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.
