Pittsburgh Pirates: Yoshi Tsutsugo Homers Again on Rehab Stint & More

Apr 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo (25) hits an RBI sacrifice fly against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo (25) hits an RBI sacrifice fly against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 22: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates steals third base against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 22, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 22: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates steals third base against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 22, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Rehab starts continue at Triple-A, shutout losses for Double-A and High-A, and more in Saturday’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

It was an up and down night for the top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians trailed 3-0 after the 1st inning, scored 8 runs in the top of the 2nd inning, and then found themselves in an 8-8 game after 5 innings of play.

With the game still tied at 8 going to the bottom of the 8th inning, the Nashville Sound scored twice to make the score 10-8. This would go on to be the final score, dropping the Indians to 37-38 on the season.

Miguel Yajure started for the Indians and struggled. Yajure allowed 7 runs on 8 hits, a home urn, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in 3 innings pitched. Eric Stout pitched 2 innings, allowing run on 2 hits, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts. After Eric Handhold pitched a scoreless inning, John O’Reilly allowed 2 runs on a home run and a walk in 2 innings pitched.

Offensively, the Indians were led by Pittsburgh Pirates players who were continuing their rehab stints. Kevin Newman bat leadoff while serving as the team’s designate hitter, going 3-for-5 with a double, a RBI and a run scored.

Yoshi Tsutsugo was 2-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk. Tsutsugo now has 2 home runs, 8 walks and an OPS of 1.343 during his rehab stint. All signs point toward Tsutsugo being ready to rejoin the Pirates.

Ben Gamel started in left field going 0-for-4 with a walk and run scored. Jake Marisnick hit clean up. Marisnick started in right field and was 1-for-5 with a run scored. Newman, Tsutsugo, and Gamel should all rejoin the Pittsburgh Pirates by Tuesday.

Ji-Hwan Bae had a rare offensive performance going 0-for-4. Travis Swaggerty was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI as he continues to push for another opportunity in the majors. Rodolfo Castro was 2-for-4 with his 8th home run at Triple-A and 2 RBI.

DENVER, CO – JULY 11: Quinn Priester #40 of National League Futures Team pitches against the American League Futures Team at Coors Field on July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JULY 11: Quinn Priester #40 of National League Futures Team pitches against the American League Futures Team at Coors Field on July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Double-A Altoona gets shutout by the Harrisburg Senators

One night after shutting out the Harrisburg Senators, the Altoona Curve were shutout by the Senators. Following a 6-0 loss, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates are now 36-38 on the season.

Quinn Priester started for Altoona and struggled. The former first-round pick allowed 3 runs on 5 his, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. Priester threw 48 of 74 pitches (64.9%) for strikes.

J.C. Flowers followed Priester, allowing 2 runs on a hit, 3 walks and a strikeout in 1 inning pitched. Brad Case pitched the final 4 innings for the Curve, allowing a run on 4 hits, a hit batter, no walks and 3 strikeouts.

As one would expect in a shutout loss it was a poor night for the Curve offense. Third baseman Jared Triolo was 2-for-4, while first baseman Aaron Shackelford and second baseman Andres Alvarez were both 1-for-3. The rest of the Curve lineup was 0-for-20 with a walk.

Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Greensboro shutout in weather shortened game

On Saturday, the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers fell to 31-42 on the season. This comes as the result of an 8-0 loss against the Hickory Crawdads, a loss that came in a game that lasted just 7 innings due to lightning.

Jared Jones starten for the Grasshoppers and struggled. This was disheartening after Jones turned in a strong start his last time out and gave reason to believe he could be pulling out of the doldrums that have plagued him most of the season.

Jones pitched just 4.2 innings. He allowed 6 runs on 6 this, 2 walks, a home runs and just 2 strikeouts. On the season Jones now has a 5.27 ERA in 68.1 innings pitched. Despite the high ERA, he has struck out 88 batters in 68.1 innings pitched.

Santiago Florez followed Jones. Florez pitched 1.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, a walk and a pair of strikeouts. Due to lightning shortening the game, Florez would be the last pitcher of the night for the Grasshoppers.

Much like the Curve, it was a long night for the Grasshopper offense. Second baseman Mike Jarvis and third baseman Dariel Lopez were both 1-for-3. First baseman Jacob Gonzalez went 1-for-2 with a walk. The rest of the lineup was 0-for-13 with two walks.

(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

A rally in the bottom of the 9th inning wasn’t enough for Low-A Bradenton in a 1-run loss

Entering the 9th inning the Low-A Bradenton Marauders were trailing 3-0. The Marauders were able to rally in the bottom of the 9th inning, but it wasn’t enough in a 3-2 loss against the Tampa Tarpons. With the loss, the Marauders are now 32-41 on the season.

Rodolfo Nolasco walked to start the bottom of the 9th inning. With one out in the inning Wyatt Hendrie hit a 2-run home run. This was Hendrie’s 2nd home run of the season and cut Tampa’s lead to 3-2.

Following the Hendrie home run Jasiah Dixon singled. This put the tying run on base and brought the winning run to the plate for the Marauders. Randy Romero would then strikeout with Dixon being thrown out attempting to steal second base to end the game.

Yoelvis Reyes started for the Marauders. Reyes pitched 3.2 innings, allowing a run on a hit and 5 strikeouts. However, he did walk 5 batters. Reyes now owns a 2.08 ERA and 8 strikeouts in 8.2 innings pitched for Bradenton this season.

Next. Reynolds to the Yankees?. dark

First up out of the Bradenton bullpen was Carlos Campos. Campos walked a pair and struck out a pair in 2.1 scoreless innings pitched. Jack Hartman pitched an inning, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on 2 hits, a walk, and a strikeout. Carlos Lomeli walked a batter, struck a batter out, and allowed 2 hits in 2 scoreless innings pitched.

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