Niese Feels Like He's Rounding Into Shape In Time For Regular Season
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Jonathan Niese went 6 innings, throwing 73 pitches and giving up a pair of homers as the Baltimore Orioles scored in the 9th to win 6-5 over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sarasota on Thursday.
"Pretty efficient, made a couple of mistakes. During the season, when I go over hitters before the game, probably don't make those mistakes," Niese said.
Niese admitted his focus wasn't where it needed to be at times. Mark Trumbo and Jonathan Shoop homered on two of six hits against him.
"I think one inning got away from him a little bit," said manager Clint Hurdle. "The ball elevated and they have a team over there can do some damage to balls left over the plate and they did in that inning, the three-run inning. Stamina was good, 14 hitters retired in three balls or less. There is some good to hunt and some areas to work on as well."
Pirates went with mostly their back-ups against the Orioles with only 1B John Jaso as a potential starter who played. Fighting for a job as a fourth outfielder, lefty-hitting Matt Joyce hit a solo homer to right, had a RBI single and stole a base.
"Matt's been getting some traction at the plate for the past week," Hurdle said. "Seems to be getting off some good swings, squaring the ball up, hitting it hard where it is pitched, taking his walks when they are there as well. He's finding some rhythm."
Joyce has homered twice in his last four games and has the average up to .241
"Time will tell," Hurdle said about Joyce potentially turning the corner. "He expects a lot out of himself, he's had some success. He's working hard to create that opportunity and make a major league club and be a productive player again. I like what I'm seeing from him, he shows up every day ready to go."
Also battling for a roster spot, 1B/OF Michael Morse started in right and went two for two with a double. Morse left the game after tweaking his hamstring on a slide in the fourth inning. Morse said after it was just a Spring Training precaution and thinks he will be okay. The veteran is hitting .345 in Grapefruit League play.
Back-up catcher Chris Stewart had a pair of singles. Cole Figueroa went 2-for-5 with a double and a stolen base. Pedro Florimon had a two-out, two-run triple in the eighth to tie the game. Figueroa and Florimon are each battling to be a utility player on the major league roster.
Rogers Sick
Third baseman Jason Rogers left before Thursday's game due to illness. The 28-year-old was to be checked back in Bradenton and the team says he is day-to-day. Rogers has just one extra base hit and is hitting .229 this spring. Minor-leaguer Chase Simpson filled in going 0-for-4, but made two solid defensive plays including starting a 5-4-3 double play.