Pittsburgh Pirates: Strong Kyle Nicolas Start, Triple-A Walk Off & More

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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 15: Rodolfo Castro #14 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on May 15, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

A walk off win for Triple-A Indianapolis and more in Saturday night’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

Saturday night the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, the top minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, picked up a 7-6 walk off victory over the St. Paul Saints. After Bligh Madris reached on an error with one out in the bottom of the 9th inning and Travis Swaggerty walked, Mason Martin hit a walk off single for the Indians, improving the team to 42-47 on the season.

Tucupita Marcano started at shortstop and bat leadoff for the Indians, going 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Second baseman Ji-Hwan Bae was a also 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Rodolfo Castro started at third base, going 2-for-5 with 3 RBI and a pair of home runs, giving him 11 on the season at Triple-A.

Starting at first base, Bligh Madris also went deep for the Indians. It was part of a 2-for-5 performance. Center fielder Travis Swaggerty and left fielders Jared Oliva both had two hit performances as well.

Miguel Yajure started for the Indians, allowing 3 runs on five hits, two home runs and a strikeout in 3.2 innings pitched. After Joe Jaques got the final out of the 4th inning, Jerad Eickhoff pitched 2 innings allowing 3 runs on five hits. Erin Handhold, Cam Vieux and Eric Stout each pitched a scoreless inning.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Kyle Nicolas #95 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Double-A Altoona suffers a tough loss

Saturday nigh the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate Altoona Curve suffered a tough 2-1 loss against the Harrisburg Senators. With the loss, the Curve are now just one game over .500 on the season at 45-44.

Despite the Curve losing, righty Kyle Nicolas turned in a strong start on Saturday night. Nicolas pitched 5 innings for the Curve, allowing 2 runs on four hits, a walk and three strikeouts. On the season Nicolas now owns a 4.21 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 57.2 innings pitched this season.

Nick Dombkowski followed Nicolas, striking out three batters in 2 scoreless, hitless innings pitched. Tahnaj Thomas allowed tow hits, but also struck out a pair in a scoreless inning pitched, giving him a 3.34 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched this season.

Third baseman Jared Triolo bat leadoff for the Curve, going 1-for-3 with a walk. Andrea Alvarez was 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, designated hitter Blake Sabol was also 1-for-3 with a walk. Liover Peguero and Matt Fraizer each had a hit for the Curve as well.

PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 17: A detailed view of the Nike cleats and Stance Socks worn by Jake Marisnick #41 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park on April 17, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Greensboro picks up a 1-run victory over Hickory

Saturday night saw the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers defeat the Hickory Crawdads, a former farmhand of the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-6. With the win, the Grasshoppers are now 38-49 on the season.

Catcher Endy Rodriguez was the star for the Grasshoppers in their victory. Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, 3 RBI and two home runs. Rodriguez now has 11 home runs on the season.

Abrahan Gutierrez, who started at designated hitter, was 1-for-3 with a walk and his 7th home run of the season. Third baseman Jackson Glenn was 1-for-4 with a 3-run home run, his 4th home run of the season.

Jared Jones started for the Grasshoppers. While he picked up a victory, he struggled allowing 5 runs on six hits, a walk, two home runs and five strikeouts. Domingo Gonzalez pitched 2 innings, allowing a run. Cam Junker then struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning to pick up the save.

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Yoshi Tsutsugo #32 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a ball into the stands in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the game at PNC Park on September 15, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Puerto Rican MLB players and staff are being given the option of wearing #21 in honor of Roberto Clemente Day. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Low-A Bradenton rolls ot victory

Yoelvis Del Rosario started for Bradenton on Saturday night. Del Rosario pitched 5 innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates Low-A affiliates, allowing 2 runs on two hits, three walks, no home runs and two strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

Del Rosario’s start set the tone for the Marauders in a 7-3 victory. A victory that improved the Marauders to 44-44 on the season. Johan Montero followed Del Rosario, pitching a scoreless inning. Wilkin Ramos then allowed a run on two hits in an inning pitched.

Juan Jerez hit his 3rd home run of the season for the Marauders, part of a 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored, a 5 RBI night for Jerez. Tsung-Che Cheng started at second base going 1-for-3 with a walk, while Jase Bowen was 1-for-4.

Next. José Quintana Pitches Gem in 1-0 Victory. dark

Jerez’s grand slam was the big blast of the night. Shortstop Maikol Escotto also drove in a run, but it was in a 0-for-3 night. Left fielder Angel Basabe also drove in a run for the Marauders in their victory.

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