Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Strong Starts From Braxton Ashcraft & Thomas Harrington, More

Altoona jumps out early, cruises to victory

The Double-A Altoona Curve scored 3 runs in the 1st inning. Then in the 3rd inning, they tacked on 2 more runs. This set the stage for the Curve to roll past the Bowie Baysox in an 8-1 victory that improved Altoona to 6-7 on the season.

Domingo Leyba doubled with one out in the bottom of the 1st inning scoring Henry Davis and Liover Peguero who each drew a walk. Jacob Gonzalez then singled home Leyba, giving the Curve a 3-0 lead after the 1st inning.

In the 3rd inning the Curve offense was at it again. Peguero singled to start the inning and came around to score on a Connor Scott triple. Scott would score on a wild pitch, making it 5-0 Curve. 3 more Curve runs scored in the 8th inning when Fabricio Macias hit a sacrifice fly and Andres Alvarez doubled.

Sean Sullivan started for Altoona, allowing two hits, walking two, and striking out three in 4.1 scoreless innings pitched. Cam Junker allowed a hit in 1.2 scoreless innings pitched, and Oliver Garcia allowed a run in the 7th inning. Tahnaj Thomas retired both batters he faced, Tyler Samaniego then struck out a pair in 1.1 scoreless innings pitched.

Greensboro continues strong start with 1-run victory

No team in the Pirate farm system is off to a stronger start than the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Following a 2-1 victory over the Greenville Drive on Friday night, the Grasshoppers are now off to a 10-3 start this season.

Braxton Ashcraft started for Greensboro and continued his strong return to the mound. The former second-round pick allowed two hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out six in 4 scoreless innings pitched. Ashcraft threw 38 of his 49 pitches for strikes, and now has 17 strikeouts in 10.1 scoreless innings pitched this season.

Jack Carey followed Ashcraft, and allowed a hit in a scoreless 5th inning. Michell Miliano walked three batters and threw two wild pitches, but he struck out five in 2.2 scoreless innings pitched. Cy Nielson finished the game off, allowing a hit, issuing a walk, hitting a batter, and stirking out three while allowing an unearned run in 1.1 innings pitched.

Jackson Glenn and Luke Brown led the way for the Greensboro offense. Glenn was 1-for-3 with a double and he drove in both Grasshopper runs while Brown went 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. These were the only two hits of the night for Greensboro.

Bradenton blows out Daytona by double digits

High-A Greensboro may be off to the best start in the Pirate farm system, but Low-A Bradenton is not far behind. Following a 10-0 romping of the Daytona Tortugas on Friday night, the Marauders are now 9-4 on the season.

Thomas Harrington started for Bradenton and dominated. In 5 innings pitched, Harrington allowed four hits, walked a batter, and struck out four while posting a zero. Harrington now owns a 4.26 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched this season.

Julian Bosnic pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief for the Marauders. Bosnic did not allow a hit, he walked a pair and struck out three. Mike Walsh pitched the final 2 innings of the game for the Marauders, allowing three hits and striking a batter out.

Left fielder Enmanuel Terrero helped lead the way for the Marauder offense going 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Shalin Polanco was 1-for-4 with two runs scored, Javier Rivas was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, and first baseman Alexander Mojica was 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, and three RBI.

Center fielder Tres Gonzalez also continued his strong start to the season in the game. Gonzalez went 3-for-3 with two walks. He also drove a run and scored a pair.