Pirates Minor Leagues: Indianapolis, West Virginia Win

by Charlie Wilmoth on May 9, 2011 11:27 PM EDT

Indianapolis beat Durham 7-5 thanks to a two-run homer by John Bowker and a three-run jack by Andrew Lambo. Lambo is off to a slow start this season, but he raised his average to .220 with a 2-for-3 day.

Altoona lost 3-2 to Harrisburg despite a good start by Michael Colla, who had five strikeouts and one run allowed in five innings. Colla has a solid performance history but is probably no more than a fringe prospect due to his age (24) and marginal stuff. Tim Alderson struck out two in an inning of relief and now has 17 strikeouts and six walks in 16.1 innings; maybe he's finally onto something.

Bradenton was off.

West Virginia beat Charleston (confusing!), 6-2. After a disastrous start to his season, in which he allowed seven runs apiece in his first three starts, Brandon Cumpton pitched in relief on April 25 and struck out three batters in three innings. He then went back to the rotation and on Monday made his second consecutive good start, with five strikeouts and one run allowed over 5.2 innings. Drew Maggi went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk, giving him three multi-hit games in his last five. Maggi got off to an awful start this season despite coming from a big college program and getting a $468,000 bonus; let's hope he's finding his groove now.

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i was hoping to see Alderson pitch when playing against Richmond this year

but alas, did not see it happen. would really like to know how much his velocity has improved so far. even so, everyone should be happy at this progress so far this year.

remember, hes the 2nd youngest guy on his team and still young for AA.

by white angus on May 10, 2011 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

Last report I heard he was at 89-91.

by Slick1 on May 10, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

His K's are encouraging.

by Slick1 on May 10, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Is Alderson in relief now?

Also as a kind of aside, I read an article a while back in either SI or ESPN that said the rigours of the Pirates pitching protocol has led to Alderson losing velocity and having arm trouble. The article said he asked management to change the program for him to what he has always been doing and I’m assuming that has led to the increase or return of velocity.

by StripesForLife on May 10, 2011 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

I think that's a bull shit article (link)...

Stark has touched on this, Alderson went back to his way because he wasn’t getting results. The irony is, the Pirates did it there way last year because,,,wait for it…he wasn’t getting results. Stark said his body has changed so using his old delivery may not work for him now because his body is not the same. He’s pitching in relief so he can get into more games per week and work on repeating his new delivery. So far the results are encouraging.

by Slick1 on May 10, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions