With the Pirates’ Spring Training underway, it begins yet another baseball season and the hopes of a winning season for the Bucco Faithful. However, with virtually the same roster as the team they finished with last year, there is little hope for a different showing. Pirates’ management has expressed that in order for the team to play well, the younger players such as Andy LaRoche, Brandon Moss and the starting rotation need to show they belong.

Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny are both players coming off a pretty bad year, but the potential they showed in 2007 is what the Pirates hope to see this year. Paul Maholm is coming off a great season which earned him the “ace” title for the Pirates after securing a 3.71 ERA. Paul Maholm has been named the only player in the Pirates’ rotation with a guranteed spot while the other four spots will be duked out between Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, Daniel Mccutchen, and perhaps Phil Dumatrait when he becomes healthy enough.

The Pirates starting lineup for the 2009 season will likely look like this…

• LF Nyjer Morgan
• CF Nate Mclouth
• RF Brandon Moss
• 3B Andy LaRoche
• SS Jack Wilson
• 2B Freddy Sanchez
• 1B Adam LaRoche
• C Ryan Doumit

but depending on the players’ Grapefruit League showings, anything is up for grabs.

Spring Training begins with the biggest additions of Eric Hinske, Ramon Vasquez, Craig Monroe, Donald Veal, and Virgil Vasquez. Donald Veal and Virgil Vasquez will both be competing for a place in the bullpen while Monroe, Hinske, and Vasquez will be fighting for positions on the Pirates’ bench.

The Pirates play the Phillies tomorrow which opens up the Grapefruit League Schedule. The games is set to begin at 1:05 P.M. ET and is a home game at Mckechnie Field. Slated to pitch in the game will be Chris Bootcheck for the first inning and followed by Matt Capps, Donald Veal, Romulo Sanchez, Ronald Uviedo, Juan Mateo, Craig Hansen, Evan Meek and Jesse Chavez. Lefty Jamie Moyer will make the start for the Phillies. Pirate broadcaster Tim Neverett will be on the air for the first time as the Bucco announcer.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were up on the Cincinnati Reds heading into the eighth inning but the Reds scored three times in the bottom of the inning and went on to win 8-6. The Pirates were going for the three game sweep against the Reds, but I’ll take two out of three games that is for sure.

The losing pitcher of the game was Craig Hansen who fell to 0-3 on the year. Hansen was charged with all three runs that the Reds scored in the bottom of the eighth inning. Starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny gave up seven hits and three runs in just 3 2/3 innings to get the no decision. Jason Davis and Jesse Chavez both gave up one run in relief as well.

Chris Gomez and Steve Pearce finished the game with two rbi each. Nate McLouth also added a solo home run for the Pirates. Andy LaRoche also added a rbi in the first inning. It was a good showing for the Pirates offense on the day as they put up six runs.

It’s just too bad that the bullpen wasn’t able to hold the lead. They will try again on Friday when the Pirates begin a series with the San Francisco Giants.

Pirates Blog

On Monday the Pittsburgh Pirates send down 13 different players to various minor league locations and camps as they trimmed down their big league spring training roster.

Romulo Sanchez, Dave Davidson, and Luis Munoz were sent do Triple-A Indianapolis

Jimmy Barthmaier, Ronald Belisario, and Yoslan Herrera to Double-A Altoona

Olivo Astacio was sent to Single-A Lynchburg

Adam Bernero, Jesse Chavez, Daniel Moskos, Miguel Perez, and Jose Macias were all reassigned to minor league camp.

Keep checking back here at PiratesHomePlate as we keep you updating about the Pittsburgh Pirates!