Game #1: Bucs Take Opener Behind Big Inning and Pitching, 3-2

Today's Game: Michael Fulmer started with a clean frame; Tyler Anderson answered by fanning the side. Both sides went quietly in the second. Fulmer shrugged off the bottom of the order in the third, but Tyler gave up a leadoff double and walk. Third was stolen with one away, and it cost as a sac fly made it 1-0. The Pirates opened the fourth with back-to-back raps from Adam Frazier & Phil Evans and Bryan Reynolds made it three in a row to tie the score. Colin Moran's bid for a fourth hit was foiled by a diving stop by 3B Zach Short, but it was enough to send Fraze home with the lead. Jake Stallings walked and Erik Gonzalez banged a two-out single to make it 3-1. Anderson gave up a two-bagger and two-out bouncer up the middle to cut the edge to a run. 

Tyler and the bullpen carried the day - 2021 image Pirates

Tarak Skubal got the call (he was supposed to work the second game, but necessity called...) and put up a zero in the fifth, as did Tyler with both overcoming opening free passes. The Bucs stranded a Redbeard double and El Coffee walk in the sixth. Kyle Crick spun a clean inning. With two gone, Fraze and Phil the Thrill singled in the seventh ahead of a B-Rey walk, but Redbeard couldn't cash them in, robbed for a second time, this one by 2B Will Castro, to save a pair of insurance runs. No diff; Richard Rodriguez had a quiet time in closing it out. Raise it.

Notes:

• Adam Frazier & Phil Evans had two hits today while Bryan Reynolds had a knock and a walk; on the other side of the pillow, Dustin Fowler whiffed three times.
• Opponents are 1-for-23 this year against Ric Rod.
• Neil Walker joined the AT&T gang in the third inning for a chat; sportscasting is one of the future avenues he's considering.
• If you're wondering, it's still cold in Detroit - the opener was played in upper-30's temps - but dry as yesterday's flakes moved east (hello, Pittsburgh this morning).

Second Game: Miguel Yajure (we think) makes his Bucco debut against Spencer Turnbull, who just came off the IL and is making his first 2021 start. The game will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.