Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Watch 5/20/11

DAILY SUMMARY

Top Pitcher: Rudy Owens (7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR)

Top Hitter: Benji Gonzalez (4-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

Home Runs: Andy Marte (3), Benji Gonzalez (1), Jose Roman (1)

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (AAA)

Box Score

Result: Indianapolis 3, Buffalo 2

Starting Pitcher: Rudy Owens (7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR)

Top Hitter: Andy Marte (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI)

Notes: Rudy Owens (3-3, 4.17) had his third strong start in a row, allowing one run on seven hits in seven innings, with no walks and two strikeouts.  Owens struggled at the end of April, allowing 15 runs in 13 innings over a three game stretch.  Since then he’s allowed four runs in 19 innings.  The downside is that he’s not recording many strikeouts lately, with an 8:2 K/BB ratio.  Evan Meek (0.00) made a rehab start, pitching a shutout inning.  Meek will also pitch tomorrow, a sign that he should be close to a return.

Andy Marte (.157) went 2-for-3 with a double and a homer, along with three RBIs.  John Bowker (.347) went 2-for-3 with a run and a walk.  Chase d’Arnaud (.276) and Josh Harrison (.327) each went 1-for-4.

ALTOONA CURVE (AA)

Box Score

Result: Altoona 2, Akron 0

Starting Pitcher: Michael Colla (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR)

Top Hitter: Jordy Mercer (2-for-4, 2B, RBI)

Notes: Michael Colla (2-1, 2.65) has had an impressive run in the Altoona rotation.  So far this year he has a 2.16 ERA in 25 innings, with a 22:7 K/BB ratio.  That includes tonight’s outing, which was six shutout innings, with three hits allowed, two walks, and four strikeouts.  Anthony Claggett (3.92) pitched two shutout innings, allowing two walks.  Noah Krol (3.71) pitched a perfect inning for the save.

Starling Marte (.325) went 2-for-4.  Jordy Mercer (.241) went 2-for-4 with two doubles.  Tony Sanchez (.282) went 2-for-4.  Kris Watts (.261) also went 2-for-4 with a double.  Brock Holt (.287) went 1-for-4 with a stolen base.

BRADENTON MARAUDERS (A+)

Box Score

Result: Dunedin 11, Bradenton 10

Starting Pitcher: Kyle McPherson (5.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR)

Top Hitter: Benji Gonzalez (4-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

Notes: Kyle McPherson (3.35) had his worst start of the year, allowing five runs on ten hits in five innings, with a walk and three strikeouts.  Brett Sinkbeil (27.00) made his organizational debut, allowing three runs on four hits in an inning.  Jhonathan Ramos (0-2, 3.38) allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits in three innings.

Benji Gonzalez (.275) went 4-for-5 at the plate with a double and a homer.  Jarek Cunningham (.291) went 3-for-5.  David Rubinstein (.327) went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs.

WEST VIRGINIA POWER (A)

Box Score

Result: Lakewood 3, West Virginia 2

Starting Pitcher: Colton Cain (5.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR)

Top Hitter: Daniel Grovatt (2-for-4, 2B)

Notes: Colton Cain (2-4, 3.55) allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits in five innings, with a walk and five strikeouts.  Casey Sadler (3.71) pitched 2.1 shutout innings, allowing three walks and striking out four.  Zach Foster (4.91) pitched a shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Daniel Grovatt (.301) went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs.  Matt Curry (.370) went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.  Andy Vasquez (.284) went 1-for-3 with a double.

VSL Pirates (RK)

Box Score

Result: Pirates 4, Phillies 3

Starting Pitcher: Alexander Gutierrez (0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 0 HR)

Top Hitter: Jose Roman (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI)

Notes: Dilson Herrera (.313) went 1-for-5 with a double.  Jose Roman (.333) went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs.  Edgard Munoz (.667) went 2-for-2 with a run, a walk, and two stolen bases.