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.

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.