Results tagged ‘ paul maholm ’
Walker’s homer gives Bucs edge in 4-3 win over Phillies
Neil Walker’s two-run homer off of J.C. Ramirez in the sixth inning gave the Bucs the lead in the 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, FLA. on Saturday.
Walker is batting .294 this spring (six games).
Paul Maholm started for the Pirates, allowing just one run (a solo homer by Ben Francisco in the 2nd inning) on four hits with two strikeouts over three innings.
“I’m right where I want to be,” Maholm said. “It’s getting more comfortable each time out. I felt a lot more comfortable today throwing inside. I missed a couple of them, but that’s part of getting through it. Now, for me, it’s flipping the switch. It’s time to make sure you mix all your pitches and get outs and go toward the season ready to go.”
The Phillies sent Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay to the mound. He allowed just one hit and two walks and struck out four through three innings.
With the tying run on second base in the ninth inning, Chris Leroux forced Freddy Glavis to fly into a double play to end the game.
Notes:
- Corey Wimberly, after being walked in the 7th inning, stole both second and third base off of Phillies closer Brad Lidge. Jose Tabata and Pedro Ciriaco also stole a bag each. The Pirates have a grapefruit league leading 15 steals so far this spring.
- Lyle Overbay had a nice day at the plate going 2-for-3.
- Sean Gallagher pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out one. In three innings (2 games) this spring, Gallagher has not given up a run or hit.
- Former Bucco Delwyn Young went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Phillies. He signed a minor league contract with Philly this offseason.
- Ronny Cedeno was scratched again from the lineup with a bruised right middle finger.
- Scot Olsen threw a bullpen session today without any issues.
- The Pirates will play the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday at McKechnie (1:05).
James McDonald will get the start. Joel Hanrahan, Chris Resop, Aaron Thompson, Daniel McCutchen, Justin Wilson, Jeff Locke, Justin Thomas are all scheduled to pitch.
Prior to the game, the Bucs will hold a Piratefest in front of the stadium from 10-12:30 pm.
Day 20 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- The Pirates will face the Phillies today at 1:05 pm in Clearwater, Fla.
Paul Maholm will start for the Bucs, followed by Jeff Karstens, Mike Crotta, Sean Gallagher, Chris Leroux and Rudy Owens.
Roy Halladay will start for Philly.
- Pitchers Cesar Valdez, Donnie Veal and catchers Eric Fryer and Tony Sanchez have been reassigned to minor league camp on Saturday. They are the first group to be cut from spring training this year. 58 players remain at big league camp.
- The Houston Astros received bad news on Friday, as their catcher Jason Castro, will under go season ending knee surgery.
It’s been publicly known that the Pirates have been shopping Ryan Doumit. Could a trade happen soon? While it’s still very early, Doumit does come with a hefty price tag ($5.1 m). The Pirates could be willing to eat some of his salary, if they got the right guys back in return. Just something to keep your eye on.
- Andrew Lambo is settling in with the Pirates after a rough past and reputation while in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. -Great story on the Bucs minor legaue prospect
- During spring training, the late inning pitchers like Joel Hanrahan, are used in mid innings. A shake in their usual in game prepreations can be tough.
“It is different, sometimes it isn’t easy,” Hanrahan said. “But you still have to go out there and do your job. The pregame routine is different, though. Like here, in spring training, if you are pitching in the fifth you have do your stretching in the second and maybe drink your Red Bull or whatever you do in the second. Definitely a different feel, though. Because I really am a guy who feeds off the crowd.”
“Toward the end of spring, they will try to get us more into what our real roles will be,” Harahan said. “Now, obviously, they are just trying to get our feel back out on the mound at this point in spring. They are just trying to get us to get used to facing hitters again and seeing competition. I see it as competition every time, but I can’t wait to get back into the regular season and get into the regular atmosphere.”
- The Pirates have not yet named an opening day starter, but Bucs Paul Maholm says he would be honored to be that guy.
“I wouldn’t say it’s do or die, but it’s fun,” Maholm said. “If they come to me and ask or tell me I’m the guy, then I’m more than happy to do it. I’ve enjoyed it.”
Maholm was the opening day starter two years ago. He went 6.2 innings allowing one run on seven hits, getting a no-decision.
Pirates:
Pitchers: Maholm, Karstens, Crotta, Gallagher, Leroux, Owens
Lineup: McCutchen CF, Tabata LF, Alvarez 3B, Overbay 1B, Walker 2B, Jones DH, Doumit C, Bowker RF, Cedenon SS
Phillies:
Pitchers: Roy Halladay,
Lineup: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Ibanez LF, Howard 1B, Polanco 3B, Francisco DH, Brown RF, Young 2B, Schneider C.
Phillies rally to beat Bucs, 7-4
Fernando Nieve is not leaving a good impression on the Bucs as he was charged with four runs in the Pirates 7-4 loss over the Phillies at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.
Nieve, who signed a minor league contract over the offseason, has allowed seven earned runs during two spring training games this season in just 2.1 innings of work.
Kevin Correia started for the Pirates, giving up four straight singles and two earned runs before settling down. He allowed five hits over three innings with five strikeouts.
“I felt like I was throwing the ball a lot better than I was in my last outing,” Correia said. “I just wanted to get a decent result out of it. I didn’t want to go out there and have to come out before my three innings. Everything felt a lot better than my last outing.”
“What I did today is what I’m looking to do,” Correia said. “Minus the first few hits, everything was what I wanted to do. Now it’s a matter of building on that and getting my pitch count up.”
The Pirates started the bottom of the first off with four straight singles as well, off Joe Blanton, making it a 2-1 ballgame.
Tony Sanchez made his grapefruit league debut in the sixth inning (more on Sanchez later tonight) ripping a 2-2 down the third baseline. Andy Marte, doubled to score Walker, giving the Bucs the lead.
The Phillies went on to rally, scoring four runs in the final three innings of the game.
Notes:
- Ronny Cedeno was scratched from the lineup with a sore right middle finger.
Cedeno injured the finger while fielding a grounder in the sixth inning of Thursday’s game against the Blue Jays. The injury is said to be minor, and he should not be out of action for very long.
- With Matt Diaz’s stolen base in the fifth inning, the Pirates swiped their Grapefruit League leading 11th base.
- Evan Meek had a successful session of live batting practice on Friday at Pirate City and is scheduled to pitch one inning in March 7 game against the Tampa Bay Rays. –More on Meek’s bp up in next post.
- Joe Beimel’s throwing program has gone well on both Thursday and Friday and is pitching pain free. Beimel is scheduled to play catch again on Saturday
- The Bucs will face the Phillies again on Saturday in Clearwater. Paul Maholm will get the start followed by Jeff Karstens, Mike Crotta, Sean Gallagher, Chris Leroux and Rudy Owens.
Roy Halladay will start for the Phillies.
Spring training day 18: news and notes
- The Pirates travel to Dunedin today to face the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05.
You can watch the game live for free on MLB.com here
- Injury updates:
Evan Meek is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Friday. Meek has been sidelined with a tight right calf.
Scott Olsen is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. Olsen has been sidelined with a left hamstring strain.
Joe Beimel will test his arm this am by throwing soft toss at 8:30 am. Beimel’s MRI showed no acute injury on his left forearm.
- Lyle Overbay will be facing his former team (Toronto Blue Jays) for the first time since the Pirates signed him this offseason. Overbay spent five seasons with the Jays.
- The Pirates have been focusing a lot this spring on pick off’s at first base and cutting down on runners stealing bases.
I’ve noticed that most of the pitchers have been throwing to first, trying to keep the runner close and unable to steal –something the Pirates were not so great at last season.
“We have all been working on that stuff a lot down here [at spring training],” Pirates right-handed reliever Chris Resop said of the shorter, quicker delivery to the plate when a runner is on base. “We have to give our catchers a chance. We don’t want to be known as a pitching staff you can run on. Nobody wants that.”
“I think if you look at it, it can get embarrassing,” said left-hander Paul Maholm, who cut down from 15 players stealing off him in 2009 to eight in ’10. “Everyone on the staff, it doesn’t matter if you are a righty or a lefty, you need to do what you can to stop it. You need to just realize that this is something that is important if we want to win ballgames.”
- Pirates President Frank Coonelly chatted with fans on Wednesday. You can read the entire chat transcript here.
If the injury to Joe Beimel is more than what it seems, and Scott Olsen is already not doing all baseball-related activities, are you comfortable with Daniel Moskos and whomever in the lefthanded reliever position?
Coonelly: “We do not believe the injury to Joe will keep him from competing this spring. Scott Olsen is performing baseball activities and has already thrown several bullpens. Scott seems to be well on his way to pitching in games, possibly as early as next week. Daniel Moskos and Tony Watson are two young exciting left hand arms who are in camp and competing for a spot in the bullpen. It’s early, but both have looked strong. Brian Burres is also a veteran lefthander who can pitch out of the pen if he is not in the starting rotation.”
Pirates:
Pitchers: Morton (two or three innings), Lincoln (two), Yates (one), Locke (one or two) and Valdez (one).
Lineup: McCutchen CF, Pearce 1B, Diaz LF, Alvarez DH, Jones RF, Atkins 3B, Cedeno SS, Friday 2B, Jaramillo C
Blue Jays:
Pitchers: Cecil (Three innings) Followed by Rauch, Villanueva, Richmond, Ray
Lineup: Davis CF, Thames LF, Bautista 3B, Lind DH, Rivera RF, Cooper 1B, Mcdonald SS, Budde C, Diaz 2B
Pirates 9th inning rally not enough, as Bucs lose 6-4 to O’s
Miles Durham’s late inning two run bomb brought the Pirates within two runs of the Orioles on Monday afternoon, but Ryan Doumit struck out to end the rally as the Bucs lost 6-4.
Paul Maholm started for the Pirates. He allowed two runs (one solo home run) on four hits, with two strike outs through two innings of work.
“I didn’t get ahead of as many hitters as I wanted, but for the most part it felt good,” Maholm said. “I went after guys. I was a little jumpy and left some over the plate, but that’s the first outing of spring. It happens.”
All those pick off drills being worked at camp Hurdle are paying off. Maholm picked off Craig Tatum in the second inning.
Paul Maholm warming up before the Bucs battled the Baltimore Orioles.
Jeff Karstens also pitched two innings on Monday. He allowed two hits, no runs and walked one.
Tyler Yates (Tommy John surgery) pitched one inning allowing one hit and struck out one. It was nice to see Yates back on the mound again. He’s a great story, and definitely a player you want to root for to succeed.
Tyler Yates on the mound, battling for a bullpen spot this year.
Justin Wilson had a horrible outing. Manager Clint Hurdle pulled him after just pitching .2 innings. He allowed three runs on one hit, with three walks. He also allowed a double steal against him.
The Pirates invited three players from Minor League camp — Miles Durham, Mel Rojas Jr. and Jim Negrych to play against the Orioles.
Rojas Jr and Negrych both were o’ffers, but Durham hit a two run homer in the ninth and drew a walk in the 7th inning.
Some notes:
- After the game ended, I noticed former Manager John Russell walk towards the Bucs dugout to talk to some of the players. Ryan Doumit was the only one that walked over to Russell, giving him a hug.
- Hurdle is very much different from Russell. Throughout the game, Hurdle would yell words of encouragement to the players during tough at-bats, etc.
- Pedro Alvarez, who still wants to prove he can stay at third base, missed several balls that could have been playable.
“All I know is that I am a third baseman and that’s what I’m working for,” Alvarez said. “That’s where I am working to stay for the rest of my career. I play to get better.”
“Can he play third base? I’m going to say yes,” Leyva said. “I’ve been around for a long time and I’ve seen a lot of infielders that people think maybe someone can’t. It’s my job that he can when it’s all over. Pedro is a good athlete. We’ve got to take that into consideration when we start working with him. I’m not going to ask him to do some things that he is not capable of doing. If so, I’m not doing my job.”
Added Hurdle: “He’s working hard. He knows the value of a good third baseman. He knows what he’s capable of doing. He’s had some very good defensive stretches. He’s had some stretches that weren’t Major League quality, and he knows that. He’s out to become the best third baseman he can be.”
Jose Tabata on deck and leading off for the Pirates.
Day 15 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- The Pirates have a split squad on Monday. Both games will have a 1:05 pm start.
- At McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Paul Maholm will start for the Bucs against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching two innings. He will be followed by Jeff Karstens who will also pitch two innings of work.
Tyler Yates, Jeff Locke, Mike Crotta, Justin Wilson and Cesar Valdez will all pitch one inning a piece
- At Charlotte Sports Park, Bryan Morris will start for the Bucs against the Rays, followed by Fernando Nieve. They will both pitch two innings of work.
Sean Gallaher, Aaron Thompson, Kyle McPherson will pitch one inning.
Jeff Neiman will start for the Rays.
- This will be the first meeting of the Pirates and former Skipper John Russell on Monday since he was fired over the offseason. Russell was hired by the O’s as a third base coach.
Russell finished his tenure with a 186-299 record.
- Lefty Scott Olsen is scheduled to throw his third side session on Monday. Olsen is recovering from a left hamstring strain.
- Joe Beimel said he woke up experiencing pain in a muscle near the elbow, but it isn’t anything serious.
“It’s not too big of a deal,” Beimel said. “When I was playing catch, I over-extended on one (throw) and it got a little sore. I was a little worried because it’s something I never felt before. They’ve done all the tests and there’s nothing (wrong) with the ligament. It’s one of those things where I can move it, like, 10 times and on the 11th it will hurt. Since (Sunday), it’s become less and less (painful), to the point now that I don’t really feel it.”
Lineups:
Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS
Felix Pie RF
Mark Reynolds 3B
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Adam Jones CF
Nolan Reimold LF
Brandon Snyder 1B
Craig Tatum C
Cesar Izturis 2B
RHP Brad Bergesen
Pirates:
Jose Tabata LF
Josh Rodriguez SS
Andrew McCutchen CF
Pedro Alvarez 3B
Lyle Overbay 1B
Garrett Jones 1B
Ryan Doumit DH
Chase d’Arnaud 2B
Jason Jaramillo C
LHP Paul Maholm
Day 14 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- The Pirates will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the home opener at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fl. On Sunday.
- The Flags will fly at half staff in honor of Chuck Tanner. There will also be a moment of silence before the game as well.
- Evan Meek threw a 30 pitch bullpen session Sunday and it was reported that he felt great.
Meek will take Monday off from throwing and either pitch live batting practice or to make his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday.
- Charlie Morton’s debut in Saturday’s game against the Rays went very well.
“(Morton) pitched well,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “He made pitches out of the stretch. He was aggressive. It was a very good outing for him.”
“I am confident, after seeing how they were beating the ball into the ground, that my sinker is definitely a pitch I should be using,” Morton said.
“What we’re concerned about is getting (the fastball) in the strike zone and down,” Morton said. “I would’ve loved to have struck people out today, but I’m glad I got contact and the balls were on the ground. I would much rather go nine innings that strike out 10 people. If I could do both, that’d be awesome.”
- Monday’s games will be a split squad.
- Paul Maholm will be starting for the Pirates at home on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles. He will be followed by Jeff Karstens, who will also pitch two innings. Tyler Yates, Jeff Locke, Mike Crotta, Justin Wilson and Cesar Valdez will all pitch one inning a piece.
- In Port Charlotte, Bryan Morris will start for the Bucs against the Rays, followed by Fernando Nieve. They will both pitch two innings of work. Sean Gallaher, Aaron Thompson, Kyle McPherson will pitch one inning.
Day six of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- Manager Clint Hurdle addressed the players on Saturday, the first official full squad workout.
“There will be a group of men that turns this thing around here,” Hurdle said. “It will happen. So why can’t we? Why can’t we be the start? We need to set our bar at the championship level, starting with the execution and a mindset. We’ve got to think that way. We’ve got to act that way.”
“We need to focus forward,” Hurdle said. “We have work to do. We need everybody all in. We talked about trust; that’s something I’m a big believer in. There will be a group of men that turns it around here, so why can ‘t we be the start?”
- The first group of pitchers threw a live session of batting practice to the hitters.
Paul Maholm and Joel Hanrahan pitched to Lyle Overbay and Pedro Alvarez.
Kevin Correia and Evan Meek pitched to Garrett Jones and Neil Walker.
James McDonald, Joe Beimel, Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Veras, Aaron Thompson, Rudy Owens, Kyle McPherson, Justin Wilson, Jeff Locke and Michael Crotta also threw live batting practice.
Each pitcher threw about 15 pitches. They then stepped aside for a bit and threw 15 more.
Group two will throw their live session of batting practice on Sunday.
- Pitcher Paul Maholm tweeted after pitching to BP and said his arm feels great.
“Had a great first full squad workout. Got to throw 35 pitches in live BP to overbay and Alvarez. Feeling better each time off the mound.”
- Hurdle has been focusing a lot on situation hitting and is pleased with the results so far.
“It’s a new process for them,” Hurdle said. “If you want to go somewhere you’ve never been, there’s got to be somebody who asks you do to things you’ve never done. I’m asking them to do some things they might’ve never done. It’s not so much about results daily as the preparation that’s put in and the focus in the drill. Some of the guys haven’t (done) well in the drills and they take it personally. But they understand the reason behind it.”
- Bill Mazerowski arrived at camp on Saturday. The hall-of-famer and eight time gold glove winner helps out at spring training as an infield instructor.
Former Pirates Bill Virdon (outfield) and Manny Sanguillen (catchers) have been there since day one working with the players. Kent Tekulve arrived mid week to help with the pitchers.
- Tyler Yates, who had Tommy John Surgery in 2009, has been throwing since January in Bradenton, FL. Under supervision. The reports are very encouraging and he has had no soreness or pain. Yates will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Pirates bullpen –something he almost gave up on. If things can turn around for the right-hander, his perseverance will pay off.
Neil Walker is getting ready to face Kevin Correia right now in batting practice (via @BucsInsider)
Paul Maholm, James McDonald, Kevin Correia and Ross Ohlendorf preparing to face live hitters (via @BucsInsider)
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Day three of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- Manager Clint Hurdle is in no rush to name the Pirates opening day starter. The four starters who are secured in the rotation are: James McDonald, Paul Maholm, Kevin Correia and Ross Ohlendorf (in no particular order).
“We’ve got some candidates,” Hurdle said. “I don’t think anyone is out of it. Experience will come in as a factor. We have a few guys who could be worthy of it. You want a guy who doesn’t get caught up in throwing against the other team’s No. 1. There are a few elements we’re looking for.”
- Jose Ascanio is still having issues with his visa. He may report to Pirate city at the earliest as Thursday.
- Andrew McCutchen worked with coach Luis Silverio for a good amount of time on Wednesday working on base stealing. Manager Clint Hurdle has said he wants the Pirates to be aggressive on the bases this year.
- The following pitchers threw their second side session on Wednesday, about 40-45 pitches each: Paul Maholm, Kevin Correia, Joel Hanrahan, Jose Veras, Joe Beimel, Aaron Thompson, Justin Wilson, Ross Ohlendorf, James McDonald, Evan Meek, Scott Olsen, Kyle McPherson, Rudy Owens, Michael Crotta and Jeff Locke.
- The Pirates will wear patches on their jersey’s this year in remembrance of Chuck Tanner. The design is still undecided.
Athletic Trainer Brad Henderson and Ray Searage watch Ross Ohlendorf and James McDonald in the pen (photo via @BucsInsider).
Maholm wants to stay in Pittsburgh
Paul Maholm is entering his final year of his contract and it’s unlikely the Pirates would exercise his 2012 option of $9.75m (plus up to $1.1 million in incentives).
Maholm has made it clear, he wants to remain in Pittsburgh.
When I spoke to Paul at Piratefest he discussed trade rumors and said he would love to discuss a contract extension.
“I’m here,” Paul Mahom said. “My number one goal is to win. But I also want to be the team that wins here. I think the fans deserve it. I want to be here but I have no control over it. It’s not bothering me, I’m going to prepare. If Neal [Huntington] and them [President Frank Coonelly and Owner Bob Nutting] want to approach to me about staying, I’m all for it. It’s in their hands. I’m here until otherwise.”
Maholm was asked Tuesday at spring training on trade rumors and he once again said he wants to stay in the Steel City.
“I’m coming to the end of my contract, so I’m sure there’s going to be more (rumors). We’ll see. I expect to be here and pitch well. It’s up to those guys (in the front office). I look forward to getting to work with (manager) Clint (Hurdle), Ray (Searage, pitching coach) and all those guys. Hopefully, I’ll have a great year and get to stay around for a while.”
Maholm went 9-15 with a 5.10 ERA during the 2010 season.
Kristy Robinson
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