Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Power Surges for Indy, Altoona & More

Oct 2, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (61) runs the bases on his way to scoring a run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (61) runs the bases on his way to scoring a run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Indianapolis Triple-A short-stop Oneil Cruz (15) rushes towards third base during the game against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at Victory Field in Indianapolis.Baseball 220405 Indianapolis Triple A Baseball Team Opener Omaha Storm Chasers At Indianapolis Triple A Baseball Team

Sunday afternoon saw a power surge sweep across the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system

Sunday afternoon the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians improved to 17-17 on the season with an 11-5 victory over the Charlotte Knights. Six extra base hits helped lead the way for the Indians in the victory, and this included a home run from the Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect.

Starting in left field, Oneil Cruz was 2-for-5 with a walk and his 3rd home run of the season. The organization’s top prospect drove in 5 runs. Even though Cruz has struggled this season he has looked better at the plate in recent weeks and you have to think his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates will be coming soon.

First baseman Mason Martin also hit a home run for the Indians, giving him 5 on the season. Catcher Jason Delay hit a pair of doubles as part of a 4 hit performance in which he drove in a pair. Hoy Park had 3 hits, and Ji-Hwan Bae had a pair of hits including a triple.

Lefty Trey McGough started for Indy and had his first for outing of the season. McGough allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks, 3 home runs allowed, and 2 strikeouts in just 1.2 innings pitched. The outing ballooned his ERA on the season from 0.75 on the season to 3.95.

Jerad Eickoff, Cristofer Melendez, Cam Alldred, and Aaron Fletcher followed McGough. These four turned in a tremendous effort that allowed the Indy offense to rally before winning the game easily. The Indy bullpen allowed 4 hits, walked 2 and struck out 7 in 7.1 scoreless innings of work.

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