Pirates Spring Training Games 1 and 2

Pirates Spring Training: Games 1 and 2

I know Spring Training is very much meaningless, and none of this will really matter a month from now, but at this point it feels great to be able to sum up some Pirate games, so I'll give some abbreviated spring training recaps when I get a chance. Expect more detailed coverage during the season though.

Game 1: Potentially terrifying (but hopefully irrelevant) news before this one even got under way: Tom Gorzelanny was scratched from the start due to shoulder soreness. Although GM Neal Huntington assured that Gorzo would have pitched if it was a regular season game, this can't be a good thing, since some suspect that the lefty was overworked last season. Phil Dumatrait took the start instead, hurling 2 scoreless innings. Former #1 pick Bryan Bullington was up next, and he surrendered 5 runs in one inning (but he actually picked up the win). The Bucs got the runs back quickly though, thanks to a 3-run shot by Nate McLouth that keyed a 5-run 4th. The Pirates' pen would hold on from there, with holds from Capps, Grabow, and Jaret Wright (who the Pirates are giving a shot to make it into the 5th starter role this year). Also notable: Adam Laroche homered in his 1st at-bat, going 2-2 with 2 RBI. Nice to see from a guy who isn't known to remember how to hit until mid-June. Final: Pirates 11, Phillies 6 (1-0).

Game 2: Ian Snell started this one, and he pitched impressively, hurling 2 scoreless innings with a wide array of different pitches. Jack Wilson was the offensive star, going 3-3 with a homer. Bay and Sanchez both went 1-2. Former Buc Shane Youman was knocked around for two runs in one inning. Franquelis Osoria was the only Pirate who came out of the 'pen unscathed, throwing a scoreless inning. T.J. Beam blew a save by giving up a run in the 8th, and Hector Carrasco gave up one more in the 9th to get the loss. Final: Phillies 5, Pirates 4 (1-1).