Pirates Minor League Report: Big Games from Ashcraft and Reed

Pirates’ affiliates enjoyed the fruits of two excellent pitching outings on Thursday, with Braxton Ashcraft and Carlson Reed both mowing through the lineups they faced.

Triple-A Indianapolis played against the Columbus Clippers, but their pitchers appear never to have arrived at the ballpark. The Indians surrendered seven home runs, four of which came in the ninth inning, as Columbus blew them out of the water 23-5.

The Altoona Curve picked up a 10-5 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels.Ashcraft struck out 12 batters in seven innings, cruising through on just 93 pitches but allowing four runs.

Charles McAdoo logged all the offense the Greensboro Grasshoppers could muster, with his solo homer the lone tally in a 5-1 loss to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

The Bradenton Marauders downed the Clearwater Threshers 8-0. WVU product Carlson Reed kicked off the shutout with five innings of two-hit ball, striking out nine batters. Javier Rivas came a double short of the cycle, while Esmerlyn Valdez hit two home runs.

Here’s a look at the top performances amongst the Pirates’ farm system on Thursday night.

Triple-A Indianapolis (25-33)

2B Mike Jarvis

• Day: 3-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .190/.284/.349 with 2 doubles, a triple and 2 homers in 21 games between Altoona and Indianapolis.

RF Matt Gorski

• Game: 1-for-3 with a double and 2 walks.
• Season: .273/.316/.596 with 9 doubles, 5 triples and 11 homers in 47 games.

Double-A Altoona (17-37)

RHP Braxton Ashcraft

• Game: 7 IP, 4 ER, 12 K’s.
• Season: 53.2 IP, 3.69 ERA, 63 K’s in 11 appearances (10 starts).

SS Tsung-Che Cheng

• Game: 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and a walk.
• Season: .226/.345/.378 with 4 doubles and 7 homers in 47 games.

High-A Greensboro (31-22)

RHP Patrick Reilly

• Game: 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 K’s.
• Season: 46.1 IP, 4.47 ERA, 61 K’s in 11 starts.

3B Charles McAdoo

• Game: 1-for-3 with a homer and a walk.
• Season: .335/.409/.545 with 12 doubles, 2 triples and 7 homers in 48 games.

Single-A Bradenton (23-31)

1B Esmerlyn Valdez

• Day: 3-for-3 with 2 home runs.
• Season: .247/.363/.443 with 8 doubles, a triple and 7 homers in 47 games.

RHP Carlson Reed

• Game: 5 IP, 0 ER, 9 K’s.
• Season: 44.2 IP, 2.22 ERA, 56 K’s in 10 starts.