Phil Irwin struggles against Yankees

Hey, it's only spring training (TM)! Phil Irwin's start against the Yankees didn't work out so well, with New York racking up six runs in 2.1 innings against him. That included a homer and a double by Kevin Youkilis. Irwin also had two runs charged to him when he gave up two straight walks to start the third, and Mike Zagurski gave up a homer to Melky Mesa three batters later. Not that it means a whole lot, but it's a shame -- it would have been fun to see the Phil Irwin bandwagon get a little more crowded.

The Yankees' offense finally slowed down a bit when Jeff Locke entered in the fifth, but the damage had been done. At least the Pirates' offense came alive in the meantime, though. The Pirates scored three in the fourth and four in the ninth. Clint Barmes homered, and Pedro Alvarez doubled twice, helping the Bucs reduce the Yankees' margin of victory to a respectable 11-9. And, hey, bonus -- the Pirates were playing one of the Yankees, Red Sox or Phillies, so our photo database finally got updated, even if all the pictures from the game are of players wearing green hats.