Buc Bats Baffled 4-0; Brault Out of Action

Mitch Keller gets another go; this was his third start. He's lasted 3-2/3IP, giving up a couple of runs on five hits and with seven K so far, so he's a mixed bag so far this spring. But there wasn't much to hang a hat on today - he gave up three runs on three hits (one was a homer, a two-run, two-out dagger smacked by Danny Jansen in the second), a walk and two Ks in 2-1/3 IP before Brandon Wardell closed out the third. Edgar Santana tossed a scoreless fourth and Geoff Hartlieb was ditto for the fifth. The Bucco bats, alas, were back to regular programming, and so it's 3-0 Toronto after five frames. The Jays added one in the sixth when a couple of walks and a passed ball chased home an unearned tally against Blake Cederlind. Cody Pence and James Marvel spun a couple of more goose eggs, and so did the Toronto twirlers to put the final nails in a 4-0 Toronto win.

Blake Cederlind has  come out of the gates fast - photo 2020 Pirates promo

The Pirates only threat was in the third, when 3-of-4 hitters reached and the only frame that the Bucs had a runner in scoring position. But one runner was picked off, another was caught stealing, and that was it. Three singles don't create many opportunities. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, four Toronto hits did generate some runs; it helps when one of them leaves the yard.

Tomorrow: It's a day off, the first of the spring after 11 games in 10 days. The Bucs pick it up again Wednesday with two matches. They'll entertain the Braves at 1:05 at LECOM Park with Willy on the hill, with the game on AT&T SportsNet. The second clash is against the Phils in Clearwater at Spectrum Field at 1:05, aired by 93.7 The Fan, w/Hector Noesi getting the call.

Notes:

• LHP Steven Brault will be shut down from throwing due to a left shoulder muscle strain for the next two weeks, then be re-evaluated. Archie, btw, threw BP today so his pain in the neck seems to be under control. 
• Among the starters, just Fraze and Kevin Newman made the trip to Dunedin today. They had two of the Buccos' three knocks.
• The Pirates, for those who keep count, have used 36 different pitchers so far in 84 appearances over 12 games by quick count.
• RHP Tom Koehler, 33, has hung up the spikes; he was trying to come back with Pittsburgh after missing virtually all of the past two seasons after shoulder surgery.