Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Tuesday: Pirates v Blue Jays - Nova v Lucas Harrell, Bucs Win 2-1, Notes

Today: Pittsburgh hosts the Blue Jays at Bradenton. The game begins at 1:05 at LECOM Park with Ivan Nova getting the nod vs Lucas Harrell. The match will be webcast (audio) at pirates.com.

Lineup (subs): Adam Frazier LF (Barrett Barnes), Josh Harrison 2B (Chris Diaz), Andrew McCutchen RF (Clark Eagan), Fran Cervelli C (Jackson Williams), Joey Terdoslavich DH (Kevin Newman), Jordy Mercer SS (Chris Bostick), Jose Osuna 1B (Wyatt Mathison), Austin Meadows CF & Phil Gosselin 3B (Jason Rogers). Fran gets his first Grapefruit outing as a late replacement for Elias Diaz. 2012's #2 pick, Wyatt Mathison, 23, gets a look at first; he's already been flipped from catcher to third base.

Ivan gets his first call of the spring (image Positively Pittsburgh)

Pitchers: Ivan Nova, Tony Watson, Daniel Hudson, Felipe Rivero, Juan Nicasio, Antonio Bastardo, Pat Light and AJ Schugel. This is Ivan's first outing of the spring, followed by the bullpen.

Yesterday's Game: Lots of nice tossing as the Pirates edged the Blue Jays 2-1 to take their third of four games. Scheduled arms Chad Kuhl, Wade LeBlanc (we wager he felt like a grandpa among this group), Nick Kingham and Clay Holmes put up goose eggs as did youngster Miguel Rosario. Only Altoona's Montana DuRapau was touched for a run. The ensemble gave up just four hits and whiffed 12. Starling Marte scored the first Bucco run after he doubled, stole third and touched home on John Jaso's sac fly. Eric Wood tallied the game-winner. He also smacked a two-bagger, went to third on a bouncer and scored on a balk.

Notes:
  • Adam Frazier took part in camp drills yesterday; the Toronto game was a scheduled off day for him, not an injury time-out for his bruised thumb. He's back in the lineup today.
  • Reese McGuire, part of the Frankie Liriano deal with Toronto, will start at catcher for the Blue Jays today. He's rated as their #11 prospect.
  • Stew has been held out of the early games, but that's by plan. His knee is fine and the Bucs have him on a soft work schedule that will hopefully keep it that way.
  • John Sickels of Minor League Ball rates the farm systems; he has Pittsburgh as fifth with an overview of the prospects.
  • If you were looking for a Joe Blanton reunion gig in Pittsburgh, quit looking. Joe signed a one-year/$4M deal with the Nats, pending his physical.

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