The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 6-5 yesterday. They were lead by home runs from Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco. Jeff Locke threw 5.0 innings in the start
The Pittsburgh Pirates took on the Baltimore Orioles yesterday and emerged victorious winning 6-5. The home run ball was a major factor as the Pirates hit three on the day in the one point victory. The battle for the fifth spot continued as Jeff Locke took the mound for the Pirates in hopes of gaining the trust of manager Clint Hurdle.
Locke had an ok outing throwing 5.0 innings giving up three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out three. Locke has struggled for the majority of spring training with only a few good starts here and there. He is in a contest with Ryan Vogelsong and Juan Nicasio for the last two spots in the Pirates rotation.
Locke currently has a 6.63 ERA over the spring giving up 14 earned runs in 19.0 innings pitched. Overall, his outings this spring have not been that good. In his five spring outings he has given up four, zero, two, five, and three runs. His shut out against the Phillies and his two-run game were his best outing of the spring. When Locke gives up a lot of hits, it causes trouble for him. In the two good games this spring he has given up two hits a piece. In the games in which he gave up three runs or more he has given up four plus hits.
Looking at the current field for the fifth starter spot, Locke's chances look to be dwindling. Nicasio has yet to give up a run this spring and Vogelsong has a 4.00 ERA in 9.0 innings pitched. As the field stands right now, it looks like Locke is the odd man out. His performance has not been up to par and it has effected his status in spring training.
The back-end of the bullpen was up next as Mark Melancon and Tony Watson each threw a scoreless inning of work. Melancon gave up no hits and struck out one while Watson gave up one hit and struck out two. Both pitchers were efficient and got the necessary work in for the game. They are both very reliable pitchers and will help the Pirates succeed this season.
The Pirates bullpen is something I am very high on this year. Along with Melancon and Watson at the back-end, you also add Neftali Feliz who has closer experience. This essentially gives the Pirates three closers at the end of the game. If the starting pitchers can do enough to keep the team in ballgames and the offense can score just enough runs, the game could be over by inning number seven with these three pitching in the later part of games.
Having these three also gives the Pirates some flexibility at the closer position. If Melancon has pitched too many days in a row, you can always turn to Watson or Feliz and have a very capable pitcher closing out games. While this might take away from Melancon's save numbers, it will save the Pirates in the long-run because Melancon will be well rested and more effective on the mound.
Up next, it was Cory Luebke in his third spring training appearance since coming back from, elbow surgery. He struggled today throwing 1.2 innings giving up two runs on two hits while striking out two batters. Luebke has given up three earned runs in 3.2 innings of work this spring. He is trying to revitalize his career with Pittsburgh after not pitching in the league since the 2012 season.
Once regarded as a top prospect in the Padres minor league system, Luebke has had some success at the major league level. In his career he is 4-3 with a 5.16 ERA and 53 strikeouts. Luebke is a strike out pitcher and has used that to his advantage in past seasons. He will more than likely start the 2016 season with Triple A Indianapolis to finish rehabbing his elbow. After that we could see him as a spot starter during the regular season for Pittsburgh.
Rob Scahill got the final out for the Pirates as he threw 0.1 innings giving up one hit and getting Drew Dosch to ground out to Josh Harrison to end the game. Scahill is also competing for a spot in the middle of the Pirates bullpen after pitching their last season.
Overall, I was impressed with the Pirates pitching this afternoon. Locke struggled on the mound again, but the bullpen came through for the Pirates and held the Orioles at bay. A positive from yesterday's game is that the home run ball was a non-factor. That has been troubling the Pirates for the entirety of spring training. It was nice to see the ball stay in the ball park tonight.
On the offensive side, the Pirates were lead by three home runs from Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco. The starters played most of the day for the Pirates and as spring training is winding down that's a good thing to see. For a small ball type team, the power really shined through and it was just enough for the Pirates to take this one.
The offensive star in this game was Gregory Polanco as he went 2 for 4 with a home run, an RBI, and a run scored. Polanco has struggled at time during spring training as he is currently hitting just .237 with one home run and one RBI. Polanco had an up and down season last year as well and he cannot let that effect him in 2016.
Polanco is a key player for the Pirates this season. Last year he hit .256 with nine home runs and 52 RBI. If Polanco is able to break out this season, the Pirates could have one of the best outfields in all of major league baseball. Polanco has struggled against left handed pitching throughout his career and that is something he needs to work on in 2016. The Pirates do have a back up option in Michael Morse if Polanco continues to struggle. However, this season will be a big one in determining what the Pirates should do in terms of long term action with Polanco.
Francisco Cirvelli shined today as well also going 2 for 4 with an RBI. Currently hitting .280 on the spring, Cirvelli is looking for another big year behind the plate for the Pirates. He will be key to keeping the pitching staff on track and keeping the Pirates in ball games. Cirvelli has proved to be the heart and sole of this team in the past and needs to continue that here in 2016.
New comer David Freese also had a good day going 1 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored on the afternoon. The second half to the Pirates first base platoon, Freese is looking for a good year with Pittsburgh. He had success against the Pirates while playing for the Cardinals and is looking to transfer that success to Pittsburgh. In the beginning of the season he will be used at third base until Jung Ho Kang returns from injury.
Today the Pirates travel to Ed Smith Stadium to take on the Baltimore Orioles again. The Orioles will be sending right hander Trevor Wilson (0-0 2.89) to the mound. The Pirates will counter with Jon Niese (0-2 14.40) making his third appearance of the spring. First pitch for today's game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
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