Morning Rundown: Pirates lose wild game, Bubba Chandler promoted, Michael Kennedy returns

Pirates come back from large deficit, but blow late lead. Bubba Chandler is promoted, and Michael Kennedy returns from injured list

Aug 03, 2024

It looked like the Arizona Diamondbacks would blow out the Pirates in the first of their three-game set on Friday. They hit three consecutive home runs to jump out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning before an out was recorded.

By the end of the first, the Pirates trailed 5-0.

Luis Ortiz bunkered down and allowed only one more earned run over the next 4.1 innings pitched.

The offense scored seven runs between the fourth and sixth innings, taking a 7-6 lead, but the Diamondbacks scored a run in each of the final four frames and eventually won 9-8.

Oneil Cruz, who had an incredibly tough series in Houston, bounced back and picked up a career-high five hits on Friday, driving in a pair of runs and swiping a bag.

Former Pirate Josh Bell hit a pair of home runs, including the tying shot in the seventh inning.

The Pirates will look to rebound with Mitch Keller on the mound Saturday. The game has an expected start time of 6:40 pm ET.

Bubba Chandler pitched seven innings of one-hit baseball, allowing just three hits and not walking a hitter while striking out seven. He threw 91 pitches, 58 of which went for strikes.

It was also announced that he was being promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis. He joins Thomas Harrington, who was promoted earlier in the week but has yet to pitch with them.

Arguably, the top four pitchers in the Pirates’ system are all with Indianapolis right now—Chandler, Harrington, Braxton Ashcraft, and Mike Burrows.

Add in Hunter Barco, who is on the injured list, but in Double-A, that’s a lot of pitching depth in the upper minors.

More pitching news, as Michael Kennedy was activated off the injured list and pitched for the first time since June 14.

Facing the Palm Beach Cardinals, Kennedy tossed three innings, allowing just two hits (one earned run) while striking out four. He threw just 40 pitches, 26 of which were strikes.

The Marauders have been hit hard regarding their rotation, with Khristian Curtis and Antwone Kelly still on the injured list and Carlson Reed recently being promoted. Getting Kennedy back helps when trying to fill innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates sent 3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve
Bradenton Marauders activated LHP Michael Kennedy from the 7-day injured list
LHP Yoerys Hernandez assigned to DSL Pirates Black from DSL Pirates Gold
RHP Bladimir Pichardo assigned to DSL Pirates Gold from DSL Pirates Black
LHP Ronaldys Jimenez assigned to DSL Pirates Gold
RHP Luis Joseph assigned to DSL Pirates Black from DSL Pirates Gold
Indianapolis Indians activated OF Billy Cook
Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Ryder Ryan outright to Indianapolis Indians
Bradenton Marauders placed LHP Magdiel Cotto on the 7-day injured list

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