Morning Rundown: Pirates drop series opener to Tigers
Pirates drop first of three against Tigers
The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped the first of three against the Detroit Tigers, 7-3. Bailey Falter allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over five innings while striking out four.
Carmen Mlodzinski allowed four runs in two innings out of the bullpen.
Alexander Canario entered the game for Bryan Reynolds, who left to be with his wife for the birth of their third child, and went 1-3 with two RBI. Andrew McCutchen recorded the only extra-base hit for the Pirates, a double.
Things don’t get easier for the Pirates, as they will have to face the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal. Andrew Heaney will get the start for the Pirates.
From John Dreker
My fifth solo book on the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates has been published. This one takes a look at the 27 families that have played for the Pirates, starting back with two examples in 1890, while going up to two current players with the team.
There's also a section of close calls that involves some of the most famous players in team history. It has everything from Hall of Fame brothers to siblings who spent one day with the team. There are brothers, father/son combos, cousins, an uncle and nephew, plus a few that skip generations.
Two of the families even have three former Pirates players. Everyone has their own short chapter. The book is 187 pages long, filled with interesting stories of how each player reached the Pirates, then how they did with the team, along with their place in franchise history.
From the team that won their last championship while the city sang We Are Family, my new book is titled They Are Family: The History of Pittsburgh Pirates Relatives.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Dauri Moreta to Indianapolis Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent RHP Jack Noble to a minor-league contract
Top Exit Velocity
Nick Yorke - IND - 106.2 mph - Home Run
Spencer Horwitz - PIT - 105.6 mph - Single
Billy Cook - IND - 105 mph - Single
Alexander Canario - PIT - 104.6 mph - Single
Billy Cook - IND - 103.9 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100.7 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100.2 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100.1 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100 mph
Most Whiffs
Khristian Curtis - GBO - 12
Bailey Falter - PIT - 8
Jack Carey - GBO - 8
Bubba Chandler - IND - 7
Matt Ager - BRD - 6
Support the site by becoming a paid member, and get access to all of our premium content, including our Top 25 list with complete player write-ups and video breakdowns, which come out weekly.
It will also give access to my player feature articles from on-site trips.
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Indianapolis Indians - 7 vs Columbus Clippers - 2
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R (ER), BB, 3 K
Altoona Curve - PPD
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 6 vs Greenville Drive - 3
Top Hitter - Jase Bowen: 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B
Top Pitcher - Jack Carey: 2 IP, 2 BB, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 1 vs Tampa Tarpons - 4
Top Hitter - Ian Farrow: 2-2, HR, R, RBI
Top Pitcher - Jonawel Valdez: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, K
FCL Pirates - 4 vs FCL Braves - 3
Top Hitter - Edward Florentino: 2-3, R, 2 BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Levi Sterling: 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K
DSL Pirates Black - 18 vs DSL Tigers 1 - 11
Top Hitter - Johan De Los Santos: 3-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Janderson Linares: IP, H, 3 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 3 vs DSL Cubs Blue - 1
Top Hitter - Iverson Allen: 1-3, R, RBI, 3B
Top Pitcher - Jose Rondon: 2 IP, K, Win
Thanks to Anthony for posting about my new book aka my Christmas shopping fund. The last two books dealt with very obscure players, while the headline players here are two of the most famous in team history. I approached it the same way, spending a chapter on each family, telling their stories, while trying to find something unique about their place in team history. Some are easy such as the Waners or O'Brien twins, but all get their time. Thanks in advance if you decide to purchase it or any of my four other Pirates history books.
From a BA list of rookie ball standouts:
Johan De Los Santos, SS, Pirates: The highest bonus the Pirates awarded in the most recent international signing period went to shortstop Johan De Los Santos, the younger brother of fellow Pittsburgh prospect Yordany De Los Santos. The younger player, who will not turn 17 until July 24, has hit the ground running in his pro debut. On Tuesday, he went 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI, a walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases in his team's win over the Tigers. He is now 7-for-22 to begin the season in the Dominican Summer League.