How To Win The Pirates Fifth Starters Job By Kyle McPherson

Kyle McPherson prepares to pitch in Grapefruit League action. Photo: RumBunter.com

There are a few reasons people might want you to believe that Kyle McPherson should begin the season in Triple-A Indianapolis.  We don’t have any of them.    We fully believe the fifth starter’s job is McPherson’s job to lose.

With no clear favorite for the job,  Kyle McPherson did everything possible today against the Philadelphia Phillies to prove it’s his job.  The right-hander pitched five scoreless innings giving up four hits and struckout one.  It went down like so.

First inning:

Freddy Galvis popped out to Brandon Inge

Michael Young flew out to right fielder Jose Tabata

Chase Utley grounded out softly to Brandon Inge

Second inning:

Ryan Howard hit a sharp single to right

Dominic Brown grounded into a force out

Darin Ruf hit a sharp single past Brandon Inge

It looked like trouble for the Buccos double black belt.  But McPherson bore down and wrapped up the inning.

Lanyce Nix grounded out

Erik Kratz grounded out.  Inning over.

Third inning:

Ender Inciarte flew out to Alex Presley in left

Freddy Galvis flew out to Jose Tabata in right

Michael Young flew out to Alex Presley in left

Fourth inning:

Chase Utley provided the drama of the day for McFear with a leadoff double

Ryan Howard flew out

Dominic Brown popped out to Inge who made a nice play by the third base fence

Darin Ruf flew out to Gold glover Andrew McCutchen

Fifth inning:

Laynce Nix groundout to Brandon Inge

Erik Kratz struckout looking

Ender Inciarte doubled

Freddy Galvis grounded out to Neil Walker

Now that my friends is how you win a starters job in the big leagues.  Let’s trust McPherson is the man headed North with the club at month’s end.