Todays Notes, Dock and Salomon

Notes:

• Russ Martin and Chase d'Arnaud homered, but it wasn't enough as the Bucs dropped a 7-6 decision to the Orioles yesterday. Old Bucco Steve Pearce had a two-run shot for Baltimore while Duke Welker couldn't hang on to a late lead as Pittsburgh fell for the second day. The Buccos are off today and visit the Twins tomorrow. Gerrit Cole starts against Kevin Correia.
• John Friend of Baseball News Source thinks Jordy Mercer is an upgrade at SS, but still just a seat-warmer for Alen Hanson.
• The Pirates have been using a DH so far this spring, but now that the roster is being trimmed, Clint may soon start batting his pitchers to prep them for the real world.
• After sending some minor league guys to Pirate City, the Pirates are down to 53 players. 16 are non-roster invitees, the rest 40-man roster guys.
• Ex-Bucs: RHP Joe Martinez, who was in Pittsburgh for a cup of coffee, signed a minor league deal with the Angels.
• Here's the Bucs' TV schedule, including national dates.
• Milver Reyes, a 15-year veteran of the Pirates organization, was presented Monday with the 2014 Chuck Tanner Award, created in 2011 to recognize a Minor League staffer who reflects the late manager's optimism, work ethic and leadership. Reyes will be starting his second year as manager of the Gulf Coast League Pirates.

3/11 In Pittsburgh Baseball History:

• 1948 - One of the Bucs more colorful characters, RHP Dock Ellis, was born in Los Angeles. He pitched nine seasons (1968-75, 1979) for Pittsburgh, going 96-80/3.16, and tossed the infamous LSD no-hitter against San Diego in 1970. He was part of the early seventies juggernaut that was in four NLCS tilts and won a World Series.

• 1972 - RHP Salomon Torres was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. After coaching for three years and then spending 2001 in foreign leagues, he tossed for the Bucs between 2002-07 with a line of 26-28-29/3.63. In 2006, his 94 pitching appearances led the MLB and tied the Pirate record held by Kent Tekulve.