Long Balls + Pitching = Bucco Win, Today's Lineup & Notes

The Pirates used a two run opposite field homer by Tony Sanchez and a crushed solo shot by enfuego Jaff Decker to support some strong pitching en route to a 3-1 win over the Yankees in Tampa last night. Jeff Locke started and got the win; nine Pittsburgh hurlers collected 12 K, with Locke, Arquimede Caminero, Charlie Leesman, Collin Balester and Blake Wood picking up multiple whiffs. Caminero worked an inning and struck out the side, while the Yanks collected just five hits, with three (and their run) off Angel Sanchez.

Today's Game: Tampa Bay at McKechnie Field, 1:05 PM. The game will be carried on 93.7 The Fan as AJ Burnett (8-18, 4.59) faces Alex Cobb (10-9, 2.87).

Tony Sanchez goes long (photo: Pirates via MLB.com)

The Lineup: Gustav Nunez 2B, Gregory Polanco RF, Cutch DH, Starling Marte LF, Jung-Ho Kang SS, Andrew Lambo 1B, Chris Stewart C, Deibinson Romero 3B, Keon Broxton CF.
The Bench: Justin Sellers, Willy Garcia, Gift Ngoepe, Brent Morel, Elias Diaz, Steve Lombardozzi, Alen Hanson, Wilkins Castillo, Mel Rojas Jr., Pedro Florimon, Sebastian Valle, Jose Tabata, Sean Rodriguez.
Other Pitchers: Nick Kingham, Tony Watson, Jared Hughes, Antonio Bastardo, Brad Lincoln and Rob Scahill.

Cutch is making his second start, both as DH. Clint Hurdle is trying to keep the Franchise fresh, and the spring is as good a time to start as any. If the bench has looked deep so far, the Pirates have been carrying 28 players on the game-day roster, with 21 being position players. (They used 26 yesterday) Today's roster features four catchers. Ah, spring! 

• Pedro continued to be locked in at the dish with a single (opp field) and walk to bring his average up to .667, and Decker is also banging the ball around at a .571 clip. JT whiffed in both his appearances and is still looking for his first knock. Check back in a three weeks before you call it a trend, though.
• Jordan Bastian of MLB.com writes that Brandon Moss was a week or two away from flipping a coin to play in Japan or become a fireman before the As called him up in 2012.
• St. Mary's Joe Beimel signed a deal with the Texas Rangers.