Pirates Minor League Report: Harrington Stuns For Altoona

Pirates’ affiliates won two of the four games they played on Wednesday, with Jack Brannigan and Esmerlyn Valdez continuing their recent power surges and a lights-out start from Thomas Harrington.

Triple-A Indianapolis lost 3-1 to the Columbus Clippers, unable to muster any offense to support a strong start from Jake Woodford.

Thomas Harrington got the win in Altoona’s 5-1 win over the Bowie BaySox, punching out 11 batters in seven innings.

The Greensboro Grasshoppers dropped a 7-5 decision in ten innings against the Winston-Salem Dash despite Jack Brannigan’s third homer in the past two days along with long balls from Nick Cimillo and Hudson Head.

The Bradenton Marauders walloped the Jupiter Hammerheads 14-8. Valdez hit two home runs, Axiel Plaz added another, and Aaron Shortridge struck out seven batters in four scoreless innings.

Here’s a look at the top performances from the Pirates’ farm system on Wednesday.

Triple-A Indianapolis (38-47)

RHP Jake Woodford

• Game: 5 IP, 1 ER, 6 K’s.
• Season: 75 IP, 4.20 ERA, 71 K’s in 15 starts between Indianapolis and Triple-A Charlotte (White Sox).

DH Seth Beer

• Game: 1-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .275/.352/.414 with 10 doubles, 2 triples and 7 homers in 69 games between Altoona and Indianapolis.

Double-A Altoona (36-47)

2B Kervin Pichardo

• Game: 2-for-3 with a double.
• Season: .264/.319/.360 with 9 doubles and 5 homers in 73 games.

RHP Thomas Harrington

• Game: 7 IP, 1 ER, 11 K’s.
• Season: 59.2 IP, 2.41 ERA, 62 K’s in 12 appearances (11 starts) between Bradenton and Altoona.

High-A Greensboro (51-31)

3B Jack Brannigan

• Game: 2-for-5 with a homer and a double.
• Season: .220/.340/.448 with 11 doubles, a triple and 14 homers in 64 games.

LF Hudson Head

• Game: 2-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .227/341/.414 with 8 doubles, 3 triples and 9 homers in 64 games.

Single-A Bradenton (37-46)

1B Esmerlyn Valdez

• Game: 2-for-4 with 2 homers and a walk.
• Season: .247/.366/.480 with 14 doubles, a triple and 12 homers in 66 games.

C Axiel Plaz

• Game: 2-for-5 with a homer.
• Season: .221/.313/.493 with 5 doubles and 11 homers in 46 games between rookie ball and Bradenton.