Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Strong Start From Po-Yu Chen & More

A strong Po-Yu Chen start gets wasted at High-A, a three hit night for Jackson Glenn at Double-A, and more Pittsburgh Pirates minor league action

After scoring twice in the 8th inning the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians appeared to be on their way to victory. However, a 3-run 9th inning would sink the top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-3 walk off loss against the Iowa Cubs. With the loss, Indy is now 44-50 on the season.

Jared Jones started for Indy and was flashing his elite stuff, including a fastball that was touching 99 MPH. In 4 innings pitched, Jones allowed 2 runs on three hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. He threw 45 of 70 pitches for strikes, but also hit two batters.

Travis MacGregor followed with 3 terrific innings of relief. In 3 scoreless innings, MacGregor allowed three hits, issued a walk, and struck out three. Cody Bolton took over and pitched a scoreless 8th inning, before allowing 3 runs in the 9th leading to the walk off loss.

Offensively, outside of a pair of home runs, it was a struggle for the Indians.

Josh Palacios was 2-for-4 with a solo home run, his 6th at the Triple-A level this season, and catcher Grant Koch was 2-for-3 with a 2-run home run, giving him 4. An Alika Williams double, Miguel Andújar single, and a Chase Bissonette single were the only other hits for Indy.

Offense struggles in a loss for Double-A Altoona

Following a 3-1 loss against the Reading Fightin Phils on Saturday, the Double-A Altoona Curve are now 41-44 on the season. Sean Sullivan started for Altoona, allowing 2 runs on two hits, two walks, a home run, and two strikeouts in 2 innings pitched.

Justin Meis followed Sullivan. In 3 scoreless, hitless innings pitched, Meis walked a batter and struck out six. Tahnaj Thomas had 2 scoreless, hitless innings of his own, walking three and striking out two. Cam Junker allowed a run on two hits in the 8th inning and lefty Tyler Samaniego struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning.

The lone offensive bright spot for Altoona was Jackson Glenn. Starting at third base, Glenn was 3-for-4 with his 1st home run of the season. Abrahan Gutierrez served as the team's designated hitter going 2-for-4. Tsung Che-Cheng was 1-for-4.

Bradenton suffers 1-run loss

The Low-A Bradenton Marauders fell to 51-37 on the season on Saturday. This came as a result of a 3-2 loss against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. A game in which the Marauders were held to just four hits.

Lonnie White Jr. went 1-for-3 with a walk and he was hit by a pitch. Yordany De Los Santos was 2-for-3 with a run scored. This included De Los Santos hitting his 2nd double at the Low-A level. Jesus Castillo was 1-for-3 with a RBI.

The poor offensive output wasted a great start from Dominic Perachi. The lefty pitched 6 strong innings, allowing a run on three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Perachi threw 52 of 83 pitches for strikes and induced six ground ball outs.

Yoldin De La Paz followed, allowing a hit and walking a pair. However, he struck a batter out on his ay to a scoreless 7th inning. After pitching a scoreless 8th inning, Julian Bosnic allowed a pair of runs in the 9th to lead to the Mighty Mussels victory.

Late run leads to FCL Pirates victory

Saturday afternoon the FCL Pirates jumped out to a 1-0 lead, and then a 2-1 lead after 2 innings against the FCL Orioles. While it took a late inning run, the Pirates were 3-2 victors. With the win, the FCL Pirates are now 25-8 on the season.

Andres Silvera started, allowing an unearned run on a hit, four walks, and two strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched. Kevison Hernandez followed, allowing a hit and striking a batter out in 2.1 scoreless innings of work. Former top international free agent signee Cristopher Cruz pitched the 5th inning, allowing a run on two hits and a walk.

Roelmy Garcia pitched 2 hitless, scoreless innings pitched while striking a batter out. Gilberto Alcala struck a batter out in a 1-2-3 8th inning. Eliecer Romero allowed a hit, walked a batter, and struck a batter out to close the door in the 9th.

Braylon Bishop started in center field, going 1-for-4 at the top of the lineup. Jeral Toledo was 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored. Axiel Plaz was 1-for-4, catcher Rafael Escalante was 2-for-3 with two RBI, Jauri Custodio was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.