Minor-league report: Solometo, Chandler piggyback Altoona's winning effort

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

INDIANAPOLIS (26-35) lost to Columbus, 8-3. Canaan Smith-Njigba hit a solo home run in the Indians' three-run fourth inning.

Indians starter Michael Plassmeyer allowed four runs on five hits in five innings. Josh Fleming allowed four runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings of relief. The Indians were limited to just three hits. 

The Indians open a six-game series at Jacksonville beginning Tuesday.

ALTOONA (20-37) won at Richmond, 6-4, for its fourth win in a row. Anthony Solometo and Bubba Chandler piggybacked each other for the first five innings. Solometo allowed a hit, walked one and struck out one in two innings, and Chandler followed by allowing two unearned runs on two hits with two strikeouts in three innings.

Joe Perez hit a two-run homer and Dustin Peterson hit a three-run homer to key the Curve's five-run fourth inning. Peterson added a solo homer in the top of the ninth.

Altoona begins a six-game series against Erie at home Tuesday.

GREENSBORO (31-25) lost to Jersey Shore, 18-5. Grasshoppers starter Derek Diamond allowed seven runs -- four earned -- including a grand slam to the BlueClaws' Emaarion Boyd in the first inning. He did not pitch past that point. Yoldin de la Paz allowed six runs in two innings of relief.

In continuing his rehab assignment, Josh Palacios hit a two-run homer in the first inning.

The Grasshoppers are at Winston-Salem for six games beginning Tuesday.

BRADENTON (25-32) beat Clearwater, 10-2. Javier Rivas hit a two-run homer in the first and Axial Plaz hit a three-run homer in the second for the Marauders.

Bradenton scored six runs in the first inning. Shalin Polanco brought in two with a double and Plaz brought in two with a single in that inning. Plaz went 3-for-4. Omar Alfonzo had two hits and scored twice.

Bradenton is at Dunedin for six games starting Tuesday.