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Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Yields six runs in loss
Rotowire
Ashcraft (1-2) took the loss against the Cardinals on Tuesday, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven across 4.1 innings.
Ashcraft entered Tuesday's game having given up two earned runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, but it was a different story against St. Louis. He gave up three runs through the first three frames (including solo homers off the bats of Victor Scott and Nolan Gorman) before yielding another three runs in the fifth. Tuesday's performance ballooned Ashcraft's numbers up to a 3.71 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 34 innings, along with a 39:12 K:BB. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, tentatively slated for this weekend at home against the Reds.
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Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Reinstated ahead of Tuesday's start
Rotowire
The Pirates activated Ashcraft from the bereavement list Tuesday, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Ashcraft will start Tuesday's contest at home against the Cardinals after being away from the club the last few days. The right-hander is off to a dynamite start this season, having collected a 2.43 ERA and 32:9 K:BB over his first 29.2 innings.
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Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Expected back for Tuesday's start
Rotowire
Ashcraft (personal) is expected to be activated from the bereavement list in time to start Tuesday's game versus the Cardinals, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.
Ashcraft was placed on the bereavement list Saturday, but he will not have to miss a start, only getting his turn pushed back one day. The young right-hander is sitting on a 2.43 ERA and 32:9 K:BB over his first 29.2 innings this season and is a must-start against a lackluster Cardinals lineup.
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Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Placed on bereavement list
Rotowire
The Pirates placed Ashcraft (personal) on the bereavement/family medical emergency list Saturday.
Ashcraft had been scheduled to make his next start Monday versus St. Louis, but he'll miss that outing since he'll have to be inactive for at least three days while on the bereavement list. Pittsburgh called up reliever Cam Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis to temporarily fill Ashcraft's spot on the 26-man roster. It's unclear who will slide into Ashcraft's rotation spot for what will likely be a spot start Monday.
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Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Strong showing in no-decision
Rotowire
Ashcroft didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers after tossing seven innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five.
Had Ashcraft received a little more support from an offense that woke up to score four runs in the top of the ninth inning, he could've easily earned the win after a solid outing. Ashcraft continued his strong start to the campaign with a fifth straight start in which he allowed two or fewer earned runs, and he's pitched at least six innings three times in that stretch. The right-hander will take his 2.43 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 29.2 innings into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Cardinals.
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Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Surrenders five in no-decision
Rotowire
Ashcraft settled for a no-decision Thursday against the Nationals, allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven in 5.2 innings.
Ashcraft's streak of allowing two or fewer earned runs in a start this season extended to four, however, the five total runs he gave up Thursday are a career worst. The 26-year-old continues to strike batters out at a high rate, with his seven punchouts versus Washington bringing his total up to 27 against just seven walks through 22.2 innings this year. The right-hander is lined up to wrestle with the Rangers, which are tied for fifth in MLB with 21 home runs, in his next start.
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Fans nine in no-decision
Rotowire
Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Cubs, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out nine.
The 26-year-old right-hander was dominant once again, generating 16 swinging strikes on 77 pitches (50 total strikes), and Ashcraft left the mound in line for his second win in three starts before Dennis Santana blew the save in the ninth and sent the game to extras. The nine Ks were a new career high for Ashcraft, just one outing after he'd reset the counter to eight, and through his first 17 innings as a full-time starting pitcher he's posted a 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is set to come at home next week against the Nationals.
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Fans career-high eight in win
Rotowire
Ashcraft (1-1) earned the win Sunday against the Orioles, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out eight.
Ashcraft built off an impressive 2026 debut, when he gave up only two runs in six innings versus the Reds. The eight punchouts were a career high for the right-hander, who tossed 54 of his 87 pitches for strikes Sunday. Ashcraft surrendered no walks after walking three his first time out, and he'll be looking to cross the 90-pitch mark for the first time this year in a tough spot versus the Cubs in Chicago for his next scheduled outing.
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Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Six strong innings Monday
Rotowire
Ashcraft (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander was saddled with a tough-luck loss, logging a quality start in his season debut. The four walks allowed matched a career high for Ashcraft, but it was still a fine showing overall at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Ashcraft's next start is scheduled to come over the weekend at home versus the Orioles, and he'll be trying to reach the 90-pitch mark after tossing 87 pitches Monday.
Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings while walking one, allowing one hit and striking out two in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
Ashcraft entered the spring with a presumed spot in Pittsburgh's rotation, and his work through two exhibition starts seems to have confirmed that. He ramped up to three innings and 38 pitches Saturday, and he's now allowed just one earned run with a 3:1 K:BB across five total frames.
