Weekend Notes: Streak Ends; Howard on IL; Random Stuff; MiLB News

The Bucs are off today after taking 2-of-3 from Cleveland this weekend. 

Notes:

• 16,965 fans, split between Bucco and Indian fans, watched the Bucs snap their 10-game losing streak, 11-10, on Friday night against Cleveland at PNC Park. The Pirates never do things the easy way; they almost blew a 10-run lead after six innings, with the Tribe stranding a runner at second in the eighth inning and then leaving runners on second and third in the ninth. Still, a win is a win is a win, and it was followed by Zambelli fireworks, so it ended up a perfect Pittsburgh evening. 
• LHP Sam Howard on the 10-day IL (retro to 6/19) due to right knee tendinitis, and  LHP Austin Davis has been recalled from Indy.
• Seven of Ke'Bryan Haye' 16 hits this month have gone for extra bases (four doubles, a triple and two home runs). 
• Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com has seven underdogs who he thinks deserve All Star recognition; Adam Frazier is among them.

ASG in Adam's future? - photo Pgh Pirates

• Colin Moran (back) has rejoined the lineup, so the Pirates' decision  to carry him for a series rather than putting him on the IL paid off.
• Key to the kingdom: Jake Stallings has seven multi-RBI games; the Pirates are 7-0 in those contests. Michael Perez has a pair of multi-RBI games; the Bucs won both of those, too.
• Indy's RHP Miguel Yajure is now pain-free after his bout with nerve irritation and the next step is to stretch his arm with a throwing program.
• GM Ben Cherington said that minor league promotions may begin when the season hits the midway mark, noting the FO will be cautious in moving guys around because of the absence of a 2020 MiLB campaign. He added that SS Oneill Cruz will eventually see some OF time in Altoona.
• Kinda odd rostering at Indy, though injuries & versatility are partly to blame: The Indians are carrying five C's: Christian Bethancourt, who also lines up as a 1B/OF, Taylor Davis, Jason Delay, Joe Hudson and Andrew Susac, who is on the 7-day IL. They also list eight OF's: unclaimed DFA's Anthony Alford, Wilmer Difo, who can play multiple spots, Dustin Fowler, who is on the 7-day IL, and Troy Stokes Jr, plus prospects Bligh Madris, Jared Oliva, Chris Sharpe and Travis Swaggerty (shoulder - out for the season). Among the 13 players at those two spots, only Oliva is on the 40-man roster. Alford is also atoning for his MLB numbers; he's batting leadoff and tops the club in several batting categories, including average & homers.