Notes: Francisco Liriano strong in spring debut

Here's a bit of catch-up on Spring Training games since our last update on Wednesday. As usual, I won't write up spring games with the same level of attention I would a regular-season game, but it's useful to check in, especially on players who could conceivably compete for spots. The last few days featured a couple rough performances by a couple players who could receive consideration for bullpen roles.

-P- Today, the Pirates and Twins tied 2-2 -- a score you obviously aren't going to see during the regular season. Gregory Polanco went 3-for-3 and John Jaso 2-for-2. Starling Marte hit a triple. Francisco Liriano pitched two perfect innings in his start, whiffing four batters total after striking out the side in the first. Unsurprisingly, he looked good, too -- you can watch the highlights here. The Bucs stole two bases, but also got caught stealing three times.

-P- Yesterday, the Bucs lost to the Blue Jays 10-8. Jon Niese allowed three runs, and John Holdzkom and Guido Knudson allowed three apiece. Holdzkom allowed a homer, a double, a walk, an HBP and a single in his first six batters and couldn't complete his inning. Ryan Vogelsong pitched two scoreless frames. The Pirates offense managed 11 hits and six walks, with Harold Ramirez going 2-for-2 with a double.

-P- On Wednesday, the Pirates fell to the Tigers, 10-3. Jeff Locke allowed four runs over two innings. Eric O'Flaherty, a lefty and a potential contender for the last bullpen spot, allowed five in the eighth inning, although that was partially due to a costly Gift Ngoepe error. Former Bucs prospect JaCoby Jones, who went to Detroit in the Joakim Soria deal, completed the Tigers' big inning with a two-run homer off O'Flaherty.