Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Anthony Solometo Continues to Struggle, Tres Gonzalez HR & More

Anthony Solometo's struggles continue, Tres Gonzalez hits a home run, and more Pittsburgh Pirates minor league action

At the top of the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system is the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Thursday night, the Indians fell to the Buffalo Bisons by a score of 4-1. With the loss, the Indians are now 59-68 on the season.

Quinn Priester started for Indy. In 5.2 innings pitched, he allowed 4 runs on three hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts. Priester now owns a 4.13 ERA at Triple-A this season. We could see him back in the majors this September.

Wil Crowe followed Priester, allowing two hits and striking out a pair in 1.1 scoreless innings pitched. Kyle Nicolas continued his strong transition to the bullpen allowing a hit, issuing a walk, and striking a batter out in a scoreless 8th inning.

Chris Owings bat lead off for Indy going 0-for-3 with two walks. Nick Gonzales was 2-for-4 with a double and Jared Triolo was 1-for-3 with a walk and a double. Canaan Smith-Njigba was 1-for-4 with an RBI, Mason Martin went 1-for-4, and Aaron Shackelford was 1-for-4 with a triple.

Anthony Solometo struggles, bullpen blows it in Altoona loss

The Double-A Altoona Curve fell to the Erie SeaWolves by a score of 3-1 on Thursday night. With the loss, the Curve are now 57-63 on the season. Poor offense/starting pitching and bullpen woes led to the loss.

Anthony Solometo started for Altoona and his recent struggles continued. Solometo pitched just 3.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on seven hits, a walk, and two strikeouts while throwing just 47 of 72 pitches for a strike.

Solometo now owns a 4.56 ERA in 47.1 innings at Double-A. The young lefty will be happy to move on from the month of August. In Solometo's last eight starts he now owns a 6.17 ERA in 32.1 innings pitched.

Noe Toribo followed Solometo. Toribio pitched 2.1 hitless, scoreless innings. Toribio hit a batter, did not issue a walk, and struck out three. Cam Junker walked a batter in a scoreless 7th inning.

Entering the 7th inning the Curve trailed 3-1 and had just four hits. Then in hte 7th inning, the Curve offense strung hits together to tie the game. Eli Wilson singled to start the inning and scored on a Jackson Glenn double that was accompanied by an Erie throwing error. Tsung-Che Cheng then singled home Glenn to tie the game.

Junker immediately allowed a home run to Luis Santana to start the 8th inning, giving the SeaWolves the lead back. Junker retired the next three batters, but at that point it was too late and Erie had regained a lead they would not relinquish.

Matt Fraizer singled to start the 9th and went to third base on a one-out single by Mike Jarvis. The Curve appeared to be in prime position to at least tie the game, but Lolo Sanchez struck out swinging and then Wilson struck out looking to end the game.