Split Squad Split: BUCS WIN/LOSE

Orioles 6, Pirates 4
Pedro went 2 for 3 and Lyle Overbay and Miles "Bull" Durham both had homers, but some some bad pitching by Maholm and especially Justin Wilson (0.2 IP, 1 hit, 3 ER, 3 walks) kept this one out of reach.Durham's homer came in the bottom of the 9th to cut the deficit to 2, but the rally was cut short as Ryan Doumit struck out to end the game. Maholm got the Loss for the Bucs.

Pirates 6, Rays 5
Meanwhile, in Port Charlotte, the rubber match between the Rays and the Bucs was a close one. Despite being outhit by the Rays 10-6, 2 runs off the Rays' 3 errors paved the way to a Bucco victory. No one had more than 1 hit or run scored, but Garrett Atkins drove in 3 after his second homer of the Spring. Fernando Nieve looked shaky, allowing 3 runs, but the rest of the pitching staff was solid, allowing no more than 1 run apiece. Rudy Owens got the Win, as well as a Blown Save. Sean Gallagher got the Save in the 9th.

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.

Morning Links, 2/22/11

• Bob Nutting wants accountability. [Trib/Rob Biertempfel]
• Pedro has neck spasms... hopefully temporary (Day-to-Day for now). [Post-Gazette/Colin Dunlap]
• The players have faith in CH13. [Observer-Reporter/AP]
• Dick Groat got inducted in the College Baseball Hall of Fame. [ESPN/AP]
• Scott Olsen is progressing in his recovery. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• Andrew Lambo's progress. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• Colin Dunlap talks to KDKA about Spring Training. [CBS Pittsburgh]
• Neil Walker will learn from Maz. [Weirton Daily Times/Paul Ladewski]
• Nutting says he will open the pocketbook up. [Trib/Rob Biertempfel]
• Ryan Dempster will get the start for the Cubs on Opening Day. [Post-Gazette/AP]
• Corey Wimberly using speed to try to make the team. [Post-Gazette/Colin Dunlap]

Morning Links (Weekend Edition), 2/21/11

• Kevin Hart's hard work. [Herald-Star/Paul Ladewski]
• CH13 and Bucco history. [MLB.com/Marty Noble]
• Scott Olsen's hamstring strain, the Bucs' young pitchers, Joe Beimel's high jersey number. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• Ronny Cedeno focuses on consistency. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• Jose Ascanio. [Trib/Rob Biertempfel]
• Coonelly is evaluating Huntington. [Trib/Rob Biertempfel]
• Tyler Yates may be close to a spot in the pen. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• The "eager" Pirates. [Yahoo! Sports/AP]
• CH13: "This is the year", no new deal for Huntington, Maz arrives at camp. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• Pirates' Roster Report. [CBS Sports]
• John Russell has no regrets. [Trib/Rob Biertempfel]
• Anthony Rendon's evaluation. [Post-Gazette/Dejan Kovacevic]
• Pirates Notes and Quotes. [CBS Sports]
• Steve Pearce wants to make the roster. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• Jeff Karsten's role with the Bucs, baserunning plans. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• CH13's influence. [Trib/Rob Biertempfel]
• Joe Beimel has matured. [Post-Gazette/Colin Dunlap]

Morning Links, 2/18/11

• Cutch's base-stealing techniques, Scott Olsen has a tight hamstring, Pirate pitchers and "slug" bunting, Fields for Kids comes to Bradenton, other notes. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• Ross Ohlendorf and Ray Searage. [Bradenton.com/Alan Dell]
• Will Cutch bat 3rd? [Trib Blogs/Rob Biertempfel]
• Maholm's thoughts on Spring Training so far. [CBS Pittsburgh]
• Brad Lincoln wants to be in Pittsburgh after camp. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• Spring Training Day 4. [By Gosh It's Langosch]
• "Big-boned" Pedro. [Trib/Rob Biertempfel]
• Sean Casey is building a new Miracle Field. [Post-Gazette/Colin Dunlop]
• Paul Maholm wants redemption. [Post-Gazette/Tim Povtak]
• A Pirates fan is suing the Atlanta Braves. [ABC27/AP]

Morning Links, 2/17/11

I'm going to try to make this a regular feature.

• CH13 on why Hanrahan was named closer. [By Gosh, It's Langosch]
• Newcastle remembers Chuck Tanner. [Yahoo! Sports/Kevin Kaduk]
• Notes on the bullpen, why CH13 won't name the Opening Day starter just yet, Matt Diaz's playground, other notes. [MLB.com/Jenifer Langosch]
• John Perrotto compares Clint Hurdle to Chuck Tanner. [USA Today]
• Former Pirate Jose Bautista has signed a new 5-year/$65 M deal. [New York Times/AP]
• The Pirates will wear a patch to honor Chuck Tanner. [Rob Biertempfel]

Joel Hanrahan Named Closer

Reports are coming in that Joel Hanrahan has been named as the Pirates closer for 2011. It was down to him and Evan Meek, and CH13 decided to go with Hanrahan. Personally, I feel that Meek's numbers last year were a bit fluky, but he still would have made a good closer. Either one would have worked well for the Pirates though, so I don't have a problem with this decision. Apparently, some TBD Slipknot song will be his entrance music.

RIP Chuck Tanner

One of the greatest men to ever manage the Pittsburgh Pirates was lost on Friday. Chuck Tanner, the man behind the Fam-a-lee, passed away after battling a long illness in New Castle, PA.

 He amassed a record of 1352-1381 over his 18-year career as a manager. He will most be remembered in Pirateland, however, for his tenure as the Pirates' skipper from 1977-1985, leading them to their most recent World Series victory in 1979, as well as being a senior advisor to Huntington from 2007 until his death.

 He will be deeply missed.