Morning Rundown: Pirates lose home opener, Konnor Griffin with two hits, two stolen bases
Minor league season is in full swing, Pirates lose home opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates continued to get in their own way, with walks and mishaps in the field highlighted another loss, this time 9-4 to the New York Yankees in the first game at PNC Park this year.
Mitch Keller got the home opening nod, and allowed seven earned runs on eight hits and four walks across 3.2 innings pitched.
There were two outfield errors, and Pirates’ pitchers walked six batters, hitting three more.
Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds hit their first home run of the season. Endy Rodriguez hit his second double this year, going 1-4 with a run.
The Pirates will continue their three-game series against the Yankees on Saturday. Bailey Falter will face Marcus Stroman at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Each of the full-season minor league affiliates was in action on the night. Rain delayed another Indianapolis Indians game, this time as they went into the 10th inning. They will resume things before the start of their Saturday game.
Konnor Griffin made his official debut on Friday, playing for the Bradenton Marauders. He went 2-4, picking up hits in his first two at-bats, swiping a pair of bases, and scoring two runs.
He was a part of an aggressive night on the bases for the Pirates’ minor league teams.
Bradenton and Greensboro started their season with a win, with Altoona and Indianapolis blowing late leads. Altoona lost, and Indianapolis will pick up its game on Saturday.
Greensboro recorded 11 hits and 12 runs. Jesus Castillo, Omar Alfonzo, Javier Rivas, and Keiner Delgado all hit doubles.
Duce Gourson went 1-3 with two walks, scoring four times and swiping four bases, all in the first two innings of the game.
Saturday’s Probable Pitchers
Pittsburgh Pirates: Bailey Falter vs Marcus Stroman
Indianapolis Indians: TBD vs TBD
Altoona Curve: TBD vs Zach Fruit
Greensboro Grasshoppers: Garrett McMillan vs Alain Pena
Bradenton Marauders: Carlos Castillo vs Ty Floyd
Bradenton Marauders placed 3B Ethan Lege on the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians transferred RHP JC Flowers to Development List
Indianapolis Indians transferred RHP Fineas Del Bonta-Smith
C Abrahan Gutierrez assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve
Indianapolis Indians transferred C Eli Wilson to the Development List
Top Exit Velocity
Nick Solak - IND - 108.6 mph - Groundout
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 107.5 mph - Groundout
Matt Gorski - IND - 107 mph - Double
Andrew McCutchen - PIT - 106.7 mph - Single
Bryce Johnson - IND - 105.9 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 98.5 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 98.3 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 98.3 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 98.2 mph
Mitch Keller - PIT - 98.2 mph
Most Whiffs
Antwone Kelly - GBO - 13
Greiber Mendez - BRD - 10
Mitch Keller - PIT - 8
Carson Fulmer - IND - 8
Nick Dombkowski - ALT - 7
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Indianapolis Indians - 3 vs Iowa Cubs - 3 (game suspended)
Top Hitter - Matt Gorski: 2-4, R, RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Carson Fulmer: 5 IP, 5 H, 6 K
Altoona Curve - 2 vs Chesapeake Baysox - 3
Top Hitter - Brendan Dixon: 2-4, R, RBI, HR, SB
Top Pitcher - Hunter Barco: 4 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 12 vs Asheville Tourists - 3
Top Hitter - Duce Gourson: 1-3, 2 BB, RBI, 4 R, 4 SB
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 3 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Bradenton Marauders - 6 vs Daytona Tortugas - 2
Top Hitter - Yordany De Los Santos: 1-3, 2B, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB
Top Pitcher - Greiber Mendez: 2.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 K
Nutting as quoted by the PG:
“Yes. I think that I’ve done everything that I can to provide the tools and resources to the team. There is a point where it becomes execution."
So Nutting passes the buck to Cherington and Shelton for execution, and they pass the buck to the players. At least the players take responsibility.
Amidst the 2-6 debacle, I did see a couple positives. Key has turned on the ball 3 times in the past 2 games.....ie pulled it to left side incl the HR. Bart froze at 3rd on a ground ball to third.....now was that him or Rabelo.....I can't give the credit to Rabelo just yet. That was likely Bart being a catcher and catcher's usually have a good baseball IQ. Cutch comes up big in the home opener which is a good sign for him. Cruz is having quality ABs, showing some discipline at the plate.