Indianapolis Indians Improve To 2-0 On The Season

The Indianapolis Indians are now 2-0

As we discussed earlier today, minor league depth is very important for Major League Baseball teams. It is especially important to have depth at the Triple-A level. Luckily, this is something the Pittsburgh Pirates have.

While minor league results mean absolutely nothing, it never hurts to have a winning attitude instilled in your players. That is what has happened at Triple-A Indianapolis in recent years. Thus far, 2017 is no different.

On Friday night, the Indianapolis Indians defeated the Toledo Mud Hens by a score of 5-4. With the victory, the Indians are now 2-0 in 2017.

Pirate fan favorite Drew Hutchison started for Indianapolis on Friday night. Hutchison allowed four runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched. He also walked a pair of batters and struck out five Mud Hens.

Pat Light followed Hutchison. In 1 2/3 innings pitched he allowed one hit, he walked a batter, and he struck out two. If Light can harness his control, he has the ability to be a great bullpen depth option for the Pirates this season.

Speaking of bullpen depth options, Dovydas Neverauskas pitched the eighth and ninth innings. In his two innings of work the Lithuanian native allowed one hit and walked a batter. Neverauskas, most likely, will make his Major League debut at some point in 2017.

Max Moroff started at shortstop and bat leadoff for the Indians. He was 1-for-4 with his second home run in as many games this season. Third baseman Gift Ngoepe was 1-for-4, while left fielder Austin Meadows, the Pirates’ top prospect, went 0-for-3 with a walk.

Jose Osuna served as the team’s designated hitter and went 2-for-4. Catcher Elias Diaz was 1-for-4. Both players hit a double on Friday night.

Jason Rogers started at first base and was 1-for-3 with a double and a RBI. Meanwhile, right fielder Chris Bostick was 1-for-3 with a triple.

Next: Pirates 5, Braves 4

The Indianapolis Indians will be back at it at 7:05 PM tomorrow. Once again, they will host the Toledo Mud Hens. Tyler Eppler is scheduled to start. This will be Eppler’s Triple-A debut.

Eppler was a sixth-round pick of the Pirates in 2014. Last season, he posted a 3.89 FIP in 162 1/3 innings pitched at Double-A Altoona.