Pirates Prospect Watch: Rodriguez Blasts First Double-A Homer, Scott Collects Four Hits

Just three of the Pirates’ minor league affiliates were in action Wednesday as the Indianapolis Indians’ game was rained out. Most of the headlines came from Altoona, where the Curve hit five home runs and received a strong performance from pitching prospect Kyle Nicolas.

Indianapolis Indians (51-53)

*Postponed – doubleheader on Thursday Aug. 11

Altoona Curve (50-54)

RHP Kyle Nicolas

• Game: 6.0 innings, one hit, one earned run, one walk, five strikeouts
• Season: 1-3, 3.89 ERA, 69.1 innings, 81 strikeouts, 32 walks, 18 games/17 starts

OF Connor Scott

• Game: 4 for 5 with a home run, a double, two RBIs and two runs
• Season: .255/.322/.402, 19 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 33 RBIs, eight steals, 83 games

It was a complete effort for the Curve in their 11-1 win over the Rumble Ponies, a game in which Altoona outhit Binghamton 16-1. Endy Rodriguez hit his first Double-A home run. Jared Triolo, Aaron Shackelford and Liover Peguero also went deep.

🚨 First Double-A home run for Endy Rodriguez!🚨

We take a 4-0 lead with our third home run of the game! pic.twitter.com/wRE5jqkc9X

— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) August 10, 2022

Greensboro Grasshoppers (44-58)

C/DH Abrahan Gutierrez

• Game: 1 for 4 with a home run
• Season: .261/.363/.422, 16 doubles, 11 home runs, 47 RBIs, four steals, 88 games

RHP Domingo Gonzalez

• Game: 3.2 innings, no hits, no runs, one walk, five strikeouts
• Season: 6-3, 5.42 ERA, 86.1 innings, 84 strikeouts, 41 walks, 23 games/11 starts

Gutierrez blasted his 11th homer of the year for the Grasshoppers in their 4-1 loss to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Out of the bullpen, Gonzalez dazzled over 3.2 innings for his second straight scoreless outing in relief. Jared Jones got the start for Greensboro and punched out five.

Bradenton Marauders (53-50)

INF Tsung-Che Cheng

• Game: 3 for 5 with two RBIs, a run and a stolen base
• Season: .257/.353/.397, 17 doubles, six triples, four home runs, 39 RBIs, 22 steals, 78 games

OF Jasiah Dixon

• Game: 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and a run
• Season: .253/.313/.333, one double, three triples, 10 RBIs, eight steals, 29 games

Cheng continued his nice season with the Marauders. He collected three hits and scored the walk-off run on a Juan Jerez sacrifice fly in the 10th inning of the Marauders’ 4-3 win over the West Palm Cardinals. Dixon recorded his first double of the year as part of a two-hit performance.