Pirates Minor League Report: Bubba Chandler Torches Akron

Pirates affiliates picked up three wins in five games on Thursday, powered by phenomenal pitching performances from Bubba Chandler and Hung-Leng Chang, as well as strong days at the office from Jake Woodford and Derek Diamond.

Triple-A Indianapolis dropped both games of their doubleheader against the Rochester Red Wings in walk-off fashion, allowing an extra inning homer in game one before surrendering four runs in the decisive seventh inning of game two.

The Altoona Curve defeated the Akron Rubber Ducks 6-4. Chandler mowed through the lineup for 6.2 innings, striking out 11 batters, while catcher Carter Bins slugged his sixth homer of the season.

Late inning heroics continued for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, who defeated the Jersey Shore BlueClaws 6-4 with a rally in the tenth frame. Derek Diamond allowed one run in 5.1 innings, while Jack Brannigan and Josiah Sightler each notched two hits.

The Bradenton Marauders defeated the Clearwater Threshers 6-3, with Hung-Lung Chang allowing just one run in seven innings and a home run from Keiner Delgado.

Here’s a look at the top performances amongst Pirates’ minor league affiliates on Thursday.

Triple-A Indianapolis (33-43)

RHP Jake Woodford

• Game: 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 8 K’s.
• Season: 67 IP, 4.43 ERA, 63 K’s in 13 starts between Triple-A Charlotte (White Sox) and Indianapolis.

INF Liover Peguero

• Day: 3-for-6 with a double, a homer and a walk.
• Season: .265/.326/.402 with 15 doubles, 2 triples and 5 homers in 67 games.

Double-A Altoona (30-42)

RHP Bubba Chandler

• Game: 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 11 K’s.
• Season: 54 IP, 4.17 ERA, 68 K’s in 14 appearances (12 starts).

C Carter Bins

• Game: 3-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .237/.371/.450 with 10 doubles and 6 homers in 43 games between Altoona and Indianapolis.

High-A Greensboro (43-28)

RHP Derek Diamond

• Game: 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 K’s.
• Season: 47 IP, 3.83 ERA, 43 K’s in 12 appearances (8 starts).

1B Josiah Sightler

• Game: 2-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .185/.259/.342 with 5 doubles and 6 homers in 40 games.

Single-A Bradenton (34-38)

RHP Hung-Leng Chang

• Game: 7 IP, 1 ER, 5 K’s.
• Season: 56.1 IP, 3.83 ERA, 54 K’s in 12 appearances (10 starts).

RF Braylon Bishop

• Game: 1-for-2 with a double and 2 walks.
• Season: .236/.364/.449 with 5 doubles, a triple and 4 homers in 29 games between rookie ball and Bradenton.