Cutch Leads Buccos Past Yankees

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Matt Slocum/AP

After it was announced officially earlier in the day that Andrew McCutchen would be with the Pittsburgh Pirates for at least the next six seasons, Cutch showed why Bucco fans have a lot to finally be thankful for.  McCutchen would go 2-3 on the day with a double and two RBI.  His first hit of the day would come off of New York Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia.

The Pittsburgh offense saw contributions from Clint Barmes, who went 2-3, and Sterling Marte, who had two hits in as many plate appearences.  The big offensive day came from DH Yamaico Navarro, who played for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals last season.  Navarro went 3-4 with 2 RBI.  Not sure where he could fit on the opening day roster, but he may be a name to keep an eye on.  The downside of the offense came from Rod Barajas and Casey McGehee who both went 0-3.  Nothing to worry about as both players still have a lot of time to be ready for April 5^th.

Kevin Correia made his first start of the spring today pitching two innings allowing no hits, but walking two batters in two innings of work.  Correia would say afterwards, “Everything feels as good as it did at this point last season”.  Chris Resop picked up the win allowing one run on two hits, while striking out two in an inning of work.  Daniel McCutchen didn’t have quite that good of a day as he would give up two runs on two hits while pitching the final inning.

Tomorrow will be the first time this spring that the Pirates face a right-handed starter as they will face the Toronto Blue Jays Kyle Drabek, who happens to the son of former Bucco Doug Drabek.  Jeff Karstens will make his second start for Pittsburgh, as first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 at McKechnie Field.

Grapefruit League Record:  2-2

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Fall To Blue Jays Again

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Mike Cassese/Reuters

Game two of the 2012 spring training season went a little better in terms of statistics for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the Toronto Blue Jays still came out on top with an 8-5 victory.  Even with a 0-2 mark this spring, there is still nothing to get upset about, the wins will come, and spring training is about players improving as they ready for the April 5^th opener.

New Pirate Erik Bedard got his first start of the spring and first in a Pirates jersey today.  His two innings of work showed that he still has a lot of work to do, since he may be the top candidate to start on opening day with injuries to Charlie Morton and A.J. Burnett.  In two innings of work he gave up two runs on one hit with two walks and one strikeout.  Shairon Martis, who is a non-roster invitee and Evan Meek, were roughed up in their outings.  Meek, who is coming off a difficult 2011 season gave up four runs, three earned, in 2/3 of inning.  Martis has not pitched since 2009 with the Washington Nationals allowed 2 runs, none earned, in two innings of work.  Joel Hanrahan, Jason Grilli, and Daniel Moskos were nearly flawless striking out three and walking one in three innings of work. 

With Pittsburgh claiming to be a small ball team, defense will be very important to them.  Three errors in the field today show that they need to knock a little rust of the gloves.  Two of the errors were by players I do not expect to see on the opening day roster, Martis and Sterling Marte.  The third by Chase d’Arnaud shows that this young player has work to do.  His opening day roster spot is up in the air.  It does appear that there is not a starting spot in the infield, so he may be better suited to gain experience in Indianapolis.

The bats looked better today Matt Evans dropped a bomb in the seventh inning, while Nate McClouth hit a double.  With catcher being a huge question mark this offseason, it was great to see Rod Barajas go 2-2 with 2 RBI today.  Downside was Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez each went 0-2. 

Like I stated earlier, spring training games are about improvement, not results.  As the team improves and players are able to get back into game rhythm the wins will come.

Tomorrow the Buccos will be playing under the lights as they head to Sarasota to take on the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05.  Jo-Jo Reyes will start while other non-roster pitcher Mike Crotta and Tim Wood are also scheduled to pitch.  The O’s will counter with lefty Brian Matusz.

Grapefruit League Record:  0-2

And...

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Curve Take Down Phillies

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Zane Heiple

Last night, Fans From The Stands took a trip to Altoona, PA to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates AA affiliate the Altoona Curve take on the Reading Phillies.  This was a great chance to check in on some the Pirates prospects and see one of the best Minor League Ballparks in the country.

The game was a great one as the Curve would go on to win 6-3 behind home runs by outfielder Quincy Latimore (2), and Yunesky Sanchez.  Top prospects Sterling Marte and Tony Sanchez would not disappoint, as they would go 3-5 and 2-3 respectively at the plate.  The defense was stellar as well, with the left side of the infield playing strong giving us Bucco fans some hope with all the bad things that are occurring at these positions at the big league level.  Starting pitcher Phil Irwin settled in nicely after allowing a run in the first inning as he would go six innings allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out seven.

Blair County Ballpark is a great place to see a game and with a lot of in game entertainment there is something there for everyone.  I highly recommend heading to Altoona to see our future Buccos take the field.