Diego Castillo’s Two Home Runs Not Enough in Pirates 9-4 Loss to Twins

Diego Castillo continued to open some eyes this spring as the infielder blasted two home runs, but the Twins were victorious over the Pirates, winning 9-4 in Fort Myers.

Castillo’s first home run came in the fourth of 2021 All-Star left-hander Taylor Rogers and got just enough height on it to clear the left field fence. His second came two innings later, and it was a no-doubter.

¡Vamos Castillo! pic.twitter.com/9X1zjjCpGP

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 30, 2022

2-run homer, 2 homer day pic.twitter.com/hyHxv4MGpg

— Young Bucs (@YoungBucsPIT) March 30, 2022

The 24-year-old is making a strong case to crack the Pirates Opening Day roster. Not only has he been impressive with the bat, but Castillo offers infield versatility with experience at short, second and third.

Bligh Madris continued his good spring by turning on a two-strike fastball that cleared the wall in right center field. Madris showed his smooth left-handed swing that has kept him in camp for this long. He has an outside shot at cracking the Opening Day roster.

Go ahead, Bligh! pic.twitter.com/k1yb1RD4iR

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 30, 2022

Cole Tucker continued to look good at the plate so far this spring with a hard-hit double to begin the game and later drew a walk. Hoy Park recorded a base hit and a stolen base. Michael Chavis picked up a double as he looks to snap out of his slump.

Bryse Wilson cruised through his first three innings of work, allowing just one hit and one walk and picking up four strikeouts, holding the Twins scoreless. The wheels fell of in the fourth where he allowed a walk and back-to-back doubles after retiring Luis Arraez to begin the frame. He was charged with three earned runs on the afternoon but it was still one of Wilson’s better outings of the spring.

Dillon Peters came on in the fifth and really had a tough time in this one. He allowed six earned runs on five hits (two homers) and a walk. He battled command issues throughout his outing, which is pretty uncharacteristic of him. Both Peters and Wilson are trying to crack the Pirates rotation.

The Bucs will head back to Bradenton on Thursday for a 1:05 game with the Orioles to close out March.