Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Another Endy Rodriguez Home Run & More

Poor starting pitching performance sinks Altoona

Friday night the Altoona Curve were doubled up by the Akron RubberDucks 8-4. The loss came after the RubberDucks scored 5 runs across the first 4 innings of the game. With the loss, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates are now 61-62 on the season.

Kyle Nicolas started for the Curve and struggled. Nicolas pitched 2.2 innings for Altoona, allowing 4 runs on three hits, four walks and three strikeouts. Nicolas struggled mightily with his control, throwing just 37 of his 74 pitches for a strike. Nicolas now owns a 4.17 ERA on the season.

Omar Cruz was the first man in out of the Curve bullpen. Cruz pitched 2.1 innings, allowing a run on two hits, two walks and a strikeout. Bear Bellomy also struggled allowing 2 runs on four hits in 2.2 innings pitched. Tahnaj Thomas pitched the final 1.1 innings of the night for the Curve, allowing a run on a hit, two walks and two strikeouts.

Second baseman Nick Gonzales was 1-for-4 for the Curve, but his lone hit was his 16th double of the season. Connor Scott was also 1-for-4 with a double, he also drove in a run. Andres Alvarez and Lolo Sanchez each had a hit as well.

The star of the night for the Curve was once again catcher Endy Rodriguez. Rodriguez was 1-for-3 with a walk, his 8th home run at the Double-A level and a RBI. He also threw out his seventh base runner in 19 games with Altoona. Rodriguez continues to push to become possibly the Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect.

High-A Greensboro rolls to a blowout victory over Winston-Salem

It has not been a good season for the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. Friday night, however, the Grasshoppers cruised to an easy 7-1 victory over the Winston-Salem Dash. With the win, the Grasshoppers are now 55-66 on the season.

Shortstop Mike Jarvis hit leadoff for the Grasshoppers. While Jarvis was 0-for-3, he did draw a walk and drove in a run. Hudson Head was 1-for-3 with two walks and a run scored and Jacob Gonzalez was 1-for-3 with two walks, a run scored and a RBI.

Abrahan Gutierrez started at first base and went 2-for-4. Gutierrez had two hits, including his 20th double of the season, drew a walk, drove in a run and scored a run. Ernny Ordonez also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.

Valentin Linarez started for the Grasshoppers and pitched 3 scoreless, hitless innings. Linarez walked three batters and struck out three. Domingo Gonzalez allowed a run on three hits, no walks and five strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. Mitchell Miller pitched the final 2 innings of the game, walked a pair and striking out three.

Termarr Johnson continues to swing a hot bat despite Bradenton getting shutout

Even though the Marauders were shutout and had very little offense, Termarr Johnson continued to stay hot at the plate. Johnson, who the Pittsburgh Pirates selected 3rd overall in July’s draft, now has an .885 OPS through his first eight games at the Low-A level.

Sergio Campana and Juan Jerez each had a single, and these were the only other hits for the Marauders outside of Johnson’s base knock. Marauder batters finished the game 3-for-29 with a pair of walks.

Luis Peralta started for the Marauders and pitched 3.2 innings. Peralta allowed 4 runs on three hits, a home run, five walks and two strikeouts. He there 42 of his 83 pitches for strikes.

Jake Sweeney relieved Peralta, walking a batter and striking out three in 1.1 scoreless, hitless innings pitched. Yunior Thibo allowed a hit in 2 scoreless innings pitched. Cy Nielson also pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit, issuing a walk and striking a batter out.