Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Tsung-Che Cheng Grand Slam, Altoona No Hit & More

Greensboro suffers shootout loss

Things started bland for the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers on Friday night. Entering the bottom of the 3rd inning their game was scoreless. The Asheville Toursits scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning, starting a wild offensvie night that ended in a 9-7 victory for the Tourists to drop the Grasshoppers to 20-17 on the season.

Bubba Chandler started for Greensboro. After pitching 2 scoreless innings to start the game, his season long woes would continue. Chandler allowed 4 runs in the 3rd inning while recording just one out. Overall, Chandler allowed three hits, a home run, he walked five, and struck out just one.

Entering the season there was top 100 prospect buzz around Chandler. However, his ERA on the season is now 7.36 as he continues to struggle. Hopefully, Chandler will be able to get things figured out soon.

Dante Mendoza followed Chandler and pitched well. Mendoza allowed two hits, walked a pair, and struck out two in 2.2 scoreless innings pitched. Mendoza was the only Grasshopper pitcher to have success on the night.

Grant Ford pitched the 6th inning, allowing 2 runs on a hit, two walks, and two strikeouts. Mitchell Miller pitched the final two innings of the game for Greensboro, allowing 3 runs on four hits, a walk, and five strikeouts.

Tsung-Che Cheng had just one hit for the Grasshoppers, but it was a grand slam. This was Cheng's 6th home run of the season. Mike Jarvis was 1-for-3 with two walks and a run scored, Tres Gonzalez was 1-for-4 with a RBI, and catcher Wyatt Hendrie was 2-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored.

Trailing 9-6 entering the 9th inning Hendrie singled to start the inning. With two outs, Jarvis walked and Gonzalez reached on a run-scoring error. With Greensboro trailing 9-7 and the tying run at the plate, Will Matthiessen flew out to end the game.

Low-A Bradenton also take a loss

Thomas Harrington pitched for the Marauders and turned in another strong start. In 5.1 innings pitched Harrington allowed 2 runs on four hits, three walks, and nine strikeouts. Harrington now owns a 3.27 ERA and an 11:37 BB:K ratio in 33.0 innings pitched this season.

Miguel Fulgencio pitched 2/3 of an inning, but was hurt by an Enamneul Terrero error. Fulgencio allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, on three hits, and a strikeout. Veteran Tyler Chatwood continued his rehab outing issuing a walk and striking out two in a scoreless 7th inning. Carlos Lomeli allowed a run in the 8th inning.

Jesus Castillo and Terrero both had two hits for the Marauders. Castillo drove in a run while Terrero drew a walk. Rodolfo Nolasco was 2-for-5, while Shalin Polanco went 1-for-5 with a RBI. Alexander Mojica was 1-for-3 with a walk.