0-For-2

Ouch. After banging out 15 hits yesterday, the Bucco A team managed one well placed bouncer for a knock today, losing to the Pinstripers 6-0. Yah, it was as ugly as it sounds.

Alfredo Aceves spun four perfect innings, mesmerizing the Bucs with an assortment of soft stuff, always a Pirate bugaboo. Ivan Nova gave up Steve Pearce's bleeer, and the next two Yank hurlers, Zach McAllister and Jason Hirsch, shut the door.

Paul Maholm had a rough start, falling behind hitters and walking one batter while giving up three ground ball singles; it was 2-0 before the Bucs came to bat. Little did they know the game was already over.

Virgil Vasquez gave up a pair of runs in the seventh - and lowered his ERA to 33.75! Danny Moskos worked the ninth, and gave up a run on three hits. Escaping with their dignity were Steve Jackson, Javier Lopez, and Justin Thomas, who worked perfect innings, and Jeremy Powell, who gave up an unearned run in two frames.

The bomb squad put up a better fight against the Rays, dropping a 4-3, ten inning decision when Jeff Sues gave up a two-out hit to take the loss.

Brian Friday smacked a two-run dinger, and Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata each had a pair of hits. They both tripled; Pedro had an RBI and run, Jose a tally.

Evan Meek blew a two-run lead in the eighth, and Brad Lincoln gave up a run in his two innings, surrendering two hits and walking three. Brian Bass and Jeff Karstens added a pair of scoreless innings, while Jack Taschner - the official surprise of camp so far - and Jean Machi also put up goose eggs.

As far as the non-competition at short, Ronny Cedeno and Bobby Crosby each had a boot and wore the collar today. Cedeno is hitting .091; Crosby .273.

Tomorrow, The Pirates and Yankees will meet again at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Yankees ace CC Sabathia will take the mound for the Bronx Bombers; the Bucs scheduled arms are Charlie Morton, expected to go three innings or fifty pitches, followed by Brian Burres and D.J. Carrasco, who are slated for a pair of innings each.