Postcards From Bradenton: Pirates Lose; Burnett, Rodriguez & Cole Make Spring Debuts
BRADENTON, Fla. (93-7 THE FAN) -- The Pirates fell to 2-2 on the Grapefruit League season after an 8-2 loss to the Rays Wednesday in Bradenton, Fla.
The Pirates streak of scoreless innings by the starting pitchers ended after 8.1 innings when the Rays used three hits and two Pirates errors in a four-run second inning off of starter AJ Burnett making his spring debut.
Burnett took the loss after working 2 innings, allowing 4 runs, only 1 of which was earned, on 3 hits. He had one strikeout and did not walk a batter.
"It was fun to get back out there and get the work in," Burnett said.
He is not disappointed in his first outing saying, "Right now it's about getting your work in."
He added that he felt good and thought he made the pitches he needed to make, but some balls fell in including a dropped infield pop fly from Pedro Alvarez.
Wandy Rodriguez also worked two innings in his spring debut. He allowed 1 earned run on 2 hits.
The Pirates young stud Gerrit Cole also allowed 1 earned run on 1 hit in his two innings of work. He walked 1 and stuck out 1.
The Pirates bats wasted a lead off double by Alvarez in the second, but did get RBI singles from Matt Hague and Alex Pressley driving in Jose Tabata both times. Tabata had two doubles on the afternoon.
The Pirates (2-2) will host the Boston Red Sox Thursday at McKechnie Field at 1:05 p.m. Left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez is scheduled to start for the Pirates against John Lackey.
Jameson Taillon, Justin Wilson, Ryan Reid, Kyle Waldrop and Tony Watson are also scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.
The Fan Morning Show continues to broadcast LIVE from Bradenton tomorrow morning. They will be joined by Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle, P Charlie Morton, P Jeff Karstens, P Gerrit Cole and Broadcaster Tim Neverett.
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