Weekend Grapefruit League recaps

Here's what's been happening for the Pirates in Grapefruit League action so far.

I'm right in the middle of midterms, so I apologize for lack of updates.

Friday, February 25, 2011 - Manatees 1, Pirates 21
Determined not to lose to the small Bradenton-based community college as they did two years ago, the Pirates dominated the Sea Cows. Steve Pearce was the player of the game, going 2 for 2, scoring 3 runs and 4 RBIs. Brian Friday and Garrett Atkins had home runs. Tyler Yates was the only Bucco pitcher to allow a run and the only pitcher for the Pirates to allow more than 1 hit. Aaron Thompson got the Win.

Saturday, February 26, 2011 - Pirates 5, Rays 9
After the previous day's drubbing of the Manatees, the Pirates came back down to earth, scoring 5 runs but giving up nearly twice that. Scoring was spread even among the Bucs, with no one have more than 1 hit, 1 run, or 1 RBI. Charlie Morton was solid in 2 IP, with 1 hit, 1 walk, and no runs allowed. Justin Thomas allowed 4 runs in 0.2 IP and basically iced the game away for the Pirates.

Sunday, February 27, 2011 - Rays 3, Pirates 10
Back at home in McKechnie Field, the Pirates turned it around against the Rays to even their Grapfruit League record to 1-1. Kevin Correia was shaky at the start, allowing 2 runs, 2 hits and 2 walks in just 1.1 innings, but the rest of the Bucco pitching corps got the job done, allowing only 1 more run all game (Chris Leroux). On the other side, it was the Andrew McCutchen show. The speedy center fielder went 3 for 3, scored 3 runs, 2 RBIs, a double, a home run, and stole a base. Garrett Jones also had a nice day going 3 for 3, and Jason Jaramillo also homered.

Up next, the Pirates complete the 3-game series with the Rays on the road in Port Charlotte and a split squad in McKechnie to take on Baltimore.