Pirates minor league affiliates lit up the scoreboard on Friday, June 23, scoring 41 runs across the four clubs but going just 2-2 on the day.
Infielder Tsung-Che Cheng made his Double-A debut with the Altoona Curve after being called up on Thursday, while Indianapolis exploded for 18 runs.
Here are the notable performances from Friday night.
C Endy Rodriguez
DH Miguel Andújar
Indy’s 18-5 victory over the Columbus Clippers marked their highest scoring game of the season. Outfielders Ryan Vilade and Chris Owings homered, as did shortstop Alika Williams, while third baseman Jared Triolo went 4-for-5, coming a home run short of the cycle including two triples. While he’s struggled this season, Endy Rodriguez had a strong day at the office as Indianapolis’ entire lineup clicker. After starter Kyle Nicolas allowed a five-run third, Indy’s bullpen turned in six scoreless innings to prevent the game from becoming a track meet.
CF Matt Frazier
Altoona fell 7-6 in ten innings to the Bowie Bay Sox at home, as the bullpen surrendered a 6-1 lead in the late innings. Cheng didn’t record a hit in his Altoona debut, but did draw two walks and hit a sacrifice fly RBI.
SS Maikol Escotto
3B Brendan Dixon
The Grasshoppers managed 11 hits: eight singles and three home runs. Escotto and Dixon, the eight- and nine-hole hitters, provided most of the offense and the team struggled to come up with hits with runners in scoring position. Greensboro’s bats fell silent over the final four innings as they tried to scrape across the tying run without success.
3B Jack Brannigan
1B Alexander Mojica
Bradenton’s bats got off to a hit start for the weekend as well, downing the Lakeland Flying Tigers 12-4. The Marauders hit .375 as a team, churning through the lineup with a steady offensive output.
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