Pirates Minor League Report: Statement Game for Malcom Nuñez

Pirates’ affiliates began the second half with just one win, as Triple-A Indianapolis punished the Omaha Storm Chasers 8-1. 

Third baseman Malcom Nuñez logged three extra base hits, Jake Lamb and Matt Gorski homered, and Aaron Shortridge keyed the pitching staff with four innings of one-run ball.

Po-Yu Chen continued to star for Altoona, firing six scoreless innings, but the Curve’s bats couldn’t back him up: Charles McAdoo’s sixth-inning single was the only thing preventing a no-hitter as the Somerset Patriots won 2-0. 

Termarr Johnson continued to improve at the plate for Greensboro, logging two hits, but the Grasshoppers fell 4-2 to the Hickory Crawdads as defensive errors plagued them.

The Bradenton Marauders saw the makings of a promising start from Carlson Reed, who struck out four batters in four scoreless innings. Alas, the game ended up suspended due to rain, a 0-0 tie in five innings set for continuation on Saturday, July 20.

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

Triple-A Indianapolis (40-50)

3B Malcom Nuñez

• Game: 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, a homer and a walk.
• Season: .260/.326/.401 with 14 doubles and 9 homers in 82 games.

RF Matt Gorski

• Game: 2-for-3 with a homer and 2 walks.
• Season: .248/.301/.539 with 16 doubles, 5 triples and 16 homers in 73 games.

Double-A Altoona (39-49)

RHP Po-Yu Chen

• Game: 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 K’s.
• Season: 96 IP, 3.66 ERA, 69 K’s in 18 appearances (16 starts.

High-A Greensboro (55-32)

LHP Dominic Perachi

• Game: 6 IP, 2 ER (2 unearned), 5 K’s.
• Season: 73.2 IP, 2.47 ERA, 71 K’s in 17 appearances (9 starts).

2B Termarr Johnson

• Game: 2-for-5 with a double.
• Season: .246/.394/.398 with 14 doubles, a triple and 9 homers in 80 games.

Single-A Bradenton (38-49)

RHP Carlson Reed

• Game: 4 IP, 0 ER, 4 K’s.
• Season: 68.2 IP, 2.75 ERA, 83 K’s in 15 starts.