Two of the Pirates free agent pitching acquisitions both took to the mound for the first time and delivered mixed results in a 10-8 loss Thursday to the Toronto Raptors.
For a second consecutive game the Pirates starting pitcher in the game was unable to find success. This time it was Jonathon Niese who allowed four runs on five hits in two innings.
Niese was acquired in the trade which sent Neil Walker to the New York Mets. He also walked one batter and struck out two.
Ryan Vogelsong pitched the next two and found more success. He pitched two clean innings and struck out two batters.
Vogelsong signed a one year deal with the team this off-season.
Holdzkom takes step backwards
John Holdzkom finds himself in a familiar situation, in a battle for the last spot in the Pirates bullpen.
In 2015, the right-handed reliever fell short and what followed was a largely forgettable season plagued by injuries.
Holdzkom suffered another setback Thursday allowing three runs in 0.2 innings of work.
Odds and ends
The Pirates were down 10-2, but scored five runs in the seventh inning.
Tony Watson pitched a scoreless fifth inning.
Root Sports will televise Friday’s Spring Training game against the Minnesota Twins. It will be a pitching matchup of left-handed starting pitchers as Francisco Liriano will face Tommy Milone. Mark Melancon, Neftali Feliz, Curtis Partsch, Rob Scahill and Trey Haley are all each expected to pitch for the Pirates in this game.
Photo credit: @Pirates
