Yanks Win Home Run Derby 7-5; Alford Injured

Today's Game:

The Buc's opening hurler today was JT Brubaker, with Rick Rodriguez, Dave Bednar, Geoff Hartlieb, Sam Howard, Max Kranick and Yerry De Los Santos as the cavalry. E-Gon was at short again; nagging injuries at that position have made that battle moot so far. And for the first time this spring, Bryan Reynolds was in center with Tony Alford getting a peek in left. As for the Yankees, they broke out the A team lineup today, so it was a good test and one the Pirates failed, dropping a 7-5 decision..

Brubaker gave up four runs in two frames, but three were gift-wrapped by Phil Evans, who booted a two-out grounder to first (it was ruled a single but was a fairly routine ball)  and the next pitch was launched into the seats for a three-run dinger. Ric Rod, Bednar (who's had an unbelievable couple of weeks), Hartlieb and Howard kept the Bucs in it by posting goose eggs. But Kranick gave up a two-out, two-run shot in the seventh (set up by an error by Oneill Cruz at short) and De Los Santos a surrendered a solo bomb in the eighth to allow the NYY to pull away.

Dave Bednar; small sample but big results so far - image 2021 Pirates

The Buccos also banged three homers launched by Reynolds, Troy Stokes Jr. (he had two hits) and Rodolfo Castro while Fraze continued his hot ways with three raps and two runs scored at the top of the order.

Notes:

• Alford just can't seem to avoid getting dinged; he was clocked on the right hand today and had to leave with "wrist discomfort." Hopefully, he's just bruised and so far the team is remaining optimistic that he's not seriously hurt after they're done evaluating. 
• Tony Wolters got bopped in the hip with a pitch that fooled him so badly he fanned on it. He was also taken out of the game.

Tomorrow's Game:

The Phils come a' calling for a 1:05 game at LECOM Park, aired by AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan. Steven Brault gets the ball against the cross-state rivals.