Skenes Starts 5/5/24

S.Samek

Paul Skenes made his next start against Buffalo yesterday, let’s see how he did.

The outing was a bit rougher than usual. He allowed two runs, three hits, walked two and struck out four. He allowed a home run as one of those hits. which was the first one he’d allowed sense being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Skenes pitched 4 1/3 innings throwing 66 pitches with 40 of them being for strikes.

His era sits at 0.99 so far this season. He received another no decision as the Indianapolis Indians would go on to win the game 8-3.

While the start wasn’t his best, it was on four days’ rest. He does continue to show promise overall. I’m sure the calls for him to be brought up to Pittsburgh will continue to come.

Padres Add Arraez

S.Samek

The San Diego Padres added Luis Arrez from the Miami Marlins in a trade.

The two-time batting champion and cash considerations are headed to San Diego while the Marlins receive pitch Woo-Suk Go, outfielders Jakob Marsee, Dillon Head and first baseman/outfielder Nathan Martorella.

With those three all being top 15 ranked prospects in the Padres system. Though Head now ranks as the Marlins fifth ranked prospect and Marsee 10th, and Martorella 11th.

Who won this trade?

Curve Reach 14 In A Row

S. Samek

Things for the Altoona Curve haven’t been getting much better. After a tough loss that tied the franchise record with 11 losses in a row, they had three chances to end the streak.

With no such luck. They fell in both games in a double header on May,2,2024 before dropping a game 2-0 yesterday.

Though the Curve threated in the ninth inning, putting runners at the corners with no one out and having the bases loaded with one out. However, a flyout that should have resulted in a run scoring on a sacrifice fly ended up being a double play as the runner was thrown out at the plate. It ended the game in a 2-0 win for Harrisburg.

The loss continues the now franchise record 14 games of futility. They try again to best in-state rival Harrisburg tonight at 6PM.

Curve Match franchise record After Late Loss

S. Samek

The Altoon Curve looked to avoid losing a franchise record 11 games in a row this afternoon. For a while it even looked like they would cruise to victory.

A four-run seventh inning pulled them ahead 4-1. During the inning Brenden Dixion hit a game-tying home run, while Wyatt Hendrie plated a pair with a double and Joe Perez added a sacrifice fly to give the Curve a three-run cushion.

However, in the bottom of the seventh they would give back two runs. Then in the eighth Harrisburg would tie it at 4-4 after a pair of walks.

Then in the bottom of the ninth Brady House took Isaac Mattson deep to send the home crowd away happy and give the Senators a 5-4 win.

Altoona looks to stop the streak Tomorrow during a doubleheader against the Senators.

Curve Look to Avoid 11 in a Row

S. Samek

The Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates are on a slide. They lost last night against the Harrisburg Senators 3-2. That loss marked their 10th straight defeat. The last time they lost 10 games in a row was May 24-June 3, 2014.

The franchise record losing streak for the Curve is 11 in a row. They accomplished that during the 2000 season. Will they be able to avoid tying the franchise record with a win today? First pitch is set for noon.

Skenes Shows off in Latest Start

S. Samek

Paul Skenes made another start Tuesday night. His last time out he gave up his first two runs of the season. How will he rebound from his worst start so far in 2024?

Well, this time he started a new scoreless streak. He went six innings without allowing a run. He lowered his era to 0.39. He allowed four hits and one walk, while striking out seven batters. He threw 75 pitches with 53 of them being strikes.

With yet another dominating start will he be getting called up soon? It’s almost like their isn’t anything left to prove in the minor leagues. A start like this is the best he’s looked all season.

Holliday Sent Back to Triple-A

S. Samek

The Baltimore Orioles have option top prospect Jackson Holliday back to Triple-A Norfolk.

His first stint in the majors lasted 16 days and saw him go 2/34 in 10 games for an .059 average. He did record his first major league hit during the April 14th, 2024, game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

It seems pretty fast to see him sent down, but it makes sense. There should still be plenty of time to turn the slump around and get him readjusted for a second shot at making it to the show.

Skenes Streak ends despite strong Outing

S.Samek

Paul Skenes is back on the mound and making his next start for Indianapolis. Bring in a scoreless inning streak of 12 2/3 to this contest against Omaha. Can he pick up his first win of the season? Will the streak continue? Let’s dive into the results of the start.

The streak came to a close as he surrendered a run in the second inning, and then another one in the fourth. He pitched 4.1 innings gave up the two runs on five hits allowed. He walked one hitter and struck out seven. The 4.1 inning pitched marked his longest outing of the season. The scoreless streak lasted 14.1 innings prior to it being broken up.

While he did raise his era from 0.00 to 0.53, he did exit with Indianapolis in front 6-2. However, he did reach a season high 71 pitches thrown and got 16 whiffs, also a season high. Indianapolis would go on to win 7-4 with Skenes getting a no decision. he is still 0-0 this season.

Lots of good things happening though and Skenes has been consistently good to start the year.

Kjerstad Joining the Orioles

S. Samek

The Orioles aren’t hesitating to go to their stocked farm system. First it was Jackson Holliday, now its Heston Kjerstad.

Kjerstad is lighting up Triple-A with 10 home runs in 21 games as well as a .349/.431/.744. The 10 home runs lead the International League at this time.

He is their top-rated outfield prospect, and number four in the Orioles system. He’s also the 29th rated prospected overall.

Should make this Orioles team even more exciting to watch. Welcome to the big show.

Skenes Starts Against St. Paul 4/18/24.

S. Samek

Paul Skenes is starting tonight against the St. Paul Saints. He looks to continue his scoreless inning streak and maybe pick up his first win of the year. How well did he pitch tonight?

We got more of the usual fair. Skenes went 3.1 inning walking two, allowing one hit and striking out eight batters. He didn’t allow a run, extending his scoreless streak to 12 2/3 innings. He did so while continuing to hit triple digits on the radar. He threw 65 pitches 37 of them for strikes.

He is still looking for his first win of the year though. Even though Indianapolis was victorious 6-5 in this contest.

Can’t wait to see him try and keep the streak alive during his next start.