On the day that Buster Olney predicted that the Pittsburgh Pirates would win the World Series, the team won both of its split squad games.
The Pirates are now 8-7-2 after a 6-5 win against the Philadelphia Phillies and a 4-2 victory against the Minnesota Twins.
Vance Worley got the start against the Phillies and was the first pitcher to be stretched out to five innings this spring. Worley allowed six hits, three runs and struck out four batters, all in a no-decision. Worley has walked one batter thus far in 11 Spring Training innings.
“Is that all,” Worley said when informed of his walk total. “That’s real good. I usually don’t get real sharp command until the last preseason game, but I’ve been able to locate early to both sides of the plate.”
Heading into the bottom half of the sixth inning, the Pirates trailed 5-1. The Phillies runs included homers from Brian Bogusevic and Cody Asche. Pedro Alvarez, who had already hit an RBI double in the fourth inning, connected on a two-run home run, his second of the spring, off Mario Hollands. Later in the inning, Jose Tabata, who is back after fouling a ball off his foot, hit an RBI single to bring the deficit to 5-4.
Tony Sanchez then continued his Spring Training tear with an RBI double. Sanchez is batting .500 on the spring and extended his hitting streak to eight games. Manager Clint Hurdle confirmed that with Chris Stewart’s injury, Sanchez will start the season with the team. He also said the same of Jung-ho Kang, Sean Rodriguez and Corey Hart.
The Pirates won the game in the ninth inning when Sebastian Valle hit a walk-off double off Jeanmar Gomez, scoring Jordy Mercer.
Clayton Richard pitched three innings in the game allowing one run, four hits and two walks. Richard also had two strikeouts.
Against the Twins, Gerrit Cole picked up his first win of the spring and was also pushed to five innings pitched, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out three batters. Bobby LaFromboise earned his first save after throwing a scoreless inning in which he struck out one hitter. Charlie Leesman, Brad Lincoln and Josh Wall each also threw scoreless innings.
Jung-ho Kang made his first start at second base and coach Dave Jauss was there every step of the way to critique.
“It showed that he was a first-time second baseman,” said Jauss. “It’s playing balls off the bat. It’s the reaction to a runner at second with a right-handed hitter up, to hold the guy on a little bit better. He knows how to hold him on second from shortstop. Now, he has to do it with his feet in a different shoe.”
Both games had Pirates catchers rise to the occasion. It was Sanchez in the first game and in this contest, Francisco Cervelli hit his first two home runs of the spring including the game winning run in the seventh inning. Cervelli is hitting .267 on the spring. Josh Harrison added an insurance run with an RBI single in the seventh inning.
The Pirates will host the Boston Red Sox Saturday at 1:05. Francisco Liriano will oppose Wade Miley in the game. Mark Melancon, Tony Watson, Antonio Bastardo and Stolmy Pimentel are also expected to pitch.
Notebook: The Pirates optioned Nick Kingham and Elias Diaz to Triple-A Indianapolis Friday morning.
Kingham was the team’s fourth round draft pick in 2010 and could be one of the first pitchers to be called up if there is an injury.
“There are a lot of reasons for us to like Nick,” Hurdle said. “He’s made pitches, hit the [catcher’s] glove. And he’s had good poise and rhythm, so he’s been good.”
The Pirates love Diaz’s arm and the praise continued throughout Spring Training, however Diaz also backed this up at the plate hitting .438.
“He’s done nothing but continue to do well,” said Hurdle. “He continues to give us a lot of reasons to think he’s going to be able to impact our club in the future.”
Photo courtesy: Indiana Gazette
