Bucs Drop 4-3 Contest To Twins; Kuhl Opening Day Hurler; Goodwin, Hartleib, Difo, Wright To Minors

Today's Game:

Chris De Jong tossed the first pitch against the Twinkies, followed by Dave Bednar, Richard Rodriguez, Chris Stratton, Clay Holmes, Duane Underwood, Tyler Bashlor. Move of note: Erik Gonzalez was at first today; he has nine games/33 innings of time there in the MLB.

De Jong's 2-2/3 IP start was marred by  two-run homer in the second. Bednar closed out DJ's day with a K. Ric Rod was tagged with a pair of tallies in the fourth not particularly of his own making; a fly was missed in the sun and an error by the usually automatic Ke'Bryan Hayes were costly. Stratton, Holmes, Underwood and Bashlor all worked around runners to post zippos. Shreve surrendered a two-out solo shot to give the Twins an insurance run in the ninyt and a 5-3 victory.

E-Gon's homer wasn't enough to dislodge Newman at SS - 2019 Topps

E-Gon responded in the third with a two-run dinger. A single, walk, wild pitch and right-side bouncer manufactured a Bucco run in the sixth, but that would be it for the Pirates

Notes:

• Erik Gonzalez and Ke'Bryan Hayes each had a pair of hits today. 
• Shelty announced Chad Kuhl will be the Pirates Opening Day pitcher against the Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs on April 1st at Wrigley Field. The skipper also confirmed the obvious - Kevin Newman won the starting SS job, and added that Fraze would remain at leadoff. 
• The roster is starting coming into final form: RHP Geoff Hartlieb was optioned while IF Wilmer Difo, OF Brian Goodwin and RHP Steven Wright were assigned to minor league camp. Five to go...
• The Bucs will base their alternate camp in the City this year, using facilities at PNC Park, Heinz Field and Pitt's Cost Center; it was at Altoona's PNG Park last year. Minor league season is on a month's hold in 2021.

Tomorrow's Game:

JT Brubaker gets the spring's final start when Pittsburgh closes out the Grapefruit League season at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. Steven Wright and Sean Poppen are penciled to follow. It's a 12:05 start and will be webcast by pirates.com.