Morning Rundown: Pirates salvage series, Bubba is shelled, minor leaguers released
Pirates avoid sweep, Bubba Chandler hit around, players released
The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to avoid the sweep against the Texas Rangers, winning on Sunday by the score of 8-3.
Tommy Pham, Spencer Horwitz, and Bryan Reynolds all collected three hits on the day. The offense combined for eight runs and 15 hits in the win.
Horwitz drove in a pair, scored three runs, and hit three doubles. Pham drove in three and also hit a pair of doubles.
Bailey Falter allowed three runs on six hits and five walks over 5.1 innings pitched, picking up his sixth win of the season. David Bednar struck out two in a scoreless ninth, although it wasn’t a save situation.
The Pirates will now head to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers.
Bubba Chandler’s struggles in Triple-A continue. On Sunday, he allowed six runs on five hits and two walks, striking out one over 2.2 innings pitched.
It’s been a rough month of June for Chandler, who has a 10.61 ERA in four starts, allowing 11 earned runs in 9.1 innings pitched, walking eight and striking out five.
There have been times when it has looked like he has been overthrowing and pressing, and that’s shown with the walk numbers right now. He’s been sporadic in the past, but we haven’t seen this level in some time.
The Altoona Curve released two players, 1B/OF Imanol Vargas and RHP Fineas Del Bonta-Smith.
Vargas was acquired in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He was batting .204/.331/.265 with a home run and 12 RBI in 36 games with the Altoona Curve.
Del Bonta-Smith was also an addition made by the Pirates in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft in 2023. He had a 6.67 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched between the Curve and Indianapolis Indians.
Altoona Curve released OF Imanol Vargas
Altoona Curve released RHP Fineas Del Bonta-Smith
Indianapolis Indians transferred C Eli Wilson to the Development List
Top Exit Velocity
Matt Fraizer - IND - 110.3 mph - Single
Tommy Pham - PIT - 109.6 mph - Double
Joey Bart - PIT - 106.5 mph - GIDP
Bryan Reynolds - 106.1 mph - Single
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 104.1 mph - Groundout
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100.8 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.8 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.7 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.7 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.7 mph
Most Whiffs
Bailey Falter - PIT - 9
Khristian Curtis - GBO - 8
Emmanuel Chapman - ALT - 8
Matt Ager - BRD - 7
Carlos Jimenez - GBO - 7
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Indianapolis Indians - 6 vs Columbus Clippers - 8
Top Hitter - Nick Solak: 3-3, R, 2 BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Cam Sanders/Dauri Moreta: IP, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 1 vs Richmond Flying Squirrels - 2
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 1-4, RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Wilkin Ramos: 2 IP, BB, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 6 vs Greenville Drive - 4
Top Hitter - Justin Miknis: 2-4, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Carlos Jimenez: 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 5 vs Tampa Tarpons - 3
Top Hitter - Wyatt Sanford: 3-3, 2 R, BB, 2 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Matt Ager: 3 IP, R (0 ER), BB, 4 K
Antwone Kelly, Brandan Bidois and Ryan Harbin all heading to Altoona, apparently.
Is it possible that Falter has as many wins as Skenes and Keller combined?