Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Walk Off Victory for Bradenton, Malcolm Nuñez Goes Deep & More

Altoona fails to recover from an early hole

It did not take the Double-A Altoona Curve in an early hole on Wednesday. This early hole was one that the Curve were never able to dig out of in a 9-3 loss against the Bowie Baysox. With the loss, the Curve are now 4-7 on the season.

Local product Justin Meis started for Altoona, allowing 4 runs on five hits, three walks, two home runs, and a strikeout in 4.1 innings pitched. Meis, who likely projects as a reliever long-term, has struggled to the tune of a 7.15 ERA through his first three starts at Double-A.

Altoona attempted to battle back from this 4-0 hole. Matt Gorski walked to start the 5th inning and Joshua Palacio singled. Gorski would score on an Andres Alvarez sacrifice fly and Palacio on a Dylan Shockely base hit.

After Matt Eckelman pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief, a trio of Curve relievers to allow 5 more runs. Oliver Garcia allowed 3 runs on a hit and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning pitched. Juan Mianaya got the final out of the 7th inning, but not before he walked a pair and allowed a run. Tyle Samaniego pitched the 9th inning, allowing a run on two walks and a base hit.

Shortstop Liover Peguero was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts at the plate. Mason Martin was at first base with Henry Davis serving as the team's designated hitter, Martin and Davis were both 0-for-3 with a walk.

3-run 5th inning carries Greensboro to victory

For much of the day the offense struggled for the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. However, they were able to scratch out 3 runs in the 5th inning. These 3 runs were enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates High-A affiliate to pick up a 3-2 victory to improve to 8-3 on the season.

Highly touted lefty Anthony Solometo started for Greensboro, allowing 2 runs in 4.1 innings pitched. Solometo allowed five hits, a home run, and walked a pair, but he did record eight strikeouts. While Solometo's ERA this season is 5.25, he has struck out 16 batters in 12 innings pitched.

Greensboro's bullpen would then slam the door on Greenville Drive hitters. Mitchell Miller allowed a hit while striking out four and issuing zero walks in 1.2 scoreless innings pitched. Will Kobos allowed two hits in 2 scoreless innings pitched. Cy Nielson then struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning.

The 3-run 5th inning for Greensboro all came with two outs. Back-to-back singles from Jackson Glenn and Maikol Escotto were followed by a 3-run home run from catcher Eli Wilson. Wilson's 1st blast of the season proved to be the only 3 runs that the Grasshoppers needed.

Bradenton wins in extra innings

It took 11 innings, but the Low-A Bradenton Marauders toppled the Daytona Tortugas 6-5 to improve to 7-4 on the season. Bradenton scored a run in the 10th inning when Alexander Mojica grounded out to plate Tres Gonzales.

Then in the 11th inning, the Marauders plated a pair of runs on their way to a walk off victory. Even though all four Marauder batters who went to the plate in the 11th inning reached base, Bradenton did not record a hit in the inning. Rayber Romero, Waytt Hendrie, Jesus Castillo, and Shalin Polanco all walked in the 11th, with the last of those four plating the walk off run.

Polanco finished the game 1-for-4 with a pair of walks, a double, and the game-winning RBI. Gonzalez was 2-for-3 with with two walks and a run scored, he is off to a strong start this season with an .877 OPS.