Wood steps in for Allie, Morton rehabs

Interesting how these things happen. Yesterday, all five starters in the Pirates' organization pitched shutout ball. Today, all five starters allowed runs in the first inning.

-- Indianapolis lost a ten-inning game to Louisville, 5-4. The Indians went ahead, 4-3, in the top of the 9th, but Vic Black blew the save. He struck out the side, but also walked Billy Hamilton, which didn't go well. Roman Colon became the latest minor league veteran to emerge from extended spring training, fanning the first batter he faced in the bottom of the 10th, but allowing a walkoff HR to the next. Kris Johnson started and gave up three runs in five innings. Tony Sanchez went 2-4 and, believe it or not, is now one of the team's better hitters, the result of a 9-for-22 stretch. Matt Hague also had two hits. Brandon Inge continued to get good results, going 1-4 with a walk and a GIDP, boosting his average to a season-high .149.

-- Altoona lost to Harrisburg, 5-4. Curve starter Stolmy Pimentel allowed his first run of the season in his third start. He allowed two hits and a walk in the 1st to load the bases with no out, but got out of it with only one run allowed. That was all he gave up in five innings, although he did struggle with his control, walking four. He gave up three hits and fanned four, and threw 56 of 87 pitches for strikes. Ethan Hollingsworth followed and promptly allowed four runs. Altoona got three in the 9th on Stefan Welch's first HR. The Curve continued to struggle on offense, managing only four hits, two by Welch.

-- Bradenton dropped to 2-12, losing to Palm Beach, 4-3. Charlie Morton went three innings in his first rehab appearance, allowing an RBI double and a solo HR. He walked none, fanned two, and threw 33 of 44 pitches for strikes. His fastball sat at 93-95 and reached 96, velocity Morton hasn't known in at least a couple years. Matt Benedict followed and took the loss despite pitching probably his best game at the level. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk in five innings, striking out six. Benedict now has an 0-10 record pitching parts of two season for the Marauders. Zac Fuesser retired the side in order in the 9th, fanning two. Benji Gonzalez went 3-5 with a triple, Gregory Polanco 3-5 with a double, and Jose Osuna 3-4. Alen Hanson returned to the lineup and went 0-4 with a walk. Bradenton had no errors.

-- Stetson Allie allowed opposing pitchers a day of rest, but West Virginia won without him, beating Hagerstown, 7-4. Barrett Barnes made his season debut in center and went 1-5. Starter Tyler Glasnow allowed no hits over four innings, but struggled with his control for the second straight start. He walked four while fanning three, and allowed two unearned runs. Ryan Hafner allowed two runs in two innings of relief. Eric Wood led the offense, going 3-5 with his fourth HR and four RBIs. Raul Fortunato and Walker Gourley each had two hits. Leadoff hitter Max Moroff went 0-3 with two walks. He's only hitting .231, but he has 11 walks in 13 games and has scored 15 runs. It helps that half his 12 hits have gone for extra bases.