Bucs-Yankees Tonight: Lineups & Game Notes

Arrrgh! Another day of pitchers winning the battle, as the Pirates dropped a 2-1 decision to the Bronx Bombers. The Buc score came when Jaff Decker singled in Willie Garcia, who had a pair of knocks. Charlie Morton made his debut, tossing a pair of scoreless frames, as did Frankie Liriano. Charlie had some control issues and tossed 39 pitches as he tries to round into playing shape after labrum surgery. And hey - guess who's back: Garrett Jones! He's in pinstripes now, and went 2-for-2, doubling in a run off Mark Melacon (a bloop, but it still counted).

Willy Garcia (Bowman Chrome Prospect series 2014)

Today's Game: The Bucs return the favor, visiting the Yankees at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. It's the Pirates first night game, beginning at 7:05 and broadcast by 93.7 The Fan. Jeff Locke (7-6, 3.91) goes against Chris Capuano (3-4, 4.35). For the Yanks, it's the second game of the day as they visit the Phillies in the afternoon.

Lineup: Sean Rodriguez 3B, Francisco Cervelli C, Jordy Mercer SS, Neil Walker 2B, Jose Tabata LF, Pedro 1B, Tony Sanchez DH, Mel Rojas Jr. RF, Jaff Decker CF.
Bench: Deibinson Romero, Sebastian Valle, Justin Sellers, Pedro Florimon, Brent Morel, Willie Garcia, Keon Broxton, Alen Hanson, Gift Ngoepe, Steve Lombardozzi, Elias Diaz Wilkin Castillo, Gustavo Nunez (guess they wanted to fill the bus).
Pitchers: Jeff Locke, Charlie Leesman, Arquimedes Caminero, Adrian Sampson, Collin Ballester, Blake Wood, Angel Sanchez, Wilfredo Boscan.

Jeff Locke (Charles LeClaire/US Presswire)

• Clayton Richard got his first look yesterday, and pitched a scoreless frame. He gave up a hit, then promptly picked the runner off for a clean inning of work.
• Sean Rodriguez has shown a surprisingly good glove at second during camp, so he looks like he'll provide more than a corner option from the bench.
• Corey Hart took grounders yesterday and is on track to play some ball next week after taking three stitches in the foot a couple of days ago.
• Speaking of freak camp injuries like Hart's, Josh Harrison's tweaked ankle and Jeff Locke's bout with a bug, the Giants just were hit with a major blow. Hunter Pence's arm was broken when he was hit by a pitch yesterday; he's expected out 6-8 weeks. 
• Mark Klaas of the Kent Reporter has a piece on hometown prospect Reese McGuire. 
• SS Cole Tucker and C Connor Joe, the Bucs top draft picks last year, were both hors de combat in 2014, with Tucker having off-season thumb ligament surgery while Connor missed his first pro campaign due to back woes. Both have mended and should be good to go this year.