Thursday: Bucs Beat Birds, Rematch Today - Pitching & Lineup, Guido, Wifredo Assigned, Note

Today: The Pirates again meet the Orioles, today at Ed Smith Stadium at 1:05. The game will be streamed on MLB.com; otherwise no radio or TV.

The pitching: Jon Niese will take the mound for a grapefruit clash for the first time in two weeks, having worked the back lot games for a couple of turns (one due to a rainout). Jorge Rondon and Eric O'Flaherty are also slated to pitch. Tyler Wilson will climb the hill for the Birds.

Jon Niese back on the bump (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

The lineup: John Jaso 1B, Cole Figueroa SS, Matt Joyce LF, Michael Morse RF, Jason Rogers 3B, Danny Ortiz CF, Stew C, P-Flo 2B, Niese P. Today's reserves are Ed Easley, Jake Goebbert, Antoan Richardson, S-Rod & Jake Stallings.

Yesterday: Not so hot outing from Jeff Locke. Five innings, six hits, three runs. He left with the lead, though, as Cutch and El Coffee lost baseballs. Andrew has been on a power surge; Polanco was way overdue. The en fuego Starling Marte also went long, while Gregory and Fran each collected a pair of knocks. The Bucs had to withstand a two-run ninth inning rally by Baltimore against Corey Luebke to take home a 6-5 victory. Mark the Shark and Tony Watson put up zeroes and Rob Scahill got the last out for the save. Here's the box score.

• JHK began straight line (no sharp cuts or foot planting) base running, going from home to first.
• RHPs Guido Knudson and Wilfredo Boscan were assigned to the minor league camp.
• Longtime broadcaster Joe Garagiola passed away at the age of 90. He was a Pirate catcher from 1951-53 during a nine year MLB career with a .262 BA as a Bucco.
• The KC Royals released RHP Ross Ohlendorf.