Pirates Pitching Sharp In 4-2 Win Over Minny; First Cuts Announced

Today's Game:

Chad Kuhl toed the rubber against the Twinkies. followed by Sean Poppen, Geoff Hartlieb, David Bednar, Blake Weiman and James Marvel. Kevin Newman was at short, and Tuck started at second. Wilmer Difo got a look as a CF'er, with Brian Goodwin in right and Dustin Fowler in left, leaving the pasture with a centerfielder everywhere but in center. 

Kuhl went three scoreless frames, giving up two hits with two walks & four whiffs. Poppen added two more frames, giving up a hit with three punch outs. Hartlieb, Bednar and Weiman took it to the ninth when Marvel made it exciting. With a four-run lead, he committed a major no-no by walking the first two Twins. A 6-4-3 DP almost bailed him out, but a double/single combo cut the edge to 4-2 before a well-stroked ball was gloved at third by Hunter Owen, and his toss to first closed the book.

Sean Poppen popped a couple of goose eggs today - 2021 photo MLB.com

Newman continued to rake with three hits; Fowler and Wolters each had a pair of raps. Colin Moran's two-bagger was the only extra-base knock of the dozen Bucco hits, and seven different players either scored or drove home a run in a textbook balanced attack.

Notes:

• C Tony Wolters has recovered from his bopping and was back in action as the DH today, abnging out two hits. Anthony Alford went through a full workout after a couple of days of hitting soft toss/off a tee, so he's also coming along.
• RHP Tyler Bashlor, who joined the Bucs last year from the Mets, hasn't worked yet in exhibition match because of a back issue but is tossing bullpen(s) this week.
• RHP Wil Crowe, who has yet to give up a run (albeit in six innings), was slated to work three innings of today's backlot B game.
• The first no-surprise wave of 15 roster cuts were announced after the game: Cody Bolton, Rodolfo Castro, Roansy Contreras, Oneil Cruz, Jason Delay, Nick Gonzales, Jandel Gustave, Max Kranick, Mason Martin, Nick Mears, Cal Mitchell, Liover Peguero, Quinn Priester, Canaan Smith-Njigba and Travis Swaggerty were assigned to minor league camp. The roster is now at 56 players; 30 still have go.

Tomorrow's Game:

Mitch Keller takes the ball at LECOM as the Bucs face off against Tampa Bay and ol' matey Tyler Glasnow at 1:05. The game will be on AT&T SportsNet and KDKA 1020.