BRADENTON (93.7 The Fan) - The Pirates dormant Grapefruit League ofense finally woke up in a big way, with 13 runs on 15 hits, including 3 home runs, while Joe Musgrove completed 3 satisfying innings as the Bucs beat up on the Blue Jays, 13-9, at LECOM Park.
Adam Frazier, Cole Tucker and minor league catcher Chrtian Kelley all had 2 hits, Colin Moran and Josh Bell both had 2-run doubles as the Pirates scored 4 runs in the first inning and 3 more in the second.
They added 4 more runs in the 7th inning when Gregory Polanco, van rider extraordinaire Lolo Sanchez and rising prospect Oniel Cruz all homered off Pitt product TJ Zeuch.
Kelley provided the final 2 runs (which almost proved necessary) with an eighth inning double.
"It was really good," said manager Derek Shelton, "We had some good at-bats by our core group of guys, had some aggressives swings, ran the bases well, a couple balls went over the fence so very happy with how that looked today."
Shelton also happy with Musgrove who breezed through the first 2 innings before allowing a one-out triple to Anthony Alford in the third then Bo Bichette caught a high fastball and drilled it over the wall in right centerfield.
After a walk to Cavan Biggio, Musgrove got Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. to ground into a double play to end what he felt was a successful afternoon.
The Bucs conclude the first "third" of games when they play the Jays again Monday, this time at Dunedin. Mitch Keller is scheduled to make his third start, with Cody Ponce and Blake Cederlind among those expected to follow. You can catch the game on Newsradio 1020 KDKA at 1:00.
Tuesday in a much-anticipated off day.
