Cannonballs coming: Brandon Waddell throws six shutout innings

Some roster changes at West Virginia. Pirates Prospects is reporting (sub. req’d) that Cody Bolton, drafted in the 6th round last year, is heading there. That tells us that the Pirates were very impressed with what they saw in extended spring training, as they’ve consistently sent their prep pitching draftees to Bristol. The one exception was Jameson Taillon. Max Kranick has also joined the Power; in fact, he was supposed to pitch today, but the game was halted early. Shane Baz was expected to be with the Power by now, but he’s been held back by control problems. Meanwhile, Travis MacGregor went on the DL. I don’t know what the issue is.

Bradenton was rained out.

— Tyler Eppler got shelled as Indianapolis (20-19) lost to Durham, 10-7. Eppler gave up nine hits and eight runs, seven earned, over four and a third innings. He was making his first start since May 5, with three relief outings in between. Jordan Luplow and Eric Wood both went deep for the Indians, Luplow’s fifth and Wood’s fourth. Luplow finished 1-4 with a walk. Chris Bostick continued to hit, going 2-4 with a double and a walk. His line now stands at 323/377/512.

Kevin Newman: 0-5
Jacob Stallings: 2-5
Kevin Kramer: 0-5
Dovydas Neverauskas: 1.2 IP, 3 K
Johnny Hellweg: IP, 3 H, ER, 2 K (first run allowed on the year)

— Brandon Waddell (pictured) threw six shutout innings as Altoona (20-18) beat Portland, 6-3. Waddell didn’t have the best control, as he walked three and needed 96 pitches. He allowed only three hits, though, while fanning eight. Jesus Liranzo got a four-out save, walking one and fanning two. He has yet to allow a run as a Pirate and has struck out 18 in 12 innings while walking three. Will Craig and Stephen Alemais led the offense. Craig was 2-4 with three RBIs. Alemais was 3-4 with a double.

Cole Tucker: 0-3 (slump is now 8-for-77)
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1-4
Jason Martin: 1-3, BB

— West Virginia’s game with Lexington was suspended in the top of the second with the Power up, 2-0. The runs came on a Deon Stafford longball.