All four affiliates have gone through the entire rotation now for the first time, so pitchers are now getting their second looks. Tonight will see Jameson Taillon make his second start, trying to build on five shutout innings in his debut. Both Indianapolis and West Virginia had weather issues yesterday. Indianapolis was rained out. They will play a doubleheader Saturday. West Virginia was suspended in the fifth inning, with the Power up 4-0. The game will be finished today before the start of tonight’s regularly scheduled game. Bradenton had yet to win through seven games. For a look at the possible starters over the next few weeks, please check out our Probable Pitchers Chart. A full recap of yesterday’s action can be found here.
AAA: Indianapolis (5-2) @ Columbus (1-5) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Kyle McPherson (0-0 9.00)
Yesterday’s Result: Indianapolis was rained out
Kyle McPherson will make his second start of the season tonight. He pitched at home against Columbus last week, and lasted just three innings, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks, while recording one strikeout. Last year, McPherson had three starts for Indianapolis, posting an 0.98 ERA, with 17 strikeouts in 18.1 innings. He also made ten appearances for the Pirates, three as a starter. An Indianapolis team preview can be viewed here.
AA: Altoona (4-3) VS Harrisburg (3-5) 6:30pm
Probable starter: Jameson Taillon (1-0, 0.00)
Yesterday’s Result: Altoona 5, Harrisburg 4 (Game report)
Jameson Taillon threw five shutout innings in his debut at Erie, allowing four hits, a walk and he struck out four batters. He received a late season call-up to Altoona last year and won all three of his starts, posting a 1.59 ERA in 17 innings, with one walk and 18 strikeouts. Prior to that promotion, he went 6-8, 3.82 in 23 starts for Bradenton. An Altoona team preview can be viewed here.
High-A: Bradenton (0-7) VS St Lucie (5-2) 6:30pm
Probable starter: Matt Benedict (0-1, 6.00)
Yesterday’s Result: Charlotte 7 Bradenton 4
Matt Benedict will make his second start of the season tonight. He pitched three innings in his debut against Fort Myers, allowing seven runs, though only two runs were earned. Benedict gave up six hits, two walks and he struck out one batter. Last season for Bradenton, he went 0-8, 8.08 in nine starts and five relief appearances. Benedict went 4-4, 3.42 in 14 starts for West Virginia prior to getting called up to the Marauders. A Bradenton team preview can be viewed here.
Low-A: West Virginia (1-6) @ Asheville (5-2) 7:05pm
Probable starter: John Kuchno (0-0, 10.80)
Yesterday’s Result: West Virginia was suspended by rain
John Kuchno will make his second start of the season tonight. He threw 3.1 innings in his debut against Asheville, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out four hitters. Last year for State College, the 21-year-old righty was 0-1, 9.00 in 4 relief appearances. He gave up five hits and three walks, while striking out six batters in five innings. Kuchno was a 17th round pick of the Pirates last year out of Ohio State. A West Virginia team preview can be viewed here.
