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Tag: Brian Leach

Harrison And Lambo Lead The Solar Sox

Mesa Solar Sox� 7,� Surprise Rafters� 2

Mesa batters piled up 5 runs over the first two innings, while their pitchers held the Rafters to just 3 hits in the Arizona Fall League this evening.� RF Andrew Lambo and LF Josh Harrison combined for 5 hits, 4 of which were for extra bases.

Harrison got the Solar Sox jump-started with a lead-off double in the bottom of the 1st.� CF Brett Jackson (Cubs) followed with a double, scoring Harrison.� Lambo blasted a 2-run homer over the right field wall, to give the Solar Sox a 3-0 lead.� The Sox kept right on going in the 2nd inning, with singles by 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) and Harrison.� Both stole the next base, and both scored on 3B Brandon Wood's (Angels) double, and Mesa had a 5-0 lead.

Things were quiet over the middle innings, then Harrison tripled again in the 6th.� He was left on base, but the Solar Sox went on to score again in the 7th.� Wood singled and moved to second on a wild pitch.� Lambo doubled him in, then a wild pitch and an RBI single by 1B Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) plated Lambo.

Brad Holt (Mets) pitched 3 scoreless innings to start for the Solar Sox.� He gave up just one hit, and struck out 5 batters.� Six more pitchers took one inning each for the rest of the game.� Chris Carpenter (Cubs), Justin De Fratus (Phillies), and Steven Geltz (Angels) each pitched a perfect inning.� Kyle Smit (Cubs) and David Cales (also Cubs) each walked a batter but kept his inning scoreless.� Brian Leach pitched the 7th inning, the only inning in which the Rafters scored.� With one out, an error by Valdespin at second base put a runner on base.� After another out, a pair of doubles allowed 2 unearned runs to score.

Jordy Mercer also got into the game at shortstop, but was hitless in 4 at-bats.

Leach Is Not A Fan Of Harper

Scottsdale Scorpions� 6,� Mesa Solar Sox� 3

Washington National's 18-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper made his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League, and the Mesa Solar Sox got the short end of the deal.� Harper's first at-bat, against Mesa's Josh Zeid (Phillies) resulted in a sky-high pop-out to short.� Harper lined out to center field in the 4th, and grounded to third in the 6th, but it was in the 7th inning that he really hurt the Solar Sox.

The Solar Sox began the game with a run in the top of the 1st.� CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) doubled, but was thrown out trying to steal third base.� 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) also doubled and RF Andrew Lambo brought him home with a single up the middle.� The Scorpions got the run back in the bottom of the inning, on a double, a fielding error by Lambo, and an RBI ground out.

Zeid kept the Scorpions scoreless for the next two innings, allowing only a double.� Kyle Smit (Cubs) got a timely double play, turned by SS Andrew Romine (Angels) and 2B Josh Harrison, to get out of a jam in the 4th.� In the 5th, Smit loaded the bases on two walks and a single, then walked in a run� He was relieved by Chris Carpenter (Cubs), who gave up an RBI single before getting the last two outs of the inning.� Scorpions 3, Solar Sox 1.

The Mesa bats were quiet over those innings too.� Josh Satin (Mets) singled in the 3rd and Vitters singled in the 4th, but neither could come around to score.� Satin walked to open the 6th, but was forced out when Romine grounded to short (though Romine might have avoided a double play.� Moore doubled, and Romine scrambled around from first base to score.� Scorpions 3, Solar Sox 2.� The Sox threatened in the 7th, when Harrison and C Tim Kennelly (Phillies) hit back-to-back two-out singles, but a ground out ended the inning with both still on base.

Brian Leach took the mound to begin the bottom of the 7th, with the Solar Sox just one run down.� But the trouble started right away, when 2B Steve Lombardozzi ((Nationals) reached base on a throwing error by Satin.� AJ Pollock (Diamondbacks) doubled, moving Lombardozzi to third base.� After a fly out, 1B Jordan Pacheco (Team USA and Rockies) grounded to third, where Josh Vitters quickly fired to the plate so that Kennelly could tag out Lombardozzi.� That left runners on the corners and two outs.� Then Leach gave up a single to LF Marc Krauss (D'backs), driving in Pollock.� A wild pitch put runners on second and third, and a walk loaded the bases.� That brought up Harper.� He smacked a ground-rule double off the left field wall, missing a grand slam by inches, bringing in two more runs.� Leach was not charged with the loss (Smit was), and the 3 runs he gave up were unearned because of the error that opened the inning.

The Solar Sox scored one more run in the top of the 8th.� They loaded the bases on a single by Moore, and walks to Vitters and Lambo.� DH Jordy Mercer brought in the run with a sacrifice fly.� Justin De Fratus (Team USA and Phillies) pitched a scoreless bottom of the 8th, working around a throwing error by Romine at shortstop.

Mercer was 0-for-3 with the sacrifice fly.� Lambo went 1-for-3 with the RBI and a walk, and Harrison was 1-for-4.

Solar Sox Outshine Saguaros

Mesa Solar Sox� 10,� Peoria Saguaros 1

RF Andrew Lambo singled and doubled for the Solar Sox, who used a 6-run 4th inning to overwhelm the Saguaros in Arizona Fall League play this evening.

After 3.5 scoreless innings, the Solar Sox opened the bottom of the 4th with a single by DH Brandon Wood (Angels), a walk to 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies), and a 3-run homer by 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs).� Andrew Lambo followed the homer with a double, and C Tony Sanchez walked.� A grounder to first forced Sanchez out at second base, but left Lambo on third and LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) on first base.� 2B Jordany Valdespin's (Mets) single drove in Lambo, and a wild pitch put the runners on second and third.� SS Andrew Romine (Angels) walked to load the bases, and Peoria changed pitchers.� CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) greeted the new pitcher with an RBI single, and a walk to Wood forced in the 6th run of the inning.� A double play ended the inning, with Mesa on top 6-0.

Justin Wilson made the start for the Solar Sox.� He pitched 2 scoreless inning, working around a single in each inning and a walk in the 1st.� Kyle Smit (Cubs) added two more scoreless innings.� Chris Carpenter (Cubs) gave up Peoria's only run in the 5th, on a single, a walk, a passed ball by Sanchez, and an RBI ground out.� Carpenter gave up a lone single in the 6th inning, but kept the Saguaros from scoring again.� Brian Leach pitched the 7th, working around a double.� Chris Kissock (Phillies) and Eddie McKiernan (Angels) each threw a scoreless inning to finish up for the Solar Sox.

The Solar Sox just kept going.� In the 5th, Lambo singled, then moved to third base on a fielding error, and scored on Valdespin's RBI single through the hole into right field.� Singles by Romine and Moore, combined with another fielding error added another run in the 6th.� Valdespin walked to open the 8th inning.� Romine reached on a fielder's choice, with Valedspin safely at second base. Moore singled again, driving in Valdespin.� Pinch hitter Tim Kennelly (Phillies) singled to give the Sox bases loaded.� Rizzotti flied out to center field, but too short for Romine to tag up.� Vitters came through, though, with a fly ball long enough for Romine to score.

Wilson did not pitch long enough to qualify for the win -- that went to Smit.� Lambo was 2-for-5, and Sanchez was 0-for-3 with a walk.

The Arizona Fall League takes Sundays off.� The Solar Sox will be back at it again on Monday.

Solar Sox Break Out For 19 Hits

Mesa Solar Sox� 11,� Surprise Rafters� 6

The Mesa Solar Sox busted out with 9 runs in the 4th inning and posted a total of 19 hits in their Arizona Fall League win this afternoon.� SS Jordy Mercer, C Tony Sanchez, and 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) had 3 hits each, and 2B Josh Harrison and RF Andrew Lambo contributed a hit apiece.

Each team scored one run in the 1st inning.� Mesa's LF/CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) singled and stole second base, then scored on 1B Matt Rizzotti's (Phillies) RBI single.� Tony Sanchez also singled in the inning, but was left on base.� The Rafters scored on a single, a wild pitch by starter Josh Zeid (Phillies) and an RBI single.

Things were quiet for the next two innings, other than a single by Vitters in the top of the 3rd.� The quiet ended in the top of the 4th, when 14 Solar Sox came to the plate.� Tony Sanchez started the fun with a single to second.� A fielding error by the Surprise first baseman allowed Andrew Lambo to reach first base.� CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis doubled, scoring both Sanchez and Lambo with the first two runs of the inning (1,2).� Jordy Mercer's double plated Nieuwenhuis (3), and Mercer advanced to third on a ground out.� After a line out and a change in pitchers, Moore and Vitters both doubled, driving in Mercer and Moore (4, 5).� Rizzotti walked, then Sanchez singled for the second time in the inning, to score Vitters (6).� A throwing error by the left fielder let Sanchez advance to second base and Rizzotti to third base.� Three more singles followed -- Lambo's brought in both Rizzotti and Sanchez (7, 8), Nieuwenhuis' moved Lambo to second base, and Mercer's scored Lambo (9).� A ground out finally ended the inning.

Zeid pitched 3 innings and allowed the one run in the 1st inning on two hits, and he struck out 3 batters.� BJ Rosenberg (Phillies) took over for Zied to begin the 4th.� He gave up a run on two doubles.� He also gave up three singles in the bottom of the 5th, bringing in one run.� A wild pitch and two walks loaded the bases.� Rosenberg was relieved by Aaron Pribanic, who threw a wild pitch to the first batter he faced, allowing another run to score.� Pribanic finished the inning with a strikeout, and the Solar Sox still led 10-4.� Pribanic came back out for the 6th inning, and another run scored on a single and a throwing error.

The Solar Sox continued to put runners on base.� Harrison and Vitters both singled in the 5th, but did not come around to score.� LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs), who had entered the game as a defensive replacement, and Harrison both walked and Valdespin singled to load the bases in the 6th, but all three were left on base when Moore struck out.� Rizzotti also walked in the 7th, but was left on base.� He also singled in the 9th, but was eliminated in a double play.� The Solar Sox added one last run when Flaherty doubled to open the 8th inning.� He moved up to third base on a wild pitch.� Jordy Mercer drove him in with an RBI single, to increase the lead to 11 - 5.

Aaron Pribanic worked around a single in the 7th inning, but kept him from scoring.� Brian Leach came on to pitch the 8th, and he also worked around a single for a scoreless inning.� Surprise managed one last run in the bottom of the 9th.� With Eddie McKiernan (Angels) on the mound, a walk, a double, and a sacrifice fly drove in the run.� It was not nearly enough, though, and Mesa and Josh Zeid had the win.

AFL Pitchers Announced

The remainder of the Pirates' contingent for the Arizona Fall League was announced today.� Pitching for the Mesa Solar Sox this fall will be Justin Wilson, Aaron Pribanic, and Brian Leach. While all three have been starters during the regular season, it appears that Wilson will have a starting role, and Pribanic and Leach will be mostly used in relief.

The pitchers will join catcher Tony Sanchez, infielders Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer, and outfielder Andrew Lambo on the Solar Sox.

The AFL season begins in three weeks, on Tuesday October 12th, and runs through Thursday November 18th.� We'll be following our Pirates' farmhands in their Arizona adventures.

The Carribbean winter leagues will also be starting up in October:� Mexican Pacific League on Oct 12th, Dominican League on Oct. 22nd, Venezuelan League on Oct 12th, and Puerto Rican League on Oct 22nd.� We'll also watch the Pirates' players, farmhands, and friends in those leagues.

Pirates' John Bowker made another start for the Pirates tonight (Tuesday), this time in right field.� He went 0-for-4 with an RBI, driving in a run in the 1st inning with a grounder to short, which was misplayed for an error.� Bowker has gone 4-for-10 in his last three games, with a homer, and 3 RBI.

Curve and Marauders Both Fall To Big Innings

Harrisburg Senators� 10,� Altoona Curve� 5 ....������ (box)

Two 5-run innings gave the Senators the advantage over the Curve in the first game of their Eastern League playoff series.

The Curve jumped out to the early lead in the bottom of the 1st.� 2B Chase d'Arnaud led off with a walk, and 3B Josh Harrison followed by blasting a home run over the left-center field wall, to give the Curve a 2-0 lead before they even had recorded an out.� Two outs later, LF Andrew Lambo reached base on a fielding error by the Senators' 2B Steve Lombardozzi.� C Hector Gimenez worked a walk, and RF Miles Durham singled into left field to bring in Lambo from second base, and the Curve had a 3-0 lead.

It didn't last long, as the Senators sent 10 batters to the plate and scored 5 runs in the top of the 2nd.� Curve starter Rudy Owens had worked around a walk to Lombardozzi in the 1st inning, but got into trouble quickly in the 2nd.� A walk and a single began the inning, then a grounder to the diving 1B Matt Hague produced a force out at second base.� A double into right-center field brought in both base runners, and the Senators had made it a one-run game, 3-2.� A bunt attempt by the Senators' pitcher, Tom Milone, went right to Owens on the mound, and he turned it into a fielder's choice out at third, leaving Milone on first base.� But Lombardozzi walked again, then a single loaded the bases.� Owens had two outs with those bases loaded, and he got an 0-2 on the next batter -- and another single drove in two more runs, and the Senators had the lead.� That sent Owens to the showers after just 1.2 innings.� Jared Hughes came out of the bullpen, and he loaded the bases again by walking the first batter he faced.� A passed ball by Gimenez allowed the runner in from third base (unearned run, charged to Owens), and when a ground out ended the inning, the Senators had a 5-3 lead.

Milone had the Curve bats under control for the next 6 innings.� D'Arnaud doubled in the 2nd inning, but was left on base when three other Curve batters struck out.� Hughes reached base in the 4th on a fielding error, but was also left stranded. � Durham singled in the 6th, but was also left on base.� Harrisburg's reliever Hassan Pena pitched the 7th inning, and he also retired the Curve in order.

Hughes did even better than Milone over his next 3 innings -- he retired those 9 Harrisburg batters in order.� Bryan Morris was next out of the bullpen.� He retired the side in order in the 6th, and worked his way out of a jam in the 7th.� That inning began with a single, then Lombardozzi reached on fielding error, when his grounder bounced off 3B Harrison's glove.� With two on and none out (instead of one on and one out), Morris got a strikeout.� Another single loaded the bases, then Morris ended the inning with a three-pitch strikeout and a blazing line drive that went straight to Harrison's glove.

Mike Dubee took the mound for the Curve to begin the 8th inning, and he found trouble quickly.� Back-to-back singles opened the inning, then Dubee got a strikeout.� An RBI single followed, then Lombardozzi drove a liner down the right field line and into the bullpen, plating the second run of the inning.� An intentional walk loaded the bases, and a grounder to third yielded a force out at third, but Harrison's throw to first rolled away from 1B Hague, and instead of an inning-ending double play, two more runs scored and the inning continued.� Another single dropped in, in short left field, to drive in the fifth run of the inning.� Craig Hansen relieved Dubee, and he got the pitcher Pena to fly out to end the inning.

Irwin: Another 7 No-Hit Innings;

Thursday's action for the Pirates' lower minor league affiliates:

West Virginia Power� 3,� Rome Braves� 0 ...��� (box)

On July 24th, Power starter Phillip Irwin pitched 7 hitless and scoreless innings.� Tonight, he again threw 7 scoreless innings, though this time he scattered 3 hits.� Last time, he walked two batters, and tonight he did not walk any.� Both times, Irwin struck out 8 opponents.� Irwin's toughest inning tonight was the 4th, when he gave up a double and a single, and hit a batter.� Luckily, the first runner was doubled off second base in a line-out double play.� The other two runners pulled off a double steal, but a strikeout ended the inning with them both still in scoring position.� Irwin retired the next 9 batters in order to finish his evening and earn his 6th win.� Zach Foster earned his 6th save with two scoreless innings of relief, allowing only a walk.

The Power were held to just 5 hits, but they also took advantage of three Rome errors in one inning.� In the 2nd, 1B Aaron Baker began the inning by reaching base on a fielding error.� He moved to second base on a passed ball, but was out at third when RF Andy Vasquez reached on a fielder's choice.� Vasquez stole second base, and scored on LF Rogelios Noris' RBI single.� Noris advanced to third base when the Rome pitcher made a throwing error on a pick-off attempt, then scored on C Jairo Marquez's double, which was also complicated by a fielding error.� Marquez added another run in the 5th, with a solo home run, his second of the season.� Vasquez singled in the 4th inning, but was thrown out trying to steal second base.� SS Benji Gonzalez doubled to lead off the 8th inning, but was left stranded.

Owens Wins #10

Pirates' lower minor leaguers on Saturday...

Altoona Curve� 10,� Binghamton Mets� 4 (box)

The Curve posted 14 hits, with two big innings, as all but one member of the starting line-up had at least one hit in the game, as starter Rudy Owens earned his 10th win of the season.� SS Jordy Mercer doubled three times and 1B Matt Hague doubled twice, with 4 RBI.� Even Owens doubled, walked, and scored twice.

Owens got off to a little bit of a shaky start on the mound.� He gave up a double, a single, and a sacrifice fly to begin the bottom of the 1st.� A single and a double gave the Mets a second run in the 3rd.� Owens settled in after that, and allowed just one hit in each of the 4th and 5th.

The Curve got one run back in the top of the 4th, after putting runners on base in each of the first three innings but failing to score.� In the 4th,� Mercer hit his first double, and he scored on RF Miles Durham's RBI single.� Then they broke through in the 5th.� Owens led off the inning with a walk.� LF Jose De Los Santos singled, then 3B Josh Harrison bunted both runners into scoring position.� 2B Jim Negrych was intentionally walked to load the bases.� Hague cleared the bases with a double into left field, then Mercer hit his second double (this one was a ground-rule double), plating Hague.� The Curve had a 5-2 lead.

The next inning began with a solo home run by Miles Durham.� One out later, Owens doubled, and De Los Santos singled.� A fielding error on a ball hit to third by Harrison let Owens score.� Negrych brought in both Owens and De Los Santos with another double, and Hague made it three doubles in the inning with his 26th of the season, bringing in Negrych with the fifth run of the inning.� The Curve were up, 10-2.

Mike Colla relieved Owens to begin the 6th.� He gave up a solo homer in that inning, and another solo homer in the 8th, but retired the other 12 batters he faced in 4 innings.� Owens earned his 10th win of the season, and Colla earned his first save.

Marauders Blast Cardinals, Power Split DoubleHeader

A little lighter schedule in the Pirates' lower minor leagues tonight -- the Altoona Curve and the State College Spikes both had scheduled days off.

The Pirates have signed their top two draft picks, righty pitchers Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie, just a few hours before the midnight deadline.� That makes 27 of 50 draft picks signed.� Check out the complete list here.

Bradenton Marauders� 9,� Palm Beach Cardinals� 1 (box)

The Marauders posted 12 hits and scored in each of their last three at-bats as they bombarded the Cardinals.� 3B Jeremy Farrell led the charge with 3 hits, while SS Shelby Ford and C Eric Fryer had 2 hits and 2 RBI each.

Starter Brian Leach earned his 6th win of the season with 5 innings of work, in which he allowed only one unearned run, on 6 hits and a walk, while striking out 5 batters.� He worked around a hit in each of the first two innings, and then got out of a small jam after two singles in the 4th by striking out the next 2 batters.� The 5th inning began with a batter reaching on a fielding error by Farrell.� A single and a fielder's choice loaded the bases.� Leach's only walk of the game forced in the unearned run.

The Marauders also picked up an unearned run, which came in the 3rd.� 2B Adam Davis doubled, then scored when DH James Skelton's bunt was complicated by a throwing error on the Cardinals' pitcher.� They scored again (earned this time) in the next inning, when LF Quincy Latimore led off with a walk, followed by Farrell's ground rule double and Fryer's RBI single.

The Marauders broke the game open with 4 runs in the 6th. Latimore again led off with a walk, and Farrell singled.� Fryer moved them up a base each with a sacrifice bunt.� 1B Calvin Anderson singled, scoring both Latimore and Farrell.� Davis walked, then a throwing error laoded the bases again.� This time it was Ford's single which brought in two runs, Anderson and Davis, and the Marauders had a 6-1 lead.

Latimore led off an inning with a walk for the third time in the 7th inning.� That was followed by singles from both Farrell and Fryer, driving in Latimore with the Marauders' 7th run.� In the 8th, Skelton had a turn at leading off an inning with a walk.� Ford singled, but he was out at second on RF Robbie Grossman's grounder force out.� Back-to-back doubles by CF Starling Marte and Latimore brought in Skelton and Grossman, though Marte was out at the plate trying to score on Latimore's double.

Duke Welker pitched 2 scoreless and hitless innings for the Marauders, allowing just 2 walks.� Craig Hansen also went 2 innings, with a hit batter in the 8th, and a single in the 9th.� The single was followed by a game-ending double play.

Gimenez Homers For Curve; Marauders Drop Both Ends Of Double Header

Wednesday evening in the Pirates' lower minor league organization.... The GCL Pirates were rained out this afternoon, and the West Virginia Power have a scheduled day off.

Trenton Thunder� 3,� Altoona Curve� 2 (box)

The Curve came within one out of being shut out in this evening's game.� After 8 scoreless innings, DH Jim Negrych worked a one-out walk in the bottom of the 9th.� After a pop out, C Hector Gimenez blasted a 2-run homer over the center field wall, finally putting the Curve on the scoreboard.

Negrych was the only Curve batter to have 2 hits in the game.� He and 1B Matt Hague both singled in the 2nd inning, though Hague was erased in a double play.� Negrych also singled in the 7th, and was left on base.� The Curve had base runners in all but two innings, and had 7 batters left on base.� LF Andrew Lambo, RF Miles Durham, and CF Anthony Norman also had singles in the game.

Starter Tony Watson pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits, no walks, with 4 strikeouts, suffering only his second loss of the season.� The second Trenton batter of the game homered, then three consecutive singles following the home run added another run in the 1st inning.� A single and a triple in the 3rd inning brought in Trenton's only other run.� Watson retired the last 10 batters he faced in order.� Anthony Claggett pitched 2 scoreless innings for the Curve, allowing a single but immediately erasing the runner with a double play.� Mike Dubee retired the side in order in his one inning of work.

Marauders On A Rampage

Thursday's action.... I'll be on the road for the next several days, and internet connections may be spotty.

Bradenton Marauders� 18,� Lakeland Flying Tigers� 5 (box)

The Marauders scored 13 runs in the final three innings of the game and posted a total of 19 hits, as they sent the Tigers flying.� Each member of the Marauders' line-up had at least one hit, all but two walked at least once, and six recorded RBIs.� Four of them -- 2B Shelby Ford, C Eric Fryer, DH Jordan Newton, and SS Adenson Chourio -- had 3 hits each.� Of the 19 hits, only 5 were extra-base hits -- 3 doubles, and 2 triples, but no home runs.

The game started out with some low-key scoring.� The Marauders put up one run in the top of the 1st, when Shelby Ford singled and scored on Eric Fryer's triple.� Lakeland came back with 3 runs on 4 singles and a double in the bottom of the 2nd, to take a 3-1 lead.

The Marauders returned fire in the top of the 4th.� LF Quincy Latimore led off with a double.� After two outs, three consecutive singles by Newton, CF Austin McClune, and Chourio brought in two runs, and Ford doubled, plating two more runs.� Bradenton up, 5-3.

Brian Leach pitched the first 5 innings for the Marauders, allowing those 3 runs on 7 hits and a walk, with 5 strikeouts.� He was relieved by Craig Hansen to begin the 6th, Hansen's first time back on the mound in a live game situation in over a year.� Hansen gave up a single, then got a strikeout, but followed that with three consecutive walks, forcing in a run.� He was relieved by Casey Erickson, who gave up a sacrifice fly for another run (charged to Hansen), then a single.� The throw in from McClune in center field to Fryer at the plate was right on target, and Fryer was able to tag out another runner as he tried to score.� Erickson was charged with a Blown Save, as the game was now tied at 5-5.

At that point, the Marauders really got going.� They took the lead back again (and gave Erickson the win) with 2 runs in the top of the 7th.� Three walks, to Grossman, Fryer, and 1B Calvin Anderson, loaded the bases.� Newton singled up the middle, scoring both Grossman and Fryer.� The 8th inning began with a single by Chourio, a triple by Ford (one run in), and a single by Fryer, scoring Ford (2).� After a pitching change, Latimore and 3B Adam Davis both walked.� A wild pitch and a throwing error allowed Fryer and Anderson to score (3, 4), and a single by Newton brought in Davis (5).� Eight batters had come to the plate in the 8th, and the score was 12-5.

Twelve Marauders' batters came to the plate in the 9th, and 6 more runs came in.� With one out, Chourio walked and Ford reached on a throwing error.� Grossman's double scored Chourio and Ford (1,2).� Four singles follwed, by Fryer (Grossman scores -- 3), Latimore, Anderson, and Adams.� Adams' single brought in Fryer and Latimore (4, 5).� After a pop out, McClune and Chourio singled, plating Anderson (6).

Erickson pitched 2 more scoreless innings, and Noah Krol pitched a scoreless 9th inning, with a walk and a single, plus 2 strikeouts.

Irwin: 7 No-Hit Innings; Marauders Drop Two

A few roster notes:� RHP Teddy Fallon and LHP Justin Ennis were both promoted from State College to West Virginia.� Fallon was the Pirates' 43rd pick in the 2009 draft, and Ennis was the 33rd round pick in this year's draft.� RHP Tom Boleska has been promoted from Bradenton to Altoona.

Altoona's Bryan Morris has skipped a start, which the Pirates are calling just a "breather".� He has struggled in his last few starts, but has also stacked up the innings so far this season (103) and the Pirates want him to stay below 140 innings this season.


West Virginia Power� 9,� Hagerstown Suns� 1 (box)

Phillip Irwin pitched 7 no-hit innings for the Power tonight, before he had to be relieved due to his increasing pitch count.� Irwin struck out 8 batters in his 7 innings, and he allowed 2 walks.� He got off to a strong start when he struck out the side in the 1st inning, then struck out 2 more in the 2nd.� The first walk came in the 3rd inning, but that runner was immediately erased when the next batter lined right to 1B Aaron Baker, who stepped on first base for a double play.� The next 7 batters went down in order, until the 6th, when that same batter, C Sandy Leon, walked again.� This time Leon was forced out at second on a grounder, and another ground out ended the inning.� Irwin wrapped up his amazing evening with two more strikeouts in the 7th inning.

Ryan Kelly relieved Irwin and pitched the final two innings.� He allowed one hit, but it was a solo home run.� He also walked a batter in the 9th, and struck out 2 batters.

The rest of the team was busy giving Irwin and Kelly plenty of run support.� They piled up 16 hits, with everyone in the lineup reaching base at least one time, and all but SS Benji Gonzalez picking up at least one hit (Gonzalez had a walk).� 3B Elevys Gonzalez, Aaron Baker, and LF Rogelios Noris each had 3 hits.� Baker led off the 2nd inning with a solo home run.� CF David Rubinstein followed the homer with a double, and Noris added a single to put runners on the corners.� C Jairo Marquez lined a single into center field, scoring Rubinstein to give the Power an early 2-0 lead.

They boosted that lead in the 3rd inning, as they sent 11 batters to the plate and scored 7 runs.� Six of the first seven batters reached base safely:� 2B Jarek Cunningham and RF Jose Hernandez began with back-to-back singles, and Baker's double scored Cunningham (#1 run).� Rubinstein's sacrifice fly brought in Hernandez (#2).� Noris and DH Kyle Morgan goth singled, and Baker scored (#3).� Marquez doubled in Noris and Morgan (#4, 5), and sent the Hagerstown pitcher to the showers.� Benji Gonzalez flied out, but Elevys Gonzalez singled, plating Marquez (#6).� A fielding error on that play moved Elevys G to second base, and a wild pitch put him on third.� Cunningham's second single in the inning brought in Elevys G (#7), before a line out ended the inning.

The Power put at least one baserunner on in all but one of the remaining innings, but none of them were able to come around to score.