Pirates Journal

Jeff Karstens pursuit of a rotation spot hit a speed bump yesterday as the Pirates were pummelled by the Twins 12-8. Karstens was tagged for five runs on ten hits and two walks with one strikeout in 5 2/3 innings.  The good news is, he got his innings.  The bad news is, it set the stage for a twelve run attack by the Twins.  Matt Capps was also hit hard and he was tagged for four runs in just one third of an inning. 

Jim Negrych went two for three with three RBIs.  Jack Wilson belted his first homer of the spring with a two run shot in the third while Quincy Latimore went two for two with a triple, an RBI and two runs.

This is the worst part of the spring season.  The guys want to head north, the games still don’t mean anything, but opening day is right around the corner.

Paul Maholm gets the start this afternoon.  It’s an afternoon game against the Red Sox.

Anytime you’re in mid-March and you have a starter go five innings, it’s a good thing.  That’s what Zach Duke did yesterday in the Pirates 4-3 win over the Twins.  He gave up two runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts.  The pen did a nice job but oddly, there were no more strikeouts.  Jason Davis didn’t give up a hit in his two innings but he did walk two batters.

Andrew McCutchen went two for five with an RBI.  Jeff Salazar singled, drove in a run and scored.  The RBI was his thirteenth of the spring.  All six Pirates hits were singles but they helped themselves out with five walks.

Speaking of Salazar, there’ s a good story on him and his declining chances of making the big league club.   The signings of Craig Monroe and Eric Hinske sealed his fate depiste a decent spring.  Still, having him tucked away at Triple A isn’t a bad thing.

The Pirates have the day off today.  Tomorrow, it’s the Red Sox.

I just got done watching this game and despite the Pirates outhitting the Rays 13-5, they were outscored 6-4 in their loss to the Rays. Craig Monroe and Robinzon Diaz led the way with a pair of hits a piece and Monroe drove in two of the Pirates four runs.  Andy LaRoche also had a nice game and he went one for one with two walks and a run.

Eleven walks isn’t going to cut it and that’s what the pitching staff gave up tonight.  Brian Slocum walked four in his one inning and David Davison gave up three runs in just 1/3 of an inning.  Paul Maholm had a solid start though and that’s encouraging.  He gave up one walk and two hits with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 shutout innings.

Tomorrow, we have a night game against the Yankees (also on MLB.TV).  Virgil Vasquez gets the start and the Yankees will throw CC Sabathia.

First off, thanks to Jay for providing some solid Pirates content for the 2008 season.  Jay is now writing about his favorite team, the New York Mets, over at the Tom Seaver Fan Club.  In the meantime, I’m making my comeback to come cover my favorite team (man, can they break your heart though).

In the meantime, the Pirates sit at 10-5 near the top of the Grapefruit League standings.  Not too shabby but it’s spring and unfortunately the games don’t count.  They salvaged a tie yesterday against the Rays.  Tom Gorzellany had a mediocre start and he gave up two runs and five hits in three innings but he pen work was solid outside of Sean Burnett, who gave up four runs in his single frame.  Jeff Karstens was particularly impressive with three shutout inings with a strikeout.

Pedro Alvarez had the big hit with a three run blast.  Andy LaRoche and Garrett Jones also went yard in the 7-7 tie.  Jones finished the game two for two.

It’s a rematch of the Rays and Pirates tonight.  Paul Maholm gets the start and Denny Bautista, Sean Burnett, Craig Hansen, Donnie Veal and Chris Bootcheck should all see some work.