Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Indy Splits Doubleheader & More

Triple-A Indy splits a doubleheader, a big day for Endy Rodriguez and more in Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians played a doubleheader against the Louisville Bats on Wednesday.  After splitting the day’s games, the top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates remain three games under .500 on the season at 48-51.

Game one saw the Indians pick up a 4-3 walk-off victory. The walk-off came when Mason Martin singled home Brendt Citta in the bottom of the 7th inning. This was part of a 2-for-3 game for Martin in which he also drew a walk and scored a run. While Martin has struggled mightily this season, it was good to see him come through with the big hit.

Jack Suwinski also had a two-hit performance for the Indians, including a RBI. Suwinski continues to rake at Triple-A and should be re-called to the majors immediately. Diego Castillo started at shortstop going 1-for-4 with his 1st home run since be optioned to Triple-A. Travis Swaggerty was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks, while Rodolfo Castro went 2-for-3 with a walk and a RBI.

Miguel Yajure started game one for the Indians and turned in one of his best outings of the season. In 5 innings pitched he allowed a run on three hits, a walk and five strikes. He threw 65% of his pitches for strikes and had multiple pitches working in the start. While Austin Brice allowed a pair of runs in the 6th inning, Eric Handhold struck a batter out in a scoreless 7th inning pitched.

Game two of the twin bill saw the Indians fall to the Bats 9-6.

Hoy Park bat leadoff for the Indians in game two going 2-for-4 with a RBI. Suwinski remained hot hitting his 5th home run since being optioned to Triple-A. Suwinski never should have been optioned to the minors and it’s well beyond time for him to return to the majors.

Martin had another two-hit performance while scoring a run. Jared Oliva was 2-for-3 with a triple while driving in a pair of runs. Taylor Davis also had a hit and a RBI for the Indians in their game two loss.

Zach Matson started game two, allowing 2 runs on three walks and a walk in 2 innings pitched. Noe Toribio allowed 5 runs, 2 earned, on four hits, three walks, and three strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched. Cam Alldred pitched the last 2.1 innings of the game for the Indians, allowing 2 runs on four hits.

Late inning rallies by Akron sinks Altoona

Thursday night the Double-A Altoona Curve held a 2-1 lead over the Akron RubberDucks entering the 7th inning. However, late inning rallies by the RubberDucks prove costly for the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate leading to a 4-2 loss, dropping them to 47-51 on the season.

Luis Ortiz started for the Curve and early on was cruising. Through the first 6 innings he had allowed just 1 run. Ortiz allowed a run in the 7th, and went back out to start the 8th inning. This would prove to be a costly decision as Ortiz allowed a single and a home run before being pulled.

Ortiz pitched 7+ innings, allowing 4 runs on four hits, no walks, two home runs and five strikeouts. Lefty Tyler Samaniego followed Ortiz and continued his strong work, striking a batter out and allowing just one hit in 2 scoreless innings pitched.

Offensively, there were few highlights for the Curve. Jared Triolo started at third base and continued to bat leadoff, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, a RBI and his 2nd triple of the season. Catcher Blake Sabol was 1-for-3 with a RBI. Fabricio Macias, Matt Fraizer, Liover Peguero, and Connor Scott were all 1-for-4.

Low-A Bradenton suffers a one-run loss following a rain delay

Following a lengthy rain delay the Low-A Bradenton Marauders played baseball on Wednesday night. Due to the rain delay the Marauders and Fort Myers Mighty Mussels played just 7 innings on Wednesday night. The Marauders would suffer a 3-2 loss, falling to 49-48 on the season.

Righty Carlos Jimenez started for the Marauders. He allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, on three hits, five walks and four strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. Jimenez has quietly put together a strong season as he now owns a 3.36 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 52.1 innings pitched this season. Mitchell Miller followed Jimenez, striking out three batters in 2 scoreless innings pitched.

Tsung-Che Cheng started at designated hitter and bat leadoff for the Marauders. Cheng was 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored. Right fielder Jase Bowen was 1-for-3 and drove in one of the two Marauder runs. Cheng’s hit was his 15th double of the season while Bowen’s was his 17th.

First baseman Juan Jerez hit a solo home run. His 4th home run of the season was part of a 1-for-2 performance that also saw him draw a walk. The rest of the Marauder lineup was 0-for-16 with a pair of walks and 11 strikeouts.