The split-squad Pirates were no match for the split-squad Blue Jays. Toronto won the two games by a combined score of 16-2. The game at LECOM Park was especially ugly as the Blue Jays blasted the Bucs, 11-0, in Bradenton while in Dunedin the Pirates lost, 5-2
Trevor Williams made his first Grapefruit League start after a slew of sim games and was charged with 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 3-plus innings. Williams's main problem was Toronto's DH, Anthony Alford, who hit 2 home runs, but at least he made it to the fourth inning. "I was glad I went out there 4 times, got my 4 'ups'," Williams said, "pitch count was up and at the end I felt like I was getting tired and that's the point of spring training. When you're in your last inning you feel like you're getting tired but it's something to build upon."
Dovydas Neverauskus allowed a hit in the ninth inning but also struck out 3 batters. Outside of a bad inning vs the Yankees last weekend, Neverauskus has 4 scoreless innings.
Offensively, the Pirates managed just 3 hits, all singles, by Kevin Newman, JB Shuck and call-up Bligh Madris.
In Dunedin, Rookie Davis failed to follow his impressive first start when he threw 2 scoreless innings, also against the Blue Jays. But this time, Davis gave up 4 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks in 2 innings. For bad measure, Michael Feliz gave up a home run in the third. That band of Buccos managed just 1 hit in 4 innings against Toronto's top pitcher, Marcus Stroman, until finally breaking through when 20 year old Oneil Cruz, the 6-6 shortstop, hit a home run.
The Pirates will host the Twins Saturday afternoon at 1:05. Clayton Holmes is scheduled to start with the back of the bullpen - Keone Kela and Felipe Vasquez – expected to follow.
Joe Musgrove will pitch a 3 inning simulated game Saturday and will face opposing hitters for the first time coming out of the off day on Thursday against the Phillies
