The Pittsburgh Pirates lost their first game since Mar. 26, a span of six games with a 6-2 defeat against the New York Yankees Thursday.
A.J. Burnett pitched the first four innings. Though he did not allow a run against his former team, Burnett did allow six hits and a walk. Burnett’s spring is done with a 4.86 ERA allowing 15 hits in 16.2 innings pitched.
Burnett nearly allowed at least one run to score in the fourth inning, however Josh Harrison made a diving stop and a strong throw to gun out Rob Refsnyder at first.
The Pirates struck first in the sixth inning when Starling Marte reached for a pitch and singled to center. Gregory Polanco who earlier in the at-bat had stolen second base, scored on the play.
After four innings, Jared Hughes relieved Burnett. Hughes retired the Yankees in order in the fifth inning while striking out two batters. He would not fare so well in the sixth inning allowing three runs. A Chris Young single plated two runs and then Refsnyder batted in a runner with a single of his own. Hughes has a 10.61 ERA this spring, and is fighting for one of the final two bullpen spots on the major league roster.
Matt Benedict, a 2011 30th round draft pick threw the eighth inning and allowed an Aaron Small single that scored another two runs and Ben Gamel added a sacrifice fly to plate a sixth and final run. A.J. Morris pitched the ninth inning and retired the side in order.
Jordy Mercer was the lone Pirates to have a multi-hit game going 2-for-3 at the plate while raising his batting average to .340.
Friday the Pirates will travel to Citizens Bank Park for the first of two exhibition games against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jeff Locke will pitch in the 7:05 p.m. contest against Aaron Harang.
Photo credit: USA Today
