Minor-league report: Ashcraft dominates with dozen strikeouts

A look at Thursday’s minor-league action within the Pirates' system ...

INDIANAPOLIS (25-33) surrendered 12 runs in the ninth inning in its 23-5 loss to Columbus. The Clippers' Bryan Lavastida and Johnathan Rodriguez hit two home runs each in the inning. Rodriguez's first homer was a three-run shot, and his second was a grand slam off of Indianapolis infielder Brandon Dixon. The Indians utilized Dixon and backup catcher Dylan Shockley as relievers in the ninth.

The Clippers smacked seven homers. Indianapolis reliever Geronimo Franzua allowed three of them. Starter Domingo German continued his struggles as he allowed eight runs on nine hits with three walks, three strikeouts and two homers allowed in five innings. German now has a 7.97 ERA in four starts with Indianapolis.

Andres Alvarez hit a three-run homer in the third inning for Indianapolis. Malcom Nunez hit a two-run single in the ninth.

ALTOONA (17-37) pounded Richmond on the road, 10-4. Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high 12 and did not walk a batter in seven innings of work. He became the fifth pitcher in Curve history to strike out 12 or more batters in a game, and he finished one strikeout shy of Tom Gorzelanny’s Curve record of 13 strikeouts in a game.

It is the second double-digit strikeout game for the 2018 second-round pick this season. He fanned 10 batters in seven innings May 14 at Akron.

Sammy Siani hit a two-run home run as a part of Altoona's five-run fifth and drove in four runs total. Tsung-Che Cheng led the game off with a homer and went 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Seth Beer went 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs.

GREENSBORO (31-22) lost to Jersey Shore, 5-1. Charles McAdoo's solo homer in the fourth inning, his seventh of the season, gave Greensboro its lone run. 

Maikol Escotto had two of Greensboro's five hits. Reliever Yoldin de la Paz allowed four runs on seven hits in two innings. Starter Patrick Reilly allowed a run on five hits and stuck out four in five innings.

BRADENTON (23-31) beat Clearwater, 8-0. Bradenton pitching allowed just three hits. Starter Carlson Reed allowed two hits, walked one and struck out nine in five innings. The trio of Reed, Mike Walsh and Peyton Stumbo struck out 17 and walked one as a collective.

Esmerlyn Valdez went 3-for-3 with a pair of solo homers.

Javier Rivas went 3-for-3 and was a double shy of the cycle.