While the Pittsburgh Pirates were not in action yesterday, it was opening day for three of their top minor league affiliates. We saw every possible outcome of a baseball game including a postponement of the Triple A Indianapolis game.
While the current Pirates had the day off yesterday, the future Pirates were just getting there seasons rolling. It was opening day for Triple A Indianapolis, Double A Altoona, and Single A Bradenton. Across the Pirates minor league system, we saw every possible outcome of a baseball game. These future stars of the Pirates are looking to develop and mature throughout the season.
The Indianapolis Indians got the short end of the stick when there game against the Columbus Clippers, the Cleveland Indians Triple A squad, was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up today as the Indians look to start there season out strong. The Indians will pitch Trevor Williams, who had a lot of good work in Pirates spring training, while the Clippers will counter with TJ House.
The Altoona Curve got their game in against the Harrisburg Senators, the Washington Nationals Double A squad, but loss by the final score of 10-6. It was an offensive night for the Curve as only one of the regular position players did not get a hit. However, the bullpen couldn't hold Harrisburg back as they came from behind for the victory.
Jason Creasy started the game for the Cruve and went 6.0 innings giving up three runs, two earned, on seven hits while walking two and striking out one. Creasy pitched well for the Curve last season going 12-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 27 games pitched. Control has been a bit of a problem for him throughout his minor league career, but he still has time to develop in the minor leagues before we see him in a Pirates uniform.
Creasy was followed by four relief pitchers, each of which had there struggles on the night. John Kuchno, who suffered the loss, pitched 1.0 inning giving up two runs on two hits while walking two and striking out two. He was followed by Dovydus Neverauskas, who couldn't get through an inning giving up four runs, two earned, on three hits while walking a batter.
This is Neverauskas's first year in Double A. The Lithuania native has shown some promise in his minor league career. In a combined 31 games last season between Single A short season and Single A full season he went 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA. Neverauskas is a guy who could come up in a couple years and help the Pirates bullpen. For now, it is his time to develop in Double A Altoona to become a better pitcher.
Josh Smith and Brett McKinney finished out the game by each pitching an inning of work. Smith through a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth while McKinney gave up one run on two hits while walking one and striking out a batter. Overall, it was a pretty rough night for the pitching and it showed on the score board.
On the offensive side, however, there was no lack of run support. Seven of the eight position players in the lineup got hits on the day, including two multi-hit games. In total, the offense combined for six runs on 10 hits. The big stat of the night was the fact that they struck out a total of 10 times at the plate in 34 at bats.
Second Baseman Erich Weiss had the best offensive day going 3 for 5 with an RBI. Weiss is in his second season with Altoona making his Double A debut a year ago. Last season in 31 games with Altoona Weiss hit .250 with no home runs and 14 RBI. Weiss has been a pretty consistent hitter throughout his professional career with an average that has stayed consistently between .270 and .280.
In Single A action, The Bradenton Marauders defeated the Fort Myers Miracle, the Single A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, by a final score of 3-1. Unlike the Double A contest, there was not much offense to go around and the pitching held the Miracle at bay. On the offensive side, the Marauders only collected seven hits on the day.
Alex McRae started the game for the Marauders and threw 5.0 innings giving up no runs on four hits while walking three and striking out four. McRae is in his first year with the Marauders after spending last season with the West Virginia Black Bears. In total he went 8-9 with a 4.98 ERA striking out 90 and walking 33 in 137.1 innings pitched.
The bullpen came in next and was just as sharp. Edgar Santana was next as he threw 2.0 perfect innings of work striking out two batters. Sam Street followed him and threw 1.0 inning giving up one run, no earned, on one hit while striking out a man. Nick Neuman came in to finish the game throwing a perfect ninth inning and collecting his first save of the young season.
On the offensive side, there was not much offense to go around. The Marauders scored all three of there runs in the first inning and were shut out the rest of the way. The Marauders combined to get seven hits, three of which were extra base hits. The offense did just enough to win, however, and the Marauders start the season out 1-0.
The offensive star of the day was Jordan Luplow who went 2 for 4 driving in all three runs on the afternoon himself being one of them. His big hit was a three-run home run in inning number one that put the Marauders ahead for good. Luplow is also in his first year for the Marauders after playing for West Virginia last season.
Last year for West Virginia, Luplow hit .264 with 12 home runs and 64 RBI. Luplow has shown success at the low levels htting .264 and .277 in his first two years in the Pirates minor league system. He was drafted in the third round of the 2014 first year player draft, the third baseman has shown sparks of power throughout his career with 18 home runs in 168 games in the organization.
Overall, it was a successful day for the Pirates minor league system as many players shined in both games that were played. Offense ruled the day on the Double A side while pitching was the dominant factor in the Single A game. The future of the Pirates looks bright as these players continue to develop and get ready for their shots at the major league level.
As for the major league club, they are back in action tonight as they take on the Cincinnati Reds at 7:10 p.m. The pitching matchup will feature Alfredo Simon making his season debut, taking on Francisco Liriano (1-0 0.00). Liriano is coming off of a terrific opening day start where he struck out 10 batters in 6.0 innings pitched.
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