The Pittsburgh Pirates used what many consider to be its Opening Day lineup in its 7-5 exhibition game loss Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jeff Locke earned the start and allowed four runs, three of which were earned over the course of five innings. Locke threw 71 pitches and had one walk to go with four strikeouts.
Locke gave up three of the runs in the first inning. Both Josh Harrison and Francisco Cervelli committed errors. Ryan Howard, Darin Ruf and Cody Asche each picked up RBI in the inning.
The Pirates also scored in the first inning. The first three batters reached base against Phillies starter Aaron Harang with Gregory Polanco hitting a double to score Josh Harrison, and the next batter Andrew McCutchen connecting on an RBI single plating Polanco in the process.
In the second inning it was Jordy Mercer connecting on a 3-2 Harang offering and sending it over the left field fence for a home run.
Both teams traded single runs with Asche picking up his second RBI of the game with a fourth inning line drive single while Locke helped his cause a half inning later with a single of his own.
Justin DeFratus pitched the eighth inning and allowed the Pirates to lead on a Corey Hart single. The Pirates were unable to further capitalize however despite loading the bases with one out in the inning.
Angel Sanchez pitched the ninth inning and Andres Blanco reached base when Tony Sanchez had a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt. Ben Revere ended the game with a two-run walk-off home run.
Also pitching in the contest for the Pirates were Radhames Liz and Tony Watson. Liz pitched two shutout innings allowing two hits and two walks, while Watson threw an inning allowing a hit and striking out a batter.
McCutchen went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI while Marte was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Each is hitting .375 and .348 respectively this spring.
These two teams will play again Saturday in a contest scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Charlie Morton is expected to start for the Pirates.
Of note: In addition to his strikeouts, Locke got all of the remaining 11 outs via the ground ball. The Pirates outhit the Phillies 13-9 however had four errors in the contest.
The Pirates starting line up was as follows: Josh Harrison, Gregory Polanco, Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Starling Marte, Pedro Alvarez, Francisco Cervelli, Jordy Mercer and Jeff Locke. Outside of Locke, these are the players that will comprise the Opening Day line up. Many suspect this is the order everyone will bat, although this may change against left-handed pitching. Manager Clint Hurdle however did not want to confirm this to assembled media following the game.
“It could be, it could be,” Hurdle said of this being the line up order. It very well could be.”
Photo credit: USA Today Sports/Charles LeClaire
