Reality Creeps In; Bucs Suffer First Spring Loss

The Pirates lost their first game of the Spring today, 5-2 against the Atlanta Braves. The pitching was poor and the offense was almost non-existent. Jason Davis, Zach Duke and Daniel McCutchen all struggled in their respective one inning appearances. Tom Gorzelanny, however, pitched fairly well, save back-to-back walks to start the second. He allowed just those two walks, with no runs or hits, in two innings of work. And Donnie Veal threw a perfect seventh, with a strikeout. The Pirate's offense managed just six hits, though Pedro Alvarez, in his first professional start, singled and walked in four plate appearances and Neil Walker added a double and an RBI. The Bucs take on the Astros on Saturday.

Eric Hinske missed Friday's game due to a left ribcage bruise. He could miss up to a week, though the injury is not considered to be serious. Alvarez got the start in his place.

8 days until the Pirates are the featured team on MLB Network's 30 Clubs in 30 Days series. I've been watching bits and pieces of some episodes on other teams and these shows are much more casual than I expected. It's mostly one of the Matt Vasgersian types chatting with a couple of the lesser MLB talking heads and John Hart, former GM and currently advisor for the Texas Rangers, interspersed with some Spring workout footage and a couple interviews. Now I know the Pirates are no marquee team, and I'm sure the MLB Network is not about to go out of its way to make sure their best and brightest are on hand for the Pirates episode, but I really hope we don't get Dan Pleasac or Sean Casey or Mitch Williams for our show. I don't think Pleasac takes it very seriously, Casey seems too awkward and Williams, well, I just don't think he's that bright. I'm crossing my fingers that we luck out and up with Harold Reynolds and Al Leiter. Or maybe I've just put too much thought into this. Hmm.