Thursday, March 08, 2007

Bucs Win Again; Big News Day

Just two days after all of the Pirates team read my ridiculous and unnecessary post about losing this early in spring training, they have gone off and won two games in a row. Today Shane Youman sprung the Bucs to a 5-2 victory over the Devil Rays tossing three innings of shutout ball while Humberto Cota and Andrew McCutchen each added two hits.

Xavier Nady made his spring debut and had a single in three at-bats. Jose Castillo also came back from injury and went 0 for 3.

Michael Ryan came off the bench for an RBI single in the seventh to make the lead 4-1. Ryan, a native of Indiana, Pa., trying to make the roster as an outfield reserve off a minor-league contract, is 10 for 18 this spring.

Brad Eldred singled and walked in his two plate appearances after replacing Adam LaRoche at first base. Eldred is 7 for 14 this spring. Closer Salomon Torres fanned two during a 1-2-3 sixth.

Other Notes from the day:
-The Pirates cut Jody Gerut and also announced they would try Eldred in the outfield in order to try and find a way to justify keeping him with the big club coming off the bench.

-Will Nate McClouth make the 25 man roster? He certainly has competition.

-Brian Rogers got the save on Thursday

-The Josh Sharpless Fan Club has made an appearance in Florida

-John Perrotto says the Pirates fifth starter will likely be Tony Armas because of his contract situation

-Who has the most important arm out of the Pirates bullpen? It just might be Matt Capps says Rob Biertempfel over at the Trib.

1 comment:

Jake Stark said...

If Nate McLouth makes the team but Brad Eldred does not then I will be furious. Nate is a bum, move Bay to center Nady to left, and put Eldred in right. Defense is overrated anyways. haha