Joe Musgrove was efficient in his first Grapefruit League start and John Ryan Murphy hit the Pirates' first home run of the spring but the beleaguered Buccos are still looking for a win in Florida after losing to a split-squad of Phillies, 6-2, in Bradenton
Musgrove hit Philadelphia's first batter, Roman Quinn, but allowed nothing thereafter, throwing 25 pitches - 18 for strikes - over 2 scoreless innings. "Kind of a small sample size to really get a lot of work done," said Musgrove. "My plan was to go out there and throw all my pitches and iuse my weapons as I would in the season." Musgrove, whose fastball sat mostly and 93 and touched 94, said the only pitch he didn't use was the right-on-right change-up and the only pitch he didn't throw well today was the slider. Manager Derek Shelton termed it "a professional outing."
Micael Feliz, Clay Holmes and Blake Cederlind all followed with scoreless innings; only Feliz allowed a hit and that was a bloop single.
In the 6th, the Phils got to lefthander Miguel Del Pozo, in camp on a minor league contract, for one run on doubles by veterans Scott Kingery and Jean Segura and after Bradenton native Murphy hit his 2-run homer to put the Pirates in front in the bottom of the inning, things got out of hand in the 7th when the unfortunate Williams Jerez was charged with 4 runs before van rider Matt Eckelman could get out of the inning
The Bucs had a scoring chance wiped out in the second inning. Jared Oliva, who should begin the season in AAA, singled with two outs and stole second but when Socrates Brito singled to right field, Oliva was cut down at the plate on a nice throw from Kyle Garlick. Outfield prospect Cal Mitchell, who turns 21 next month, went 2-for-2 off the bench.
Neil Walker was the only one of the multitude of ex-Pirates on the Phillies who made the trip and he went 0-for-3 with two ground balls and a strikeout.
The Pirates are home again tomorow afternoon when the Boston Red Sox come to LECOM Park. Mitch Keller is scheduled to start with James Marvel, Richard Rodrgiuez, and Nick Burdi among those also expcted to pitch. Tomorrow's game will be broadcast on Newsrario 1020, KDKA.