Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Strong Starting Pitching at Each Level & More

Home runs, dominant starting pitching performance carry Bradenton to shutout victory

When a team gets a strong starting pitching performance and hits multiple home runs, it is typically a recipe for success. For the Low-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Bradenton Marauders, that was the case in Sunday’s 4-0 victory. A victory that improved the team’s record on the season to 61-58.

Po-Yu Chen started for the Marauders and turned in one of his best starts of the season. Chen allowed two hits, walked a pair and struck out four in 5 shutout innings pitched. Chen owns a 4.44 ERA on the season, but over the course of his last nine starts Chen’s ERA is just 3.12.

Jack Hartmann followed Chen, striking a batter out in a scoreless inning pitched. After Jake Sweeney allowed a hit and issued a pair of walks to load the bases, Darvin Garcia cleaned the mess up on his way to pitching 2.1 scoreless innings of relief. Luigi Hernandez then got the final out of the game.

Offensively, the Marauders were carried by a trio of home runs. Bubba Chandler served as the team’s designated hitter, going 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run. This was Chandler’s first home run since being promoted to Low-A.

2022 draft pick Jack Brannigan also got in on the power surge. The slugging third baseman hit a two-run home run, giving him three already since being drafted last month. Brannigan already owns an .811 OPS in 66 plate appearances with the Marauders.

Catcher Henry Davis also hit a blast for the Marauders as he continues his rehab assignment. Tanner Tredaway was 1-for-3, Tres Gonzalez was 1-for-3 with a double and Tsung-Che Cheng was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.