Morton Struggles In Shutout Loss To Twins

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit:  http://www.burningantsblog.com

After a long, tumultuous 162-game regular season, there are at least a handful of games that each and every team would like to forget about.  For the Pirates, they can add a Spring Training game to the list as well.  The Minnesota Twins shut them out this afternoon, 10-0, on a day when Charlie Morton was almost as ineffective as the Pirates’ offense, which only mustered one hit all day.

Morton surrendered five runs on seven hits through his three innings of work.  He is, without a doubt, expected to be part of the starting rotation in a few weeks, but he certainly struggled today.  His ERA this spring is at 9.00, but hopefully over the next couple weeks leading up to Opening Day, he can put together a string of strong outings to get the confidence level up to par.

The offense was putrid today, no question about it.  Brandon Boggs recorded the only hit for the Bucs, while the team struck out a total of ten times on the day.  Pedro Alvarez and Andrew McCutchen both had the day off, but this was a rough day for everyone across the board…one that the team, and us fans, will love to put in the past.  Pedro did have a pinch-hit appearance today, going 0-1, dropping his average to .167. Ouch.

The Pirates’ lack of efficiency in the fundamental aspects of the game is already a concern for me.  Even though it’s still in Spring Training, this is the time when teams need to clean up their individual games, and right now, the Bucs aren’t doing that.  If this team is going to have any chance at a winning record this season, they need to play fundamentally sound in the field and at the plate. 

Oh yeah, and they need to hit the ball!

Prior to the game today, it was announced that Starling Marte, Gorkys Hernandez, Kyle McPherson, Bryan Morris, and Justin Wilson were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.  Marte has been incredible at the plate this spring, but has struggled defensively.  He still has some on-the-field maturation to do, and will do so throughout this year and, depending on that development, may find himself in Pittsburgh by the end of the season.

The Bucs are now 6-9 in Grapefruit League play.  After their second (and last) day off of Spring Training tomorrow, they’ll resume action against the New York Yankees on Tuesday at 7:05pm.

Grapefruit League Record:  6-9

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Morton Shines As Pirates Fall To Phillies

by Zane Heiple

Photo by AP

Charlie Morton made his spring training debut today after having off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip.  Morton would go two innings allowing four hits and striking out two batters.  While Charlie may not be back in time for opening day, it would be big if he were able to be back within the first week of the season to help ease the loss of A.J. Burnett during the first four to eight weeks of the regular season.  Morton had a very good 2011 campaign where he showed glimpses of the pitcher he is capable of being when the Pittsburgh Pirates traded for him in the Nate McLouth trade to the Atlanta Braves.

 

While Charlie looked good on the mound today the same could not be said for the Pirates offense in a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Buccos were only able to gather two hits on the day, coming from Gorkys Hernandez and Jordy Mercer.  Hernandez would score the only run when Michael Martinez made a fielding error on ground ball by Casey McGhee. 

Regulars like Alex Presley, McLouth, Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, McGehee, Garrett Jones, Clint Barmes, and Pedro Alvarez went a combined 0-19.  Not a good sign against anybody, buts it not like the Phils had their aces on the hill.  Vance Worley would pitch four shutout innings.  Worley will most likely be the fourth or fifth guy in the rotation. 

With three straight losses, the Pirates will get a much needed day off tomorrow and return to action on Wednesday when they take on the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota.  James McDonald will make his third trip to the bump this spring with first pitch scheduled for 1:05.

Grapefruit League Record:  3-7

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

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!

Pirates Fall To Blue Jays In First Spring Training Game Of 2012

Photo Credit:  http://www.rumbunter.com

By Chad Carlson

Well that could’ve gone a little better. 

The Pirates opened up Grapefruit League play today with a 7-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Florida.

Brett Lawrie went 2-3 and had 4 RBI’s for Toronto, while seven of their eight pitchers tossed scoreless innings, giving up only a total of two hits to Pirates’ batters.

It was a tough day for the Bucs on both ends, only tallying two hits the entire afternoon.  Both knocks occurred in the same inning, though, resulting in the only run they’d score all day.  With two outs in the fifth, Gorkys Hernandez singled to right center, stole 2^nd base, and scored on Michael McKenry’s RBI single to right field.  Other than three walks, the two singles by Hernandez and McKenry were the virtually the only offense for the Pirates this afternoon.

Two of the new Pirates, Casey McGehee and Clint Barmes, combined to go 0-2, while Nate McLouth walked in the second inning.  Starling Marte had a double in the ninth inning in his only at-bat.

Overall, it was a disappointing performance by the Bucs’ pitching staff.  After a flawless first inning, starter James McDonald gave up two runs on hits and a walk in the second inning, while Chris Leroux and Daniel McCutchen gave up a run each in the fifth and seventh innings respectively.  However, after giving up a solo homerun in the sixth inning, LeRoux did strike out the side. 

Unfortunately, Tony Watson had the roughest day of all, giving up three runs on four hits in the sixth inning. 

Now the bright sides of the game:  Brad Lincoln, Chris Resop, and Ryota Igarashi each pitched an inning of scoreless ball.  With the injury to A.J. Burnett keeping him out at least two months, there is an opening to be filled, possibly by Lincoln?  We’ll see.  We’ve seen in the past that he has the ability to pitch extremely well, but the longevity and consistency of that quality pitching has been the issue.  Though it’s only an inning in one Spring Training game, it was still nice to see Lincoln pitch well today.

Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, and Rod Barajas sat out this afternoon, so we’ll have to wait at least another day to see them take their first official at-bats of Spring Training. 

First of all, Pirates' fans, calm down.  It's only one Spring Training game.  Despite the loss today, it’s incredibly exciting to be talking about Pirates’ baseball once again.  As with any Spring Training, this is always optimism from players and fans alike.  Considering the excitement during the first four months of the season last year in Pittsburgh, fans are looking for the team to take the next step and complete a solid season. 

The goal for this Spring Training is progress, in every sense of the word.  While it’s always nice to win games, a Grapefruit League record means absolutely nothing to me.  This is all about the little things right now on individual levels, micro levels.  How does Charlie Morton look in his inning or two of work, and how does Pedro Alvarez look in his pair plate appearances against left-handed pitching?  Keep these in mind as we watch and discuss Pirates’ baseball this Spring Training.

The Pirates and Blue Jays will meet again tomorrow afternoon, this time at McKechnie Field.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm.

Grapefruit League Record:  0-1

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Meet Your Bucs: Jeff Locke and Jared Hughes

by Zane Heiple

The Pittsburgh Pirates were busy making roster moves on Tuesday.  Included in those moves was the bringing up of two players who we have not seen in Pittsburgh uniforms during this season.  Left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke and right-handed pitcher Jared Hughes will make their 2011 debuts for the Pirates the next time they are called upon by manager Clint Hurdle.

Photo by bleacherreport.com

Locke is a former second round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2006 draft.  He came to the Pittsburgh organization on June 3, 2009 along with Charlie Morton and Gorkys Hernandez in exchange for Nate McClouth.  Once with the Buccos he was assigned to Class A Lynchburg and then Bradenton when the team was moved.  In July of 2010 he was promoted to AA Altoona.  Locke remained in Altoona for the rest of 2010 and appeared in 23 games for the team in 2011.  While in Altoona he posted a 7-8 record, an ERA of 4.03, and would strike out 114 batters to go with 46 walks.  After he was promoted to AAA Indianapolis, he would go 1-2 with a 2.22 ERA, while striking out 25 and walking 9.

Photo by pirates.scout.com

Hughes was a fourth round pick of the Buccos during the 2006 draft.  During his time in the Pirates minor league organization, he has been at all levels.  He would begin the 2011 season with the AA Altoona Curve.  In Altoona he would start 11 of the 13 games he appeared in posting a 3-4 record while posting an ERA of 4.09.  His time with AAA Indianapolis would see him come out of the bullpen 35 times and strike out 45 batters while walking 18.  When summoned out of the bullpen he would post a 3-1 record and an ERA 2.11.

The stage is set for both of these players to show that they are ready to handle facing Major League batters when given the opportunity.  Management has yet to announce if they will call up any other players from the minors before the 2011 season ends at the end of this month. 

Maholm Pitches Well, Bullpen Falls Apart As Pirates Lose To Orioles

Photo Credit: Paul Videla (Bradenton.com)

After a fantastic start tonight, the Pirates fell apart under the lights at McKechnie Field.  The Buccos were back in Bradenton tonight to take on the Baltimore Orioles, hoping to get back on the winning track following their disappointing loss to the Yankees last night.

The bullpen fell apart against the hot-hitting Orioles, and the Pirates dropped their second straight game, this time by the score of 11-8.

Paul Maholm took the hill for the Pirates, and he put forth a strong, solid performance through his four innings of work.  The Buccos’ left hander gave up one run on four hits without issuing a walk.  The only run came on Vladmir Guerrero’s solo homerun in the second inning.

Unfortunately, Maholm was the only impressive pitcher of the evening for the Pirates.  Joel Hanrahan, the team’s designated closer for the upcoming season, was destroyed by the Orioles offense tonight.  Hanrahan lasted only one inning, giving up four runs on five hits, inflating his ERA to 12.27.  Evan Meek didn’t fair much better, as he gave up three runs of his own an inning later.

The Pirates took the lead in the first inning on Matt Diaz’s sacrifice ground out, scoring Jose Tabata.  After Guerrero’s homerun tied the game, Jason Jaramillo smashed a two-run single to left field, scoring Ronny Cedeno and Gorkys Hernandez.  Jaramillo would then score on Diaz’s double.  At that point, the Pirates looked like they were in control, leading 4-1.

Baltimore made their push in the middle of the game, tallying ten runs in innings five through seven, burying the Buccos.  Ryan Adams led the way for the O’s with four RBI’s, while J.J. Hardy and Craig Tatum added a pair as well.

The Pirates rallied in the eighth inning to make things interesting.  Garrett Jones started the scoring with a pinch-hit single, scoring Pedro Ciriaco.  Corey Wimberly then singled home Josh Fields, cutting the lead at that point to 11-6.  After Dusty Brown’s sacrifice fly scored Andy Marte, John Bowker singled home Jones, bringing the Buccos within three runs at 11-8.  Unfortunately, that would be the last run the Pirates could muster, as the Orioles held on at McKechnie Field for the victory.

Overall, it was a frustrating performance for the Pirates.  Despite the late rally and the flurry of runs scored, this was not the type of game fans should want to see from the Buccos.  Quite simply stated, this is not the kind of game the Pirates can win on a consistent basis.  They don’t have the firepower to win a game played like this, and we saw evidence of that tonight.  If the Pirates are going to be competitive, they have to get strong, consistent pitching from their starting rotation AND from their bullpen.  While Maholm put a nice game together, the bullpen dropped the ball and the team couldn’t recover.  That being said, it was very nice to see Maholm pitch this well tonight. 

The Pirates return to day action tomorrow as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05pm.  The Buccos have now lost four of their last five, which is exactly the type of slump they must avoid once the season starts in three weeks.  They now sit at 6-8 in the Grapefruit League, with games against the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox in the coming days.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!