Postcards From Bradenton: Pirates Pitching Walks The Plank
BRADENTON, Fla. (93-7 THE FAN) -- This was not a good day to be a Pirates pitcher. The staff combined to allow 16 runs on 14 hits and also walked 14 batters all leading to a 16-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox today at McKechnie Field.
Pirates starter Jameson Taillon worked 2 innings and allowed 1 ER on 1 hit. He walked 1 and struck out 3.
Jonathan Sanchez worked just 0.2 allowing 4 earned runs on 3 hits and 4 walks. He did not get a strikeout and takes the loss. Zach Foster was also touched up for 5 runs in an inning or work. Tony Watson also worked just 0.2 of an inning and gave up 4 earned runs.
The Pirates hitters had the only 3 extra base hits in the game...all home runs. Jared Goedert hit a 3-run blast off of Boston starter John Lackey in the bottom of the second inning to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead but the Red Sox scored 4 in the top of the 3rd...and then added 5 in the 4th...2 runs in the 7th and 4 more runs in the 9th.
The other two Pirates home runs was a two run shot for the hot hitting Felix Pie in the 5th and a solo HR for Jordy Mercer in the bottom of the 9th.
The loss drops the Pirates to 2-3 in Grapefruit League Play.
The Pirates are scheduled to play the Orioles in Sarasota at 1:05 p.m. and the Red Sox in Fort Myers at 7:05 p.m. Friday.
James McDonald is expected to start the day game against Baltimore's Jason Hammel.
Jeff Locke is expected to start the night game against Boston's Jon Lester.
The Fan Morning Show will have their final LIVE broadcast from Bradenton tomorrow. The guys will be joined by Pirates Opening Day starter A.J. Burnett, 2B Neil Walker, C Michael McKenry and broadcaster Steve Blass.
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