Pitching Falls Apart Against Twins & Orioles This Afternoon

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit:  http://www.hardballtalk.nbcsports.com

The Pirates had a busy Saturday afternoon today, with intra-squad games against the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles.  Kevin Correia and Erik Bedard started against the Twins and Orioles respectively, and neither, well, exactly propelled much confidence with their performances today.

Kevin Correia will make his first start of the season in a little over a week in the Pirates’ first road game of 2012.  In his final Spring Training game, he (and the rest of the team) was hoping for a strong performance to carry over to the regular season.  Unfortunately, that didn’t happen today against the Minnesota Twins.

Ryan Doumit’s new teams lit Correia up for 10 runs on 12 hits in just 2.1 innings today.  After a routine opening inning, Kevin ran into a world of trouble in the two subsequent innings, and wasn’t able to escape the third frame.  Daniel McCutchen, who will also be apart of the Opening Day roster bullpen, also struggled, as did Tim Wood.  D-Cutch surrendered three runs on three hits in an inning, while Wood was touched up for two runs on four hits in two innings.  Not the kind of performance we want from the pitching staff leading up to the regular season. 

Offensively, Jose Tabata and Michael McKenry were the only Pirates to have a multi-hit game, and McKenry blasted a homerun for the Bucs today.  Pedro Alvarez went 1-4 with only one strikeout, and Matt Hague also homered, his sixth of the spring.  He continues to make a strong case for an Opening Day roster spot, along with Yamaico Navarro, who went 1-4 today.

The Twins won the game, 15-3.

Similar to Correia (but not quite to that extent), Erik Bedard struggled in his start today, giving up four runs on five hits, including two homeruns.  His ERA sits at 5.03 right now, and even though this is just Spring Training, this is not the way one of the top pitchers in the Pirates’ rotation needs to throwing as we approach Opening Day.

Joel Hanrahan gave up a run today, while Chris Leroux had a solid one inning of relief, striking out two batters without giving up a single hit.

Garrett Jones had a homerun (his fourth of the spring) and two RBI’s, while Rod Barajas and Casey McGehee had a pair of hits a piece.  Clint Barmes and Alex Presley each had a hit as well, including Presley’s solo homerun.

The Bucs and Orioles played to a 6-6 tie. 

The Pirates will face the Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon before heading to Philadelphia for the final two exhibition games against the Phillies.

Grapefruit League:  8-18-2

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates-Rays End Game In A Tie?

Photo by AP

by Zane Heiple

Well I guess the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays forgot to post their lineups for the shootout before the first pitch today, as their game ended in a 3-3 tie.  This is the only time of year where one can see a baseball game end like this and with the way the Buccos have been playing maybe this was for the best.

Pitching for Pittsburgh today was strictly done by bullpen and minor league players.  The bullpen grouping of Tony Watson, Jason Grilli and Chris Resop shutdown the bats of Tampa.  Watson and Grilli each pitched two scoreless innings, while Resop threw one shutout inning.  The Rays were able to get to Brad Lincoln in the seventh inning touching him up for three runs.  Tim Alderson then came in for the final two innings allowing zero runs on two hits.

Offensively for the Pirates Casey McGehee and Matt Hague led the way.  Each would go 2-4, with McGhee bringing one run home on a solo shot in the first and Hague bringing in two on a home run in the seventh.  Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker had a rough go of it at the plate going 0-4 each.

Always good to see some quality innings from the bullpen guys as I am sure they will be leaned upon heavily this season.  Pittsburgh will have a split squad game tomorrow.  One game will see Erik Bedard at home against the Baltimore Orioles, while the other will be against the Minnesota Twins on the road with Kevin Correia starting.  First pitch for both games is scheduled for 1:05.

Grapefruit League Record 8-17-1

And...

As Always...

Let's Go Bucs!

McDonald Struggles As Pirates Lose To Twins

By Chad Carlson

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

Thank goodness these games don’t count. The Pirates just keep losing games this spring. Today, they fell to Ryan Doumit and the Minnesota Twins, 11-6 at McKechnie Field.


Unfortunately for the Pirates, another one of their starting pitchers had a rough outing. Today, it was James McDonald who was touched up, this time by the Minnesota Twins. J-Mac was slammed for 10 runs on 7 hits and 7 walks through 3.2 innings. 7 walks! He also gave up two homeruns on the day, while only striking out one batter.

I feel like I said these same types of things earlier in the week about Charlie Morton, but this is not the direction we want our starting pitchers to be headed. McDonald pitched incredibly solid when he first came to Pittsburgh from the Los Angeles Dodgers; slowly but surely, however, he has declined over the past couple seasons. Today’s outing, one of his last (if not his last) of Spring Training, went just about as terribly as possible.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bucs managed six runs on twelve hits, even though the game’s outcome had quickly been decided early in the game. Pedro Alvarez was the only everyday Pirate to have more than one hit. Yes, Pedro Alvarez had two hits today. He also struck out twice. Still, though, for a guy who had four hits total coming into today, this is big news. Garrett Jones and Neil Walker each had a hit and an RBI in a losing effort. We can’t forget about the impact these two players can have if they’re swinging the bat well. Jones platooning at first base with Casey McGehee could provide some much needed power, but he’s had a relatively quiet spring.

In addition to the on-the-field action, the Bucs made some other news today as well. First of all, Neal Huntington announced that Charlie Morton will begin the 2012 regular season next week on the 15-day disabled list. Chuck, of course, had hip surgery in October, and has been a week or so behind the rest of the starting pitching staff. Even though he struggled last night, the Bucs’ coaches insist that he’s been progressing nicely. Still, with Morton on the DL, there is yet another spot on the Pirates’ pitching rotation open. It’ll be interesting to see who will fill in.

The Pirates also sent four more players to the minors today, including Nick Evans, Jake Fox, Eric Fryer, and Ryota Igarashi. None of these players were expected to make the big club to begin the season, though each of them had positive moments this spring. If last year is any indication, the Bucs will need guys from Indianapolis and Altoona to step up in case of fatigue and/or injury this year.

With the loss today, the Bucs fell to 8-17 in Grapefruit League play. Ugh! I know the wins and losses don’t matter at this point, but still, it’s getting a little embarrassing. Let’s at least get into double digits in wins! They’ll face the Tampa Bay Rays tomorrow at 1:05pm.

Grapefruit League Record: 8-17

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Lose Third Straight, This Time To Rays

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Maybe the Pittsburgh Pirates are just getting tired of spring training.  Maybe they are ready to head north and play some meaningful games.  I sure hope so, because their performance over the past week has me a little concerned on what this team will look like when the games do count.  For the ninth time in eleven games they Pirates lost a spring training game, this time to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-3.

Now its not like things went horribly wrong for Pittsburgh tonight.  The offense was able to collect ten hits, Neil Walker would go 2-4 and Andrew McCutchen would hit a solo home run.  Another plus was that Pedro Alvarez did not strikeout, granted he did not play, but we take any positive news on Pedro that we can. 

The downside of the night came from Charlie Morton.  While he is still about a week behind other pitchers, he did not have a good night.  Morton would pitch five innings allowing six runs on eight hits.  Tonight showed that he definately needs more time to recover from the offseason hip surgery and should stay behind for a few extended spring training starts before joining the Pirates roster.  While Charlie struggled, Evan Meek, Chris Leroux, and Juan Cruz each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

Now i understand that records are not important during spring training, but it just seems like the Buccos just aren't performing up to the level they are capable this spring.  Like I said earlier maybe its just the lull of spring training.  I hope they are ready to play come April 5th at PNC Park.  Pittsburgh will be back in action again tomorrow at 1:05 against the Minnesota Twins. 

Grapefruit League Record:  8-16

And...

As Always...

Let's Go Bucs!

Pedro’s Struggles Continue, Pirates Lose To Phillies

By Chad Carlson

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

It’s March 27, with a little less than a week left in Spring Training, and I have yet to be negative about the Pirates. I’ve been objective in my analysis of individual players and the Bucs as a whole, but I haven’t been negative. After today’s 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, I have to break my streak here this spring and come down pretty hard on the Pirates.


This was just one of those frustrating afternoons for a Pirates’ fan…and of course, it was aired on MLB Network for all to see. They managed eight hits on the afternoon, three of which came off of Phillies’ starter Cliff Lee, who pitched six scoreless innings. The hits came from Alex Presley, Andrew McCutchen, Eric Fryer, Nick Evans, and Casey McGehee, as well as Pedro Alvarez. Wait, before anyone gets excited about Pedro, no this wasn’t a coming out party for the third baseman.

In fact, it was more of the same debacle that has Pirates’ fans pulling their hair out over this guy. He went 1-4 on the day with three strikeouts, including an at-bat with two runners on base and one out in the seventh inning. He was called out on strikes. Garrett Jones struck out after Alvarez to end the threat.

Making things even more excruciating was Pedro’s fielding error in the third inning, as well as Jake Fox’s error in the second. All aspects of Alvarez’s game are on the rocks at this point. For a guy with this much pedigree, it is astonishing to see him struggle this mightily in all areas of the game.

The Pirates used a total of eight pitchers today, collectively giving up five runs on twelve hits. Chris Resop, in a spot he’ll never find himself in a game that matters, started this afternoon, surrendering two runs on three hits in two innings, while striking out three batters. Daniel McCutchen, following his horrendous outing last week against the Tigers, gave up a run on a pair of hits in the fourth inning, while Ryota Igarashi also gave up a run, coming in the sixth inning. Daniel Moskos gave up the walkoff homerun in the bottom of the ninth to the Phillies’ Scott Podsednik.

Bright spots? Hmm…well Joel Hanrahan and Chris Leroux each tossed a scoreless inning. But in the regular season, if the Bucs can’t score runs, Hanarahan will leave his jacket on in the bullpen. Not much point in a closer when you can’t score runs to obtain any type of a lead. From an offensive standpoint today, however, the Bucs did manage a couple of runs in the eighth inning. Nick Evans’ RBI single scored Nate McLouth and Eric Fryer’s RBI double scored Evans to make things interesting at 4-2. McGehee hammered a double next, scoring Fryer.

Later in the game with the score tied 4-4, Pedro Alvarez walked to the plate with a chance to be the hero. Spring Training game or not, this was an opportunity for Pedro to give his team the lead. So what happened? He was called out on strikes.

I realize this is Spring Training, and I know the Bucs were facing a Philadelphia Phillies’ starter in Cliff Lee, and I know they weren’t sending a starting pitcher out to the mound themselves, but this was an utterly frustrating game to watch for this Pirates’ fan. While they did make a comeback in the eighth inning and put a string of hits together, the production from the everyday players was absent. Sure, it’s nice to see Evans and Fryer come through, but the guys we need to see production from, most particularly Pedro, didn’t come through.

With the loss, the Pirates fell to 8-15 in Grapefruit League play. Again, while wins and losses don’t matter at this point, it continues to leave a bad taste in the mouth of this Pirates’ fan.

Well after my rant, I feel a little better. As for the Pirates, they face the Tampa Bay Rays tomorrow night at 7:05pm.

Grapefruit League Record: 8-15

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Bucs Fall to O's Under The Lights

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles have had many things in common over the past two decades.  The one main thing is that neither has sniffed .500 for the past 15+ years.  While talent has graced each organization, neither had done well in drafting and developing players.  That seems to be changing by the amount of young talent that was seen on the field for each team tonight in the Orioles 4-1 victory.

While the Pirates offense was M.I.A tonight it was a former Oriole on the mound for the Buccos that starred for the Black and Gold.  Erik Bedard, who was named Opening Day starter for Pittsburgh earlier in the week, looked ready for April tonight, as he would go six innings allowing two runs, one earned, while striking out five and walking one.  Pirates fans everywhere would love to see Bedard have games like this throughout the 2012 season.  Jason Grilli performed well tonight in one inning of work as he struck out two batters.  At this point it looks like Grilli is a lock for the bullpen.  Juan Cruz and Tony Watson each worked an inning tonight allowing one run on two hits.

While it may still be spring training, the offensive struggles are still frustrating.  Pittsburgh would only manage one run on two hits.  Neil Walker and Michael McKenry collected the only hits for the Buccos, while Garrett Jones would bring home Andrew McCutchen with a sacrifice ground out to first base.   Would be nice to see a little more consistency out of the offense before the head north for opening day.

The Buccos will head to beautiful Clearwater to take on the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow afternoon at 1:05.  Starting for the Pirates will be Chris Resop.  You may be asking why Resop, well Jeff Karstens is scheduled to pitch the second game of the opening series, and Clint Hurdle does not want Philadelphia to get a good look at Karstens before then.

Grapefruit League Record:  8-14

And...

As Always...

Let's Go Bucs!

Pirates Outlast Astros In High-Scoring Affair

By Chad Carlson

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

The Pirates beat the Houston Astros this afternoon in a high scoring affair, 9-7.  With the win, the Bucs improved to 8-13 in Grapefruit League play.  The two teams combined for 16 runs on 30 hits.  Pitchers’ duel, anyone?

Brad Lincoln struggled today, surrendering three runs on four hits, including two homeruns, in his four innings of work.  His ERA this spring is at 10.50, and he hasn’t had the command or consistency we’ve been looking for, at least from the perspective of him perhaps becoming a member of the team’s starting pitching rotation.  I would argue he has all but solidified himself as a minor league player to start the season.  The only exception would be if he’s a long man out of the bullpen, but I think that’s even a long shot at this point. 

Chris Leroux also struggled today, giving up three runs on two hits and three walks in the seventh inning, while Jared Hughes got touched for a run on three hits in the eighth frame.  On a brighter note, though, Evan Meek was impressive today, tossing two scoreless innings.  He seems to look more comfortable each time out this spring, which is great news for the Bucs.

The Buccos brought the bats to the field today, tagging Astros’ pitching for nine runs on 20 hits.  Yamaico Navarro led the team with four hits, including a triple, while Garrett Jones added two RBI’s as well.  In all, five Pirates had multi-hit afternoons, including Clint Barmes, Casey McGehee, Rod Barajas, Navarro, and Nate McLouth.  It was nice to see the bats come alive.  One of the main points we’ve spoken of in regards to the Bucs’ success this year is the ability to score more runs.  They will need to give the pitching staff more support on a nightly basis, and while Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, etc. will be expected to contribute in massive amounts, the likes of McLouth, Barajas, and Barmes all represent significant pieces to that Pirates’ .500 puzzle.

A special note on Navarro here:  he has had a nice spring this year, and he may prove to be a very valuable asset to the team.  He’s been solid with both the bat and glove, but what may keep him up with the big club this year is his versatility and ability to play multiple positions.  He is able to play in the outfield or infield, and can pinch hit, as well as do platoon work or even spot starts in case of occasional maintenance scratches for players like McCutchen, Walker, etc.  We’ll see what happens, though, as players like Josh Harrison, Matt Hague, etc. are also making a strong case to start the season in Pittsburgh as well.

The Pirates will keep the Grapefruit League ball rolling tomorrow night under the lights against the Baltimore Orioles at McKechnie Field.  First pitch is slated for 7:05pm.

Grapefruit League Record:  8-13

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!