Pirates Come From Ahead, Lose 6-5 To Twins

Mar 3, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) singles during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning and took a 3-0 lead against the Minnesota Twins.  Travis Snider provided the big knock with a two-run bases loaded single.  Andrew Lambo followed with an RBI single.

Andrew McCutchen went three-for-three with a two-run bomb that plated Russell Martin who had doubled to give the Bucs an early 5-0 lead.  Cutch doubled in the first inning and was a triple shy of a cycle.

The Pirates worked Twins starter Vance Worley for all five runs chasing him from the game in the second inning.   Impressively, the Pirates offense forced Worley to throw 47 pitches in order to get four outs.  The Pirates were consistently ahead in the count against the bespectled Twins starter and made him pay as they piled up seven hits and a walk.

Former Bucco Kris Johnson fared better and we wanted you to be sure to check out this story on him.    Minnesota Twins Kris Johnson From Fallen Star to Rising Again

The loss snapped the Bucs four game winning streak and was attributed to some poor defense including two errors by Bucs shortstop Robert Andino.  Jameson Taillon was only able to get two outs giving up three runs, but only one run was earned due to the miscues.

Feb 15, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez (51) looks on prior to the Pirates

The Pirates offense is certainly exciting, but the biggest news might be some solid pitching from Wandy Rodriguez and Jason Grilli  The lefty worked two innings giving up two hits stretching the Pirates consecutive scorelees streak by their starters to twelve innings.   The southpaw hasn’t been scored on in his two starts and has four strikeouts.

The Bucs 37-year old closer followed Wandy and had a 1,2,3 inning with a strikeout.

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Pitching Injuries in rear view?  Phil Irwin started throwing again and Jeff Locke hasn’t stopped throwing.