4/21 Baseball Round-Up

Sorry this is up late.  It was a travel day for me.  The Altoona Curve game was rained out, but Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Bradenton, and West Virginia were in action. Inside find write-ups for Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Indians vs. Louisville Bats, Bradenton Marauders vs. Fort Myers Miracle, and West Virginia Power vs. Charleston RiverDogs.

Pittsburgh Pirates (6-8) won 2-0 over the St. Louis Cardinals (10-5)

WP: AJ Burnett (1-0)  S: Joel Hanrahan (2)  LP: Jake Westbrook (2-1)

If you have been paying attention to AJ Burnett's rehab starts, then you will understand my trepidation.  Burnett had looked terrible in three rehab starts, so much so that his ERA was over 9.00.  He must have been working out the kinks because other than a first inning scare, the Pirates' SP had a great game.  There is more good news.  3B Pedro Alvarez went 2 for 4 with two RBI singles and zero strikeouts.  He drove in CF Andrew McCutchen both times. 

AAA: Indianapolis Indians (7-8) won 9-1 over the Louisville Bats

WP: Jo-Jo Reyes (2-0)  LP: Jeff Francis (1-2)

SP Jo-Jo Reyes went five scoreless to get the win.  Louisville Bats didn't do much with their namesakes as they managed only four hits.  The Indian's 1-4 hitters went a combined 10 for 20.  It was nice to see Matt Hague given some playing time at 3B.  He rewarded the coaching staff with a 3 for 5 performance, including a double and two RBI.

AA: Altoona Curve (6-8) vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels - postponed

A+: Bradenton Marauders (6-8) lost 8-6 in 10 innings to the Fort Myers Miracle

WP: Caleb Thielbar (1-1)  LP: Jason Townsend (0-1)

The Marauders led for most of this game before imploding in the 8th, 9th, and 10th.  They held a 6-1 lead going into the 8th inning.  The Miracle would score three in the 8th and two in the 9th to send it to extra innings.  They continued producing runs with two in the tenth to win the game.  SS Gift Ngoepe was the top offensive peformer for the Marauders, going 2 for 5.

A: West Virginia Power (5-11) lost 4-1 to the Charleston RiverDogs
WP: William Oliver (1-1)  S: Philip Wetherell (2)  LP: Orlando Castro (0-2)

In what is becoming too often an occurance, the Power struggled to produce runs.  They went 1 for 16 with runners in scoring position.  SS Alen Hanson has been the MVP by far to this point with a .420 average.  He continued to hit with a 3 for 5 performance.  RF Junior Sosa drove in West Virginia's only run with a single in the fourth inning.