Your daily Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Watch article for recaps of all of today’s games. Be sure to pick up your copy of the latest Prospect Guide in our store, available as an ebook or a limited edition paperback.
INDIANAPOLIS
Starting Pitcher: Cam Vieaux 2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
Notable Performances:
Tucupita Marcano 0-for-4, RBI, BB
Cole Tucker 0-for-4, BB, SB
Michael Chavis 1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI
Jared Oliva 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Game Recap: Cam Vieaux got the Sunday start for Indianapolis and he was knocked out of the game early. In two innings, he allowed five earned runs on five hits and two walks, with three strikeouts. Tanner Anderson took over in the third inning and threw two scoreless frames. Matt Eckelman gave up two runs in his 1.2 innings, before giving way to Shelby Miller, who tossed 1.1 scoreless with three strikeouts. Shea Spitzbarth struck out three in a scoreless eighth, but Tyler Bashlor allowed two runs for the 9-8 loss.
Indianapolis was down 5-0 going into the fifth. They got a run on an RBI single from Jared Oliva, followed by single runs on an error and a bases loaded walk to Bligh Madris, which made it 5-3. They took the lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Erik Gonzalez, a grounder by Tucupita Marcano and a three-run homer by Chavis, his 11th of the minor league season. Marcano went 0-for-4, giving him a .193 average since joining the Pirates. Indianapolis struck out 15 times in this game.
ALTOONA
Starting Pitcher: Travis MacGregor 2.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO
Notable Performances:
Ji-Hwan Bae 1-for-3, 2 BB, SB
Oneil Cruz 0-for-4, BB
Diego Castillo 0-for-5
Mason Martin 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI
Matt Fraizer 2-for-3, HR, RBI, BB
Cal Mitchell 0-for-3
Jack Suwinski 1-for-3, BB
Game Recap: Travis MacGregor threw shutout ball in the first two frames on Sunday, then ran into trouble in the third, which led to four earned runs and an abbreviated outing. He allowed four hits and three walks, while going 2.1 innings. He now has a 6.35 ERA in 72.1 innings, with 75 strikeouts. He was replaced by Brad Case, who gave up three hits over 1.2 scoreless innings. Cam Alldred took over in the fourth and allowed two runs in his two innings of work. Shea Murray took the mound in the seventh and went 1.1 shutout innings. Nathan Kirby recorded two outs and Cristofer Melendez tossed shutout ball in the ninth during the 6-2 loss. The Curve now have a 50-44 record.
Mason Martin collected his 26th double and his 21st home run in this game. The Curve got both of their runs on homers, with the second one being the second homer in Altoona for Matt Fraizer. He also had a single and a walk. Ji-hwan Bae had a single, two walks and his 17th stolen base. Oneil Cruz was the DH again in his second game back from injury. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.
GREENSBORO
Starting Pitcher: Tahnaj Thomas 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Matt Gorski 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, SB
Nick Gonzales 4-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI
Jared Triolo 0-for-5
Henry Davis 0-for-4, BB
Game Recap: Tahnaj Thomas was able to throw shutout ball on Sunday, but it wasn’t a strong out due to control issues. He gave up two hits, four walks and struck out four batters in four innings. He threw 82 pitches with 46 going for strikes. He now has a 4.18 ERA in 51.2 innings, with 55 strikeouts. Colin Selby followed with one run over three innings. Michell Miliano followed with four runs that were all unearned, while recording two outs. Austin Roberts had to come in and finish the game. He gave up one run in 1.1 innings. Greensboro won 11-6 and they now have a 60-36 record. Nick Gonzales had himself quite a day, missing the cycle by the triple, though he added an extra single. The double was his 17th and the homer is his tenth. Will Matthiessen hit his ninth homer and Matt Gorski connected on his 14th homer, while also stealing his 15th base. Andres Alvarez went 3-for-3 with a walk and his eighth steal.
Yoyner Fajardo is now hitting .333 after collecting three hits, including a double. I asked about him and was told that his biggest issue right now is finding a defensive spot, because the offense is there, as well as the above average speed. He’s a .320 career hitter. Fajardo has played third base, second base, left field and right field this year. He has also played center field and shortstop in the past, though neither seems like a potential spot.
BRADENTON
Starting Pitcher: Logan Hofmann 3.2 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO
Notable Performances:
Abrahan Gutierrez 0-for-4, BB
Jack Herman 0-for-4, BB
Endy Rodriguez 1-for-4, 2B, BB
Jase Bowen 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Dariel Lopez 3-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Alexander Mojica 0-for-5
Game Recap: Logan Hofmann has been having a strong season this year, but he didn’t have it going on Sunday. He lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks. He now has a 3.16 ERA in 62.2 innings, with 78 strikeouts. Wandi Montout came out for the fourth with the bases loaded and hit the first batter, before retiring the second, stranding two of three inherited runners. Things didn’t get any better after Hofmann left. Montout allowed one run in one inning. Sergio Umana allowed two runs (one earned) in 1.1 innings. Nick Dombkowski gave up six earned runs in 1.2 innings. Parker Brahms allowed six runs and recorded just two outs, leaving it to Alex Roth to finish things up in the ninth, but not before he gave up three runs, in the 22-5 loss. Bradenton drops to 58-35 on the season.
Despite the blowout loss, two players had strong games. Dariel Lopez went 3-for-5 with his 14th double and his seventh home run. He drove in two runs, walked once and scored two runs. Jase Bowen went 3-for-5 with his 14th home run and two RBIs. Endy Rodriguez started in left field. He hit his 17th double and committed a throwing error. It was his first start in the outfield this year, but he played all three outfield spots in 2019.
*** The four short-season teams all have off on Sunday
Both FCL teams have already canceled their games for Monday and Tuesday, so they won’t be in action again until at least Thursday.
