Pirates Bats Dominate Twins

by Zane Heiple

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 5^th.

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!

Phillies Get The Best Of The Pirates Again

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates were back at it again against their cross state rivals the Philadelphia Phillies tonight.  The Phillies once again proved why they are one of the top teams in the league by using their loaded lineup and great pitching to top the Pirates 7-4.

James McDonald was roughed up by the Phils offense in five innings of work, giving up five runs on ten hits while striking out five and walking two batters.  His counterpart, Cliff Lee, was able to keep the Buccos offense in check allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out eleven and walking two in 7.2 innings of work.

The Philadelphia offense would score three runs in the first three innings before Pittsburgh was able to close the gap to one on a Pedro Alvarez home run to right centerfield that scored Brandon Wood.  The Phils regained those runs in the bottom part of the inning on RBI singles by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.  The Phillies added another run in the seventh.  The Pirates made one more attempt to tie the game in the top of the eighth.  Neil Walker would single home Pedro Ciriaco and Wood brought home Andrew McCutchen.  Unfortunately the rally ended when Alvarez struck out with runners on first and second.

As of right now with all the injuries, lack of experience, and under achieving on the offensive side of the ball it should not be that big of a surprise that the Pirates have hit a slide here over the past week.  Even though the trade deadline is approaching, one player is not going to make that much of a difference unless this team can get healthy quick enough to make some noise in the division.  That being said the Buccos will try to avoid a sweep in the finale of this series tomorrow.  Jeff Karstens will take on Vance Worley.

Record vs. Phillies:  2-3
Record vs. N.L. East:  12-18
Record on the Road:  28-26
Overall Record:  54-51

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!