Each day during spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates Breakdown will give you game recaps, news updates, and video of player and coach interviews, highlights, and more from the day.
In a reminder sure to make “woo birds” everywhere squeal with delight, Jordy Mercer would like to remind fans spring training is just two weeks away.
The countdown is at TWO SUNDAYS!
Here's an #OpeningDayPNC reminder from @Jordy_Mercerhttps://t.co/h8aKE2319u
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 20, 2016
It definitely started showing this week as the Pirates ramped up development as starters followed recent departures like Tyler Glasnow and Alen Hanson down to minor league camp to get some work, while the most likely candidates to crack the Opening Day lineup saw more playing time than at any point thus far this spring. David Freese was the only starter removed before the eighth inning. There was no word if this was due to injury or as a result of being behind on development.
Before we go any further into breaking down the events, here is the lineup from today:
Here's today's lineup and a few notes.
📻 @937theFan & the PRN pic.twitter.com/pmZg1rGgQn
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 20, 2016
In a matchup that saw Russell Martin and Tony Sanchez play together for the first time in the dugout opposite the black and gold, the Blue Jays got a run in the fifth and held on to cap off a 3-2 win over the Pirates. With the loss, the Pirates fall to 5-12 in meaningless Grapefruit League action, and the Blue Jays improve to 12-4, currently sitting in a tie for first place with the Washington Nationals.
After John Jaso drew a leadoff walk to start the game, Andrew McCutchen drilled a big home run to right. McCutchen is now 2 for 6 batting second this spring.
Cutch being Cutch.
WATCH: https://t.co/EexYzvnLic pic.twitter.com/mpKOW1U1IF
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 20, 2016
Troy Tulowitzki tied it in the bottom of the inning on his own monster home run to left.
Arquimedes Caminero pitched two perfect innings, including leaving Tulowitzki baffled on a 92 mph cutter. Martin went 1 for 3 on the day, although he got robbed on this slick play by David Freese and Jaso.
David Freese, ladies and gentlemen.#SpringTrainingWebGem #PiratesST pic.twitter.com/lM0L6b6fus
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 20, 2016
Cory Luebke followed Caminero and promptly handed the Blue Jays the lead as Martin came around to score the winning run. Arnold Leon, Gavin Floyd, Chad Jenkins, and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte combined to hold the Pirates scoreless after the first.
John Jaso continues to show why the Pirates had confidence to try him first in the order. He has now walked twice as much as he has struck out this spring, including three times in four plate appearances today.
John Jaso is that guy fans of other teams dislike because it seems like he automatically starts at first when he bats. 3 walks. #Pirates
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) March 20, 2016
In writing, the rule of three states that things that come in threes are more satisfying and more effective. Starling Marte backed it up today, as he picked up three hits in his four at-bats. He is now batting .440 this spring.
In the ninth, the Pirates made some noise. Jose Osuna singled with one out, and Antoan Richardson was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second for Jason Rogers. Rogers hit a soft grounder to shortstop Jiovanni Mier. Richardson was thrown out at second, but Rogers beat the throw over to first. However, Rogers was called out because Richardson, a career minor leaguer with absolutely no chance to wear a Pirates uniform outside of spring training, slid into second with his foot above knee level, which under the new slide rule meant that Rogers was out as well.
Antoan Richardson slides in high breaking the new slide rule. Rogers ruled out, who had already beaten throw. #BlueJays beat #Pirates, 3-2.
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) March 20, 2016
Back in Bradenton, our own Ethan Obstarczyk had live coverage of minor league action, where Ryan Vogelsong, Mark Melancon, Tony Watson, Matt Joyce, Jung Ho Kang, and some of the recently optioned minor league players made appearances.
Today at Pirate City, Ryan Vogelsong threw 79 pitches/5.0 innings in a game against Pirate minor leaguers. #PiratesST
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 20, 2016
Vogelsong pitching during the scrimmage today. pic.twitter.com/YOHYuS9nkE
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) March 20, 2016
For more videos from today’s action at Pirate City like the one above or this one of Josh Bell taking on former Pirates first round pick Mark Appel, be sure to check out the Pirates Breakdown Twitter account at the link at the bottom of the page.
Josh Bell vs Mark Appel pic.twitter.com/PKAAbxbhat
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) March 20, 2016
Tomorrow, the Pirates have their first split squad day facing the Atlanta Braves at McKechnie Field and the Minnesota Twins on the road. Both games start at 1:05 PM.
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