Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Matt Gorksi Homers Again & More

Matt Gorski hits another home run, Bligh Madris stays red hot and more in Friday’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

If people haven’t taken notice of Bligh Madris yet it’s time to take notice. While playing first base, a position where the Pittsburgh Pirates are in need of help, Madris has hit over .400 in the month of June. His hot month continued on Friday night as he went 3-for-5 with his 14th double of the season and 3 RBI for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in a 5-4 victory. With the win, the Indians improved to 31-31 on the season.

Mason Martin went 0-for-3 with a RBI and 2 walks, while Ji-Hwan Bae was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Rodolfo Castro wad 1-for-5 and catcher Carter Bins was 2-for-4 with his 4th Triple-A double and 2 RBI. Center fielder Jared Oliva had 2 hits, scored 3 runs and stole a base for the Indians.

Veteran righty Jerad Eickoff started for Indy. Eickoff pitched 5.2 strong innings for the Indians, allowing a run on 5 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. In fact, the only run that he allowed came via solo home run.

Aaron Fletcher pitched after Eickoff. The lefty allowed a run on a hit in 1.1 innings of relief. Fletcher now owns a 1.35 ERA at the Triple-A level this season. Austin Brice then finished the game off for Indy. It was not easy as Brice allowed a run in the 9th inning and had to strand the tying run, but in 2 innings pitched he struck out 3 batters.