Three Pittsburgh Pirates players were in the starting lineup on Thursday in the Arizona Fall League, starting with Elias Diaz behind the plate and batting third. Josh Bell was the designated hitter again and he batted fifth for the third straight game. Dan Gamache moved from third base to second base and he batted ninth. Scottsdale got blown out in the game, losing 11-2 to Peoria, dropping them to 1-2 on the season.
Diaz walked in his first plate appearance, then grounded out to shortstop to end the third inning. In the sixth inning, Diaz went down swinging, as did the first two Scottsdale batters in the inning. He also struck out swinging in the eighth inning, finishing with an 0-for-3 day. On defense, Diaz made a throwing error on a stolen base from Francisco Lindor.
Bell came into the game with a .167 average, going 1-for-6 with a single in the first two games. He reached on an error to lead off the second inning. Bell then picked up his first stolen base, but he was left stranded at second base. In his second at-bat, he grounded into a double play. In the seventh, Bell struck out looking in an at-bat that included all off-speed pitches. He walked in the ninth inning, ending his day by going 0-for-3 with a walk and steal.
Gamache lined out to second base in his first at-bat, then flew out to left field to end the fifth inning. In the eighth inning, Gamache hit a solo homer for Scottsdale’s second run. He was on deck when the game ended. He is 2-f0r-6 in his two games.
