Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Another Endy Rodriguez Home Run & More

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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) /

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.

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