The Pirates continued to show nary a sign of being anything other than another standard-issue, Nutting/Cherington dumpster fire, getting walloped by the Phillies, 10-4. They’re now 3-9-2 on the spring. Only Miami has fewer wins.
The bullpen had another terrible day. At least this time, half the damage came against veteran NRIs who shouldn’t be competing for anything more than a spot in AAA instead of AA. Caleb Smith and Tyler Chatwood each gave up a pair of longballs. Chase De Jong had the most trouble, getting torched for four runs after relieving J.T. Brubaker in the fourth.
Brubaker looked good through three innings. He started off following the same pattern as his other starts. He threw three sinkers to the leadoff hitter, with the last one getting lined back to the box for a single. Fortunately, the only thing it hit was Brubaker’s glove. After that, he went heavily with sliders and curves, and fanned the next three hitters. Through three, he allowed no runs and fanned six. He started the fourth, though, with a walk and a home run, which brought on De Jong.
The only pitcher not to allow a run was Daniel Zamora, who faced just one batter.
The outfield was set up for job competition, with Miguel Andujar, Travis Swaggerty and Cal Mitchell, right to left. Andujar later switched positions with Connor Joe, who started at first. Swaggerty won the day’s event, going 2-for-3 with a two-run shot, his second home run of the spring. Andujar was 1-for-3. Mitchell came in last, going 0-for-3 with a walk and three strikeouts. Joe was 0-for-4 and you have to wonder whether the acquisition of Mark Mathias hints at Joe maybe not having a place, post-McCutchen. Ryan Vilade, who’s still on the roster, got in late and was around long enough to make an out.
The presumptive starting middle infield of Oneil Cruz and Rodolfo Castro had a good day. Cruz hit the game’s first pitch for his second spring homer, and also had a double. Castro had a single and a double. Ji-Man Choi also had a single and double.
Nick Gonzales and the relentless Drew Maggi came on late and had a single and double, respectively. Gonzales is batting .400 and Maggi .538.
