Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: 9th Inning Rally for the Curve & More

High-A Greensboro suffers a 1-run loss, while Low-A Bradenton picks up a 1-run win

The High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers fell to 28-40 on the season after suffering a 5-4 loss against the Asheville Tourists. Endy Rodriguez started in left field going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Right fielder Yoyner Fajardo, shortstop/third baseman Dariel Lopez and catcher Eli Wilson all hit solo home runs for the Grasshoppers.

Jared Jones started for Greensboro and turned in a much needed excellent start. Jones pitched 7 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 9 batters. He also did not issue a walk. Jones has some of the best stuff in the Pirate system but has struggled with his control in recent months. Sunday afternoon, he flashed why he could be a top of the rotation starting pitcher one day.

Cam Junker relieved Jones out of the bullpen and struggled. Junker pitched 1.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits, a walk, 2 strikeouts and a home run. Oliver Mateo finished the game off by getting the final two outs of the 4-run Asheville 9th inning, but not before allowing an inherited run to score.

For Low-A Bradenton, the pitching was strong from start to finish. Luis Peralta started the 3-2 victory, which improves the team to 31-37 on the season, allowing a hit and striking out 5 in 3 scoreless innings pitched.

Yoelvis Reyes followed with 2 scoreless innings of relief, while Wilkin Ramos allowed an unearned run in his inning pitched. Mitchell Miller pitched 2 innings allowing a run while striking out 3, Dante Mendoza then struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning.

Tucuptia Marcano began a rehab stint by battling leadoff and playing second base. He was 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng hit his 4th triple of the season and drove in a run. First baseman Brenden Dixon and center field Jasiah Dixon each had a base hit as well.