Pirates

Pirates Bullpen Falters Late in 10-7 Loss to Tigers

Published

1 year ago

March 9, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates rallied to tie the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning, but a bullpen collapse gave way to a 10-7 Detroit win over the Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton.

The Pirates (3-8-2) struck for three runs to tie the game 4-4 in the home half of the sixth. Jack Suwinski got it going with a sacrifice fly to right. Later, Canaan Smith-Njigba drove in a run with a base hit up the middle and Tucupita Marcano doubled to right, plating another run. Marcano finished the game 2 for 3.

The Tigers responded with five runs of their own the following inning. Two of those runs were charged to Angel Perdomo while the the other three were charged to Colin Selby.

It took 33 pitches for starter Rich Hill to get through his three innings in his second start of the spring. The veteran left-hander allowed one run on two hits, walked a batter and struck out a pair.

The lone run against Hill came when Akil Baddoo was able to beat a throw home after a pick-off from Hill caught Ryan Kreidler in a rundown in between first and second base.

Drew Maggi belted a three-run homer to left field with two outs in the ninth inning. He continued his strong spring with his second home run.

Bryan Reynolds bounced into a double play in the third, allowing Kevin Plawecki, who singled, to score. It was the Pirates first run of the ballgame.

Ji-hwan Bae recorded two hits on the afternoon — both singles. Nick Gonzales also recorded a pair of hits, finishing the game 2 for 2.

Andrew McCutchen (single, walk) and Carlos Santana (two walks) were also both on base twice.

With a final game time of three hours and four minutes, the Pirates had their first game of three-plus hours this spring.

Up next, the Pirates will travel to Clearwater for a Friday afternoon matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies. JT Brubaker is expected to start on the mound for Pittsburgh.