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The Pirates have Gold Glove third basemen in Ke'Bryan Hayes and Jared Triolo. They've got another candidate in the system in power hitter Jack Brannigan.
RF Craig Monroe is trying to make the Pirates' management's decision very difficult. �He slammed three home runs in today's Grapefruit League game, bringing his spring total to 6, and his RBI total to 9. �If the Pirates want to keep that power bat around, they will need to add him to the 25-man roster by the end of spring training, or else give him his release. �Today, Monroe was responsible for 4 of the Pirates' 6 runs, with solo homers in the 2nd and 3rd innings, and a 2-run homer in the 6th inning. �CF Nate McLouth and C Ryan Doumit joined in the fun in the third inning, as they both hit solo homers for the other two Pirates' runs. �The Pirates also had 5 non-homer hits: �a double by DH Steve Pearce, and singles by CF Andrew McCutchen, 2B Luis Cruz, 1B Adam LaRoche, and LF-RF Jose Tabata. �A few others got into the game also: 3B Neil Walker,�C Steve Lerud, 1B Garrett Jones, LF Jeff Salazar, SS Brian Bixler, and 3B Pedro Alvarez.
Not to be overlooked in the boom-fest: �starting pitcher Virgil Vasquez made his first Grapefruit League start, going 3 scoreless innings and allowing only 2 hits to get the win. �Six other pitchers followed with one inning of work each: Denny Bautista gave up a homer in the 4th inning. �Sean Burnett�had his most difficult inning of the spring, as he gave up 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk in the 8th inning. �Craig Hansen, Tyler Yates, Jesse Chavez, and Chris Bootcheck each pitched a scoreless inning. �Bootcheck earned the save with a perfect inning of work in the 9th, including 2 strikeouts. �
Notes:
Add to the walking wounded:
Shelby Ford -- fell onto his right wrist while playing yesterday, and now it's bruised. �Not sure how long he'll be out.
Andy Phillips -- hurt his back while getting off the bus yesterday, and now it's stiff. �He's not able to swing well, so he's out for ?? a couple of days.
Phil Dumatrait --��his shoulder (post-surgery) is doing fine, but today he has developed some soreness in his left arm, and has been told to shut down for a week or so. �Unlikely he'll be ready to go by Opening Day.
Eric Hinske -- �not an addition-- he's still out with a rib injury, but he's taking dry swings and doing ok with those�
The Pirates' batters were happy campers today, as nearly everyone contributed to the 16-hit, 14-run game, which included 4-run rallies in the 3rd and 8th innings.
