Phils Hang On 6-5; Alford Looks OK; Fulmer Claimed

Today's Game: 

Steven Brault took the ball against the Phils and handed it off to Miguel Yajure, Chasen Shreve, Michael Feliz, Clay Holmes and Kyle Crick. Kevin Newman started at short, so it looks like all three of the candidates are healthy. Brian Goodwin was in center today, Dustin Fowler in left and The Toddfather at the hot corner.

Steven had his first meh start of the spring, surrendering three runs in three innings and generally giving up pretty solid contact, including a long ball. Yajure had a sharp fourth with a pair of K, then his command wandered in the fifth and he was tagged for a pair of runs. He showed some nasty breaking stuff but had problems finding the dish.  Shreve put up a goose egg, but the Phils tacked on another run with a dinger off Feliz in the seventh. Holmes put up a zero, and so did Crick in the ninth, both stranding a runner at second.

Rodolfo Castro - 2020 photo via "Around the Curve" blog

Jake Stallings had the Buccos' only hit over the first five frames, but it was a good one - a solo blast in the first. Rodolfo Castro made up for that, though - he smoked a no-doubt granny in the seventh, clearing the bases of three Pirates who had walked consecutively ahead of him. It was the perfect spot to hunt a heater and sure enough... But the Buccaneers couldn't get a ball out of the infield over the last two frames and the Phils hung on for a 6-5 victory.

Notes:

• No Cutch today; he didn't make the trip. But ol' Bucco Matt Joyce did and went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
• Ben Cherington on Tony Alford's wrist, per the beat gang: "No signs of anything other than a contusion...Looks like we dodged a bullet there." AA and Tony Wolters, who was also bopped yesterday, should be back in action shortly. 
• BC added that the Bucs would make cuts next week; we'd expect the first farewells would mostly be the reassignment of the minor leaguers.
• In case you missed it, Gregory Polanco isn't hurt; he's back home awaiting the birth of his child.
• No Indy trip for recently waived RHP Carson Fulmer; the Reds claimed him.

Tomorrow's Game:

The Bucs visit the Orioles for a 1:05 game at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium that will be streamed by pirates.com. Tyler Anderson will climb the bump.