Pirates Minor League Report: Offense Rolls in A-Ball

Pirates’ affiliates won two of the five games they played on Friday, with the lower rungs of the farm system hitting homers early and often.

Triple-A Indianapolis split their doubleheader with the Columbus Clippers, claiming game one 5-2 as Domingo Germán put together one of his best starts of the season, striking out seven batters in six innings and allowing two runs. The nightcap didn’t go Indianapolis’ way, though, as they got stomped 8-2. 

Altoona lost 2-1 to the Bowie BaySox, outhitting their opponents 9-6 but going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Things went better for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, who crushed the Winston-Salem Dash 8-0. Alessandro Ercolani kicked off a three-hitter, turning in four scoreless innings in his first start since a brief spell on the injured list, while Shawn Ross and Maikol Escotto each logged homers.

The Bradenton Marauders fell just short in a heartbreaker, losing 7-6 despite their best efforts at a late-inning comeback. Keiner Delgado, Axiel Plaz and Omar Alfonzo all homered in the narrow defeat.

Here’s a look at the top performing Pirates’ farmhands to begin the weekend.

Triple-A Indianapolis (39-48)

RHP Domingo Germán

• Game: 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 K’s.
• Season: 54.1 IP, 5.13 ERA, 52 K’s in 11 starts between Indianapolis and Bradenton.

INF Malcom Nuñez

• Day: 4-for-6 with a double.
• Season: .253/.321/.375 with 10 doubles and 8 homers in 79 games.

Double-A Altoona (37-48)

1B Joe Perez

• Game: 1-for-4 with a triple.
• Season: .220/.289/.354 with 11 doubles, 2 triples and 6 homers in 68 games between Altoona and Indianapolis.

C Abrahan Gutierrez

• Game: 1-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .245/.300/.314 with 7 doubles in 29 games between rookie ball, Bradenton and Altoona.

High-A Greensboro (53-31)

RHP Alessandro Ercolani

• Game: 4 IP, 0 ER, 4 K’s.
• Season: 46.2 IP, 4.44 ERA, 55 K’s in 15 appearances (9 starts).

C Shawn Ross

• Game: 1-for-3 with a homer and a walk.
• Season: .185/.354/.494 with 4 doubles and 17 homers in 54 games.

Single-A Bradenton (37-48)

C Omar Alfonzo

• Game: 3-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .261/.373/.386 with 13 doubles and 6 homers in 71 games.

1B Axiel Plaz

• Game: 1-for-3 with a homer and a walk.
• Season: .222/.312/.507 with 5 doubles and 12 homers in 47 games between rookie ball and Bradenton.