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 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
Notable Performances:
Tucupita Marcano 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, BB
Ka’ai Tom 0-for-3
Cole Tucker 0-for-4
Michael Chavis 1-for-4, HR, RBI
Jared Oliva 0-for-4, BB
Game Recap: Steven Wright got the start that was originally scheduled for Dillon Peters, who is expected to join the Pirates this weekend. Wright had a tough time in the spot start, allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks. in four innings. John O’Reilly followed Wright and settled things down, giving up one run on four hits in three innings. He didn’t have any walks or strikeouts. Shelby Miller and Joe Jacques each tossed a scoreless inning in the 7-5 loss. The Indians got a run in the fourth inning on a solo homer by Michael Chavis. They added three runs in the seventh inning on an RBI double by Hunter Owen and a two-run single from Taylor Davis. Tucupita Marcano added an RBI double in the ninth. That put the tying run on second base with one out, but Chris Sharpe and Jared Oliva struck out to end the game.
ALTOONA
Starting Pitcher: Trey McGough 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Ji-Hwan Bae 0-for-3, BB
Diego Castillo 0-for-4
Jack Suwinski 1-for-3, BB, SB
Mason Martin 1-for-3, 2B, BB
Cal Mitchell 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB
Carter Bins 0-for-4
Matt Fraizer 0-for-3, RBI, BB
Game Recap: Trey McGough wasn’t strong on Friday night, but his start was likely limited to four innings due to a long rain delay during the top of the fifth. He tossed four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. After play resumed, Brad Case took over on the mound. He allowed four runs over three innings, while Nathan Kirby gave up two runs in his only inning. Altoona got a run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Ji-Hwan Bae. They scored again in the fourth on Cal Mitchell’s 15th double, which scored Jack Suwinski. In the eighth, Matt Fraizer had an RBI ground out. That was all for the Curve, who lost 5-3. Mason Martin hit his 23rd double. Besides the double, Cal Mitchell also had a single and a walk. Jack Suwinski stole his fourth base since joining Altoona.
GREENSBORO
Starting Pitcher: Quinn Priester 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 SO
Notable Performances:
Nick Gonzales 4-for-5
Liover Peguero 1-for-5, 2B
Jared Triolo 2-for-4, BB
Lolo Sanchez 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Game Recap: Quinn Priester turned a shaky first inning into what could be his best start as a pro. He went seven shutout innings on six hits, two walks and ten strikeouts. He loaded the bases with no outs in the first on a single and two walks, then got out of the inning with a strikeouts and a double play. The strikeouts are a new high, topping the seven he did earlier this year and once in 2019. It’s the second time that he has thrown seven innings in a start, but the first time that he’s thrown more than five shutout innings in a game. He now has a 2.80 ERA in 74 innings, with 68 strikeouts. Garrett Leonard allowed one run over two innings, with four strikeouts, to get the save in the 4-1 victory.
Nick Gonzales had four hits in this game, three singles and a triple. He scored one run. Liover Peguero and Lolo Sanchez each collected their 13th double of the season. Jonah Davis homered in the ninth to add an insurance run, his first homer since joining Greensboro. Blake Sabol had a triple, run scored and an RBI. Will Matthiessen also drove in a run. Jared Triolo had two hits, a walk and a run scored.
BRADENTON
Starting Pitcher: Miguel Yajure 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Endy Rodriguez 0-for-3
Abrahan Gutierrez 1-for-4, 2B
Jase Bowen 1-for-4, RBI
Dariel Lopez 1-for-4
Jack Herman 3-for-4, 2B, SB
Daniel Rivero 0-for-3, BB
Game Recap: Miguel Yajure had a rough second rehab start in Bradenton, but he’s expected to move up to either Altoona or Indianapolis for his next outing. He went 2.1 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk, while striking out four batters. He threw 45 pitches, 30 going for strikes. Ryan Troutman recorded the final two outs in the third, then gave way to Adrian Florencio, who tossed three shutout innings. Eddy Yean was out next and recorded just two outs in the seventh, allowing five runs on a hit and four walks. Carlos Campos took over in the seventh and threw 1.1 scoreless. Parker Brahms handled the ninth in the 9-1 loss. The Marauders had plenty of chances to score, but their only run came on a sixth inning ground out by Jase Bowen. They left nine runners on base and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. Jack Herman had a big day, going 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and a stolen base. Abrahan Gutierrez hit his 14th double of the season.
FCL PIRATES BLACK
Starting Pitcher: Ryan Harbin 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO
Notable Performances:
Bubba Chandler, DH (pro debut) 1-for-2
Solomon Maguire 2-for-4, HR, RBI
Juan Jerez 1-for-3, BB, SB
Luis Tejeda 0-for-3, BB
Deion Walker 0-for-2, HBP, 2 SB
Game Recap: The Pirates beat the Pirates 5-4, in a game filled with intrigue. The pitchers were Brennan Malone and Ryan Harbin, while Bubba Chandler made his pro debut at DH and Solomon Maguire hit his first career homer. Harbin allowed three runs in his 1.1 innings of work. Malone, who was making his second start in the FCL, gave up a single to Chandler and an inside-the-park homer to Maguire, the first home run of his pro career (six games). Carlos Canache picked up two outfield assists. Deion Walker was hit by a pitcher, stole two bases and scored a run. Geovanny Planchart had two hits, including his sixth double, which was his team’s only extra-base hit. Gustavo Polanco tripled and drove in two runs. Norkis Marcos had two stolen bases.
Bladimir Dotel picked up the win. He went four innings and allowed three runs, but they were all unearned. He has an 0.82 ERA in 22 innings, with 24 walks. Carlos Jimenez had an impressive outing, going three innings on one hit, with six strikeouts.
FCL PIRATES GOLD
Boxscore (linked above)
Starting Pitcher: Brennan Malone 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
Notable Performances:
Jasiah Dixon 0-for-2, HBP, SB
Tsung-Che Cheng 0-for-3
Rodolfo Nolasco 1-for-2, BB
Sergio Campana 1-for-3, SB
Deivis Nadal 1-for-3, RBI
Game Recap: See above
DSL PIRATES BLACK
Starting Pitcher: Joaquin Tejada 2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO
Notable Performances:
Enmanuel Terrero 1-for-3
Javier Rivas 1-for-3, 2B
Shalin Polanco 1-for-3
Ewry Espinal 0-for-2, BB
Omar Alfonzo 1-for-2, BB
Ruben Vizcaya 0-for-3
Jesus Castillo 0-for-2
Game Recap: Joaquin Tejada made his second appearance since being acquired from the Seattle Mariners in the Tyler Anderson trade. He lasted 2.1 innings, giving up three runs on two hits and four walks, with three strikeouts. Luis Gonzalez followed with two hitless/scoreless innings, striking out three batters. Eliecer Romero took the final 2.2 innings and gave up two runs. The hitters had just six hits in the 5-0 loss and the only extra-base hit was a double by Javier Rivas. Omar Alfonzo had a single and a walk. He was the only Pirates hitter to reach base more than once in the game.
GAME TWO
Starter: Kevison Hernandez 2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
Notables:
Enmanuel Terrero 0-for-4
Javier Rivas 0-for-4
Ewry Espinal 0-for-3
Heiron Montalban 0-for-3
Jesus Castillo 1-for-2, BB
Recap: Starter Kevison Hernandez put the Pirates in a hole early, allowing three runs in his two innings of work. He pitched into the third, but the first two runners reached against him before he was pulled. Francis Olantilo finished out the inning with two strikeouts. Diego Chiquillo followed with two shutout innings. Reyson Santos was out next and he walked five of the seven batters he faced. Jesus Clode took over with two outs and the bases loaded and struck out the batter to strand three inherited runners.
The Pirates scored a run in the first on an error, then got shutout until the seventh by three pitchers who went two innings each. In the seventh with the Pirates down 5-1, the first reliever walked two batters before being replaced. The next reliever also issued a walk, but the offense couldn’t do anything with three free passes. The Pirates had just four hits and all of them were singles. Fabian Urbina had two hits and scored the lone run.
DSL PIRATES GOLD
Starting Pitcher: Andres Silvera 3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
Notable Performances:
Jeral Toledo 0-for-3
Gustavo Armas 0-for-3
Esmerlyn Valdez 0-for-2, BB
Eddy Rodriguez 1-for-3, 2B
Dioris Valdez 1-for-3
Wesley Zapata 0-for-3
Game Recap: Pirates Gold dropped to 6-15 with a 3-0 loss in game one of a doubleheader. Starter Andres Silvera allowed two runs over three innings for the loss. Luis Joseph gave up one run and struck out three batters in two innings. Patricio Ress tossed a scoreless sixth. The Pirates had four hits, one walk and ten strikeouts in the game. Eddy Rodriguez hit his first double, the only extra-base hit. No one reached base more than once
GAME TWO
Starter: Jose Garces 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Notables:
Rodolfo De La Cruz 0-for-3, BB
Gustavo Armas 1-for-2, BB, SB
Esmerlyn Valdez 1-for-3, RBI
Osvaldo Gavilan 1-for-3, RBI
Wesley Zapata 0-for-2
Samuel Escudero 0-for-3
Robert De Paula 1-for-2
Recap: The Pirates got swept in the doubleheader, but they managed to at least get on the board in this game. Starter Jose Garces had a solid outing, giving up an unearned run in four innings. He was followed by three relievers who each went one inning and they all allowed at least one run. Esmerlyn Valdez had the only extra-base hit, his fourth double. Gustavo Armas had a single, walk, his third stolen base and two runs scored. Samuel Escudero had a rough game, going 0-for-3 to drop down to an .083 average, while also making two errors. Shortstop Wesley Zapata committed three errors and he only played five innings.
