Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jeff Locke appeared comfortable setting down 10 consecutive Detroit Tigers batters, that was until J.D. Martinez stepped up to the plate.
The Tigers were already up 1-0 and Martinez’s solo shot provided breathing room and helped result in a 3-0 win over the Pirates.
This home run put a damper on what appeared to be a good outing for Locke.
Locke was stretched out to four innings and appeared to respond well allowing two runs on two hits. He also walked a batter while striking out five hitters. Additionally, Locke threw 43 of his 64 pitches for strikes.
It is no secret that Locke has developed a new delivery which was needed to create deception. There were times last season where he tipped pitches and as a result was a liability.
Now it appears that he is comfortable, an encouraging sign moving forward.
Bullpen battle
Open spots in the Pirates bullpen are extremely limited, but Saturday both John Holdzkom and Eric O’Flaherty each made their cases.
Holdzkom went first and pitched a clean fifth inning with zeroes across the board.
It would be easy to understand that Holdzkom is looking to erase what was a painful and disappointing 2015 season for him.
Holdkom’s success in 2014 drew national headlines because of how he was able to achieve his results at the highest level.
What went up in 2014 came crashing down in 2015. Holdzkom was assumed to have a lock on a bullpen role as part of the Opening Day roster last season but he could not build off his fast ball which led to inconsistent results. As a result pitchers such as Arquimedes Caminero and Rob Scahill overtook him.
Holdzkom eventually got fatigued and had an injury prone 2015 season.
Now he wants to turn the page and move past what happened in 2015. Outings such as the one he had Saturday will help make his case.
In the sixth inning, it was O’Flaherty’s turn.
O’Flaherty had more of an adventurous outing allowing both a walk and a hit but when he left the mound, the result was the same, a zero on the scoreboard for Detroit.
It is no secret that manager Clint Hurdle prefers to have two left-handed options in his bullpen and because of that, O’Flaherty may have an easier road to the Opening Day roster. This of course does not mean it is a slam dunk.
Antonio Bastardo came in to Spring Training having achieved success with the Philadelphia Phillies but that was slow to translate with the Pirates.
Bastardo was coming off a below par 2014 season and with each passing relief appearance he struggled in, media and fans alike questioned Hurdle.
Ultimately, Hurdle as usually is the case, had the last laugh. Bastardo eventually settled down and began to trust his stuff.
Though the results have been inconsistent to date, O’Flaherty’s spot on the Opening Day roster is still there if he can prove himself to be the pitcher that found several years of success with the Atlanta Braves.
Morse code may change signals
Many players were impacted by Friday’s David Freese signing but perhaps none more so than Michael Morse.
Sure Jason Rogers may be the odd man out once Jung Ho Kang returns from injury and Sean Rodriguez will see less playing time, but Morse is the most ready of any first base option the team has. Still he is being penalized.
Freese will platoon at first base, at least that is the likely plan when Kang returns.
Where does this put Morse? That is a good question and perhaps one the Pirates are trying to answer in the way they did with Garrett Jones a couple or so years ago.
Morse’s bat certainly plays and he is still a valuable asset as either a bench option or starter.
Saturday Morse spent five innings in right field and went 1-for-2 with both a double and walk.
Perhaps Morse just became a trading block option or could be somewhat of a utility option now but regardless the Pirates appear determined to find out the best option.
If that option is the bench that is not a bad determination.
It sure is better than the past two or three seasons when players such as John McDonald, Michael Martinez and Felix Pie were bench options.
Up next
Gerrit Cole will make his first Spring Training start, throwing two innings Sunday against the same Detroit Tigers. Matt Boyd gets the start for Detroit. Tony Watson, Neftali Feliz and Rob Scahill each are also expected to pitch for the Pirates. Root Sports will televise the game and 93.7 the Fan will have the radio broadcast.
