Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Miguel Andújar HR, Multi-Hit Night for Tsung-Che Cheng, More

Poor 2nd inning puts Greensboro in a hole they never recover from

To start the season the best team in the Pirate farm system has been the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. Well, Saturday night saw the Grasshoppers play one of their worst games of the season. After falling in a 5-0 hole in the 2nd inning, Greensboro never recovered in a loss agaisnt the Greenville Drive to fall to 10-4 on the season.

Valentin Linarez started for the Grasshoppers and took his lumps. Linarez owned a 2.35 ERA on the seasong entering the start, but after allowing 5 runs on five hits, a home run, and four strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched, his ERA has ballooned to 6.75.

Jaycob Deese replaces Linarez and got the final out of the 2nd inning. Deese pitched a scorelesss 3rd and 4th inning, before running into trouble in the 5th inning. Deese's struggles in the 5th inning was the start of Greensboro allowing 4 runs in the inning.

Deese and Dante Mendoza combined to allow the 4 runs in the 5th inning. Deese finished the night with 3 runs allowed on two hits, a walk, and a strikeout. Mendoza's struggles continued into the 6th inning, leading to him allowing 3 runs on five hits and a walk in 2 innings pitched.

Drew Irvine allowed 2 runs on two hits, two walks, and two strikeouts in 2 innings pitched. Oliver Mateo finished things off by allowing a hit, issuing a walk, and striking out a pair in his lone inning pitched.

Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng once again led the way for the Grasshopper offense. Cheng went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. Ernny Ordonez was 1-for-5 with a solo home run, Hudson Head went 1-for-3 with two walks, and Sammy Siani was 1-for-4.