Morning Rundown: Pirates lose in LA, Domingo German joins team, Bubba Chandler AAA debut
Morning Rundown: Pirates lose in LA, Domingo German joins team, Bubba Chandler AAA debut
Pirates lose in LA, Bubba Chandler makes AAA debut in Nashville
The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped the first of three on the road against the Dodgers this weekend, losing 9-5.
Mitch Keller was beat up, allowing seven earned runs in four innings pitched. He allowed home runs to Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.
Domingo German pitched the final four innings, allowing just two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three. The only hit he allowed was a home run in his first inning of relief.
Against the team that initially signed him, Oneil Cruz picked up three hits, including a double and his 18th home run of the season. Joey Bart also hit a home run, and now has 10 on the year.
It will be a battle of the rookies in game two, as Paul Skenes will face River Ryan.
The Pirates announced that they have selected the contract of Domingo German on Friday. To make room on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Josh Walker was designated for assignment.
They also optioned Hunter Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis.
JP Massey, Scott Randall, and Valentin Linarez combined to shut out the Rome Emperors for the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
Each Massey and Randall tossed four shutout innings before Linarez finished things in the ninth. Massey struck out three over four innings, allowing just two hits.
On top of the shutout, the Grasshoppers also didn’t walk a batter, an impressive feat on its own.
Bubba Chandler was spectacular in his first Triple-A start on Friday, tossing seven shutout innings. He allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out six batters.
His fastball came as advertised, topping out at 98.7 mph and getting an insane 11 whiffs on 23 swings. He threw the 35 hardest pitches in the game.
It’s been a fast track for Chandler, who started slowly in Altoona but has been out of this world since returning from a brief Illinois stint.
Suddenly, Indianapolis has an interesting rotation of Chandler, Thomas Harrington, and Mike Burrows (with Braxton Ashcraft on the IL). All of them could fight for a rotation spot in the majors by the start of the 2025 season.
Bradenton Marauders activated RHP Khristian Curtis from the 7-day injured list.
Bradenton Marauders activated LHP Magdiel Cotto from the 7-day injured list
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Hunter Stratton to Indianapolis Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of RHP Domingo German from Indianapolis Indians
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Top Exit Velocity
Esmerlyn Valdez - BRD - 111.8 mph - Single
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 111.4 mph - Home Run
Rowdy Tellez - PIT - 109.9 mph - Single
Liover Peguero - IND - 107.9 mph - Groundout
Joey Bart - PIT - 107.5 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.7 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.5 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.5 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.4 mph
Most Whiffs
Bubba Chandler - IND - 14
Mitch Keller - PIT - 13
JP Massey - GBO - 9
Nick Dombkowski - ALT - 9
Scott Randall - GBO - 8
Indianapolis Indians - 6 vs Nashville Sounds - 0
Top Hitter - Billy Cook: 2-4, 2 R, BB, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler: 7 IP, 2 H, BB, 6 K
Altoona Curve - 12 vs Portland Sea Dogs - 9
Top Hitter - Jackson Glenn: 3-4, 3 R, RBI, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Cy Nielson: IP, 2 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 6 vs Rome Emperors - 0
Top Hitter - Josiah Sightler: 1-4, R, RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Scott Randall: 4 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 9 vs St. Lucie Mets - 4
Top Hitter - Javier Rivas: 3-4, 3 R, RBI, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Clevari Tejada: 4.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 K
DSL Pirates Black - 1 vs DSL Cubs Blue - 2
Top Hitter - Raymond Mola: 1-3, R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Irwin Ramirez: 5 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 9 vs DSL Cubs Red - 11
Top Hitter - Edward Florentino: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Ronaldys Jimenez: 1.2 IP, H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
They should send all their pitchers on an Illinois (IL) stint. Looks like it really helped Bubba!
At this point, I don't care if they make the playoffs. Before spring training, I said on one of these comment sections that I had little hope for the season. The starting pitching didn't look so great, and we were relying on unproven offensive talent, and our starting catcher was out for the season. I didn't foresee Skenes and Jones doing what they've done. I thought Hayes and Davis would be better. I thought Jack would be at least what he was last season, and the bullpen would be a strength. It just goes to show you how unpredictable baseball can be. At this point I'm looking more at individual performances, and finding some joy in seeing several of our players progress, including The new acquisitions in AAA along with Chandler and Harrington... It's different than the last few years, where veteran retreads were leading our tanking program. There is some young legit talent here, and the games are more fun to watch. I'll seek the joy.