With four of the Pirates minor league teams in the playoffs, let’s check in on them to see how they did on Thursday.
Indianapolis Indians- Triple-A
The Indianapolis Indians played host to Game 2 in their opening round Governors’ Cup playoff series in front of 3,706 faithful fans at Victory Field. Taking the mound in Game 2 for the Indians against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders was Vance Worley.
Worley only needed 91 pitches to get through eight innings of work against the RailRiders. Giving up an unearned run over his eight strong innings, Worley struck out three and scattered six hits to help Indianapolis take Game 2 in the best-of-five series.
To get Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on the brink of elimination, the Indians took advantage of Eric Wooten’s career-high five walk night for the RailRiders scoring four runs on six hits off the starter.
Indianapolis got out to a 2-run lead early on a Steve Lombardozzi walk with the bases loaded in the third inning after Josh Bell singled in a run in the second. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre scored the lone run of their evening on a double by International League Rookie of the Year, Ben Gamel.
Scoring for the Indians would begin again in the fifth as eight Indianapolis hitters were sent to the plate, scoring four. Bell had an RBI groundout to start the scoring with Keon Broxton following with a two-run single to keep it going. A Tony Sanchez single drove in the fourth and final run to put the Indians up five runs with four innings to play.
The best-of-five series heads to Scranton for Game 3 at 6:35 p.m. Friday night. Kyle Davies, the RailRiders wins leader, faces off against Pirates’ top-ranked prospect, Tyler Glasnow in a potential series clinching game for the Indians.
Altoona Curve- Double-A
For the second night in a row, the Altoona Curve pitching staff gave up seven runs to the Bowie Baysox. The Baysox victory evens the playoff series at one game apiece. The Curve offense left eight runners on base throughout the night and their hitters were 0-9 with runners in scoring position.
Altoona starting pitcher Tyler Eppler got the loss, giving up three runs on six hits over 6 innings of work.
Second baseman Max Moroff paced the Curve offense going 2-4 at the plate in Game 2.
A lefty on lefty match-up awaits Altoona in Bowie as lefties Steven Brault and Chris Lee face off in Game 3 of the best-of-five series. A 7:05 p.m. first pitch is scheduled for Friday night’s game in Bowie.
West Virginia Black Bears- Short Season A
After a rainout Wednesday pushed Game 1 of the Semi-Final Championship Series back to Thursday, the West Virginia Black Bears wasted almost no time in getting on the board. Designated Hitter Daniel Arribas put a second inning pitch of the outfield scoreboard to put the Black Bears up 1-0 over the visiting Williamsport Crosscutters.
Arribas also brought in second baseman Mitchell Tolman with a fifth inning sacrifice fly to give West Virginia a 2-0 lead.
Starting Pitcher Dario Agrazal threw 6 and 2/3 innings giving up one run, and striking out five Williamsport hitters. The one run came on a William Cuicas pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Relief Pitcher Tate Scioneaux went the rest of the way picking up the Game 1 save by throwing 2 and 1/3 innings and struck out the last five Crosscutter hitters he faced.
Game 2 of the Semi-Final Championship Series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Williamsport Friday.
West Virginia Power- Single-A
Travel day. Game 2 first pitch at 7:05 in Hickory Friday night.
