Nick Kingham will be on the mound tonight, going up against division leading Ft Myers, who lead Bradenton by 17.5 games in the standings. For Altoona this morning, Stolmy Pimentel tries to end his month-long slump that has put a damper on his terrific month of April. For a look at the possible starters over the next few weeks, please check out our Probable Pitchers Chart. Check out the Recent Transactions section to the bottom of this page, for all Pirates minor league transactions. A full recap of yesterday’s action can be found here.
AAA: Indianapolis (35-19) vs Pawtucket (32-21) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Kris Johnson (5-3, 3.78)
Yesterday’s Result: Pawtucket 8, Indianapolis 2
Kris Johnson will make his ninth start of the season today. He has also made two relief appearances. Johnson has been much better as a starter, giving up six runs over his four innings of work out of the bullpen. As a starter, he has a 2.89 ERA in 43.2 innings, striking out 33 batters, while holding hitters to a .222 BAA. The 28-year-old southpaw, has held lefties to a .218 average, with no homers. In his last start, Johnson went five innings, giving up two runs on three hits and five walks, while picking up a season-high of seven strikeouts.
AA: Altoona (21-31) @ Binghamton (30-23) 10:35am
Probable starter: Stolmy Pimentel (2-3, 3.70)
Yesterday’s Result: Altoona 8, Binghamton 4
Stolmy Pimentel will get his 11th start of the season this morning. His season went from amazing in April, to really bad in May. In his first five starts, Pimentel had a 0.30 ERA in 30.1 innings, allowing one run on 19 hits. Since the calendar changed to May, he has gone 0-3, 7.39 in 28 innings, with a .305 BAA and seven home runs allowed. Pimentel has pitched much better on the road, posting a 2.40 ERA in five starts, two of which came in May. He has had much more success against righties, holding them to a .195 BAA, while left-handed batters are hitting .302 against him.
High-A: Bradenton (20-32) @ Ft Myers (37-14) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Nick Kingham (6-2, 3.21)
Yesterday’s Result: Ft Myers 10, Bradenton 3
Nick Kingham will make his 11th start of the season tonight. He has pitched a total of 53.1 innings this year, allowing 44 hits, four homers and 13 walks. Kingham has an impressive total of 61 strikeouts, while holding batters to a .220 average, though his 0.83 GO/AO ratio is one of the lowest totals in the system. In his last start, he went six innings, giving up one run on five hits and four walks. It was the first time all year that he walked more than two batters in a game and also the first time he had more walks than strikeouts. Kingham has a 4.15 road ERA in four starts and 1.96 at home.
Low-A: West Virginia (28-25) @ Lakewood (22-29) 6:35pm
Probable starter: Joely Rodriguez (4-3, 2.62)
Yesterday’s Result: Greensboro 12, West Virginia 5
Joely Rodriguez will get his 11th start of the season tonight. He has had an amazing run recently, allowing three earned runs over his last six starts combined. In the month of May, Rodriguez is 3-1, 0.90 in five starts, with four walks and 24 strikeouts in 30 innings. He has not allowed a home run in any of his last seven starts. The 6’1″ lefty faced Lakewood five days ago, allowing one run over six innings, picking up the win. On the road this year, he is 2-1, 2.31 in four starts.
Recent Transactions
5/28 Alex Dickerson activated from DL. Stefan Welch assigned to Jamestown roster.
5/27 James McDonald added to Altoona roster on rehab.
5/27 John McDonald added to Indianapolis roster on rehab.
5/26 Orlando Castro added to West Virginia roster. Josh Smith placed on DL.
5/26 Wyatt Mathisen placed on DL. Kawika Emsley-Pai added to West Virginia roster.
5/24 Chase d’Arnaud added to Indianapolis roster
5/23 Vic Black placed on disabled list.
