Pirates Open Up Spring Training With Loss To The Rays

Charlie Morton Pitched Wel On Saturday (Courtesy Of Pirates.com)

The Pittsburgh Pirates began their 2011 Spring Training schedule on Saturday in Port Charlotte, Florida against the Tampa Bay Rays.  Unfortunately for the Buccos this game ended like many did in 2010, with a loss. This time, it was the Rays who out-hit the Pirates, 9-5. 

The Pirates started the scoring for the day in the bottom of the 2^nd when Lyle Overbay scored on a force out by Ronny Cedeno.  Later in that inning, Jose Tabata would single in Ryan Doumit to make the score 2-0 going into the bottom of the 2^nd.  The Rays would be the next to strike in the bottom of the 4^th on a solo home run from Evan Longoria, this would be followed up in the bottom of the 5^th with a home run from Rays second baseman Sean Rodriguez.  

The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh when Robinson Chirinos would hit a bases loaded double to give the Rays a 5-2 lead.  The Pirates would cut into the deficit when Gorkys Hernandez grounded into a bases loaded double play scoring Pedro Ciriaco.  Tampa Bay would then blow the game open in the bottom of the 8^th by scoring four runs to make it a 9-3 lead.  Pittsburgh then got two more runs in the top of the 9^th off of a Garrett Atkins ground rule double, which scored Garrett Jones.  Atkins would later score when Doumit grounded out to second.

The battle for the fifth spot in the rotation began today as Charlie Morton started for the Pirates, pitching two innings for the Buccos while giving up one hit, walking one and allowing no runs.  He was followed by the man he is competing with for this spot, Brad Lincoln.  Lincoln would also pitch two innings allowing one run on three hits, with no walks and one strikeout.  The pitcher who was dealt with the loss was Daniel McCutchen as he would pitch one inning allowing three runs on two hits and two walks. 

The Buccos will be back in action Sunday afternoon when they host the Rays at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida.  Kevin Correia will make his Pirates debut and will be followed on the mound by Brian Burres, Joel Hanrahan, and Joe Beimel.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!