Pirates prospects Steve Pearce and Neil Walker connected for back-to-back home runs in a 5-0 win, Denard Span remains on fire (not literally) and Brett Gardner continued to spark the Scranton offense.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Indianapolis righthander Bryan Bullington and relievers Jesse Chavez and Marino Salas combined to throw a one-hitter against Buffalo. The Indians won 5-0 on the strength of two solo home runs (11) by right fielder Steve Pearce (Pirates) and another by third baseman Neil Walker. They went back-to-back off Jeff Harris in the third inning.

After a sluggish start, the 25-year-old Pearce, who ranks second in the IL with 23 doubles, has gotten hot in June. His two home runs yesterday have propelled him to fourth in the league in extra base hits, with 34, and after going 3-for-4 (3 R, 2 RBI), he’s now batting .296/.344/.605 in 81 at-bats for the month.

Prospect Nuggets

How hot has Rochester CF Denard Span (Twins) been since his return from a broken finger? Well, after going 3-for-5 yesterday with two doubles (11) and two runs scored, he’s batting .385/.478/.564 in 39 at-bats since returning to action on June 16 . . . Scranton/Wilkes-Barre CF Brett Gardner (Yankees) was 1-for-4 with a walk and his league-leading 30th stolen base. Ever the catalyst, he’s reached base in all but six of the 76 games in which he’s played this season and sports a nifty .414 on-base percentage . . . Pawtucket RHP Clay Buchholz (Red Sox) has exhausted his prospect eligibility with 65 big league innings under his belt, but he turned in a fine performance yesterday at Richmond, striking out seven and walking two in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed one run on five hits, one of which was a solo homer to Barbaro Canizares.

What To Watch For Today

Buffalo LHP David Huff (Indians) will try to avenge the Bisons’ one-hit defeat at the hands of Indianapolis. Huff, 23, has been one the Indians’ top prospect performers this season, as he’s gone 1-1, 3.00 in four Triple-A starts, with 25 strikeouts, two walks and two home runs in 21 innings . . . A pair of 2004 first-round picks square off in Louisville, with RHP Homer Bailey (Reds) matching up with RHP Philip Humber (Twins). Humber went third overall to the Mets, while Bailey lasted until the seventh pick.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

The PCL had Wednesday off.

What To Watch For Today

Tacoma LHP Robert Rohrbaugh (Mariners) has picked up the pace in June, going 3-1, 4.23 through his first four starts. Best of all, he’s recorded 27 strikeouts and just four walks through 27 2/3 innings. Rohrbaugh, a seventh-round pick from Clemson in 2005, has averaged a home run per start in June, but that will work if he minimized baserunners the way he has. He pitches at home tonight, against Salt Lake.