Morning Rundown: Pirates lose on Sunday, September call-ups, Gorski caps big week, Michael Kennedy Greensboro debut
Pirates drop series finale on Sunday, Gorski has big week at the plate, Kennedy debuts with Greensboro
The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped the final game of their weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, losing 6-1.
Alex Cobb was perfect through the first six innings of the game, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa singling to lead off the seventh, finally putting them in the hit column.
Mitch Keller allowed four runs (three earned) on 11 hits while striking out seven batters across 5.1 innings pitched.
Ryan Borucki pitched in the majors for the first time since April 5. He allowed two runs on a hit and a walk in his only inning of work.
David Bednar pitched a scoreless eighth inning, walking a single batter.
The Pirates managed just two hits on the day, IKF and Bryan Reynolds. They head to Chicago for a series against the Cubs.
As a part of the rosters expanding in September, the Pirates used those extra spots on Borucki and Colin Holderman.
Both had been on the injured list before returning to Pittsburgh and had completed a rehab assignment with Indianapolis.
September call-ups have certainly lost some of the excitement behind them, even if the Pirates needed the extra help in the bullpen.
Michael Kennedy allowed two hits, a walk, and a run in the first inning of his High-A career with the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
He allowed just three walks while striking out five over the final four shutout innings. It’s an interesting adjustment that some pitchers have to make moving out of the Florida State League.
With the ABS being used, it’s a different strike zone than what is being used elsewhere, so some of the calls they’d get before won’t happen now. He didn’t let it bother him for long, as he finished the game strong.
Kennedy got some support from his offense, namely Lonnie White Jr. He registered a pair of hits, one a double, and drove in a run on the day.
They entered the sixth inning with a lead, but Landon Tomkins allowed a pair of runs in his inning of work.
Nick Yorke and Billy Cook hit home runs for the Indianapolis Indians on Sunday, winning 10-9 against the Louisville Bats. Yorke picked up three hits on the day; the home run was his first since joining the Pirates organization.
Matt Gorski picked up his 10th hit of the week on Sunday, going 10-20 with five runs, a double, and two home runs.
The Bradenton Marauders gave up 18 runs on SundayMat but had a big day offensively by outfielder Will Taylor.
He had three hits, including his second home run, scoring twice and picking up a stolen base.
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Top Exit Velocity
Seth Beer - IND - 108.8 mph - Single
Nick Yorke - IND - 107.5 mph - Single
Billy Cook - IND - 107.2 mph - Home Run
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 106.4 mph - Groundout
Andres Alvarez - IND - 104.4 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
David Bednar - PIT - 98.2 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 97.7 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 96.8 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 96.8 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 96.8 mph
Connor Sadzeck - IND - 96.8 mph
Most Whiffs
Mitch Keller - PIT - 13
Nick Dombkowski - ALT - 8
Beau Sulser - IND - 7
Khristian Curtis - 7
Carlos Castillo - 7
Indianapolis Indians - 10 vs Louisville Bats - 9
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Connor Sadzeck: IP, H
Altoona Curve - 5 vs New Hampshire Fisher Cats - 2
Top Hitter - Kervin Pichardo: 1-3, R, RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Nick Dombkowski: 4 IP, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 2 vs Rome Emperors - 3
Top Hitter - Lonnie White Jr.: 2-3, RBI, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Michael Kennedy: 5 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 5 K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs Tampa Tarpons - 18
Top Hitter - Will Taylor: 3-5, 2 R, RBI, HR, SB
Top Pitcher - Khristian Curtis: 3 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 2 K
Tim Williams had a good column last week about Cherington's inaction and I think that captures things well. The clearest example is that it took him nearly five years to make changes to our international program. Now, even if those changes are effective, we won't reap the benefits for another five years. Nutting claimed that there was urgency to contend this season; we'll see if his actions after the season hold people accountable. Without significant changes (beyond just firing Haines), it's hard to be optimistic about '25 even with a few elite arms in the rotation.
Wow. I don’t read DK too often. He lost me years ago when his analysis of the Pirates under NH seemed to lapse into the personal. Nevertheless I recognized that he had been really astute about the Pens when he had covered them. He is a smart guy. His articles have been finding a bit more often recently. Anyway his current article about the Pirate clubhouse is an eye opener and is just another indication of how lost this current regime is.
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