Game Notes From The Pirates' 8-7 Win Over The Tigers
BRADENTON, Fla. (KDKA) -- The crowd of 9,018 is a McKechnie Field record.
Tony Sanchez, Starling Marte and Willy Garcia all homered.
Sanchez's HR was his 8th hit in his last 9 at bats, his 5th straight hit. Even when he struck out later, Sanchez still reached base for the 6th straight time when the ball got away from the Detroit catcher. Tuesday, Clint Hurdle said that a 3rd catcher is "an interesting concept." But Sanchez says, "My goal is not to be the third catcher; my goal is to be the number one."
Marte played in his 4th straight game and went 3-3 with a home run to raise his average to .370. Marte has 2 doubles 1 triple and now 1 HR for a slugging percentage of .555
Garcia's was a 3-run shot in the 7th inning that gave the Bucs an 8-3 lead. Garcia is a 22-year old outfielder who spent last season in Altoona.
A.J. Burnett again looked good early, but couldn't get through his final inning, this time the 4th. He was charged with 2 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. "It's getting there," Burnett said, "we'll continue to build and build and build. Maybe I can go 5 next time."
Antonio Bastardo gave up one run in his inning, the 4th time in 5 appearances he's allowed at least one run.
Neil Walker made a diving stop of a ball hit up the middle with a man on 1st and instead of flipping the ball to Jung-Ho Kang, he tried some kind of an ugly-looking hook shot that missed badly and there was no play at 2nd.
"Just trying to learn my limitations in spring training," Walker joked.
Jose Tabata fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning and had to leave the game. X-rays were negative but still a painful bone bruise.
Andrew McCutchen will be held out again Thursday when the Pirates play the Orioles in Sarasota but Hurdle says McCutchen is getting closer, "He went through his full workout again today, so he's making progress."
But Hurdle said catcher Chris Stewart is not making progress – that "he's in a holding pattern" with his hamstring injury.
The Fan's Jim Colony interviews Tony Sanchez: