BRADENTON, Fl (93.7 The Fan) - The Pirates as close to an Opening Day line-up as we've seen this spring, with at least 7 projected starting position players (8 if somehow Ke'Bryan Hayes makes the team) and those players only managed 3 hits and 0 runs as the Pirates lost to the Blue Jays, 3-1 at LECOM Park.
Trevor Williams was reasonably happy with his work as he pitched 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 walks with 2 strikeouts.
Four other relievers - who should all make the team - were lights out. Keone Kela, Nick Burdi, Kyle Crick, and Edgar Santana each pitched another scoreless inning, only Kela allowed a hit. Crick and Santana both had 2 strikeouts; Santana hasn't allowed a baserunner in 5 innings.
While the starters scuffled, it appeared the back-ups would take the lead in the seventh inning. A pair of walks sandwiched around a Kevin Kramer single loaded the bases. With one out, Oneil Cruz launched a missile to straightaway center field and just missed a home run. One run scored easily but as the ball caromed directly to the centerfielder as Kramer, who had been on second, stumbled and Jason Martin running from first base, caught up to him. The Blue Jays executed a perfect relay and Kramer was an easy out at home with Martin right behind him. So, in essence, Cruz doubled into an 8-6-2 double play.
"A weird play," said manager Derek Shelton shaking his head, "First of all, Cruz hit a 2-iron, I don't how the ball didn't get out of the ballpark, I thought it was to knock down the batter's eye. But Martin made a really good read on (the hit) and when Kevin slipped going around third we had 2 guys right on top of each other."
Just your standard 2 guys being thrown out at the plate baseball play. pic.twitter.com/QqL8xcAHuM
— Cut4 (@Cut4) March 9, 2020Newman had 2 of the Pirates 5 hits.
Tuesday, the Bucs make the arduous trip to Lakeland to play the Tigers which is especially rough on those making that trip since Wednesday is an off day and those who stay behind basically get a day-and-a-half off. Derek Holland will make his fourth start and could go 5 innings since he went 4 last time out.
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