Morning Rundown: Pirates win second straight, Carlson Reed strikes out 10
Pirates come from behind to defeat the Reds, Carlson Reed posts double digit strikeouts
The Pittsburgh Pirates scored six runs in a two-inning span, erasing a 5-0 deficit to win their second straight game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Bryan De La Cruz hit a double, putting the Pirates on the board finally. He drove in a pair of runs on the night. Joey Bart and Rowdy Tellez had multiple hits.
Bailey Falter didn’t have the best of nights, allowing five runs in five innings pitched. Dennis Santana, Aroldis Chapman, and David Bednar combined the rest of the way to hold the Reds off the board.
Bednar made it interesting, allowing a hit and walking one, but ultimately closed things out for his 23rd save of the season.
Jake Woodford will get the start for the Pirates on Saturday as they look to clinch the series this weekend.
Carlson Reed struck out a career-high 10 batters for the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Friday. He pitched six innings of shutout baseball, allowing just a walk and a hit.
He has allowed just one earned run in 18.2 innings pitched since being promoted to High-A. Reed generated 19 whiffs on the night but was nearly passed by another pitcher on the roster.
Alessandro Ercolani pitched the game's final three innings, striking out six and picking up another 15 whiffs. That gives the Greensboro pitchers a total of 34 whiffs in the win.
Offensively, Termarr Johnson picked up a pair of hits—a double and home run—as well as stealing
Thomas Harrington couldn’t quite repeat his last performance, where he pitched seven shutout innings, but he came close.
He didn’t allow a baserunner until the sixth inning, and in total, he allowed just one run on two hits while striking out six.
After needing just 63 pitches to get through seven innings last time around, he threw 90 on Friday, but 60 went for strikes (66%).
The Indianapolis Indians’ offense hit five doubles, including another by Nick Yorke. He had another multi-hit night while also stealing a base.
RHP Jaycob Deese assigned to Altoona curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
Bradenton Marauders placed LHP Inmer Lobo on the 7-day injured list
Altoona Curve placed C Abrahan Gutierrez on the 7-day injured list
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Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 112.3 mph - Groundout
Henry Davis - IND - 108.6 mph - Single
Henry Davis - IND - 108.5 mph - Double
Joshua Palacios - IND - 107.3 mph - Single
Nick Yorke - IND - 106.3 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.6 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.5 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.9 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100.5 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 100 mph
Most Whiffs
Carlson Reed - GBO - 19
Alessandro Ercolani - GBO - 15
Thomas Harrington - IND - 10
Dominic Perachi - ALT - 8
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 7
Indianapolis Indians - 6 vs Columbus Clippers - 2
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 2-3, R, RBI, 2 BB, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Thomas Harrington: 6 IP, 2 H, ER, 6 K
Altoona Curve - 6 vs Richmond Flying Squirrels - 1
Top Hitter - Sammy Siani: 3-4, 2 RBI, R, 2B
Top Pitcher - Dominic Perachi: 6 IP, H, BB, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 4 vs Asheville Tourists - 0
Top Hitter - Termarr Johnson: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, SB
Top Pitcher - Carlson Reed: 6 IP, H, BB, 10 K
Friday, August 24
61 down. 20 to go.
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Pirates win 6-5 over the Reds at PNC having fought hard for a comeback from a 5-0 deficit. The Bucs have lost eight one-run games in August alone and have tumbled out of contention with slim to none hopes of getting back up off the deck. They are in last place, but only three games out of second. They are currently 8 games back of the Wild Card conversation. 34 games remain in the season, meaning they have to go 20-14 to attain 81 wins and avoid a losing season.
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It appears to da Wabbit that this is yet possible, if improbable. But I called this team a .500 team in pre-season and I’m sticking with it.
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As I have posited variously around these here confines, I believe the difference between a winless season and, say, the state championship, is the flick of a switch.
I have often been of the variety of thought that a Bryan De La Cruz, an IKF, a bullpen that IS NOT blowing games like an 80 year old’s birthday cake, would be just enough to get us over the edge…. As with anyone moving house and being the target of a team on the verge, it is maybe difficult to settle in straight away and the results have been anticipated yet lacking.
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Just now, I’m seeing IKF and BDLC and guys like Joey Bart beginning to knock some flares into the outfield and producing runs. Seeing guys like German tossing a nice outing; Nicolas getting stronger as the year rolls on; Ben Heller coming up and actually controlling that nasty velo. I do worry a bit about The Renegade, but he’s a pro and he pulled it out in his typical fashion last night. WOULD like to breathe a bit easier, but he and Chapman are a good back end with more help in sight. I THINK, if the pitching holds, there is enough in this lineup to score 3-4 rpg’s.
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It SURE seemed like the entire growing season was gonna pass without being able to share my produce. I’d had mouldering bushel-baskets of lentils, peas and arugula. Not to mention that I had to make a deal with the local Pa. DOT shed to use one of their bays to store all of my CARROTS ON THE HOUSE!!!!!
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@>@>@> THREE (3) for Joey Bart and his 2 for 4 night with two runs and one batted in. It sure as heck seems like Mission Control, we Have Our Catcher.
@>@> TWO (2) tasty treats for BDLC who only went 1-3 but it was a key double that ignited the big comeback.
@> ONE (1) for Dennis Santana for settling this game down for two innings and allowing the Bucs to hold the fort while they chipped away.
Some cool watercress goes out to MAT for some good pinch running and a big helping of romaine lettuce goes out to the Reds’ Espinal for the rare and coveted DOUBLE TOOTBLAN!!! Thanks, Espi, for literally handing us the game. Love ya, buddy. Nice load of strawberries for Ready Rowdy for his 2 for 3 with a run and a base on balls.
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“Dragons is SO stupid.”
-Wabbit
Chapman got 7 whiffs in just one inning?
Dude has been a joy to watch post-AS break. Amazing for 36.