Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Kevin Newman Walk Off & More

Aug 21, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman (27) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman (27) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 21, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman (27) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman (27) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports /

While the Pittsburgh Pirates did not play on Monday, it was a busy day for their minor league affiliates on Independence Day

If Monday felt a bit weird it may be because the Pittsburgh Pirates were not playing baseball on the 4th of July. Instead, it was an off day ahead of starting a two-game series against the New York Yankees.

While the Pirates had the day off, it was a busy day for their minor league affiliates. While Double-A Altoona had their game postponed, the organization’s other three minor league clubs played on Monday. This included a 5-4 walk off victory for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians who are now 38-39 on the season.

In what may have been his final rehab start, Kevin Newman walked it off for the Indians. His walk off single capped off a 2-run 10th inning. It was part of a 3-for-5 night for Newman that also saw him draw a walk. Newman now has a .926 OPS during his rehab assignment and could re-join the Pittsburgh Pirates as soon as Tuesday.

Ji-Hwan Bae was in the two-hole behind Newman and went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Another player continuing their rehab assignment was Jake Marisnick who started in right field and went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored.

Designated hitter Cal Mitchell was 2-for-4 with a walk and 2 RBI. Travis Swaggerty hit his 4th triple of the season. It was also a multi-hit night for Mason Martin who finished the game 2-for-5 with a run scored.

Osvaldo Bido started for the Indians, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks, a home runs allowed and 3 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched. Dillon Peters, in potentially his final rehab outing, pitching a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. Eric Handhold also pitched a scoreless inning, while Joe Jaques pitched 1.2 scoreless innings. John O’Reilly pitched the final 1.1 innings of the game, surrendering an unearned run when the Iowa Cub runner who started the 10th inning on base came around to score.

Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports /

Greensboro’s offense explodes for 7 runs in the 8th inning leading to a comfortable victory

The High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers were in an early hole on Monday. After the Greenville Drive scored 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning things were not looking good for the Grasshoppers. Well, the Grasshoppers would go on to fight back to tie the game before exploding for 7 runs in the 8th inning.

Their 8th inning offensvie explosion led to an 11-4 victory for the Grasshoppers. With the victory the High-A affiliates of the Pittsburgh Pirates improved to 32-43 on the season. In what has been a down season for the Grasshoppers this will go as a moment that stands out.

Nick Garcia started for the Grasshoppers. After allowing 3 runs in the 1st inning, he settled in to allow just 1 more run across the next 4 innings. Overall, Garcia allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, 4 walks, a home run, and 4 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

When Garcia’s outing ended the Grasshopper bullpen would promptly shut things down. Denny Roman pitched 2 hitless, scoreless innings. While he did not strike a batter out, he also walked just a single batter.

Cam Junker allowed a hit in 1.2 scoreless innings pitched. While he walked a pair of batters, he also struck out a batter. Oliver Mateo was then summoned from the bullpen to get the final out of the game which he was able to do.

The 8th inning rally was powered by a pair of home runs. With two outs in the inning Mike Jarvis launched a 3-run home run, which was his 1st home run of the season. This was part of a 4 RBI night for Jarvis. Catcher Endy Rodriguez then got in on the two-out 3-run home run fun himself by hitting his 9th home run of the season.

Outfielder Hudson Head also hit a home run in the game. Head’s home run, his 4th of the season, was a solo shot in the 7th inning. Head finished the game 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. First baseman Jacob Gonzalez also had a multi-hit night going 2-for-5 with a run scored. Outfielder Sammy Siani also drove in a run.

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Low-A Bradenton celebrates the 4th of July with a shutout victory

The Bradenton Marauders shutdown the Lakeland Flying Tiger offense on Monday. Following a 5-0 shutout victory, the Marauder are now 34-41 on the season.

Valentin Linarez started for the Marauders and pitched a gem. Linarez allowed just 4 hits in 6.1 scoreless innings pitched. The 22-year-old righty walked a batter and struck out 5 in his 6.1 innings of work.

Johan Montero followed Linarez and picked up where he had left off. Montero pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief for the Marauders. Montero allowed a hit, did not walk a batter and struck out 5.

Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored at the top of the Marauder lineup. Jase Bowen was 1-for-4 with a run scored, while Deivis Nadal went 1-for-3 while drawing a walk and scoring a run.

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Rodolfo Nolasco had a hit, scored a run and drove in a run. Sergio Campana and Randy Romero each drove in a run as well.

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