Rays Sting Bucs 3-1

 Today's Game:

The Bucs visited Tampa Bay and tossed Steven Brault, Miguel Yajure, Nick Mears, Carson Fulmer, James Marvel and Shea Spitzbarth against the Rays. Tuck got the start on the SS merry-go-round and Brian Goodwin was in center.

The Jays used their muscle to take a 3-1, six-inning win over the Pirates. (Don't ask; no idea what the attraction of short spring games is). Wander Castro belted a solo, two-out bomb off Miguel Yajure while old Bucco Austin Meadow iced it with a two-run shot in the fifth off James Marvel. Pittsburgh averted the shutout when Rodolfo Castro's drive to center popped out a glove, allowing Troy Stokes, who led off with a double, to score. The Pirates had just two knocks; Brian Goodwin started off the game with a single.

Tampa got a couple of more guys with Bucco ties into the game - Hunter Strickland tossed a clean inning while Tristan Gray got a quick look at second, going 0-for-1.

Steven put up a goose egg in his first outing - photo 2021/Pirates

Notes:

• Tuck was scheduled to open at short, but was replaced by Oneill Cruz. Tucker had a bruised hand to get the day off.
• The Pirates expect to be allowed 7,500-8,000 fans per game, per Travis Williams. He added that PNC Park's naming rights negotiations should wrap up soon, with PNC seemingly the favorite to retain the rights.
• The minor league seasons look to be pushed back at least a month as MLB has reinstituted alternate/April spring training camps due to Covid concerns, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Tomorrow's Game:

Tyler Anderson faces off against the Braves at LECOM Park, joined by Kyle Crick, Sam Howard, David Bednar, Chasen Shreve, Clay Holmes and Blake Weiman. The contest starts at 1:05 and will be on AT&T SportsNet and 1020 KDKA.