Pittsburgh Pirates score early and often to close out the Grapefruit League season against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The wind was blustering in Port Charlotte this afternoon as some of the Pittsburgh Pirates sought to get a final tune-up before the regular season begins in less than 72 hours on Sunday at PNC Park. For others, it was possibly their last chance to make the big league club without any certainty of who will, or won’t be playing on Saturday at Victory Field as the Pirates take on the Cincinnati Reds.
Here’s the starting lineup for the Pirates from today’s action:
Here are a few notes and the lineup for our final game in Florida.#LetsGoBucs #PiratesST pic.twitter.com/pP3Hr5FTbE
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 31, 2016
On the day Kyle Lobstein earned a spot in the bullpen, he made his final spring appearance. He pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits, although both runs came across to score following extra base hits. On a windy day with the backup outfield, that’s significantly less likely to happen at PNC Park.
Here are his comments following his outing:
Offensively, with the exceptions of Mel Rojas Jr., Adam Frazier, and a trio of minor leaguers from the lower ranks that got an at bat just for the experience in the rout, the rest of the players the Pirates sent to the plate got a hit. Michael Morse continued his torrential spring, as he is getting hot at the plate at just the right time heading into the spring.
After just an inning plus, the Pirates expected to make the opening day roster chased Rays starter Jake Odorizzi from the ballgame. He allowed six runs before departing. However, Steve Geltz couldn’t contain Sean Rodriguez, as he hit a grand slam off the light tower in left center field. Ultimately, Odorizzi would be credited with eight runs against him, three walks, no strikeouts, and six hits.
One of the big stories was Matt Joyce. In his last nine games, his stat line shows why the Pirates had the confidence to promise him a roster spot.
#Pirates Matt Joyce last 9 games:
4 HR, 9 RBI, .368, 6 BB, 5 SO— Joe Block (@joe_block) March 31, 2016
Ryan Vogelsong struggled in relief of Lobstein, allowing three runs with only one of which being earned off two hits and two walks. All of the damage came after he cruised through the third inning and an error credited to John Jaso.
Tony Watson gave up a two run homerun that would have been a foul ball had the wind not blown it back into play and carried it out over the left field wall. Mark Melancon cruised through his inning of work.
Following the game, the Indianapolis Indians took to Twitter to welcome the Pirates to their next destination.
It's almost time to get this show started. We're ready for you, @Pirates. #VF20 pic.twitter.com/2KMROkH0ye
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) March 31, 2016
The Pirates followed up by letting everyone know where their focus was.
Very Soon. #LetsGoBucs#OpeningDayPNC https://t.co/XTH34gIrIe
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 31, 2016
Saturday marks the last Sights & Sounds piece for the year. Sunday will mark the beginning of a new season and a new way of looking at the outcome of Pirates games here at Pirates Breakdown.
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