Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Anthony Solometo Keeps Pitching Well & More

Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate gets shutout on Thursday night

Thursday night was not a good offensive night for the Altoona Curve. The Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates got shutout by the Akron RubberDucks in a 4-0 loss, dropping the Curve to 60-61 on the season.

While the Curve were shutout, the struggling Liover Peguero recorded a much needed multi-hit night going 2-for-4 with a double. However, he also committed a fielding error which gives him 30 errors on the season.

Endy Rodriguez was 1-for-3 with a walk and his 8th double since being promoted to Altoona, giving him a 1.131 OPS in 75 plate appearances at the Double-A level. Connor Scott was 1-for-4 with a double, while Aaron Shackelfrod and Matt Fraizer each had a hit as well.

With runners in scoring position the Curve went 0-for-4 on their way to leaving seven runners on base.

Aaron Shortridge started for the Curve and allowed 4 runs on seven hits, two walks and three strikeouts in 5 innings pitched. However, due to a trio of Curve errors none of the runs Shortridge allowed were earned.

Lefty Nick Dombkowski gave the Curve 3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Dombkowski now owns a 3.12 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched for Altoona. Overall, Dombkowski owns a 2.52 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 60.1 minor league innings pitched this season. Colin Selby allowed a hit and struck a batter out in a scoreless 9th inning.

Greensboro’s bullpen imploded leading to a blowout loss

Entering the 7th inning on Thursday night, the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers held a 3-0 lead over the Greenville Drive. Well, following a bullpen implosion the Grasshoppers found themselves be defeated by a score of 10-3 to fall to 54-65 on the season.

Nick Garcia started for the Grasshoppers and was terrific. Garcia allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five in 6 scoreless innings pitched. Garcia has now pitched 106 innings this season in 24 appearances, 22 starts, posting a 3.91 ERA while striking out 103 batters.

Cristian Charle, Eddy Yean, Logan Hofmann and Denny Roman each pitched out of the Grasshopper bullpen, and each allowed at least one run. From the 7th through the 9th inning, they combined to allow 10 runs on nine hits, five walks, and two home runs. This included Hofmann failing to retire a batter.

At the plate, Hudson Head was 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Mike Jarvis was 1-for-4 with a double, walk and a run scored. Jacob Gonzalez drove in a run, while Abrahan Gutierrez was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Eli Wilson and Jackson Glenn each drove in a run for the Grasshoppers as well.

Bradenton hangs on after allowing 4 runs in the 9th inning

What looked like would be an easy victory became one that the Bradenton Marauders had to sweat out. After allowing 4 runs in the 9th inning, the Marauders hung on to defeat the Ft. Meyers Might Mussels 8-7. With the win, the Low-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates is now 63-58 on the season.

Anthony Solometo started for the Marauders and continued to pitch well. Solometo walked three batters, but allowed just a run on two hits and five strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. The 19-year-old lefty now owns a 2.95 ERA and has struck out 46 batters in 42.2 innings pitched this season. With how well Solometo has pitched this season, especially at just 19-years-old, he should be ticketed for High-A to begin the 2023 season.

Jake Sweeney relieved Solometo and got the final two outs of the 5th inning. Will Kobos pitched the 6th inning, allowing a two-run home run. Wilber Dotel did not allow a hit in 2.1 innings pitched, but allowed a pair of runs after he walked six.

Kobos started the 9th inning mess by issuing a pair of one-out walks before being lifted for Darvin Garcia who entered the game and allowed a two-run triple. After walking two batters, Garcia recorded a strikeout and then allowed a base hit. With the go-ahead run at the plate, Garcia was lifted for Johan Montero who got a pop out to end the game as the Marauders survived the 9th inning scare.

Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng set the tone at the top of the Marauder lineup going 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles, giving him 24 on the season, and two RBI. Right fielder Jasiah Dixon was 3-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI.

It was also a big day at the plate for members of the Pittsburgh Pirates 2022 draft class. Tres Gonzalez started in center field going 1-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored. Left fielder Tanner Tredaway was 2-for-4 with his first Low-A home run and three RBI. First-round pick Termarr Johnson was 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run scored and a RBI.