Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Strong Sean Sullivan Start, Cal Mitchell HR & More

9th inning problems sink Double-A Altoona

Entering the 9th inning on Thursday evening the Altoona Curve and Akron RubberDucks were tied at 2. The Curve bullpen would unfortunately falter in the 9th inning, allowing a pair of runs leading to a 4-2 loss. With the loss, the Curve fell to 13-15 on the season.

Lefty Tyler Samaniego has pitched well for Altoona this season. However, he allowed 2 runs on four hits in the 9th inning on Thursday leading to the loss. The most gutwrenching part is that the runs came via three straight two-out hits.

In the bottom of the 9th inning the Curve looked primed to at least tie the game. Andres Alvarez was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Connor Scott singled, and the runners were then bunted over to put two runners in scoring position with just one out. Following the sacrifice bunt, Matthew Fraizer struck out and Liover Peguero grounded out to end the inning.

Sean Sullivan started for Altoona and continued to pitch well. In 6 innings pitched, Sullivan allowed 2 runs on seven hits, no walks, and three strikeouts. In 21.2 innings pitched this season Sullivan now owns a 2.08 ERA and an 8:18 BB:K ratio. Cam Junker then followed Sullivan with 2 scoreless innings of his own, lowering his ERA to 2.38.

Even though he grounded out to end the game, Peguero also hit his 2nd home run of the season. Matt Gorski was 1-for-4, Alvarez was 1-for-3, and Scott's 9th inning hit was one of a pair on the night for him. The only other Curve base runners came on a pair of Lolo Sanchez walks and a Claudio Finol walk.

1-run victory for High-A Greensboro

The Greensboro Grasshoppers continue to be one of the best teams in the Pirate minor league system this season. Following a 4-3 victory over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the Grasshoppers are now 19-11 this season. Their 19 wins are the most in the Pirate farm system.

Lead off man Tsung-Che Cheng went 0-for-2, but he did draw a pair of walks. Mike Jarvis and Tres Gonzalez each had a hit and a RBI. Jase Bown and Hudson Head each went 1-for-4, this included a RBI for Head.

Infielder Maikol Escotto was 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and a RBI. Sammy Siani was also 0-for-2 with a pair of walks.

Po-Yu Chen started for Greensboro and turned in one of his best starts of the season. Chen allowed 2 runs on five hits, no walks, and five strikeouts in 6 innings pitched. This lowered Chen's ERA on the season to 6.75 for the struggling righty who has had a very disappointing season thus far.

Dante Mendoza allowed a hit, walked a batter, and struck out four in 2 scoreless innings pitched. Jack Carey allowed a run on a hit and walk, but struck a batter out to finish things off in the 9th inning for his 3rd save of the season.

Low-A Bradenton defeats Lakeland once again

Following a 6-4 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday night the Bradenton Marauders are now 18-12 on the season. Alessandro Ercolani started for the Marauders, allowing 2 runs on two hits, a walk, and three strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

Joshua Loeschorn followed Ercolani with 2 innings pitched. Loeschorn allowed 2 runs on four hits, a walk, and four strikeouts. Yunior Thibo retired all six batters he faced while striking out three in 2 scoreless innings to close out the game as he picked up his 3rd save of the season.

Left fielder Deivis Nadal was 1-for-4 with a 2-run home run, his 3rd long ball of the season. Termarr Johnson was 1-for-3 with a walk. Alexander Mojica was 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a RBI.