Andrew McCutchen made some Pirates history last night as the Bucs won a third straight game for the first time since July.
Joe Block recaps the big night.
For McCutchen, his 20th home run makes it eight seasons of 20 or more homers in a Pirates’ uniform, breaking his tie with Ralph Kiner for second-most in franchise history. Willie Stargell holds the all-time record with 15 seasons of 20 or more. Manager Derek Shelton continues to be amazed by Cutch’s play.
McCutchen is in 10th place all-time in hits as a Pirate, 48 behind Hall of Fame shortstop Arky Vaughn. Shelton admires McCutchen’s approach at the plate.
The Pirates got a break in the second inning when a grounder went under the glove of Marlins’ third baseman Jake Burger, leaving Shelton at a loss for words…so he invented one.
Shelton says third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes has not done any baseball activities since going on the injured list, but has concentrated on strengthening exercises for a lumbar spine injury. He could not speculate on Hayes returning to action this season, with only 16 games left.
On the day when MLB Pipeline rated the Pirates as having the best pitching prospects in all of baseball, Bubba Chandler went out and proved why, striking out ten in six shutout innings of a 13-3 rout of Rochester. Chandler was perfect through five and gave up just one hit in the outing with two walks.
MLB Pipeline’s list of top pitching prospects in the minors mentions Chandler, Thomas Harrington, Braxton Ashcraft, Hunter Barco, Anthony Solometo, and 2024 Competitive Balance draft choice Levi Sterling.
ALTOONA CURVE
Not a good night for Altoona, which was beaten by Richmond, 6-2. The Pirates’ Endy Rodriguez started at catcher, rehabbing his right elbow, and was 0-for-3. Former first round draft choice Termarr Johnson wore the golden sombrero, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.
Dominic Perachi starts for the Curve tonight.
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