The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped their first Spring Training game on Tuesday, losing 6-5 to the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers. Mitch Keller allowed two runs on three hits in his only inning. Brandon Maurer allowed four runs in the fifth inning, though just one was earned. JT Brubaker tossed two shutout innings in his spring debut.
Patrick Kivlehan homered. Kevin Kramer and Bryan Reynolds each doubled. Jason Martin had two hits and a stolen base. Steven Baron did this…
“I told him after that’s the greatest catch I’ve ever seen in my life. I think he kicked over three buckets on the way to do it. It’s the greatest catch I’ve ever seen.”
-Mitch Keller on this catch by Steven Baron. pic.twitter.com/sAdB05bFQz— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 27, 2019
Wednesday’s Action
The Pirates return home to Bradenton for a 1 PM game against the Toronto Blue Jays today. The game will be broadcast as a webcast on Pirates.com and Doc Emrick will be in the booth helping call the game. Here’s the starting lineup:
- Lonnie Chisenhall RF
- Jason Martin CF
- Melky Cabrera LF
- Josh Bell 1B
- Francisco Cervelli DH
- Colin Moran 3B
- Pablo Reyes 2B
- Kevin Newman SS
- Jacob Stallings C
Clay Holmes will be on the mound getting the start. He will be followed by Francisco Liriano (second appearance), Luis Escobar (pictured above), Kyle Crick, Nick Burdi, Aaron Slegers and Dovydas Neverauskas.
The bench today consists of top prospects Cole Tucker, Will Craig, Bryan Reynolds, Kevin Kramer and Lolo Sanchez. Jose Osuna will take over in left field mid-game, while Rodolfo Castro, Logan Hill, Dylan Busby and Alfredo Reyes could all see action. Arden Pabst, Christian Kelley and Jason Delay are the backup catchers, with Pabst scheduled to replace Stallings around the sixth inning.
Here’s an update on Elias Diaz, who sounds worse than they let on during their last update a week ago. This could delay the decision on what to do with Jacob Stallings, who has no remaining options.
Catcher Elias Diaz is still out of Pirates camp and shut down due to an "undisclosed" virus, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. They are treating the injury "week to week," Tomczyk said.
Certainly possible that Diaz could begin the season on the injured list.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) February 27, 2019
Thursday’s Action
The Pirates travel to Tampa tomorrow, where old friend JA Happ will be the starting pitcher for the opposition. The Pirates have tabbed Steven Brault to start. He will be followed by Brandon Waddell, Elvis Escobar, Geoff Hartlieb and Alex McRae.
