Morning Rundown: Pirates drop first game against Rangers, Owen Kellington returns, Santana suspended
Pirates lose, Kellington rehabs, Santana suspended, but is appealing
The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped the first of three against the Texas Rangers on Friday, 6-2. The Rangers jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning and never looked back.
Mike Burrows allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out four over 4.2 innings pitched. Braxton Ashcraft pitched two innings in relief, striking out two and allowing a run.
Nick Gonzales went 2-4 with a run scored. Joey Bart went 3-4 with an RBI. The offense picked up nine hits, all of which were singles.
Mitch Keller gets the start for the Pirates on Saturday, with Kumar Rocker pitching for the Rangers.
Owen Kellington, who hasn’t pitched since 2023, made his first rehab appearance on Friday, playing for the FCL Pirates. He completed two innings, allowing two hits without walking or striking anyone out.
A 2021 draft pick out of Vermont, Kellington posted a 3.94 ERA in 80 innings for the Bradenton Marauders back in 2023, his last full season. He also struck out 90 hitters that year.
Right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana was suspended for four games by Major League Baseball for his incident involving a fan on Thursday. He was available for Friday’s game because he is currently appealing the suspension.
Endy Rodriguez has right elbow inflammation and had a PRP injection. He has a current timetable for a return around eight weeks.
Tim Mayza and Justin Lawrence started throwing and played catch at 75 feet.
Bradenton Marauders activated LHP Inmer Lobo from the 7-day injured list
Bradenton Marauders sent RHP Owen Kellington on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates
Greensboro Grasshoppers sent LHP Magdiel Cotto on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent C Brett Sullivan to a minor league contract
Altoona Curve activated CF Jase Bowen from the 7-day injured list
Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 108.6 mph - Groundout
Ronny Simon - IND - 107.1 mph - Lineout
Derek Berg - BRD - 105 mph - Groundout
Joey Bart - PIT - 104.8 mph - Single
Derek Berg - BRD - 104.4 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 100.7 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 100.2 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 100 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.6 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - PIT - 98.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Thomas Harrington - IND - 13
Mike Burrows - PIT - 8
Braxton Ashcraft - PIT - 7
Jarod Bayless - ALT - 7
Hung-Leng Chang - GBO - 7
Clevari Tejada - BRD - 7
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Indianapolis Indians - 2 vs Columbus Clippers - 4
Top Hitter - Ronny Simon: 1-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Yohan Ramirez: 0.2 IP, K
Altoona Curve - 1 vs Richmond Flying Squirrels - 2
Top Hitter - Maikol Escotto: 1-2, BB
Top Pitcher - Alessandro Ercolani: 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 4 vs Richmond Flying Squirrels - 7
Top Hitter - Termarr Johnson: 3-3, R, RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Jaden Woods: IP, BB
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 2 vs Greenville Drive - 3
Top Hitter - Javier Rivas: 3-4
Top Pitcher - Carlos Jimenez: IP, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 5 vs Tampa Tarpons - 3
Top Hitter - Yordany De Los Santos: 1-3, RBI, BB, Sb
Top Pitcher - Clevari Tejada: 5 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K
FCL Pirates - 3 vs FCL Orioles - 4
Top Hitter - Andrew Patrick: 1-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Owen Kellington: 2 IP, 2 H
DSL Pirates Black - 1 vs DSL Cubs Reds - 2
Top Hitter - Victor Marquez: 1-2 R, BB, SB
Top Pitcher - Hamlet Santos: 3.1 IP, H, 4 BB, 3 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 0 vs DSL Brewers Gold - 4
Top Hitter - Gabriel Rodriguez: 2-3
Top Pitcher - Adrian Aray: 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 K
Edward Adonis Florentino promoted.
Last night’s bottom of the 4th was classic 2025 Bucs. Five consecutive guys reached base with two outs including four with hits. And all it produced was 2 runs. That’s very nearly the minimum possible. Only Nick took an extra base - WITH TWO OUTS, running on contact. It’s hard to put up runs with station-to-station baseball. It takes a lot of guys reaching.