Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Henry Davis Continues to Dominate & More

Henry Davis continues to dominate Double-A pitching, a big night at the plate for Jase Bowen, and more Pittsburgh Pirates minor league action

It was busy night in the minor leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This included a lopsided loss agaisnt the St. Paul Saints for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Following their 11-3 loss, the Indians are now 15-18 on the season.

Caleb Smith started for Indianapolis and struggled yet again. The veteran lefty allowed 8 runs on seven hits, four walks, three strikeouts, a home run, and he hit a batter in 3.2 innings pitched. Smith's ERA this season is now 8.78.

Hunter Stratton followed Smith, striking out a pair and allowing three hits in 1.1 scoreless innings pitched. Eli Villalobos struck a batter out in a 1-2-3 6th inning. Yerry De Los Santos continued his season long struggles, allowing a run in the 7th inning raising his ERA to 8.25. John O'Reilly pitched the 8th inning, allowing 2 runs on a home run.

Indy's offense did a strong impersonation of their parent club going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and leaving 11 runners on base. Nick Gonzales was 1-for-4 with a walk and a double, Endy Rodriguez was 1-for-5 with a double, and Ryan Vilade was 0-for-4 with a walk. Cal Mitchell, Jared Triolo, and Aaron Shackelford each had a base hit as well. As a team, Indy drew eight walks.

Big early innings carries Greensboro to victory

High-A Greensboro saw their offense coming out firing on Tuesday night. Scoring 7 runs through the first 3 innings of the game gave the Grasshoppers a 7-3 lead. This led to a 7-5 victory for Grasshoppers to improve to 17-11 on the season.

Tsung-Che Cheng walked to start the bottom of the 1st inning, Jackson Glenn doubled, Tres Gonzalez singled, and the Grasshopper offense was off and running. Jase Bowen then emptied the bases with a 3-run double.

Cheng continued his strong gmae and start to the season by doubling in a run in the 2nd inning. Bowen launched a 2-run home run in the 3rd inning. His 6th home run of the season gave him RBI numbers four and five on the night, making it 6-3. Wyatt Hendrie doubled home a run later in the inning to make it 7-3.

Valentin Linarez started for Greensboro and allowed 3 runs on five hits, two walks, two strikeouts, and a home run in 3 innings pitched. Grant Ford followed with 3 innings of his own, allowing 2 runs on two hits, a walk, and three strikeouts.

Michell Miliano was handed the ball looking to protect a 7-5 lead in the 7th inning. Miliano pitched 1.2 scoreless innings, stirking out a apir while allowing two hits and walking three. Will Kobos got the final out of hte 8th inning and pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning. Retiring all four batters he faced, Kobos struck out three.

Low-A Bradenton falls in extra innings

Despite leading 2-1 entering the 9th inning, the Low-A Bradenton Marauders fell to the Lakeland Flying Tigers 7-6 in 10 innings. With the loss, the Marauders are now 16-12 on the season.

Looking to close out a 2-1 lead, Mike Walsh got the ball in the 9th inning. Walsh proceeded to allow 3 runs on three hits and a walk. In the bottom of the 9th inning the Marauders would punch back. Termarr Johnson doubled, Rodolfo Nolasco walked, and Deivis Nadal doubled, tying the game at 4.

Ryan Harbin took the ball in the 10th inning and, like Walsh the inning prior, sturggled. Harbin allowed 3 runs on three hits in the top of the 10th. Once again the Marauders would attempt to rally and battle back.

Nick Cimillo doubled to start the inning. Enmanuel Terrero and Johnson had back-to-back one-out singles, cutting the lead to 7-6 and putting the tying run at second base. Unfortunately, Nolasco struck out and Shalin Polanco grounded out to end the game.