The Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Toronto Blue Jays today by a score of 3-2. They got a good start from AJ Schugel but the offense just couldnt get anything going in the loss.
The Pittsburgh Pirates traveled to Dudein, Florida today to take on the Toronoto Blue Jays in a spring training match-up. It did not go well for the Pirates as they fell to the Blue Jays 3-2. The offense could not get anything going today besides good games from Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte. Pitching did well today only giving up three runs and eight hits in eight innings of work.
Due to yesterday's rain out, AJ Schugel got the nod for today's game. Schugel performed pretty well throwing 2.0 innings giving up two runs on two hits while striking out a batter. Schugel gave up both runs on one hefty blow as Troy Tulowitski took him deep in the first inning. Other than that he pitched pretty well giving up only one other hit on the afternoon.
Schugel was claimed off waivers by the Pirates this off-season from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Last season, Schugel pitched at Triple A and went 2-7 with a 10.18 ERA in nine innings pitched. Schugel will more than likely start the year at Triple A Indianapolis, and will be called up for bullpen help as the season progresses. While not a top prospect, Schugel is a serviceable option if needed at the major league level.
Up next was Arquimedes Caminero who threw 2.0 perfect innings for the Bucs striking out one batter. Caminero has been plagued by inconsistency this spring and must work on improving that before the season starts. He is a definite lock for the bullpen and will be called on in some high leverage situations for the Pirates this season.
Last time out against Baltimore, Caminero threw 1.1 innings giving up four runs on five hits while striking out two batters. So, we have seen both the good and the bad this spring from Caminero and at the end of the day if Caminero can show the good side more than the bad side the Pirates will be in good shape on 2016. I can see Caminero possibly closing for the Pirates one day if he can regain some consistency this season.
Cory Luebke came in next in his second outing of the spring. Luebke threw 1.0 inning giving up two hits and one run while striking out one. Luebke is coming back from injury and has not pitched in the big leagues since 2012 when he went 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in five games pitched. Luebke has a chance to regain his career with Pittsburgh and is likely to start the year in Triple A Indianapolis.
Rob Scahill continued his fight for a bullpen spot next throwing 1.0 inning giving up no runs and retiring the side 1-2-3. Scahill had some success early in the season with the Pirates last year, but faded out at the end of the year going 2-4 with a 2.64 ERA in 28 games pitched, Scahill is an intriguing option for the Pirates as he has shown success in the past, and would fit nicely in the Pirates bullpen.
The game was finished out by a pair of non-roster invitees as Curtis Partch and Guido Knudson finished things off. each pitcher threw 1.0 innings of work and gave up two hits. Partch struck out one while Knudson got out of a jam. Both Partch and Knudson will look to develop in the minors this season for the Pirates.
Overall, pitching did very well for the Pirates today. The home run ball has been a problem for the Pirates this spring training and again effected them today. This is one thing the Pirates pitchers need to work on. The more the ball stays in the ball park, the better chance the Pirates have of pulling out a victory.
Offensively, besides the first inning, the Pirates couldnt get anything going today. The Pirates scored two runs in the first inning on an Andrew McCutchen two-run home run, but other than that ntohing else happened. As in the past, they scored early off of starter Marco Estrada, but were shut down by the Blue Jays bullpen.
Starling Marte had the best offensive day for the Pirates going 3 for 4 with three singles on the day. Marte is having a very successful spring training to this point hitting .440 with one home run and four RBI. Marte had a breakout season offensively for the Pirates last season. He set a career high in home runs, RBI, and hits in a season.
He also got rewarded for his defense as he won the Gold Glove and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards last season. Marte is only looking to improve in 2016 and will help the Pirates this season. Marte is a main stay in left field for the Bucs and will be called upon to be a big run producer in 2016. Marte's strike outs are something he needs to work on in 2016, but he has a shot to be a star for the Pirates this season.
McCutchen also had a pretty successful day going 1 for 3 with the big two-run home run in inning number one. McCutchen is also having a good spring hitting .280 with four home runs and seven RBI. McCutchen has been named to four straight all-star games and has been in the running for the MVP for the last several seasons. McCutchen is the face of this Pirates franchise and will be another big factor in 2016.
Although it does not look good on the score card, first baseman John Jaso also had a good day going 0 for 1 with three walks on the afternoon, and one run scored. Jaso has been batting in the leadoff spot for the Pirates this spring and is hitting a moderate .278. Jaso will be the everyday first baseman for the Pirates and will look to be a run producer for the Pirates.
McCutchen lead the scoring today offensively, and in the end it wasnt enough to lead the Pirates to victory. Another positive note from the game is that minor leaguer Jose Osuna got his first at bat of major league camp and hit a single. The Pirates offense has shown signs of life this spring, but in the end it just was not enough today. As the regular season draws closer the lineup will improve and start producing more runs as the season progresses.
The Pirates have two games tomorrow as they will have their first split squad action of the season. The first game will take place at McKechnie Field as the Pirates take on the Atlanta Braves. It will be Jhoulys Chacin for the Braves against Pirates Opening Day starter Francisco Liriano. The second game will be played at Centruy Link Sports Complex where the Pirates will take on the Minnesota Twins. The Twins will be throwing out Kyle Gibson and the Pirates will have Juan Nicasio on the mound, who is looking to build upon his great spring training. Both games are scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m.
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