March 2011
Burres struggles in 10-6 loss to Astros
Left-hander Brian Burres had his first rough outing of the spring on Wednesday’s 10-6 loss to the Houston Astros in Bradenton, Fla.
Burres entered the game without allowing a single run over nine spring innings. But that didn’t last long as Burres allowed two in the first inning after allowing a lead-off hit, a four pitch walk (six straight balls thrown), a RBI double by Hunter Pence and a sac fly by Brett Wallace.
The Pirates quickly tied the game at two in the bottom of the first after a walk by Neil Walker and a home run by Andrew McCutchen off of J.A. Happ — his first of the spring.
The Bucs tacked on two more runs to take a 4-2 lead in the second, but Hunter Pence homered off Burres in the third to cut the lead to just one run.
More trouble came in the fifth for Burres. Angel Sanchez and Pence hit back-to-back doubles and Tony Manzella, who pinch ran for Sanchez, scored on a fielding error by Matt Diaz in right field. Jason Michaels doubled, but advanced to third on a bad throw by Diaz. Wallace hit a sac fly scoring Michaels and taking a 6-4 lead.
Burres combined to allow six runs on 10 hits with one walk and two strikeouts over five innings.
Burres told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “Even when I was throwing strikes, it wasn’t where I wanted them all the time. Little bit wild with the strike zone today. I wasn’t keeping the ball over the plate enough and when I was, it was up and they did a pretty good job taking advantage of it.”
Pedro Alvarez hit his first home run of the spring in the sixth –and it was crushed to deep center field.
The Astros combined to score four more runs off the Pirates relievers, three off of Tyler Yates in the ninth inning.
Notes:
- Lyle Overbay continued his hot spring, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk. He seems to feel pretty comfortable as a Bucco (He’s batting .425 ).
Manager Clint Hurdle told Langosch of MLB.com, “This man is determined this spring. He has made a conscious effort of getting out of the blocks clean. The confidence should have been built up. I think he’s found an approach that is going to work. It’s good to see.”
- Ronny Cedeno had a good day at the plate, he went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- Ryan Doumit went 2-for-4 with a run scored but he allowed two passed balls (one scored a run in the seventh) and was picked off twice, at both first and second base.
- Mike Crotta pitched a scoreless ninth inning and has yet to allow an earned run this spring (10.1 innings).
- Ross Ohlendorf is scheduled to start on Thursday against the Orioles in Sarasota, Fla. He will pitch six innings followed by Evan Meek (one), Garrett Olson (one or two) and Chris Leroux (one). The O’s will send Jake Arrieta to the mound.
- The members of the 2010 Eastern League champion Altoona Curve received their rings in a pre-game ceremony held at McKechnie Field.
- On Monday, Pedro Alvarez, Josh Fields and Josh Rodriguez stayed after the game for additional batting practice with Manager Clint Hurdle, hitting coach Gregg Ritchie, and several other coaches. Today after the game, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that Alvarez stayed after again, but this time he was joined by Neil Walker and Ronny Cedeno.
Hurdle told Langosch of MLB.com, It’s something I’ve always done. I would have preferred to have done it a few times earlier, but we waited because of the workload these guys have been carrying. It’s just more practice is all it is.”
So what exactly is the focus of the session? Manager Clint Hurdle said, “Sometimes you have to find a way to slow the game down. When you’re behind the fastball and ahead of the soft stuff, it’s a very uncomfortable place to be. Sometimes you get up there and just have too much going on. All the thinking needs to be done on-deck. Once you get in the batter’s box, you need to compete.”
- Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune reports that James McDonald (left side) is scheduled to pitch on Saturday, most likely in a minor league game. McDonald has not pitched more than three innings in a start this spring and has been sidelined since March 11th. If all goes well on Saturday, he could remain in Florida to pitch a minor league game on the 31st –putting him in line for an April 6th start for the Pirates. If he suffers any set backs, Jeff Karstens or Brian Burres could be used as a spot starter.
Biertempfel of the Trib also reports that Chris Snyder (back soreness) who has been sidelined since March 9th will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Orioles.
Day 37 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
The Pirates will face the Houston Astros in Bradenton, Fla., at 1:05 pm. You can listen to the free webcast of the game here.
Left-hander Brian Burres is making his second start (fifth appearence this spring) and will face another south paw today, J.A. Happ.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune reports that Joe Beimel played catch yesterday and will again today. Beimel (elbow inflammation) said he felt fine. There is no timetable as to when he will throw off a mound.
With just one week until the season opener, is it possible for the lefty to be ready?
Beimel told Biertempfel of the Trib, “I’m not going to go out there if I’m not ready. I wouldn’t do that to the team. I wouldn’t count myself out for being ready, but I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
- Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports the several injury updates:
Right-hander Jose Ascanio threw a bullpen session on Tuesday without any issues. Ascanio has been sidelined with right elbow discomfort.
Brad Lincoln threw long toss this morning. Lincoln is sidelined with a right arm contusion after being hit by a line drive on Friday’s game against the Phillies.
James McDonald is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. McDonald’s (left side) next step has not been announced yet.
Chris Snyder (lower back) caught three innings in a minor league game on Tuesday and is said to be feeling fine.
- Be sure to read this great article by Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com on prospect Bryan Morris, who isn’t far from making his major league debut. He discusses what he learned from spring training and the year ahead.
Mayo also breaks down the Pirates top 10 prospects:
1. Jameson Taillon, 2. Stetson Allie, 3. Tony Sanchez, 4. Rudy Owens, 5. Bryan Morris, 6. Luis Heredia, 7. Jeff Locke, 8. Starling Marte, 9. Zack Von Rosenberg, 10. Colton Cain.
- The story about right-hander Craig Hansen is an inspiring one. If he’s fell off your radar, you’re not alone. Acquired in the Jason Bay Trade, Hansen has not thrown a pitch in the majors since April 19, 2009. The 27-year-old is learning how to pitch with a rare condition called Parsonage-Turner syndrome.
Working out at Pirate City this spring, Hansen is slated to pitch at Triple-A this season. Colin Dunlap of the Post Gazette has a story on his recovery.
- Ross Ohlendorf is scheduled to start on Thursday against the Orioles in Sarasota, Fla. He will pitch six innings followed by Evan Meek (one), Garrett Olson (one or two) and Chris Leroux (one). The O’s will send Jake Arrieta to the mound.
*If my memory is correct, this will mark the first time Meek has thrown on back-to-back games this spring.
Pirates
Lineup: Tabata LF, Walker 2B, McCutchen CF, Overbay 1B, Diaz RF, Alvarez 3B, Doumit C, Cedeno SS, Burres LHP
Pitchers: Burres, Meek, Resop, Crotta, Yates
Astros
Lineup: Bourgeois CF, Sanchez SS, Pence RF, Michaels LF, Wallace 1B, Johnson 3B, Quintero C, Hernandez 2B, Happ LHP
Pitchers: Happ, Valdez, Del Rosario, Chacin, Wright, Wolf
- Biertempfel of the Tribune reports that the Pirates will make the following substitutions around the fifth inning:
John Bowker LF, Pedro Ciriaco 2B, Corey Wimberly CF, Steve Pearce 1B, Garrett Jones RF, Andy Marte 3B, Dusty Brown C, Josh Rodriguez SS
16-year-old Luis Heredia throwing a bullpen session at Pirate City this morning.
*Photo credit: @BucsInsider
Bucs release Fernando Nieve
The Pirates have granted Fernando Nieve his unconditional release.
The right-hander was reassigned to minor league camp on Monday where he was expected to start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Nieve allowed eight runs on 17 hits over 7.1 innings while walking two and striking out eight this spring.
*Photo credit: Yahoo! Sports
MLB Network previews 30 clubs in 30 days
MLB Network was in Bradenton, Fla., On Monday filming 30 clubs in 30 days, which will air Tuesday at 11 PM ET. On MLB Tonight, they discussed the Pirates and previewed the show which filmed at McKechnie Field.
Lisa Kearney chatted with All-Star Evan Meek, who they referred to as, “one of the men that will be counted on to help finish off games.”
Lisa Kearney: “You’re coming off an all-star season, relief pitchers keep themselves ready in different ways. How do you keep yourself ready to go?”
Evan Meek: “Last year I was just keeping the same routine. Just trying to do the same thing everyday. Relief pitching, you don’t know when your really going to go out there. It’s not like a starter, where, you know you’re going to be out there every fifth day. So, for me, it’s just doing the same thing everyday. Making sure I get my lifting in when I can. It’s all based kind of on what you did the night before. If you have a quick inning, you can work out, you can get something done. But if you go out there and throw 30, 40 pitches in an inning, you’re probably going to want to take that day off, that night off to recover for the next day.”
Kearney: “How would you describe your personality on the mound?”
Meek: “You know, I’m kind of a jokester off the field. I like to have fun. Once I get on the mound I’m really serious. It’s kind of a ‘get in and get out’…I want to have a quick inning.”
Kearney: “Do you envision yourself as a full time closer at a certain point in your career?”
Meek: “Yeah. Absolutely. I think any relief pitcher in the bullpen, would like to close games. I don’t know if anyone would just be content with being a sixth, seventh inning guy. But you know what? Some guys are better suited for that role. Last year I was sixth-seventh, seventh-eighth — I did a lot of things last year. I think ultimately I would like to be a stopper at some point in my career. I think that’s something to strive for and that would be a great challenge.”
The analysts discussed the impact Manager Clint Hurdle can bring to the club:
Harold Reynolds: “A lot. The No. 1 thing is a positive direction to head these guys in. He’s been there before. Clint Hurdle Managed eight years in Colorado with the Rockies. The Rockies were a brand new franchise, he was a minor league hitting coach, ascended to the managing ranks. So he’s been through a rebuild before. The biggest thing going through a re-building team or a struggle is you have to have that front runner, lead guy, being positive. A lot of negative things are going to happen. I think Clint Hurdle’s positive impact will have a major influence on this organization.”
Jacque Jones (Guest Analyst): “He’s got a lot of energy too, Harold. He’s got some good, young players to work with. He’s got Jose Tabata. He’s got Neil Walker. He’s got Andrew McCutchen. You know, guys like that, they can turn the franchise around. With some good starting pitching. They’ve got some great arms in the bullpen. They can turn this program around.”
Matt Yallof commented on McCutchen’s energy, saying, “You watch him play –you want to go out from your television and you want to start playing. He’s so energetic.”
Jones: “He’s all over the place. He’s a great five tool player. He can hit, he can hit for power. He’s fast –he’s really fast. He get’s that team going.”
Mitch Williams: “I’ve said this many times on our air, I would pay money to go watch McCutchen play the game. There are very few people that I’ve seen in my career that are that fun to watch. He’s one of them…Clint is going to be patient to a point, but I think he is going to demand these guys demand the most out of themselves. Being content with losing is not going to fly. They have to get past that ‘we’re expected to lose faze’. Once this organization gets past that, ‘losing is accepted here in Pittsburgh’, they will be on the way and headed in the right direction.”
Reynolds: “If I’m a college kid or high school kid sitting out there and I’m draft eligible, I’m saying ‘draft me in Pittsburgh’. I’m serious. You’re going to get to the big leagues quick. They’ve spent more money than anybody in the minor league systems the last three years, trying to rebuild this system.”
*Photo credit: (Meek) Tribune-Review, (Hurdle) Yahoo! Sports
Maholm solid, bats quiet in Bucs 4-1 loss
The Pirates combined for just one run and six hits in the 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Monday afternoon in Bradenton, Fla.
Jason Jaramillo, who is 11-for-21 this spring, hit a RBI double (scoring Matt Diaz) for the lone run of the game.
Manager Clint Hurdle told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “He’s worked very hard. “It’s gotten better each time out. Handling the ball, receiving the balls, it’s cleaned up. He’s slowed the game down, which I think was the biggest thing early in the spring was that games were moving real quick for him behind the plate. He’s showed up very, very good. I think he’s in a confident place and he’s worked very, very hard.”
Left-hander Paul Maholm had a solid outing today. Over six innings, he allowed two runs on nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Maholm has allowed just four walks this spring (20 innings), two of them coming today.
Maholm told Langosch of MLB.com, “Today I threw in a good bit. Everything was working. They hit a few changeups that were decent — they weren’t horrible, but they weren’t exactly where I wanted them. That’s part of it. It’s good to be able to battle and get through six innings and to throw close to 100 pitches.”
Hurdle told Langosch of MLB.com, “I thought he pitched well today. He was aggressive with his fastball. He threw some good changeups. Paul will give up some hits now and again, but he was aggressive. He was pitching to contact. It was a good outing.”
Joe Mauer hit an RBI single in the third inning to tie the game at one.
Delmon Young hit into a double play, scoring Denard Span in the fifth inning to give the Twins a 2-1 lead.
The scored stayed 2-1, until the 9th inning. Garrett Jones and Corey Wimberly called each other off on a routine fly ball, but the ball dropped due to the miscommunication putting runners on the corners. James Beresford hit a ground ball to second, scoring Jason Repko. After that, Pedro Ciriaco juggled the ball at short, which scored Mark Dolenc.
The Bucs lost 4-1 and dropped to 10-15 this spring.
Notes:
- John Bowker had another good day. In his lone at-bat he hit a double (he is 10-for-31 this spring) and also made a nice catch in the 9th, taking a home run away from Steve Holm.
- Garrett Olson made his Pirates debut, pitching a 1-2-3 inning. Olson told Biertempfel of the Tribune, “When I found out I was on waivers, I didn’t know what to expect,” Olson said. “I’m very excited to get over here and get it going. I’m looking forward to this opportunity, and I want to make the best of it.”
Hurdle told Langosch of MLB.com, “You only get one chance to make a first impression. Low strikes, a few changeups, good downhill plane. We’ll get him back out there as quick as we can.”
- Hall-of-Famer Bert Blyleven threw out the first pitch to Kent Tekeulve prior to the game.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune reports that after the Bucs 4-1 loss to the Twins, Pedro Alvarez, Josh Fields and Josh Rodriguez took additional batting practice for over an hour . Manager Clint Hurdle threw the BP, hitting coach Gregg Ritchie and several other coaches were on the field to observe and critique.
- Biertempfel also reported that Fields had a closed door meeting with Hurdle prior to the game today. Fields, 28, is batting just .178 this spring.
- Steve Berthiamume on Sunday’s episode of Baseball Tonight discussed the “Sunday Heroes” and Charlie Morton’s name came up. He went on to say, “Tim Kurkjian reported [Morton] has developed a Roy Halladay type sinker. He’s having a great spring for the Pittsburgh Pirates.”
- The Pirates will have their final “off day” of the spring on Tuesday. Not everyone, technically, will be off. Langosch reported that:
Jose Ascanio will throw two innings (35 pitches) of live batting practice to hitters tomorrow at Pirate City.
There will also be a “B” game. Daniel McCutchen, Sean Gallagher and Jeff Karstens (four inning) are expected to throw.
- The Bucs will face the Houston Astros at McKechnie Field on Wednesday. Ross Ohlendorf, who was originally scheduled to start, has been moved back to Thursday. Left-hander Brian Burres will start against the Astros instead.
Day 36 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
The Pirates will face the Minnesota Twins today at McKechnie Field at 1:05pm. You can listen to the game on the Pirates radio network (104.7) , MLB TV, or on a free webcast here.
Left-hander Paul Maholm will face Brian Duensing of the Twins.
- Injury updates:
Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune reports:
Lefty Joe Beimel on Sunday took a cortisone shot to relieve pain and inflammation in his elbow. He said Monday he had “zero pain” but added there is no firm timetable for when he’ll resume pitching.
Right-hander James McDonald (discomfort in left side) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. If all goes well, he might be cleared to resume game action.
Garrett Jones said he “felt a little pop” in his neck/shoulder area Thursday and still is stiff and sore. “It kind of locked up, but I feel better now. It’s nothing serious,” said Jones, who batted in a minor league game Sunday.
Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports:
Brad Lincoln’s right arm is still swollen, but he said his range of motion and strength is coming back. Lincoln, who was hit in that arm on Friday, said he hopes to resume throwing (on flat ground) on Wednesday. This means he is definitely missing at least one turn through the rotation.
Catcher Chris Snyder will get 3-4 at-bats in a Minor League game on Monday. He’ll also put his gear on and catch a bullpen session. Assuming all goes well, Snyder, who was out with back soreness, will then catch in a Minor League game on Tuesday.
- MLB Network is in Bradenton today filming 30 clubs in 30 days. The Pirates episode will air Tuesday at 11 PM/ET. Andrew McCutchen getting mic’d up:
- The Pirates released Garrett Atkins and reassigned Fernando Nieve and Justin Thomas (read more here).
- Scott Olsen is out of the running for the 5th spot in the rotation and is likely to start the season on the disabled list. Charlie Morton, although it hasn’t been announced yet, looks to earn the No. 5 spot in the rotation (read more here).
- The Pirates have their final off day of the spring on Tuesday.
- Wednesday the Bucs will face the Houston Astros at McKechnie Field. Ross Ohlendorf, who was originally scheduled to start, has been moved back to Thursday. Left-hander Brian Burres will start against the Astros instead.
General Manager Neal Huntington told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “We’re trying to get (Burres) stretched out to give us multiple innings. He could potentially plug a spot in the rotation if we have a need. Stranger things have happened. Teams have lost two starters in the last five days of spring training. You have to have internal options, which is why we’re trying to get Brian and Jeff (Karstens) stretched out.”
Pirates
Lineup: McCutchen CF, Walker 2B, Pearce LF, Overbay 1B, Diaz RF, Alvarez 3B, Rodriguez SS, Jaramillo C, Maholm LHP
Pitchers: Maholm, Olson, Veras, Gallagher
*Garrett Olson will be making his Pirates debut.
Twins
Lineup: Span CF, Tolbert SS, Mauer C, Young DH, Bailey 1B, Hughes 2B, Dinkelman LF, Lambin 3B, Repko RF
Pitchers: Duensing, Capps, Gutierrez, Hoey, James, Perkins
*Photo credit: @BucsInsider
Olsen out; Morton to earn 5th spot
Left-hander Scott Olsen is no longer being considered for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. He is taking a step back, to gain arm strength, which was lost while recovering from a left hamstring strain.
According to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, The Pirates and Olsen met on Monday to discuss his situation and decided to slow things down.
Langosch reported:
General manager Neal Huntington emphasized that Olsen is not injured. He simply is not where he or the club expected him to be this late in camp. The time missed due to a hamstring strain cost Olsen arm strength.
The ball is just not coming out of his hand the way it was pre-hamstring injury,” Huntington said.
Olsen told Langosch of MLB.com, “The arm strength is not where I think it should be. We’re just going to take some time here to build up some arm strength and feel, and get some consistency. What we’re doing is making sure that once I get healthy, we can roll. What we’re doing is just trying to get 100 percent ready now before we go forward.”
Olsen made two appearances this spring –and they were not very promising. He allowed four runs (two of them were from the long ball) on five hits over two innings while walking three and striking out one.
General Manager Neal Huntington told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “Scott is out of the major league rotation competition and may even be out of the bullpen competition. Does that mean he starts the season on the DL? Potentially, in order to get him back to 100 percent.”
On a much brighter note –It looks as if Charlie Morton will be the Pirates No. 5 starter. Although the Pirates haven’t officially announced it yet, it looks promising for the right-hander who boasted a 1.29 ERA this spring.
Huntington told Biertempfel, “Charlie’s made a case to have that be the situation. We have not sat down as a staff and formalized that. He’s thrown the ball well. He’s attacked the bottom half of the strike zone. He’s let it fly. He’s been aggressive. His pace has been good. The results have been there. It’s been very encouraging. Hopefully, he carries it forward until September.”
*Photo credit: (Olsen) Tribune, (Morton) Tribune
Atkins released, two others cut from camp
The Pirates have released infielder Garrett Atkins and reassigned Justin Thomas and Fernando Nieve to minor league camp.
According to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, Atkins was informed of the news on Sunday and was not in the clubhouse for comment today.
Atkins signed a minor league deal with the Pirates in late December.
Atkins batted just .129 this spring (4-for-31) in 17 games with one home run, four RBI and 11 strikeouts.
Manager Clint Hurdle told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “He came here to make the club and is a very honest self-evaluator. He saw people ahead of him and knew that there wouldn’t be an opportunity for him at Triple-A. The window of opportunity was closing. He didn’t want to take at-bats from the guys still wanting to make the club and wanting to get ready for the season. Good for him.”
Could this be the end of the road for the 31-year-old? There is no word yet on whether he will sign with another club.
Atkins’ best years came when he was with the Rockies. From 2003-09 he hit .289 with a .354 on-base percentage, 98 homers and 162 doubles.
General Manager Neal Huntington told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “This gives him an opportunity to land somewhere else. He’s working through options. Part of him thinks he still has something to offer. It does sound like he has a continuing interest to play and we’ll do everything we can to help him.”
Thomas and Nieve signed minor league deals this offseason and according to Langosch, they will start the year at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Thomas allowed six runs (one earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings while walking four and striking out four.
Nieve allowed eight runs on 17 hits over 7.1 innings while walking two and striking out eight.
41 players remain at camp.
*Photo credit: Tribune-Review
Taillon makes spring debut
The Pirates No. 1 prospect (and 2nd overall pick in the 2010 draft) Jameson Taillon made his professional spring debut on Sunday afternoon against the Yankees Class-A team.
The right-hander pitched two innings allowing three hits, one run and struck out two at Pirate City.
*Photo credit: Post Gazette
Morton dominant, Pirates beat Astros, 3-1
Charlie Morton pitched six shutout innings against the Houston Astros in Kissimmee, Fla., on Sunday afternoon. The Pirates went on to win the ballgame 3-1.
Morton, who only pitched four innings his last start, allowed just four hits (two in the first, two in the fifth innings), no runs and walked none with five strikeouts. His ERA this spring is just 1.29.
Morton became the first Bucs starter to finish six innings this spring.
Charlie Morton told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “I got some good feedback from some of the guys in their clubhouse. When the hitters are saying, ‘You’re doing a good job getting me out,’ that’s good. Let’s stick with that.”
So what is the reasoning for all the success from Charlie? Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette reports:
Pitching coach Ray Searage said that Morton has dropped down ever-so-slightly as he comes to the plate. Think of a clock — Charlie used to come from somewhere around where the 11 is. He is now dropped down just slightly, more around where the 10 would be. Searage imparted that is where Morton’s natural delivery — he feels — should come from and the angle that gives Charlie the best chance of getting people out. Looks like it has worked so far in spring training, huh?
Josh Fields doubled, then Ronny Cedeno hit a two-run homerun to left (his 2nd of the spring ) in the 2nd inning to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.
Andy Marte singled and Ryan Doumit followed with an RBI double giving the Pirates a 3-0 lead.
The lone Astros run came in the ninth inning when Bengie Gonzalez, 20, who was up from minor league camp, committed an error.
Gonzalez went on to commit three more at shortstop over a span of three innings.
Notes:
- Evan Meek (7th) and Chris Leroux (8th) each pitched a perfect inning of work.
- Mike Crotta allowed his first walk of the spring in the 9th inning. He has yet to allow an earned run this spring over 9.1 innings.
- Garrett Jones has been out of the lineup in four straight games. During the broadcast, Greg Brown said he aggravated his shoulder during a diving play.
- Paul Mahom will start against the Minnesota Twins on Monday. Garrett Olson (making his Pirates debut), Jose Veras and Sean Gallagher are scheduled to follow.
- Right-hander James McDonald threw a bullpen session on Sunday “without any issues” according to General Manager Neal Huntington on his radio show.
Kristy Robinson
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