Pirates Prospect Watch: Nuñez Stars, Holderman Continues Rehab

The Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate, dropped their home opener against the Memphis Redbirds 7-2 on Tuesday.

Despite the lopsided final score, Indians’ third baseman Malcom Nuñez—a former Cardinals prospect who came to Pittsburgh in the Johan Oviedo trade—enjoyed an excellent showing against his former club, going 1-for-3 with a home run and a bases loaded walk.

That’s all the scoring Indianapolis could muster, as they managed just four hits and five walks in the contest: Nuñez’s home run was the only extra base hit that the Redbirds allowed. The Indians’ pitching managed to keep it close for much of the game, but five Redbirds runs across the last two innings, including a four run ninth, sank any chance at a comeback.

Beyond Nuñez, here’s a look at the top performers in Tuesday’s game.

Triple-A Indianapolis (1-3)

• RHP Colin Holderman pitched a perfect inning as he continues to work his way back from a forearm issue and a nasty bout of illness that put him in the hospital, striking out a pair of Redbirds in the process.
• LHP Geronimo Franzua worked through traffic, walking three batters but battling back to put up a zero in his inning of work.
• First baseman Jake Lamb went 0-for-2 but managed to draw two walks.

The rest of the Pirates’ affiliates will take part in their respective season openers on Friday, April 5.