Iron Pigs 3, Indians 0 The Indians' pitching staff threw 7 solid shut-out innings, but the Iron Pigs rallied for 3 runs in the 8th to take the win. An RBI double, an Indians' error, and a sacrifice fly brought in Lehigh Valley's runs. Starter Jeff Karstens pitched 4 scoreless innings, scattering 2 hits, no walks, and struck out 4. Tony Watson followed with 2 scoreless innings, and Ramon Aguero pitched one scoreless frame. The Tribe posted 5 hits over the first 4 innings, but could not push a run across. Three Iron Pigs relievers finished the game, and allowed just one hit among the three of them.
The Pirates had the day off today, and the Indians have the day off on Wednesday.
The Pirates have released pitcher Fernando Nieve. Nieve had just been reassigned from the big league camp to the minor league camp just yesterday.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have given Fernando Nieve his unconditional release, according to a team press release. Nieve was just cut from Spring Training yesterday,...
Today, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com released his top 10 prospects for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The list doesn't come with many surprises:
1. Jameson Taillon
2. Stetson...
The Indianapolis Indians ended their 4-game spring training winning streak with a loss today to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Pirates' Ronny Cedeno came to minor league camp to DH in the game and posted 3 hits for the Tribe. OF Andrew Lambo singled and tripled for the Indians, and his triple in the 4th inning brought in one run. The score was tied at 4-4 going into the top of the 9th, with reliever Tom Boleska on the mound for the Indians. He gave up 3 hits, including an RBI single by former Pirate Brandon Moss, plus a sacrifice fly, to give the Iron Pigs a 6-4 lead. The Indians got within one run when INF Jim Negrych got on and was brought across the plate by INF Josh Harrison's RBI single. Lambo's single loaded the bases with one out. But a double play ended the inning and the game with the Indians unable to catch up.
Twins 4, Pirates 1
Newest Pirate LHP Garrett Olson made his debut with his new team this afternoon, as the Pirates lost to the Twins in Bradenton. Olson came on in relief to pitch the 8th inning, and retired the side in order with a pop out, a fly out, and a ground out. Paul Maholm made the start for the Pirates. He pitched 6 innings and gave up 9 hits and 2 walks, but allowed only 2 runs. With two outs in the 3rd, Maholm gave up a single, then made a throwing error on a pick-off attempt, which put the runner into scoring position. A single by C Joe Mauer brought in the run. The second run scored in the 5th, when a double, a single, and a walk loaded the bases. A grounder to short started a double play, but the runner from third still scored. Jose Veras pitched a scoreless 7th inning for the Indians, allowing just a double. Anthony Claggett took the 9th, and he gave up the remaining two Twins' runs. A walk and a single put runners on the corners, then a ground out plated the first run. A fielding error by SS Pedro Ciriaco allowed the runner from second base to come around and score. The Pirates' only run scored in the 2nd inning, and was unearned. A fielding error on a force attempt gave the Pirates runners on first and second. C Jason Jaramillo lined a single into center field for the RBI, as RF Matt Diaz scored from second base. The Pirates had just 6 hits in the game, including one by LF Steve Pearce. That gives Pearce 9 hits over his last 9 games (9-for-19, .474), and a .308 average overall. LF John Bowker and C Dusty Brown also singled. CF Corey Wimberly, 2B Shelby Ford, 1B Josh Fields, pinch-hitter Starling Marte, and 3B Andy Marte all got into the game.
The reassignments were not as sweeping as some had thought they'd be, but the Pirates did make three roster moves this morning:
Garrett Atkins was given an unconditional release. He had signed with the Pirates as a minor league free agent over the off-season, and had been in competition for the back-up corner infielder spot. But Atkins was not able to get his bat going this spring. In 17 Grapefruit League games, he was just 4-for-31 at the plate (.129) with 11 strikeouts.
LHP Justin Thomas and RHP Fernando Nieve were reassigned to minor league camp. They were both signed as minor league free agents over the winter, and were long shots to make the big club's bullpen. Thomas has pitched 4.1 innings this spring in 5 games, and allowed one earned run on 8 hits, for a 2.08 ERA. He's walked 4 and struck out 4. Nieve has also pitched in 5 Grapefruit League games this spring, and has earned a 1-1 record and 2 saves. In 7.1 innings, he's given up 17 hits and 2 walks, for 8 runs, and he's also struck out 8 batters. Both Thomas and Nieve should be assigned to Indianapolis.
