Morning Rundown: Pirates even up series against Diamondbacks, new prospects shine with Indianapolis
Billy Cook made his debut in the Pirates' organization.
It wasn’t the ideal day weather-wise, as three of the Pirates' games were delayed, with Greensboro suspending play until Sunday.
For the Pirates, the weather couldn’t slow down their pitching, even though it tried. After Mitch Keller only pitched four innings due to the rain delay, Dennis Santana loaded the bases without getting a batter out, causing Derek Shelton to replace him with Jalen Beeks.
The lefty walked in a run but limited the damage to that, keeping the game tied.
Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run home run that put the Pirates back on top, and they eventually won by the score of 4-2.
Five total relievers pitched, allowing just two runs over the final five innings. Aroldis Chapman struck out the side, needing 18 pitched to do so. David Bednar picked up his 20th save of the season.
The Pirates can now go for the series victory on Sunday with Paul Skenes on the mound.
As part of the trade deadline, the Pirates made a couple of trades to try and boost their hitting prospect depth, especially in the upper levels. For the first time since those trades, Billy Cook and Nick Yorke were in the lineup for the Indianapolis Indians.
They combined for four hits—all doubles—while scoring three runs and driving in another.
Cook went 2-4 with two runs, a pair of doubles, and a stolen base. He was also hit by a pitch as well.
Yorke has had hits in each game he has played in the Pirates’ organization. Of his five hits overall, three have been for extra bases.
Josh Walker, another trade deadline acquisition, had a rougher outing. In his only inning, he allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out a batter.
The Greensboro Grasshoppers were scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday but only got a game and a half in, as rain suspended the rest until Sunday.
They lost the first game 5-3, although Shawn Ross (20) and Josiah Sightler (12) went deep. JP Massey struggled, allowing four earned runs on three hits and two walks in three innings pitched. He also had two wild pitches and hit a batter.
Scott Randall pitched the other three innings, allowing just a run on two hits while striking out a hitter.
Game two was interrupted in the bottom of the fourth inning, and that’s where they will pick up on Sunday.
Carlson Reed made his High-A debut, pitching 3.1 innings. He allowed a walk and hit while striking out a batter.
The Bradenton Marauders had an interesting night at the plate. They only scored five hits, two of which were home runs. Axiel Plaz (14) and Javier Rivas (10) went deep, representing the only runs the offense put together.
They also drew zero walks and struck out 18 times. The entire lineup, except Braylon Bishop and Solomon Maguire, struck out multiple times.
RHP Randol Martinez assigned to DSL Pirates Black to DSL Pirates Gold
RHP Marlon Quintana assigned to DSL Pirates Gold from DSL Pirates Black
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned SS Alika Williams to Indianapolis Indians
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Top Exit Velocity
Javier Rivas - BRD - 110.1 mph - Home Run
Joey Bart - PIT - 108.4 mph - Home Run
Omar Alfonzo - BRD - 107.9 mph - Single
Henry Davis - IND - 106.6 mph - Double
Nick Yorke - IND - 106.3 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.8 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.4 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 100 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 99.8 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 99.4 mph
Most Whiffs
Domingo German - IND - 13
Ben Heller - IND - 10
Nick Dombkowski - ALT - 10
Jack Carey - ALT - 7
Noah Takacs - BRD - 5
Jalen Beeks - PIT - 5
Indianapolis Indians - 7 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 8
Top Hitter - Billy Cook: 2-4, 2 R, HBP, 2 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Ben Heller: 2 IP, H, 4 K
Altoona Curve - 1 vs Richmond Flying Squirrels - 4
Top Hitter - Sammy Siani: 2-3, BB, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Jack Carey: 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - Suspended
Bradenton Marauders - 2 vs Palm Beach Cardinals - 9
Top Hitter - Javier Rivas: 1-3, R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Danny Carrion: 1.2 IP, 3 K
DSL Pirates Black - 1 vs DSL Giants Orange - 4
Top Hitter - Andres Villafane: 2-4, R, 2B
Top Pitcher - Patricio Ress: 2.1 IP, H, 3 BB, 2 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 13 vs DSL Tampa Bay Rays - 6
Top Hitter - Ruben Vizcaya: 2-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB
Top Pitcher - Reinold Navarro: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 K
I know it’s early, but do you bring Chapman back for another year? And if so, at what price? Stuff+ is still elite. Since the beginning of June, only 11 bb’s versus 33 k’s, 7 er’s, and rolling xwOBA over last 100 pa’s is well above average at .275. Like I said, I know it’s early, and I don’t mind having his arm in the back end of the bullpen.
Cook is same age as Gorski and you traded for him.
Put Cutch on the shelf for two weeks let him refresh. Bring up your bounty that you worked for and see if you made good decisions or not.