Game Notes: Strong Start Falters as Pirates Fall to Tigers

The Pirates offense jumped on the Tigers early in split squad action but it wasn't enough as they fell 8-4. Many of the regulars played well on offense showing promise for the upcoming week.

After dropping their Grapefruit League Opener on Saturday, The Pittsburgh Pirates split it up on Saturday when they took on the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park. Many of the regulars were in the starting lineup and they performed well on the offensive side.

After the Tigers scored the first run of the game, JT Riddle drew a leadoff walk and Gregory Polanco followed suit one batter later to put runners at first and third with one out. Will Craig would hit a sacrifice fly tying the game at 1-1. The Tigers would answer with a run in the top of the second and the Pirates offense would go to work again.

Socrates Brito started the second inning with a leadoff double and O'Neil Cruz would drive him in with a double of his own off the left field wall that tied the game at 2-2. Charlie Tilson would then draw a walk and Riddle picked up his first RBI of the spring driving in Cruz giving the Pirates their first lead of the day at 3-2.

Riddle opened his spring training schedule with a big day going 2-2 with an RBI in the game. Riddle is an intriguing option for the Pirates in 2020 as he is a guy who can play everywhere on the field. If Riddle performs he could find a way into manager Derek Shelton's lineup every night at various positions.

The Pirates final run came in the bottom of the eighth with one out after Jason Delay and Travis Swaggerty each singled. Cal Mitchell would bring home Delay on a sacrifice fly but the Pirates trailed 8-4 and wasn't able to come back.

After being selected in the first round of the MLB draft in 2018, Swaggerty is in his first big league camp and had a good day going 1-1 with a walk in his Grapefruit League debut. Swaggerty played for the Bradenton Marauders last year and hit .265 with nine home runs and 40 RBI. He has a couple years before he hits the major League level but gives the Pirates hope for the future.

While the offense performed well the Pitchers struggled throughout the day. Newly acquitted Derek Holland got the start and lasted just 1.2 innings giving up two runs on three hits while striking out five batters. The strikeout numbers were intriguing and he did just enough to keep his team in the game.

The final blow came when Robbie Erlin entered in the seventh giving up a three-run home run that put the game out of reach. Keona Kela made his spring debut and threw a scoreless inning and Steven Brault threw a scoreless inning in the loss.

With the two losses today, the Pirates now move to 0-3 on the spring. Despite the record, there has been positive signs as some of the team's regulars have started the spring on a high note. This is just the beginning of the process as the Bucs prepare for opening day on March 26th.

Player of the Game: JT Riddle (2-2; 1 BB, 1 RBI)

JT Riddle began his spring training with a bang going 2-2 with an RBI and reaching base all three times. Riddle could play a big role after signing a one-year deal with the Pirates this off-season as a super utility player. Riddle has experience as both a shortstop and centerfielder and will try to play all over the field in 2020.

Up Next

The Pirates continue their Grapefruit lead schedule when they battle the New York Yankees, and old friend Gerrit Cole, on Monday with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

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