Cannonballs coming: Opening day in the minors

The Pirates' four full-season affiliates opened their seasons today.  Well, three of them did, anyway.  Indianapolis was rained out.

-- Altoona lost to Harrisburg, 10-6.  Jason Creasy gave up seven hits and three runs, two earned, over six innings.  Dovydas Neverauskas had a rough introduction to AA, seeing all five of his hitters reach on three hits, a walk and an error.  John Kuchno also struggled in relief.  Eric Wood had a triple and two RBIs, and Erich Weiss went 3-5.  Barrett Barnes didn't play; hopefully he's not hurt again, or at least not seriously.  Others:

Reese McGuire (batting cleanup):  1-3, 2 BB
Harold Ramirez (batting leadoff):  1-4, BB
Jose Osuna:  0-5
Stetson Allie:  2-4

-- Bradenton won its opener over Ft. Myers, 3-1.  Jordan Luplow provided all the offense with a three-run bomb in the first inning.  He also had a double in four times up.  Starter Alex McRae threw five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and three walks, and striking out four.  Others:

Kevin Newman:  2-4
Kevin Kramer:  0-4
Connor Joe:  0-4
Edgar Santana:  2 IP, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K

-- Despite allowing only three hits, West Virginia failed to hold a 2-1 lead in the 8th inning against Greensboro and dropped a 3-2 decision.  J.T. Brubaker had a strong start, allowing just one run on two hits and three walks, while striking out six.  Tito Polo! provided the offense, going 3-4 with a triple and a HR, and scoring both runs.  Tate Scioneaux threw two scoreless innings, giving up just a walk and fanning three.  Cesilio Pimentel retired the first two hitters in the 8th, but a walk, double and error followed, letting in two runs.  Others:

Ke'Bryan Hayes:  1-4
Casey Hughston:  1-4
Mitchell Tolman:  0-4
Carlos Munoz:  2-4