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| Photo by Christopher Horner/Tribune Review |
Defense may win championships, but offense is what puts fans in the seats. While it is still only spring training, offensive days like this should keep PNC Park plenty full during the regular season. The Pittsburgh Pirates dominated the Minnesota Twins by the final of 17-6. The first inning alone was enough to earn the W, as the Buccos would send 15 batters to the box scoring 10 runs.
After what had mostly been a stagnate spring for the offense, the bats have awoken these past two games scoring 28 runs on 34 hits. Alex Presley, Matt Hague, and Garrett Jones each went deep today bringing in seven runs between them. While Presley and Jones are locks for the roster, Hague was brought up to fight for a job and if he keeps hitting with a .429 batting average I think we will be seeing him in Pittsburgh come April 5th.
Now in a game where 23 total runs were scored, pitching obviously was not a key factor in the game. Minnesota started rule 5 draft pick Terry Doyle in place of Scott Baker. Doyle gave up the first eight runs of the game, while recording only two outs. Pirate’s starter Jo-Jo Reyes did not fair much better allowing four runs in 2.1 innings pitched. It’s a long shot for Reyes to make the team as a starter and will most likely be used in long relief. If he does head north with the team he will need to lower that ERA and be more consistent on the bump.
Up next for the Pirates will be a home contest against the Philadelphia Phillies, a team that has owned the Buccos this spring. Kevin Correia will make his third start of the spring against one of the Phillies aces Cliff Lee. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.
Grapefruit League Record: 5-7
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
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