Bucs Fall To Phillies In Extra Innings

by Zane Heiple

Photo by blackandgoldworld.blogspot.com

In one month the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphi Phillies will meet on opening day, today they met for the first time in spring training.  Pirate’s fans will hope that opening day goes a little better, as the Phillies won 5-4.

James McDonald started for the Buccos today and would allow one run on two hits with one strikeout in three innings of work.  Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels would go 3 2/3 innings striking out four batters and allowing four hits.

After the Phillies took a 4-0 into the sixth inning, Pittsburgh would battle back with three runs of their own.  Casey McGehee, who made his first appearance at third base, drove in Josh Harrison with an RBI single.  Matt Hague singled into a ground out to bring home McGehee.  Gorkys Hernandez then closed the gap to one with a sacrifice fly. 

Starling Marte continued his hot streak with a solo home run to tie the game in the eighth inning.  This game between cross state rivals would head to extra innings where in the bottom of the tenth Philadelphia right fielder Lou Montanez hit a walk-off home run to win the game.

Rod Barajas was the only Bucco to record multiple hits today as he would go 2-3.  Daniel Moskos would pitch two no hit innings, while Mike Crotta would give up a run in one inning of work.

Up next the Pirates will take on the Boston Red Sox tomorrow in Ft. Myers at 7:05pm.

Grapefruit League Record:  2-4

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!