Bucs Drop A Pair

The Bucs played two today, and dropped 'em both, 11-4 to the Phils and 6-4 to the Jays.

Ross Ohlendorf gave up five hits, several of the soft variety, and four runs in two innings, and was yanked after hitting his pitch count two innings early. But he wasn't alone in having a tough day on the hill. Aaron Thompson was drilled for four more runs in the next two frames, Tony Watson yielded a pair in his frame, and Tyler Yates was touched for a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Jose Veras was the lone standout, going two innings without a run. He surrendered a hit and walk while whiffing three. Lyle Overbay homered, the only bright spot of a dinky five hit attack.

Against the Blue Jays, Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-3 with a home run, double, two runs scored and two RBIs in a losing cause.

Jeff Locke and Sean Gallagher each went two innings giving up a run apiece (Locke's run was thanks to a fly ball that fell between McCutch and Matt Diaz, either of whom could have made the catch).

But the Jays roughed up Daniel McCutchen, who was tapped for a pair of runs in two innings on a two-run Jose Bautista double, followed by the roof falling in on Ramon Aguero, who lasted 2/3 of a frame and surrendered two runs on two hits and three walks. Mike Crotta continued his strong spring showing, going the last 1-1/3 innings without allowing a runner.

The Pirates had two runners caught stealing, Andy Marte was picked off second, and the team hit into three DPs. On the bright side, Andrew Lambo threw out another runner, his third of the spring.

The Pirates host the Bosox tomorrow at 1:05PM. Brad Lincoln will start against Josh Beckett.

-- Corey Wimberly has five hits in his last six at-bats after an 0-for-12 start as he tries to regain some traction in his efforts to win a bench spot.

-- Chris Snyder has a cranky back (and a history of back problems), Ryan Doumit has an oblique strain, which can take quite some time to heal...who knows, maybe Jason Jaramillo and Dusty Brown are fighting for the starting catcher position in Pittsburgh, not Indianapolis.

-- Steve Pearce played third against the Jays.