Pirates Get Off the Schneid With 2-0 Win

Derek Holland left a good impression today; he went 2-2/3 IP of scoreless ball in his second start. He got into a jam in the third when a two-out bopped batter, double and walk put Twinkies everywhere, but Blake Weiman took over and fanned the next hitter to douse the flames. Ric Rod put up a zero next, as did Dovy Neverauskas. But as has been the case all spring, those goose eggs were matched by the Bucco batters (three hits and a walk; one runner made it to second), so it was 0-0 after five. Pittsburgh put up a run in the sixth. KeBryan Hayes led off with an infield knock and went to third on JT Riddle's double. Joey O singled home a run, but the chance for a big frame was squashed when pinch runner Charlie Tilson was cut down at home.

Derek tossed his glove in the ring - 2020 photo via MLB.com

Clay Holmes came on, got an out, and then left the game after covering first; injury unknown at this time. Robbie Erlin finished it in relief. It was nada for the Pirates in the seventh, while Miguel Del Pozo contered with a 1-2-3 inning. The Bucs made nary a peep in the eighth; Williams Jerez escaped with a zippo for the first time this spring. Will Craig doubled to open the ninth and Jason Delay walked; a fly moved Craig to third. Kevin Kramer chased him home with an insurance marker before Jake Elmore bounced into his second DP of the night. Montana DuRapau took the hill looking to close it out. A leadoff rap was erased via a comebacker DP and a whiff - Raise the Roger (if u can still find it)!

OK; the Pirates didn't go 0-for-February, even if they needed a leap day. Now to see how March works out and when evaluation turns into roster construction...

Tomorrow: The Pirates will welcome March by hosting a visit from the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park. The game will be aired by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

Notes:

• The Pirates used nine pitchers; Holland walked and hit one Twin while the other eight guys didn't allow a free pass/bop.
• It was young blood day - SS Kevin Newman was the only starter to make the trip, and he went 0-for-3.
• Going into the game, the bottom two hitting squads in the spring were the Pirates and Twins, both putting up team BA's of .206. Minny balances that a bit with 12 long flies; the Bucs have two.
• The Pirates system may not be Top Five anymore, but it's still got its share of prospects per Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs.
• The Phils say that Cutch will still be on the IL when camp breaks. They do think he's pretty close to ready, though, and expect him back in action sometime in April.