While the talk around the Pirates lately has been all about trades and the roster, the young Bucs are holding their own against Major League competition, winning five of their last seven games. Last night they won again, against the Tigers. Joe Block has the story.
For today’s series finale, the Bucs go for the two-game sweep with right-hander Osvaldo Bido [2-1, 4.50 ERA] pitching against Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodriguez [6-5, 2.95 ERA]. It’s a 12:10 airtime, 12:35 first pitch on WCCS.
After playing only one game in July, third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes was activated from the injured list but did not play last night. He is expected back in the lineup today. Catcher Jason Delay and infielder Vinny Capra were recalled from Indianapolis and utility man Ji Hwan Bae was sent to Indy to begin a rehab assignment. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run in an Indy win over Gwinnett. In that game, outfielder Miguel Andujar had four hits and raised his batting average to .361.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington swung three deals on trade deadline day. The first trade was with San Diego, which got pitcher Rich Hill and first baseman Ji Man Choi from the Pirates in return for left-handed pitcher Jackson Wolf, first baseman Alfonso Rivas, and 17-year-old outfielder Estuar Suero. Then Cherington sent catcher Austin Hedges to Texas for international cap space and international bonus pool money. Needing a starter for the rotation to replace Hill, the Pirates swapped infielder Rodolfo Castro to the Phillies for left-hander Bailey Falter, who brings a 5.13 ERA in eight appearances, seven starts for the Phils. He has a 4.21 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A this season.
Rivas will join the Pirates in Milwaukee this weekend. Falter may report to the Pirates or to Indianapolis. Wolf will report to Altoona. Suero will likely head to the Florida Complex League.
Today’s Tigers starter, Eduardo Rodriguez, vetoed a trade to the Dodgers yesterday, invoking his no-trade clause because he prefers to stay nearer his family in the eastern half of the country. Failing to get Rodriguez, the Dodgers then acquired lefty Ryan Yarbrough from the Royals.
Other big deals yesterday at the trade deadline:
- In deals for prospects, the Mets sent Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander back to the Astros New York also traded outfielder Tommy Pham to the Diamondbacks.
- Former Pirate Josh Bell has yet another new team as he was traded by Cleveland to Miami.
- The Cardinals traded pitcher Jack Flaherty to the Orioles for three prospects and shortstop Paul DeJong to the Blue Jays for pitcher Matt Svanson.
- The Tigers sent pitcher Michael Lorenzon to the Phillies.
On the field last night, Houston’s Framber Valdez threw the Majors’ second no-hitter of the year, the 16th in Astros history, in a 2-0 win over Cleveland.
ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the ninth without a hit in a 1-0 shutout of Richmond. After a Richmond error, a hit batsman, and a walk loaded the bases, the Curve’s Connor Scott drew another base on balls for the walkoff win. Beau Sulser went five innings, Justin Meis two, and Tahnaj Thomas threw two perfect innings for the win.
;
Anthony Solometo pitches for the Curve tonight in the series’ second game.
