Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Starling Marte CF, Fran Cervelli C, Josh Bell 1B, Melky Cabrera LF, Jung Ho Kang 3B, Lonnie Chisenhall RF, Alex Gonzalez SS, Jameson Taillon P. Swap out Melky and insert Corey D, and this could end up being the A-Team.
Pitchers: RHP Jameson Taillon meets LHP Steven Gonsalves. It's Jamo's first spring start; he wasn't expected to take the bump until the weekend. Now he'll have three live outings before Opening Day. Jordan Lyles follows, with Michael Feliz and Tyler Lyons also in the mix.
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| Jamo 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter |
More Cuts: Today, the Bucs placed SS Cole Tucker, OF Jason Martin and RHP's Jesus Liranzo & Aaron Slegers with Indy, while RHP Alex McRae was assigned to minor league camp. The roster is now at 49 players.
Yesterday's Game: The King had a rough start against the Bravos' A-lineup, giving up a double, single and Ronald Acuna dinger to put the Bucs in a quick 3-0 hole. A walk and double put Nick in jeopardy again, but Kevin Newman turned a grounder into a 6-3-5 triple play; the Braves lead runner was caught taking a wide turn after the garden variety DP. A single-walk-double combo added a coupla more points against Kingham in the third. Pittsburgh whittled away with Colin Moran and Pat Kivlehan singling home runners in the fourth. Yeudy Garcia finished the fourth after Nick hit 75 pitches and then Steven Brault toed the rubber. He gave up a run but looked good, surrendering just three hits over his four frames and getting lots of balls hit into the dirt. The Braves hurlers in their turn shut down the Bucs, and so the tally ended up 6-2, Atlanta. A bright spot was Pat Kivlehan, who went 3-for-3 and is making management take a hard look at him this spring. NRI JB Shuck is also en fuego, batting .400, so the extra OF spot is a battle royale so far.
Notes:
- MLB.com looks at spring competitions and the Pirates SS battle; they give Erik Gonzalez the edge while noting neither he nor Kevin Newman has hit worth a lick so far. We noted that Newman was involved in two DP's and a triple play today while on the field.
- Lonnie Chisenhall realizes his ultimate value to Pittsburgh is his versatility once Gregory Polanco returns, per the AP.
- MLB Trade Rumors looks at the Pirates off season; they call the franchise "ever patient."
- The Brad-Mar-Pine Baseball and Softball Association broke ground Sunday on Neil Walker Field in Wexford, a nice nod to The Pittsburgh Kid. Tom & Nancy, his mom and dad, were there for the spadework. NWF should be ready for action next season, per 93.7 The Fan.
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