Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Morton Mows Down Phils 4-1

Let's hope Charlie Morton keeps on keepin' on; he threw a very sweet game in his final warm-up of the spring, leading the Bucs to a 4-1 win over the Phils, finishing camp with a 2.63 ERA.

He went five innings, giving up an unearned run on five hits with two Ks and two walks. Mike Crotta, Chris Resop, Joel Hanrahan and Jared Hughes (6'7" RHP who pitched for Altoona in 2010) went the last four frames allowing just one hit.

The big blow for the Pirates was a two-run shot by Pedro off Cole Hamels in the second; John Bowker and minor-leaguer Jordy Mercer had the other RBI. Jose Tabata and Jason Jaramillo had a pair of knocks to lead the 12-hit attack.

The Bucs were 3-of-16 RISP and stranded eight, but when the pitchers surrender just a pair of hits, it was plenty efficient enough.

The Bucs will enjoy the win with an off day, and start the games that count on Friday at Wrigley Field. Kevin Correia will face Ryan Dempster. The game will start at 2:20PM and be shown on FSN/Root Sports.

-- The Pirates did their final housekeeping chore today, sending Chris Leroux to Indy.

-- Jim Negrych asked for a deal if he wasn't going to Indy, and he got his wish, going instead to the Marlins for Class A catcher Carlos Paulino. Paulino, 21, started as an infielder, and is a small, fast receiver with good defensive skills but a quiet bat. Neither were Top Thirty prospects, so it's pretty much an organizational move by both clubs.

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