Grapefruit League Game 15: Atlanta Braves 15, Pittsburgh Pirates 1

The Pittsburgh Pirates saw split squad action on Saturday play games 15 and 16 of their 33 game Grapefruit League schedule.

On Saturday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent one squad to Sarasota to battle the Baltimore Orioles. Meanwhile, another team stayed behind in Bradenton to host the Atlanta Braves.

In Bradenton, Trevor Williams started for the Bucs in his third appearance of the spring.

After retiring 9 of the first 10 batters he faced, Trevor Williams ran into trouble in the top of the 4th inning. After issuing a 1-out walk, Williams allowed a RBI double to make the score 1-0 Atlanta. The Braves then made the score 3-0 on a 2-run home run by Dustin Peterson.

When his day came to an end, Williams had allowed 3 runs in 4 innings pitched. In these 4 innings pitched Williams allowed a walk, a pair of hits, he hit a batter, and he recorded a strikeout. Trevor Williams pitched better than his final line indicated on Saturday.

Felipe Rivero would take over on the mound for the Pirates in the top of the 5th inning. After walking his ex-catcher Chris Stewart, Rivero would allow a 2-out home run to Dansby Swanson. This gave the Braves a 5-0 lead.

Kyle Crick took over in the top of the 6th inning and continued his rough spring. In 2/3 of an inning pitched, he allowed 3 runs on a hit and a walk. This made it 8-0 Atlanta.

The Pittsburgh Pirates got on the board in the bottom of the 6th inning. Jordy Mercer cranked a solo home run, cutting the Atlanta lead to 8-1.

Lefty reliever Kevin Siegrist then made his Pirate Grapefruit League debut in the top of the 7th inning. After facing a runner on third with no one out situation, Siegrist struck out the next 3 hitters.

After Josh Smoker struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 top of the 8th inning, Rule 5 Draft choice Jordan Milbrath then started the top of the 9th inning. Milbrath allowed a hit, issued a pair of walks, and committed a throwing error before being lifted for non-roster invitee Sean Keselica. Milbrath was charged with 5 runs, 4 earned, and Keselica allowed 2 runs of his own setting the final at 15-1.

Notable offensive performances included Josh Harrison going 0-for-2 with a HBP, Jordy Mercer going 1-for-3 with a solo home run, Colin Moran going 2-for-2 with a double and a walk, and David Freese going 1-for-2.

Next: Orioles 13, Pirates 5

Next up for the Pittsburgh Pirates is a trip to Dunedin to play the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Dunedin Stadium is scheduled for 1:05 PM on Sunday afternoon.