Morning Rundown: Pirates no-hit by the Cubs, Valdez hits multiple home runs, Nick Yorke has three doubles
Pirates no-hit, Valdez takes FSL lead in home runs, Yorke hits three doubles
The Pittsburgh Pirates not only lost 12-0 against the Chicago Cubs, but they were also no-hit.
Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson, and Porter Hodge combined for the shutout, walking two and striking out seven. Domingo German started for the Pirates and allowed seven runs (six earned) in three innings, pushing his ERA to 7.84.
It was a disappointing end to a series in which the Pirates had a chance to sweep the Cubs.
They will now travel back home to face the Washington Nationals, who have Dylan Crews in the lineup. We won’t see a reunion between former LSU teammates because Paul Skenes isn’t scheduled to pitch.
Bailey Falter will start the series opener, with the first pitch expected at 6:40 pm ET.
Esmerlyn Valdez hit not just one but two home runs and is now the leader in the Florida State League with 21.
Despite missing a brief period on the injured list, Valdez has established himself as one of the best sluggers in the league. At 20, reaching 21 home runs in the FSL isn’t easy.
Now, Valdez has the chance to be the home run champion in the league with only a few days left in the regular season.
Valdez wasn’t the only one flashing the power, as Jhonny Severino went deep twice on his own and now has five in his brief time in Bradenton.
Connor Wietgrefe pitched two innings, allowing two unearned runs and striking out four. Peyton Stumbo pitched the final four innings, struck out seven, and picked up his fifth save.
Carlson Reed took a perfect game into the seventh inning, but a solo home run ended it with one out. It also signaled the end of the day for Reed, who finished with 6.1 innings pitched, one hit, an earned run, and five strikeouts.
Pirates got solo home runs from Omar Alfonzo and Shawn Ross, propelling them to a 2-1 victory.
Jack Brannigan returned from the injured list and went 1-3. He last played on July 25 against Asheville, where he picked up three hits.
Nick Yorke recorded three hits, giving him 12 multi-hit games in 30 games in the organization. All three hits were doubles. Matt Gorski also hit his 21st home run of the season.
Greensboro Grasshoppers activated 3B Jack Brannigan from the 7-day injured list
Greensboro Grasshoppers placed SS Maikol Escotto on the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians activated LHP Josh Walker from the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians transferred RF Edward Olivares to the Development List
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Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 113.4 mph - Groundout
Malcom Nunez - IND - 112.2 mph - Single
Matt Gorski - IND - 105.9 mph - Home Run
Nick Yorke - IND - 105.1 mph - Forceout
Nick Yorke - IND - 104.7 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.4 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 98.3 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.1 mph
Most Whiffs
Carlson Reed - GBO - 14
Peyton Stumbo - BRD - 12
Bubba Chandler - IND - 8
Dominic Perachi - ALT - 8
Grant Ford - ALT - 8
Connor Wietgrefe - BRD - 8
Indianapolis Indians - 9 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 6
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 3-6, 2 R, 3 2B
Top Pitcher - Connor Sadzeck: IP, BB, K
Altoona Curve - 5 vs Hartford Yard Goats - 6
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 3-3, R, BB, 2 2B
Top Pitcher - Grant Ford: 2 IP, H, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 2 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 1
Top Hitter - Omar Alfonzo: 2-3, RBI, R, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Carlson Reed: 6.1 IP, H, ER, 5 K
Bradenton Marauders - 8 vs Daytona Tortugas - 6
Top Hitter - Esmerlyn Valdez: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 HR
Top Pitcher - Peyton Stumbo: 4 IP, 2 H, 7 K
Enjoyed the give and take on the product the Pirates are putting on the field at the MLB level. Seeing this same crap every year and listening to different versions of the same story does no good at all. We are going into 2025 better than we were going into 2024, but how much better?
Shelton has to go because the only other reason for not winning would be deferred to BC and BN, and they do not want that. Somebody needs to be the scapegoat - deserving or not. I hope they just make that decision ASAP and set up Don Kelly as the Manager
From Mackey's column today (the last comment is Mackey's; I find Shelton's response condescending to someone just trying to do their job):
Hiles: “Was Rowdy in the eighth just because you guys don’t have an off-day tomorrow?”
Shelton: “Come on, Noah. It’s 11-0. It’s 11-0, Bednar, [Colin] Holderman both throw yesterday. [Dennis] Santana has been our best reliever. [Aroldis] Chapman, I’m not gonna pitch in that situation. Come on. You’ve watched enough baseball to know that. It’s 11-0. Seriously.”
Think things are tense around 115 Federal Street?