Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Cam Junker Struggles, More From Salt River Rafters Loss

Jack Brannigan gets on base twice, Cam Junker struggles on the mound, and more Pittsburgh Pirates prospect action from the Arizona Fall League on Monday night

In Monday night's Arizona Fall League action, the Salt River Rafters were defeated by the Mesa Solar Sox 10-8. With the high-scoring loss, the Rafters are now under .500 on the season at 9-10. In the loss, a pair of Pittsburgh Pirates prospects were in the lineup and a pitching prospect appeared in the game as well.

Jase Bowen has been one of the best hitters not just for the Rafters but in the AFL this season. Monday night, however, he was kept in checking going to just 1-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts. Despite this performance, he still owns a 1.002 OPS in the AFL.

Pirate prospect Jack Brannigan started at shortstop and continued his inconsistent season. Brannigan went 1-for-3, he was hit by a pitch, and scored two runs, raising his OPS on the season to .717. He also committed a throwing error, giving him 3 errors in the AFL.

Cam Junker entered the game in the 6th inning. Junker inherited a mess as the Solar Sox had the bases loaded with no one out, and had cut a 7-2 deficit to 7-6. Junker added to the struggles of the inning walking a batter, hitting a batter, allowing two hits, and striking out a pair. When the dust settled, Junker was charged with 2 runs, and allowed a pair of inherited runners to score making the score 10-7 Solar Sox.

With this poor performance Junker now owns a 9.00 ERA in the AFL this fall. He's pitched 6 innings, allowing 9 hits, walking 4 batters, and striking out 8. Hopefully, Junker will be able to right the ship and pitch more effectively as the AFL season goes on.