The Pittsburgh Pirates lost its first game in a week losing 3-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies in a Wednesday Spring Training game. The Pirates were 3-0-2 during this stretch.
Charlie Morton started for the Pirates and had command troubles in the first inning. Morton walked lead-off hitter Ben Revere on five pitches with all four balls in the sequence missing the strike zone by a comfortable margin. Morton then had his pick off throw dropped by Deibinson Romero allowing Revere to advance to second base. Revere would not score as Neil Walker threw him out with the infield in.
The Pirates struck first as Jordy Mercer connected on a two-run home run, his first hit of Spring Training. The home run was hit off Phillies starter Cole Hamels.
Morton pitched three innings and allowed a run in his last inning of work on a Cesar Hernandez RBI ground out that scored Tommy Joseph. Morton allowed three base runners and did not register a strike out.
Jeff Locke [1-1] pitched the next three innings and had no troubles, however in the sixth inning the Phillies scored two runs to take the lead. The first came on another RBI ground out, this time from Grady Sizemore. The game-winning run came when Jeff Francoeur singled to left field. He tried to advance to second base on the play but was thrown out. In his three innings of work, Locke allowed three runners to reach base, two runs [both of which were earned] and struck out two batters.
John Holdzkom and Stolmy Pimentel each pitched scoreless innings for the Pirates. Former Pirates Andy Oliver [1-0] and Jeanmar Gomez [1] picked up the win and save, respectively.
The Pirates had four hits in the contest and Francisco Cervelli went 0-1 with two walks. Mercer, Romero, Elias Diaz and Mel Rojas Jr. each got one hit.
After Gomez got the save, both teams played an additional half inning so that Brad Lincoln could get his work in. Lincoln allowed a home run to Dominic Brown, however this did not affect the game’s final score as the outcome had already been determined.
The Pirates next will host the Boston Red Sox at 1:05 p.m. Thursday. A.J. Burnett will make his second start of the spring for the Pirates and Clay Buchholz will start for the Red Sox. Also scheduled to pitch for the Pirates are Mark Melancon, Nick Kingham, Arquimedes Caminero, Bobby LaFromboise and Deolis Guerra.
Notebook: Manager Clint Hurdle said that Pedro Alvarez was put through a “very aggressive workout” and is expected to play Thursday.
The Pirates announced Wednesday that they will use 100-percent walk-through metal detectors at all PNC Park gates this season. Forty-four total walk-through metal detectors were purchased and currently in the process of being installed. These will be used for all Pirates games and other major events that will be held at PNC Park.
This is part of a Major League Baseball-wide initiative to screen all fans as they enter the ballpark.
“This is another example of our consistent effort to provide our fans with the very best experience possible at PNC Park,” Pirates President, Frank Coonelly said in a press release. “The safety of our fans will always be top priority. We believe that the move to walk-through metal detectors will enhance fan safety, while also speeding up the screening process versus the use of metal detecting wands.”
The Pirates advise fans to allow for extra time when entering the ballpark. To make the process as simple as possible, the Pirates are planning to place signs and guest service personnel at each walk-through metal detector. Fans are advised not to remove any belts, coins, keys, wallets, watches and jewelry to speed up the process. What will need to be removed are cell phones, cameras, tablets, laptops and other large metal objects.
“A simple rule of thumb for all fans to follow is to remove everything larger than a mobile phone,” said Coonelly. “By eliminating the need to empty out all of their pockets of items such as wallets, keys and coins, we feel this new system will help expedite the entrance process at PNC Park.”
Every other gate policy will remain in effect for the 2015 season. This includes one bag being allowed into the ballpark as long as its 16x16x8-inches or smaller and sealed 24 oz or less of water being allowed in a bag.
