Morning Rundown: Pirates win second straight, go for series win on Sunday
Pirates win 2-1, can take three of four against Brewers
A late RBI triple from Oneil Cruz gave the Pittsburgh Pirates the added run they needed to win Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers. They can take three of four in this weekend series on Sunday.
Mitch Keller put in another strong outing, but was left with a no-decision. He allowed one run on seven hits, striking out seven over six innings pitched. Quinn Priester matched him nearly pitch-for-pitch, allowing just one run on six hits and one walk, striking out seven over six innings.
The Pirates jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, as Spencer Horwitz’s RBI double drove in Bryan Reynolds in the bottom of the first. Caleb Durbin tied it up at the top of the next frame with an RBI single.
Things stayed tied until Cruz lasered a triple to the right-center gap at 114.3 mph off the bat. Dennis Santana pitched the eighth, and David Bednar pitched a scoreless ninth to get his fifth save of the season.
Bailey Falter will start the game on Sunday with the chance to take three of four against the Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 pm ET.
Keiner Delgado hit his eighth home run of the season, the fourth of the week against Asheville. He has the opportunity to become the first player in the minors for the Pirates to reach double-digits in home runs (8) and stolen bases (10).
Konnor Griffin is the other leading candidate, as he currently sits at eight home runs and 18 stolen bases.
Altoona Curve sent LHP Tyler Samaniego on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders
Indianapolis Indians placed RHP Yohan Ramirez on the temporarily inactive list
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Hunter Stratton from the temporarily inactive list
Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 114.3 mph - Triple
Joel Mendez - BRD - 109.7 mph - Groundout
Endy Rodriguez - IND - 108.6 mph - Single
Andrew McCutchen - PIT - 108.1 mph - Single
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 108 mph - Groundout
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.7 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.3 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.3 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.2 mph
Most Whiffs
Bubba Chandler - IND - 12
Eddy Yean - IND - 10
Wilber Dotel - ALT - 10
Mitch Keller - PIT - 8
Inmer Lobo - BRD - 8
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Indianapolis Indians - 4 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 5
Top Hitter - Jack Suwinski: 1-4, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler 6.1 IP, H, 4 BB, 5 K
Altoona Curve - 0 vs Akron RubberDucks - 10
Top Hitter - Mike Jarvis: 1-4, 3B
Top Pitcher - Sean Sullivan: 2 IP, H, K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 2 vs Asheville Tourists - 1
Top Hitter - Keiner Delgado: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, HR, SB
Top Pitcher - Connor Wietgrefe: 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 5 vs Clearwater Threshers - 7
Top Hitter - Braylon Bishop: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Greiber Mendez: 3.2 IP, H, BB, K
FCL Pirates - 2 vs FCL Orioles - 10
Top Hitter - Kendrick Herrera: 2-4, R, 2B
Top Pitcher - Dariel Francia: 2.1 IP, H, 3 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 3 K
I bet Pirates will deem Bubba ready shortly after Super 2 has safely passed. Which given Pirates current situation, is the right decision.
I’m hopeful this time next year Skenes, Jones, and Chandler are lightning up PNC Park radar guns, and sitting down opponent hitters with equal ferocity.
Ramon Laureano with an .852 OPS for Baltimore with a 140 wRC+ and positive defensive value. He is probably their best player right now. They signed him for 1.5 million this offseason. He was still available when Cherington signed Pham and was the guy that I thought the Pirates would sign: the guy any GM who is not a complete buffoon would have signed on the cheap.
Fire Cherington Now! Do not let him handle the trade deadline!