Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Lonnie White Jr. Stays Hot at Bradenton and More

Lonnie White Jr. stays hot at Low-A, another Anthony Solometo start with Altoona, and more in today's Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians were shut out by the Gwinnett Stripes 6-0 on Wednesday night. With the loss, the top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates is now a poor 49-54 for the 2023 season.

The Indian offense was held to just five hits. Canaan Smith-Njigba and Ryan Vilade were both 1-for-4. Miguel Andúja was 2-for-4 with his 25th double of the season. Third baseman Francisco Acuna was 1-for-4, Grant Koch, Mason Martin, and Chase Bissonette all drew a walk. That was it for Indy base runners.

Andre Jackson served as an opener for Indy. Jackson struck a batter out in a 1-2-3 1st inning. Lefty Kent Emanuel was the bulk man for Indy, allowing 3 runs on eight hits, a walk, and three strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

Cody Bolton took over in the 7th inning and struggled. Bolton faced six batters, allowing three hits and walking a pair while recording just one out. This led to Bolton being charged with 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning pitched. Yohan Ramirez did his best to clean the mess up, striking out four batters while retiring all five he faced in 1.2 scoreless innings pitched.

Altoona records just four hits in shutout loss

It was not just Triple-A Indy who got shutout on Wednesday. The Double-A Altoona Curve also suffered a shutout loss, falling 7-0 agaisnt the Richmond Flying Squirrels. With the loss, the Curve are now 45-49 on the season.

Anthony Solometo started for Altoona, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings pitched. Solometo allowed these runs on seven hits, a walk, and three strikeouts. He hit two batters, and thew 51 of 79 pitches for strikes. In 33.2 innings pitched in 7 starts since being promoted to Double-A, Solometo now owns a 3.48 ERA, 7 walks, and 36 strikeouts.

Noe Toribio followed Solometo. Toribio allowed 2 runs on three hits, a hit batter, and strikeout in 2 innings pitched. Geronimo Franzua allowed a hit and walked a batter in a scoreless 8th inning. Tyler Samaniego would allow 2 runs on four hits and a walk in the 9th inning, the once promising lefty relief pitching prospect now owns a 5.66 ERA this season.

Lolo Sanchez, Caludio Finol, and Chavez Young each drew a walk for the Curve. Young also recorded a single. Tsung-Che Cheng, Matt Fraizer, and Will Matthiessen all went 1-for-4. And, well, that was it for Curve offense on Wednesday.

8th inning run leads to 1-run victory for Bradenton

Powered by a run in the bottom of the 8th inning, the Low-A Bradenton Marauders picked up a 1-run victory on Wednesday. This victory was a 3-2 win over the Tampa Tarpons. With the win, the Marauders are now 57-40 on the season.

Pitching played a big role in the Marauder victory. Their pitching was led by starter Luis Peralta who allowed three hits, walked three, and struck out six in 3.2 scoreless innings pitched. Owen Sharts followed Peralta, allowing three runs and striking out three in 2.1 scoreless innings pitched.

Lefty Julian Bosnic pitched the 7th and 8th innings. After pitching a scoreless 7th inning, Bosnic allowed 2 runs in the 8th inning. In 2 innings pitched, Bosnic allowed 2 runs on three hits and two strikeouts. Brandan Bidois picked up his 2nd save of the season with a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Lonnie White Jr. led the way for the Marauder offense going 2-for-4 with a double and hsi 3rd home run at the Low-A level. His home run was a solo shot in the bottom of the 8th inning and proved to be the game winning hit.

Tanner Tredaway went 1-for-3 with the only other Marauder hit.