Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

**KHarmo88** · 03-20-2013, 05:57 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

by Tracy Ringolsby

Walker Has Unique Perspective on Bucs' Drought

PITTSBURGH -- Neil Walker understands the plight of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He has lived it.

More than being the second baseman for the Pirates, he's a Pittsburgh native. He grew up a Bucs fan.

Walker was 7 years old on Oct. 14, 1992, when Atlanta rallied in the bottom of the ninth in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series on a two-out, two-run Francisco Cabrera pinch-hit single, with Sid Bream sliding into home ahead of a Barry Bonds throw to the plate to cap a 3-2 Braves win over the Pirates.

"I was so upset after that game," Walker said. "So close, and then ... "

Little did Walker, or anybody else, realize what was ahead for the Pirates, a team which won three consecutive NL East titles from 1990-92, but never advanced to the World Series. Pittsburgh hasn't posted a winning record, much less won a division title, since.

The 20 consecutive losing seasons is the longest streak in the history of North American professional team sports. And Walker has been an active part of each of the last four. He made his big league debut in September 2009, and he has been the Pirates' starting second baseman the last three years

And Walker wants to be part of the Pittsburgh team that starts the upward trend for the Pirates to regain that status.

The franchise played its first NL game on April 30, 1887, and is one of the oldest clubs in professional baseball. Forty Hall of Famers have had ties to the team. And despite the struggles of the past 20 years, the Bucs' all-time winning percentage is .503. Pittsburgh has won five World Series championships.

The Pirates, however, have not been to the postseason since 1992, the longest drought in the NL and second longest in the big leagues. Kansas City hasn't played a playoff game since '85.

Pittsburgh lost 105 games during Walker's rookie season in 2010, the third most in franchise history, and is a combined 208-278 in his three full years in the big leagues.

The Bucs' first-round Draft choice and the 11th player taken overall in 2004, Walker's ties to the team run deeper than his playing career.

"Three Rivers [Stadium] was my second home," Walker said of the Pirates' home prior to the opening of PNC Park in 2001. "My dad is a member of the Pirate alumni."

Tom Walker was a right-handed pitcher who played in the big leagues from 1972-77 with Montreal, Detroit, St. Louis and the California Angels. He finished his career in '78 with Pittsburgh's Triple-A team, and early in his career, played winter ball in Puerto Rico with Bucs legend Roberto Clemente, who talked him out of accompanying Clemente on that fatal flight of mercy on Dec. 31, 1972.

"I'm aware," Neil Walker said of the Pirates' storied history that has been overshadowed by two decades of failure. "I know about Clemente, Willie Stargell and 'Maz.'"

"Maz," as Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski is known, worked with Walker on making the transition to second base. Signed as a catcher, Walker didn't move to the infield until his fourth year in pro ball.

"Regardless of what has happened the last 20 years, the Pirates are one of the best organizations in the history of baseball," Walker said.

And while outsiders talk about the late-season fades the Pirates have suffered in the past two years, Walker sees them as providing promise for the future. The Bucs were in first place as late as July 25, 2011, but won only 19 of their final 62 games, slipping below .500 for good at 54-55 on Aug. 3 that season. A year ago, Pittsburgh led the NL Central as late as July 18, was a season-best 16 games above .500 on Aug, 8, but lost 36 of its final 52 games

What frustrated Walker is the Pirates lost 24 of the final 35 games. He started only six of those games because of a lower back problem that was the focus of his offseason workouts.

"This game can throw you curves," Walker said.

Pittsburgh, however, continued to rework its roster, looking to add depth. In addition to the July 24 acquisition of lefty Wandy Rodriguez from Houston last season, the offseason additions included left-handed starting pitcher Francisco Liriano, right-handed reliever Mark Melancon and catcher Russell Martin.

Now. ...

"The last two years have not ended the way we want," said Walker. "We played a lot of good baseball, but did not get done what we needed to get done.

"Our motto this year is, 'Finish every pitch. Finish every at-bat. Finish every inning.'"

And if it all goes the way Walker hopes, the Pirates will finish the two decades of failure.

**KHarmo88** · 03-20-2013, 06:09 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

d'Arnaud Has Thumb Surgery, Placed on 60-Day DL

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Chase d'Arnaud, who appeared on track to make the Pirates' Opening Day roster, had surgery to repair a partially torn ligament in his left thumb on Monday at the Cleveland Clinic. He is expected to be out 5-8 weeks.

"I kind of knew when I went [to the clinic] that I was going to have the surgery. It really [stinks]. I worked hard this offseason, so the timing of this is really annoying," d'Arnaud told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Tribune-Review.

d'Arnaud suffered the injury during a baserunning drill last Saturday. At first, it was believed he wasn't seriously injured. However, an MRI later revealed the tear. He'll be re-evaluated on April 1.

General manager Neal Huntington said losing d'Arnaud helped trigger Wednesday's trade that brought infielder John McDonald from Arizona.

"Jordy Mercer has done everything we could have asked him to do here in Spring Training, and now he'll shift the competition focus to make the club as an extra guy, corner utility guy," Huntington said of the player on the 40-man roster who was expected to fill d'Arnaud's role. "Yeah, without the injury to Chase we're probably not as motivated to make this type of move. But with the injury to Chase, and as shallow as the shortstop position is in the industry and for us at the upper levels of the organization -- we have some young guys we're excited about in the future -- but shortstop is a position where you have to take care of the baseball."

The 26-year-old d'Arnaud made his Major League debut in 2011 and was a September callup last season. In seven Grapefruit League games this spring, he was hitting .214.

**TomahawkChop** · 03-20-2013, 06:16 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

Looks good. I am doing the same thing as you, waiting for OSFM rosters, but doing spring training and using results until then. I absolutely love that stadium, it's the best I've ever been to (and I've been to 14 of the current stadiums). Should be fun to play 81+ games there.

**KHarmo88** · 03-20-2013, 06:20 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

I like having things as realistic as possible to an extent. I'm not going to do 30 team control and make everything like the MLB after the season starts that'd be crazy hah! But I like keeping things on track until Opening Day and OSFM.

PNC is amazing. I've actually only been to PNC and well Three Rivers. I had season tickets last year and it never got old. The atmosphere, food, people are just great!

**KHarmo88** · 03-20-2013, 07:05 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

McCutchen's Second Home Run of Spring Not Enough as Braves Drub Pirates 18-9

Pittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves
Mar 20, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh (10-14)	0	1	4	0	1	0	3	0	0	9	16	3
Atlanta (15-11)	5	2	0	1	6	1	3	0	X	18	21	2
W: Minor (2-0, 5.50) L: McPherson (0-2, 8.31)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Freddie Freeman and Andrelton Simmons each hit a pair of home runs, and the Braves' potent offense once again erupted in Wednesday afternoon's 18-9 win over the Pirates at Champion Stadium.

The Braves, who hit five home runs, scored 17 runs in their last game, a win over the Phillies on Monday.

Freeman highlighted his 4-for-4 performance with a pair of two-run shots. Simmons hit a three-run blast, a solo shot and doubled in his first Grapefruit League game since leaving for the World Baseball Classic on Feb. 23.

Freeman finished a triple shy of the cycle and leads the Grapefruit League with seven home runs. The Braves first baseman hit an opposite-field home run off the left-center field scoreboard in the second inning and then capped his productive afternoon by sending a Vin Mazzaro pitch over the right-field wall in the fifth.

Simmons, who helped the Netherlands reach the Classic semifinals, drilled a solo home run off Pirates starter Kyle McPherson in the fourth, and his three-run shot came off Mazzaro in the fifth. The Braves shortstop started a five-run first inning with a double off the center-field wall.

Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor capped the scoring in the first with an RBI double, but experienced his shakiest outing of the spring. He allowed five runs on 10 hits and three walks and lasted only four innings. He recorded five strikeouts -- three against Starling Marte -- and benefited from two Pirates being tagged out at the plate.

The Pirates pulled within 7-5 with a four-run third inning highlighted by Andrew McCutchen's two-run home run. Michael McKenry and McPherson capped the inning's scoring with consecutive RBI singles.

McKenry drove in three runs, Alex Presley drove in two and Brandon Inge went 2-for-5.

Up Next: Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, a non-roster invitee, will start against the Orioles in a 7:05 p.m. ET game at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Thursday. Sanchez is 1-1, with a 7.56 ERA in five appearances (two starts) in Grapefruit League play.

**KHarmo88** · 03-20-2013, 07:18 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

by Paul Hagen / MLB.com

McPherson's Rough Outing Doesn't Help Cause

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Right-hander Kyle McPherson is trying to become the Pirates' fifth starter. He didn't help his case by giving up eight earned runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Braves at Champion Stadium. He gave up 10 hits, including three doubles and a homer.

"He was trying to follow a game plan and that was problematic," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Command was up early. The execution part of the arsenal was really inconsistent. That's really kind of what went sideways on him, the execution part of everything."

Hurdle indicated that performance at this point of the spring weighs more heavily because the start of the regular season is a week-and-a-half away.

"You'd like to think that," he said. "You have to look at everything. That's a quality lineup over there. So it is what it is. It is late. We're trying to make decisions. And the one thing he did do, he did not back down. He kept firing and kept battling, which we expect all our men to do. At the same time, we've got to find ways to get outs and to execute with more consistency, especially as we're closing in on things."

McPherson, the Pirates' seventh-rated prospect according to MLB.com, remained upbeat after the 18-9 loss.

"I just went out there and tried to establish the fastball early," he said. "I just wound up giving up some of those ground balls you wish could be hit toward position players. But then again, that's just how the game is and you have to continue to go after the next hitter and battle on, pitch after pitch."

Six of the first seven Braves hitters reached on hits and pitching coach Ray Searage made an early trip to the mound.

"He just came out there and told me to slow the game down a little bit, continue to execute pitches," McPherson said. "Keep a narrow focus on the task at hand. You just have to continue to pound the zone, mix up your pitches and stay aggressive. That's what I think I did. Right, wrong or indifferent you're going to give up ground-ball hits. Then again, you're going to go out there and get the best plays made. So you've just got to take them as they come and keep moving forward."

The 25-year-old McPherson is 0-2 with an 8.31 ERA this spring. His primary competition for the rotation is Jeff Locke, who is 2-1, 3.12.

**KHarmo88** · 03-21-2013, 06:01 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

Pedro Alvarez on Pirates 2013 Expectations

**KHarmo88** · 03-21-2013, 06:41 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

PNC Park Named Top Ballpark in America

PITTSBURGH — On March 21, 2013, the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor, named PNC Park the top ballpark to visit in the United States.

The site announced the top 10 ballparks in the U.S. according to popularity, and Pittsburgh’s PNC Park was No. 1.

The site said, “Perched along the Allegheny River, this renowned ballpark features spectacular sights of the Steel City skyline and the beautiful Clemente Bridge. A unique two-level ballpark that opened in 2001, PNC Park provides an intimate setting and spectacular views and sightlines from anywhere in the stadium.”

A TripAdvisor traveler commented, “The views of the city from the ballpark are beautiful; great food and beer selections.”

The other parks to make TripAdvisor’s list were, in order, AT&T Park in San Francisco, Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Fenway Park in Boston, Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Petco Park in San Diego, Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and Wrigley Field in Chicago.

“Nothing says Americana like a day out at the old ball game, and the TripAdvisor community has identified these popular stadiums as the finest,” said Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications at TripAdvisor. “From the architecture of the buildings, to the stunning views of the surroundings, to the local culinary delights, these parks provide travelers with baseball-rich experiences that will last a lifetime.”

**KHarmo88** · 03-21-2013, 07:09 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

by Tom Singer / MLB.com

McDonald Brings Solid Reputation to Pirates

BRADENTON, Fla. -- John McDonald, the newest Pirate, wasn't yet in camp on Thursday. Safe to say, the veteran's reputation preceded him.

"He's a good teammate. Good attitude, hard worker," said A.J. Burnett, a teammate of McDonald's with the 2006-08 Toronto Blue Jays. "He brings a great glove to have around. My time with Johnny was good. He's a veteran guy who has been around both leagues, and brings a lot to the table."

Burnett's memories of the 14-year veteran may be a little faded, so it is notewrothy that his most recent manager described him in similar terms.

In fact, considering the D-backs spent much of the offseason chasing their manager's vision of a crew of hard-edged gamers, it was quite difficult for Kirk Gibson to see McDonald become the victim of infielder overcrowding.

Calling McDonald "the ultimate professional," Gibson said that if the Bucs were seeking a clubhouse mentor, they got the right man.

"Great leadership on and off the field," Gibson told MLB.com of the 38-year-old. "Really helped drive us to a different place as a team. Contributed a ton. I told him, 'I don't know how much longer you're going to play, but you have a great gift for the game and I know you have children, but please consider staying in the game after you're done playing.' I think he just has a great gift."

**KHarmo88** · 03-21-2013, 07:23 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

by Tom Singer / MLB.com

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The next visitor in the Pirates' Spring Training camp will be the Grim Reaper -- as old-timers referred to the annual rite of cutting players. Before the weekend is out, possibly two sets of trims will reduce the 49 players still in big-league camp.

That number includes 21 pitchers, including five non-roster invitees, several of whom could be reassigned and/or released even prior to Friday afternoon's game against the Rays.

If the tentative lineup for that game is any indication, moves affecting position players could soon follow. Whether by coincidence or by design, that lineup is comprised almost exclusively of players on the bubble:

Alex Presley CF; Jose Tabata LF; Felix Pie RF; Brandon Inge 2B; Brad Hawpe 1B; Josh Harrison 3B; Michael McKenry C; Ivan De Jesus SS; Jeanmar Gomez P.

Of interest, Inge and Hawpe both can opt out of their Minor League deals on Tuesday if not placed on the 40-man Major League roster. Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez,who started Thursday night's game against the Orioles, gets to make the same decision this Sunday.

After this weekend, the Bucs will have only six games remaining in Florida. They will break camp and head north next Thursday.

**KHarmo88** · 03-21-2013, 09:49 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

Sanchez Throws Five Scoreless in Bid for Rotation

Pittsburgh Pirates at Baltimore Orioles
Mar 21, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh (10-14-1)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
Baltimore (15-6-1)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Pirates starter Jonathan Sanchez and the Orioles' Jake Arrieta swapped zeroes in an impressive pitching duel in a 10-inning, 0-0 tie on Thursday night at Ed Smith Stadium.

Sanchez, who can opt out of his contract on Sunday, cruised through his outing with four strikeouts. Third baseman Manny Machado had both of the Orioles' hits against Sanchez with a pair of singles. Sanchez issued a walk to Lew Ford in the second inning for Baltimore's only other baserunner through his five innings.

Starling Marte reached twice for the Pirates, with a leadoff double in the first and a fifth-inning walk, while Travis Snider doubled in the sixth off Ford's foot on a ball that he lost in the lights.

Pittsburgh's Gaby Sanchez was scratched before the game with an allergic reaction, with Brad Hawpe replacing him as the designated hitter.

Arrieta -- who is fighting for the Orioles' fifth rotation spot -- tossed six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts while Sanchez allowed just two hits over his five frames.

Last year's Opening Day starter, Arrieta extended his scoreless inning streak to 14 2/3 innings in the process, allowing six hits and two walks in an impressive outing. The 27-year-old, who also pitched in an exhibition game against Spain, has appeared in five spring games (four starts), allowing three earned runs on 13 hits and eight walks with 16 strikeouts over 17 1/3 innings.

Orioles reliever Luis Ayala pitched a scoreless seventh.

Up next for the Pirates: Pittsburgh will face the Rays, who are playing a split-squad game, at 1:05 p.m. ET on Friday at McKechnie Field. Jeanmar Gomez will start against Tampa Bay's Alex Cobb.

**KHarmo88** · 03-22-2013, 05:14 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

by Tom Singer / MLB.com

Morris, De Jesus Among Pirates' Roster Cuts

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Right-hander Bryan Morris was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday morning by the Pirates, who also reassigned to Minor League camp infielders Ivan De Jesus Jr. and Jared Goedert.

The moves left 37 players in the Bucs' camp, including an injured quartet not actively participating in preseason action.

De Jesus was one of four players acquired from Boston in the deal featuring former Pirates All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan, and he had a productive spring, batting .406 in 21 Grapefruit League games.

De Jesus' exploits in camp followed his batting title in the Puerto Rico Winter League, so he left with a growing list of credits.

The 25-year-old's exit prompt could not have been more obvious: The original lineup for Friday's game against Tampa Bay had him playing at shortstop, but that start instead went to newcomer John McDonald.

"He did a lot of good things to open some eyes," general manager Neal Huntington said of De Jesus. "As we told him, we got one of the better defensive infielders in the game to be a backup for us, and that impacted him."

De Jesus had been in camp on a non-roster invitation, as was Goedert, 27, who was signed as a Minor League free agent out of the Cleveland organization.

Morris, who is ranked as the Pirates' No. 14 overall prospect, was considered a top candidate to land a relief job, but despite a win and a save this spring, he dealt with inconsistency. He posted a 5.14 ERA in seven appearances.

The 25-year-old's main drawback, however, was having recently been given a fourth option, making him eligible for the Pirates to farm him out without fear of losing him to another team on a waiver claim.

"Yeah, options sometimes do come into play," Huntington conceded. "In Bryan's case, it allows him to get down and refine all his pitches, because when he does, he'll be a very good Major League pitcher for a long time. There's very little doubt he's going to help us at some point this season."

"I'm not far away," said Morris, who would not use the abundance of hurlers in camp, which limited his innings, as an excuse for his erratic pitching. "I have to go down there and put myself in a good position to get back up here with more time on the mound.

"When I did get opportunities, I wasn't as sharp as I should've been, and that's part of the game. My body just wasn't right with my mechanics. I hope I can get back to what I need to be doing."

The 37 players in camp include Chase d'Arnaud, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list following surgery Monday on his left thumb, and rehabbing pitchers Charlie Morton, Jose Contreras and Francisco Liriano.

**KHarmo88** · 03-22-2013, 05:20 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

by Tom Singer / MLB.com

Infielder McDonald Just What Bucs Need for Bench

BRADENTON, Fla. -- John McDonald checked into the Pirates' clubhouse, checked out his incongruous No. 80 uniform and described what his role will be -- and why he is so well-suited for it.

Listening to the 38-year-old veteran was eerie. His words exactly echoed what manager Clint Hurdle had pined for last summer.

"It's an extremely tough job to do, to sit for a couple of weeks, and then go out and play defense in the eighth inning and be perfect," McDonald said. "But the challenge of that is something I think about all the time. And it's something I want."

With the 2013 Bucs, it is something McDonald will get. He has played 125-plus games at each infield position, save first base. Shortstop Clint Barmes needs a break, or third baseman Pedro Alvarez needs to sit out a nasty lefty? Page McDonald -- who will also be Mr. Double-Switch.

"My mindset is, it does not matter if you don't play me for a while. I want to go in when no one else wants to go in. I'm never sitting there worrying about the fact I'm not playing. It's OK by me. I'm in the big leagues, and there is no other place that you want to be, playing baseball. And trying to help my team win."

So when general manager Neal Huntington acquired McDonald a couple days ago from Arizona for a player to be named, Hurdle got the patient veteran he wanted to see on his bench. While acknowledging McDonald's persona, however, Hurdle knows that is not enough, and touched on it in his first conversation with him.

"All that other stuff is great," Hurdle said to McDonald. "But can you still play?"

That broke up McDonald, which was all Hurdle had wanted.

"Sometimes," the manager said, "you've just got to lighten the mood."

OK. But can the 38-year-old McDonald still play?

As good as he has, which might seem as light praise for someone who has not had more than 353 at-bats in any of his 14 seasons. But McDonald has always been the do-everything type. He is the latter-day Ducky Schofield, the 1960 Pirates hero who averaged 70 games in a 19-year career.

Since 2009, McDonald has committed a total of 11 errors while playing 272 games at four different positions.

Huntington -- Cleveland's farm director when McDonald broke in with the turn-of-the-century Indians -- portrayed in candid terms the appeal of McDonald, who has already forced Ivan De Jesus out of Major League camp and also has Josh Harrison's status in jeopardy.

"Josh and Ivan have done some good things in camp," Huntington said, "but they're nowhere near the defensive ability of John McDonald."

Knowing all spring there was no room for him in the D-backs' overcrowded infield, the New England native and resident is stoked that the inevitable move brought him closer to home.

"I was pretty aware something would happen with too many middle infielders in Arizona, and when this opportunity came up as a possibility, I started to get excited right away," McDonald said. "Watching from the other side what this club did last year was fun. To be part of this franchise, the history of it ... it was fun just to walk in here and see the uniforms."

As for his own No. 80? McDonald wore No. 16 with the D-backs, and for seven years prior to that was No. 6 in Toronto.

"As long as I got a spot in the locker room, it's all good," said McDonald. "When you wear a Major League uniform, there are no negatives. I try to instill that in younger players, that they should appreciate putting on one of these 30 uniforms."

**KHarmo88** · 03-22-2013, 05:37 PM

Re: Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

Pirates' Rally Follows Solid Effort by Gomez

Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates
Mar 22, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Tampa Bay (14-11)	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	4	9	0
Pittsburgh (11-14-1)	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	3	X	6	7	2
W: Hughes, J (1-0, 0.96) L: De La Rosa (0-2, 9.45) S: Alderson

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Stefan Welch's three-run home run with two outs in the eighth inning helped the Pirates stun the Rays in a 6-4 comeback victory on Friday.

Welch, a member of Australia's World Baseball Classic team, connected off Kirby Yates on his first Grapefruit League at-bat. Welch was one of several players imported from the Pirates' Minor League camp for the game.

The rally began with Jeff Larish's two-out double off Dane de la Rosa. Lucas May drew a walk to bring up Welch.

Jared Hughes struck out two in a perfect eighth inning to earn the win, with Tim Alderson earning the save.

The Rays had previously attempted a comeback of their own. Run-scoring doubles by Luke Scott and Chris Gimenez capped a three-run go-ahead rally in the sixth. Ben Zobrist's leadoff homer touched off that scoring against left-hander Mike Zagurski.

Alex Cobb went 6 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and three runs while walking three and striking out five.

John McDonald, the newest Pirates player, had snapped a 1-1 tie with an RBI single in the fourth, and pinch-hitter Garrett Jones' sacrifice fly later in the inning had given the Pirates a 3-1 lead.

Jeanmar Gomez went four innings in his start and allowed three hits and a run.

Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead on Shelley Duncan's run-scoring infield grounder in the second, and Felix Pie tied it up for the Pirates with a run-scoring double in the third. Pie's eighth RBI also tied Andrew McCutchen for the team's spring lead.

Up next: Lefty Jeff Locke, in what suddenly appears to be a heated duel with veteran lefty Jonathan Sanchez for a spot in the rotation, will seek his third spring win on Saturday, when the Pirates visit Fort Myers for their rubber game against the Red Sox, live on MLB.TV. The teams have split four meetings heading into the 1:35 p.m. ET contest.

The Hunt for October - Updated: August 5, 2013
NL CENTRAL	W	L	GB	RS	RA
Pittsburgh	66	45	-	391	341
St. Louis	58	53	8.0	452	408
Cincinnati	56	56	10.5	497	520
Chicago	47	64	19.0	429	494
Milwaukee	45	67	21.5	425	500

Raise the Jolly Roger - A Pittsburgh Pirates Road to Redemption

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