The Pittsburgh Pirates won 1-0 against the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday afternoon to move to 3-2-1 in Spring Training. This is the third time these two teams have faced each other in the past week.
Casey Sadler extended his Spring Training scoreless innings streak to five and was the first starter to throw three innings for the Pirates this season. Sadler did not allow any hits over the course of his three innings of work and also struck out three batters. On the spring, Sadler has allowed no hits and one batter has reached base. In the past nine innings, Pirates starters have not allowed a run.
Jose Tabata scored the lone run of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Brent Morel connected on a one-out double to right field. The run was scored off Scott Barnes [0-1].
Stolmy Pimentel [1-0] picked up the victory after throwing the fourth inning, an inning where two runners reached base, but neither scored. Bobby LaFromboise, John Holdzkom and Deolis Guerra each pitched a scoreless and hitless inning in relief. Guerra struck out two batters in his appearance. Jeremy Bleich walked two Blue Jays in his inning and Josh Wall surrendered two hits but earned his first save.
Gregory Polanco was 1-for-3 at the plate and has registered a hit in three of his four games. Alan Hanson provided a spark for the bench for the Pirates going 1-for-1 with a stolen base. Hanson currently has a three-game hitting streak.
The Pirates will take part in two games Monday. The first is a home contest against the Minnesota Twins scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Gerrit Cole will start for the Pirates and Ricky Nolasco the same for the Twins. Radhames Liz, Arquimedes Caminero, Angel Sanchez and Wilfredo Boscan are all expected to throw for the Pirates. In the “B” game schedule for tomorrow, Vance Worley will start for the Pirates with Mark Melancon and Clayton Richards both also scheduled to appear. The “B” game will start at 10 a.m.
Of note: Corey Hart is expected to receive his first action of the spring as the designated hitter in Monday’s “B” game against the Twins. The “B” game is expected to be a 6 or 7-inning game.
Photo courtesy: USA Today Sports
