Game Notes: Williams Struggles Offense can't Recover vs. Phillies

Trevor Williams had a slow start in his Grapefruit League Debut giving up four first inning runs against the Phillies on Sunday. The offense did battle back, but didn't have enough to overcome the deficit.

Entering the 2020 season, one of the Pittsburgh Pirates's keys to success was a bounce back year from Trevor Williams. Williams made his spring training debut in the Pirates split squad game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday and things didn't start out in his favor.

Williams pitched his two innings of work giving up four runs, all in the first inning, on four hits while walking a batter in the Pirates 4-3 loss. He had trouble finding the first out of the game as a Roman Quinn double and a JT Realmuto hit by pitch left runners on first and second with nobody out.

After getting the first out, Williams would give up three straight hits, including two doubles, that put the Phillies ahead 4-0.  Heading to the second inning. It was like night and day when Williams came out for his second inning of work as he retired the side 1-2-3 ending his afternoon.

William's final inning was an intriguing one as he ended his outing on a high note. He was able to locate pitches throughout the inning and had positives to take into his next outing. There is still time for Williams to hone his skills but I'm encouraged as he moves through big league camp.

The early deficit forced the offense to play from behind and they battled back but it wasn't enough to overtake the Phillies. The Pirates got two of their three runs in the third inning after Bligh Madris and Kevin Kramer both walked to put runners at first and second with one away.

Jose Osuna and Phillip Evans would come up with back-to-back RBI singles that cut the Phillies lead to 4-2. The Pirates got their final run in the seventh when Jake Elmore drove in Jared Olivia with an RBI double to get to the final score of 4-3.

Many of the Bucs young players took the field in Clearwater and performed well putting together an 11 hit offensive attack. Osuna was the lone Pirate with a multi hit game going 2-3 with an RBI while Jake Elmore went 1-3 with an RBI.

After the early hiccup on the mound, the Pirates bullpen shut down the Phillies over the final seven innings allowing the offense to make it close. Nick Burdi appeared on the mound for the first time since his elbow injury sidelined him last season and threw 0.2 scoreless innings walking one and striking out one.

Player of the Game: Jose Osuna (2-3; 1 RBI)

Jose Osuna made his Grapefruit League debut at first base and showed promise at the plate. He drove in the Pirates first run of the day with an RBI single in the third inning and was the lone Pirate to get a multi-hit game. This is a big spring for Osuna as he has the opportunity to earn an everyday role. He is in a battle with Colin Moran for the third base spot and a big spring could get him some more playing time.

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.