Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Jase Bowen Hits His 18th Home Run of the Season & More

Jase Bowen continues to rake at High-A, Mitch Jebb impresses in his professional debut, and more from a 4-0 Wednesday for Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliates

Entering the bottom of the 8th inning on Wednesday things were looking bleak for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. The top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates were trailing the Louisville Bats 5-1, but a 4 spot in the bottom of the 8th inning tied the game. This set up a 6-5 walk off victory for the Indians, who are now 46-51 on the season.

With two runners on base and one out in the 8th, Canaan Smith-Njigba launched a 3-run home run. The 10th home run of the season by Smith-Njigba cut the Louisville lead to 5-4. Vinny Capra then hit a two-out double to score Aaron Shackelford, tying the game.

With two out and no one on base in the bottom of the 9th, the game appeared to be on its way to extra innings. Josh Palacios, however, had other ideas. Palacios would call game by hitting a walk off solo home run, giving him 5 long balls at Triple-A this season and the Indians a win.

Kyle Nicolas started for Indy and allowed 5 runs in 4.2 innings pitched. Nicolas allowed five hits, a home run, walked four batters, and struck out four. In 23 innings pitched since being promoted to Indy Nicolas owns a 10.17 ERA. Not good!

Lefty Rob Zastryzny followed Nicolas, allowing a hit and striking a batter out in 1.1 scoreless innings of work. Yohan Ramirez, Duane Underwood Jr., and Juan Minaya all struck a batter out in a scoreless inning pitched.