Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: J.P. Massey, Braxton Ashcraft Pitch Well in First Start at New Level

Strong starting pitching performances in their debuts at new levels highlight Wednesday's Pirate minor league action
Minnesota's J.P. Massey (40) looks to the dugout during a NCAA Big Ten Conference baseball game
Minnesota's J.P. Massey (40) looks to the dugout during a NCAA Big Ten Conference baseball game / Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via
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J.P. Massey and Braxton Ashcraft impress in first starts at their new levels and more in Wednesday's Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

Wednesday night's Pittsburgh Pirates minor league action is one that was greatly impacted by the weather. Low-A Bradenton was rained out, while Triple-A Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona both played doubleheaders due to games that were rained out in April.

In game one of their doubleheader Triple-A Indianapolis rolled over the Columbus Clippers 11-2. Lefty Kent Emanuel started for Indy, allowing 2 runs on three hits, a walk, two home runs, and eight strikeouts in 6 innings pitched. John O'Reilly walked a batter and recorded a strikeout in a hitless, scoreless 7th inning.

Nick Gonzales bat lead off for the Indians, going 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, and a run scored. Endy Rodriguez was 1-for-4 with a walk, his 10th double of the season, and two RBI. Miguel Andújar was 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI, and Ryan Vilade was 2-for-2 with two walks, two doubles, a RBI, and a run scored.

Jared Triolo also had a huge game. Triolo started at third base and went 3-for-3 with a walk, two RBI, three runs scored, and four stolen bases. Triolo should earn his first promotion to the major leagues soon.

Game two saw the Indians fall 3-2. This loss dropped Indy to 30-40 on the season.

Travis MacGregor started for Indy, striking out three and allowing three hits in 3 scoreless innings pitched. Duane Underwood Jr. allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, on five hits in 2 innings pitched. Juan Minaya pitched the final 2 innings, posting a zero while not allowing a hit, walking two, and striking out two.

Gonzales served as the team's DH in game two and went 0-for-3. Chris Owings and Andújar were 0-for-3, Rodriguez was 0-for-2 with a walk, Vilade was 1-for-2 with a walk, and Triolo as 1-for-3 with a double. Catcher Grant Koch was 1-for-3 with a 2-run home run.