Chris Leroux and Jared Hughes (two perfect frames) closed out the final 4-2/3 frames with minimal damage, although a couple of bases loaded walks by Leroux, who issued free passes to the first three D-Backs he faced, helped jack up Sanchez's stats some.
The only bright spot on offense was once again Starling Marte, who banged out a couple of more hits and has a .333 BA in the early going.
The Pirates get a day to lick their wounds. They return to PNC Park to begin a 10-game home stand on Friday against the Reds, followed by the Cards and the Braves.
- Wandy Rodriguez has been diagnosed by the Pirates as having a left hamstring strain. His status is still undetermined, but it's not likely he'll make his next scheduled start.
- Clint Barmes had another 0-fer today; and he's hitting .087. He has some work to do to catch up to 2012's April, when he hit .149.
- Gerrit Cole lasted two innings in his start at Indy today. The righty worked two frames, giving up a run on four hits with two walks and five K while tossing 63 pitches. The Tribe was leading 5-1 when he left the game, so it wasn't the pitching line but the pitch count that got him the early hook in an eventual 7-2 victory. An outfielder that wasn't on the spring roster but looked in place in his few outings at camp is Brett Carroll (.368), who went 3-for-4 and added a dazzling catch. Brandon Inge went 0-for-5 and is hitting .087 after 23 at-bats. Altoona was rained out.
- Brad Hawpe doesn't have baseball out of his system yet; he inked a minor league deal with the Angels.
Jonathan Sanchez should not be starting any more games for the Bucco's - He may have had some stuff back in his SF days but those days are long gone and we are giving away games with him on the hill.
ReplyDeleteBarmes should be cut lose. He is useless to this team. Not a part of the future and certainly not a positive contributor to the present.
Bring up Mercer for now. Cant be worse than Barmes.
CincyBucco
I don't think you can cut Barmes just yet, not with his glovework. But he will surely be on a much shorter leash this year. I'd have no problem sending him on his way by the end of May if he's still below the Mendoza line.
ReplyDeleteCincy and Will - I'm down on the way they built this team. As odd as it seems for a 3-6 club, I think the FO felt like it was all in this year. We'll see - we are only ten days into the season. But why they blocked guys like Mercer and Morris mystifies me. The future obviously isn't today.
ReplyDelete