Pirates Lose Spring Training Opener, 9-5

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 26, 2011 4:37 PM EST

The Pirates lost 9-5 to the Rays in their first official Spring Training game today. Garrett Atkins had the Pirates' only extra-base hit, a double. Alex Presley reached base in both of his two plate appearances. The starting lineup was what will be the usual group of eight, but with Ryan Doumit as the DH and with Matt Diaz starting in right field (because lefty David Price started).

Charlie Morton pitched two scoreless innings two begin the game, allowing a hit and a walk, and faced the minimum number of batters, thanks to two double plays. Daniel McCutchen allowed three runs to take the loss, and a Josh Fields error in the sixth marked the beginning of a string of unearned runs with Justin Thomas on the hill.

Not much to chew on here, really, but it's nice to see Morton do reasonably well, particularly against the Rays' starters.

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Morton’s performance was the only thing that particularly interested me going into this came. Call me an eternal optimist, but I don’t think it could have gone much better for him. Yeah he could have pitched lights out (unlikely) but I’m encouraged that even though one runner on is hardly a “jam”, he was able to not let things get out of hand. I mean, damn, his LOB% was 53.2% last season.

by ATribeCalledGreg on Feb 26, 2011 5:22 PM EST reply actions

Glad to see Cutch in the 3 spot

Nothing is set in stone but at least Hurdle is giving it a shot.

by primetime99 on Feb 26, 2011 5:33 PM EST reply actions

Nothing to worry about

Dan Cutch and Thomas arent making the team anyways. Atkins has to be the favorite you would think for a bench spot

by GO_BUCS on Feb 26, 2011 5:36 PM EST reply actions

I’d be more impressed with the Atkins hitting if it didn’t come against a community college and an A-ball pitcher. He maybe should be in the mix for a 25-man spot, but not because of a couple hits.

by Adam Reynolds on Feb 26, 2011 9:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

It was actually against the community college’s middle relievers.

You're entitled to your own opinions. You're not entitled to your own facts.

by WTM on Feb 26, 2011 10:00 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, I just think he will turn out to be the better option

by GO_BUCS on Feb 27, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

I want this exact lineup (with or without the DH) to be the norm for this team.

by Suffering Buc on Feb 26, 2011 6:30 PM EST reply actions

Let's see how guys are doing on March 26.

by patthatt on Feb 26, 2011 8:29 PM EST reply actions

McCutchen hitting third doesn't make much sense.

Last year, McCutchen’s OBP was .365 compared to Tabata’s .346 and Walker’s .349. Going forward, I’d expect a similar difference because McCutchen draws more walks then the other two. Getting on base more when leading off is beneficial, in my opinion.

by Adam Reynolds on Feb 26, 2011 9:39 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Tabata batting leadoff does make sense

He’s 22. He can steal like Cutch. The majority of his at bats came post all star, where he outhit Cutch 93-70. That’s .322 vs .285. Cutch has more power, averaging a homer every 35.8 vs Tabata every 96.3. Cutch has a higher slugging percentage. Only 29 of Tabata’s 405 at bats were for extra bases. Cutch does produce more walks but that will change as Tabata excepts his role as leadoff. Cutch will NOT keep walking so much with Alvarez hitting behind him, and if he does so much the better.

by primetime99 on Feb 27, 2011 6:45 AM EST up reply actions

This game doesn't really give us anything to go on as far as Morton is concerned.

Morton walked the first batter on 4 pitches, and then every other batter swung at each pitch he threw. In fact, Rays batters taking pitches were extremely rare throughout. They were just getting their swings in and getting warmed up.

by MarkInDallas on Feb 26, 2011 11:03 PM EST reply actions

I dunno

The Rays had no problem laying off McCutchen’s pitches.

And Morton’s walk was on five pitches, not that that makes any difference.

You're entitled to your own opinions. You're not entitled to your own facts.

by WTM on Feb 27, 2011 12:04 AM EST up reply actions

I'm getting my info on Gameday

which says 4 pitch walk for Morton’s first batter. Maybe there are other mistakes as well.

Gameday is telling me after Morton’s walk, the Rays swung at 25 of the next 26 pitches thrown (the only take being during Moskos’ HR AB). It also says DMac gave up two 4 pitch walks, and everybody else put the ball in play on the first pitch. Against Thomas, only Jennings took any pitches, and he was walked.

So, is all this not correct maybe?

by MarkInDallas on Feb 27, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions