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 1 vs Bowling Green - 0
Top Hitter - Omar Alfonzo: 1-3, R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Michael Kennedy: 5.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 10 K
Bradenton Marauders - 10 vs Daytona Tortugas - 5
Top Hitter - Esmerlyn Valdez: 2-3, R, 3 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Connor Oliver: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs Daytona Tortugas - 5
Top Hitter - Jhonny Severino: 1-2, R, RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Khristian Curtis: 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Apparently Cook has been called up.
Winning teams make winning plays. Losing teams do not. Last night’s game was just another example of how fine the line is between being a winner or a loser.
One more pitch. One more catch. How many more games would the Pirates have won?
Painful to think about.