The Pirates lived up to their nickname as the “Battlin’ Bucs”, but it wasn’t enough to knock off Arizona last night at PNC Park.
Here’s Greg Brown.
Manager Donnie Kelly says the Pirates never give up.
Two uncharacteristic errors by usually-reliable infielders Jared Triolo and Brandon Lowe were costly for the Bucs. Kelly says you never expect an error by Gold Glove winner Triolo, but they happen, even to him.
A night after getting hit in the left wrist by a pitch, Esmerlyn Valdez was back in the Pirates’ lineup last night after X-rays were negative. He went 1-for-6 at the plate.
The news was not as good for Spencer Horwitz, who was hit in the head by a pitch on Saturday night during a rehab start in Bradenton. He is recovered from his hamstring injury, but now is suffering from a concussion. Kelly says the first baseman’s headache persists after the pitch hit the jaw protector on his helmet.
ALTOONA CURVE
Lonnie White Jr. stayed hot for the Curve, but they still got bombed by Chesapeake, 12-3, in their series opener. White homered twice for Altoona. The Curve’s Connor Oliver gave up a first-inning grand slam to set the tone for the game.
Dominic Pipkin gets the start for the Curve tonight in Altoona.
GREENSBORO
Another Bucco prospect had a two-homer night last night, his second straight two-homer game after he did it on Sunday. Greensboro shortstop Sammy Stafura has 19 homers this season in High-A. He’s the Pirates’ ninth-rated prospect. He came to the Bucs in the Ke’Bryan Hayes trade with the Reds last year.
