Your daily Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Watch article for recaps of all of today’s games. Be sure to pick up your copy of the latest Prospect Guide in our store, available as an ebook or a limited edition paperback.
INDIANAPOLIS
Starting Pitcher: Steven Wright 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO
Notable Performances:
Tucupita Marcano 2-for-4
Erik Gonzalez 0-for-2, BB
Colin Moran 0-for-3
Anthony Alford 1-for-3, 2B, SB
Cole Tucker 0-for-3
Jared Oliva 1-for-3, SB
Game Recap: In game one of a doubleheader, Indianapolis lost 2-1 to Iowa. Steven Wright started and gave up two runs in 4.2 innings on four hits, four walks and eight strikeouts. Joe Jacques faced just four batters to record the final five outs. The offense was quiet in this one, as both Erik Gonzalez and Colin Moran went hitless in their rehab starts. Tucupita Marcano had two singles. Anthony Alford’s 12th double was the only extra-base hit. He stole his ninth base. Jared Oliva had an RBI single that scored Alford and Oliva stole his third base.
Michael Yajure could begin rehab work with Bradenton by this weekend.
GAME TWO
Starting Pitcher: Tanner Anderson 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Fabricio Macias 2-for-4
Michael Chavis 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Cole Tucker 1-for-2
Game Recap: Tanner Anderson got the spot start in the second game of the doubleheader and he tossed three shutout innings on two hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Alex Manasa followed with his Triple-A debut and it was a rough outing, with four runs on four hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. Hunter Stratton took the loss as he allowed two runs (plus two inherited runs) while trying to record the final out of the sixth inning in the 6-4 loss. Michael Chavis had a nice game on offense, with a single, a double, a run scored and two RBIs. Fabricio Macias, Hunter Owen and TJ Rivera each had two hits. Owen and Rivera drove in one run each, while Macias and Owen scored runs.
ALTOONA
Starting Pitcher: Omar Cruz 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Ji-Hwan Bae 0-for-4, BB
Diego Castillo 1-for-5
Jack Suwinski 4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Mason Martin 1-for-5, 2 RBI
Carter Bins 2-for-4, RBI, BB
Cal Mitchell 0-for-5
Game Recap: Omar Cruz went six innings on Wednesday night in the 8-6 win by Altoona. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk. He now has a 3.75 ERA in 36 innings over seven starts with Altoona. He had a 3.45 ERA in seven starts with Greensboro before being promoted. Nathan Kirby went 1.1 innings and allowed two earned runs. Shea Murray got the win by throwing 1.2 scoreless frames. The offense was led by a big day from Jack Suwinski, who had two singles, two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs. Carter Bins had two singles, a run scored, and RBI and a walk. Mason Martin went 1-for-5 and drove in two runs. Josh Bissonette and Connor Kaiser each had two hits and an RBI. Kaiser scored two runs. Ji-Hwan Bae struck out four times.
Updates below on Roansy Contreras and Oneil Cruz
* Double-A Altoona RHP Roansy Contreras and SS Oneil Cruz both "making progress." Contreras is a little bit ahead of Cruz. Both are "trending up and making strides to come back." Goal is for both to return this season.
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) August 4, 2021
GREENSBORO
Starting Pitcher: Santiago Florez 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
Notable Performances:
Nick Gonzales 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
Lolo Sanchez 0-for-4
Jared Triolo 1-for-4
Matt Gorski 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Eli Wilson 0-for-4
Game Recap: Santiago Florez hasn’t had success since moving up to Greensboro, with a high ERA and a very low strikeout rate. However, his Wednesday afternoon performance was strong. He went five innings on two hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. He gave up one run, but it was unearned. He had just eight strikeouts in his first three outs combined. Colin Selby followed with one run in 2.2 innings, while Will Kobos recorded the final four outs, all on strikeouts. Greensboro won 6-2 over Hickory. Nick Gonzales hit his 11th double and seventh home run. He scored twice and drove in a pair of runs. Aaron Shackelford hit a two-run homer in the first inning, his 18th of the season. Matt Gorski hit his 13th double and drove in a run. Will Matthiessen hit his ninth double.
Carmen Mlodzinski is making progress towards returning to game action. He’s not that close, but he’s a little bit closer than Michael Burrows, who has resumed throwing
BRADENTON
Boxscore
Starting Pitcher: TBD
Notable Performances:
Game Recap: 7:00 PM start time RAINED OUT
***The four short-season clubs are off today.