Morning Rundown: Pirates lose finale against Cubs, Griffin hits another home run
Pirates drop three of four against the Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Cubs rallied with two of their own in the bottom half, and then Ian Happ walked them off in the 10th inning.
Spencer Horwitz drove in Oneil Cruz, and then Nick Gonzales scored on an Alexander Canario groundout. That was all the offense the Pirates would get, as they also managed just one hit after the first inning.
Mitch Keller allowed two runs on three hits and two walks, striking out three over six innings pitched. Isaac Mattson continues his fantastic stretch since coming back up, tossing a pair of shutout innings.
The Pirates hung around with the Cubs all weekend, holding them to nine runs over four games, but managed just seven of their own.
They will have a day off on Monday as they travel to Detroit before starting a three-game series against the Tigers.
Konnor Griffin capped his fantastic debut week with the Greensboro Grasshoppers by going 1-4 with a home run, three RBI, and a walk. He also stole a base.
In six games last week, Griffin went 11-27 with 10 runs scored, four doubles, two home runs, eight RBI, three walks to only two strikeouts with six stolen bases.
Griffin has now played 56 games this year and has hit .346/.405/.564, with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 59 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases.
Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 115.7 mph - Single
Darick Hall - IND - 111.4 mph - Home Run
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 107.9 mph - Lineout
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 107.3 mph - Lineout
Derek Berg - BRD - 104.6 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.3 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.3 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 98.7 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 98.5 mph
Most Whiffs
Mitch Keller - PIT - 9
Blake Townsend - ALT - 7
Antwone Kelly - GBO - 7
Adolfo Oviedo - BRD - 5
Victor Cabreja - BRD - 4
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 4
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Indianapolis Indians - 7 vs St. Paul Saints - 3
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, 3B
Top Pitcher - Dauri Moreta: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 7 vs Erie SeaWolves - 1
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Blake Townsend: 4 IP, H, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 10 vs Rome Emperors - 1
Top Hitter - Esmerlyn Valdez: 3-5, 3 R, RBI, BB, 2B, HR
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 4 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Bradenton Marauders - 2 vs Jupiter Hammerheads - 1
Top Hitter - Yordan De Los Santos: 1-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Victor Cabreja: 5 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, K
KG (duh) and Esmerlyn Valdez in the BA hot sheet this week. On Valdez:
"Valdez is beginning to see the payoff from his offseason swing adjustments—which lowered his attack angle and kept his barrel in the zone longer—and it’s led to a noticeably improved contact rate. Look no further than his performance this past week to back it up. While swing-and-miss remains part of his game, the upward trend is encouraging. Valdez boasts elite raw power and exceptional exit velocities. His one defect is his limited defensive value, as he profiles best as a bat-first corner outfielder or first baseman."
Moreta reinstated and optioned, Bart up and Sullivan dfa’d. If he doesn’t clear waivers, they’re gonna have to acquire a depth type C unless Gutierrez is close to returning.