Morning Rundown: Pirates lose in extra-innings, Bradenton sweeps St. Lucie
Pirates drop series finale against Cubs, Bradenton continues win streak, has won 11 of 12
The Pirates couldn’t capitalize on having the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game and ended up losing in extras 5-4.
Oneil Cruz and Connor Joe both hit home runs again for the Pirates, but it wasn’t quite enough.
Bailey Falter pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out a batter.
Aroldis Chapman left the game in the middle of the inning and was charged with the loss after giving up three runs (only one earned) in two-thirds of the inning. Kyle Nicolas came in to finish out the 10th.
It was a good opportunity to get things rolling during this homestand, with a series against the Rockies, Angels, and the Cubs over the weekend in which they had Jared Jones and Paul Skenes pitch.
They came away 4-5, which is better than their previous stretch, and they showed some life offensively, but there is still work to be done.
The hottest team in the system right now is the Bradenton Marauders, who capped off a six-game sweep of the St. Lucie Mets with a walk-off win in extra-innings.
They got some solid performances on the mound from Hung-Leng Chang (5 IP, 4 H, 4 K), Antwone Kelly (5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6 K), and Carlson Reed (5 IP, 7 K).
Offensively, Omar Alfonzo picked up nine hits on the week, including two doubles and a home run, driving in six and walking seven times (two intentional).
Esmerlyn Valdez went 4-18 but made those hits count, hitting a pair of home runs (one inside the park) and driving in eight, including the winning run on Sunday.
After a rough start to the season, the Marauders have really found a groove, both offensively and defensively.
Thomas Harrington made his Double-A debut on Sunday in game two of Altoona’s doubleheader. He pitched three shutout innings, allowing just a walk and striking out four.
He needed just 36 pitches to get through the three innings.
Harrington getting activated off the injured list creates an interesting situation in Altoona. They’ve been teasing a six-man rotation and may be forced into one unless another roster move is made.
The current starting options in Altoona;
Braxton Ashcraft
Bubba Chandler
Po-Yu Chen
Thomas Harrington
Anthony Solometo
Sean Sullivan
Someone could go to Triple-A with a spot open after Skenes got promoted, but no one really has stood out in the early goings.
Altoona Curve activated RHP Thomas Harrington from the 7-day injured list
LHP Dominic Perachi assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Altoona Curve
DSL Pirates Gold released RHP Fares Sanchez
Indianapolis Indians activated C Dylan Shockley
Indianapolis Indians placed LF Billy McKinney on the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians activated C Dylan Shockley
Altoona Curve transferred C Wyatt Hendrie to the Development List
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Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 112.7 mph - Home Run
Connor Joe - PIT - 109.4 mph - Home Run
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 106.8 mph - Lineout
Matt Fraizer - IND - 104.5 mph - Groundout
Andrew McCutchen - 104 mph - Lineout
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.1 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 99.5 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 98.5 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 98.5 mph
Connor Sadzeck - IND - 98.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Eric Lauer - IND - 8
Connor Sadzeck - IND - 7
Thomas Harrington - ALT - 7
Patrick Reilly - GBO - 7
Brandan Bidois - GBO - 7
Peyton Stumbo - BRD - 7
Indianapolis Indians - 1 vs Louisville Bats - 7
Top Hitter - Ji-Hwan Bae: 1-2, 3B, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Jose Hernandez: IP, H, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 2 vs Somerset Patriots - 5
Top Hitter - Tsung-Che Cheng: 1-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Drake Fellows: 3 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, K
Altoona Curve - 3 vs Somerset Patriots - 1
Top Hitter - Joe Perez: 2-4, R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Thomas Harrington: 3 IP, BB, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 13 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 10
Top Hitter - Maikol Escotto: 3-5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
Top Pitcher - Brandan Bidois: 2 IP, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 12 vs St. Lucie Mets
Top Hitter - Omar Alfonzo: 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Peyton Stumbo: 2 IP, H, 5 K
Leaving Bradenton today, want to take the time out to thank everyone here that supports the site, you made this possible.
That was easily the funnest week of my life.
I have so much content to go through when I get back, my work has just begun.
Looking forward to showing everyone everything I got.
Also, I miss my dog (and girlfriend, of course) lol.
In about 5.3 years of service time, Rowdy Tellez now has 0.4 bWAR including -0.4 this year. His career oWAR — offense only — is 1.4. It’s time to cut bait. It was a no upside signing snd he’s well below replacement in 114 PAs. DFA him and call Lamb up.