The high-priced pick & the ex-Wild Thing

Pedro Alvarez, the Pirates' celebrated and high-priced first-round draft pick and the No. 2 overall selection last year, is playing his first week in Class AA with the Altoona Curve. On Thursday afternoon at Erie's Jerry Uht Park, Alvarez hit his second home run with Altoona. It was off former Wild Things pitcher Patrick Stanley.

Alvarez connected on a Stanley pitch in the first inning for a two-run homer to center field. Alvarez also doubled off Stanley. Those were two of the three hits allowed in 5 1/3 innings by Stanley, who struck out five. Stanley left with a 4-3 lead but the Erie bullpen blew up in the eighth inning and cost him a win as Altoona rallied for an 8-6 victory.