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

A walk off victory for Low-A Bradenton, Malcolm Nuñez stays hot, and more Pittsburgh Pirates minor league action

Wednesday afternoon was a rough one for the pitching staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates top farm club. The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians allowed 12 runs in a 12-7 loss against the Memphis Red Birds, falling to 7-10 on the season.

Lefty Kent Emanuel worked as an opener for Indy and got shelled. In just 1.2 innings pitched, Emanuel allowed 9 runs on seven hits, two home runs, a walk, and three strikeouts. Fellow lefty J.C. Flowers followed Emanuel, allowing 2 runs on a home run and six strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched.

Hunter Stratton pitched a 1-2-3 6th inning, striking out all three batters he faced. Daniel Zamora allowed a run on two hits and a pair of strikeouts in the 7th inning. Colin Selby issued a walk in a hitless, scoreless 8th inning pitched.

Nick Gonzales started at third base and went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored at the top of Indy's lineup. First baseman Malcolm Nuñez was 2-for-5 with his 2nd home run of the season and 3 RBI. Tyler Heineman also had a big day at the plate going 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, a run scored, and 2 RBI.

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.

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.