Pirates 7, Rays 6 ¹⁵

Pirates

1. Gorkys Hernandez CF
2. Neil Walker 2B
3. Starling Marte LF
4. Corey Hart RF
5. Andrew Lambo 1B
6. Francisco Cervelli C
7. Sean Rodriguez SS
8. Brent Morel 3B
9. A.J. Burnett RHP
Also scheduled to pitch: Bobby LaFromboise, Arquimedes Caminero, Deolis Guerra, Brad Lincoln.

In past Spring Training years, Clint Hurdle has plugged guys into their normal batting order slots and filled around them.

I have yet to pick up Clint's pattern this year.

Three guys on right side of infield for lefty Walker. That's interesting because Walker likes to go the other way. Rays infield shift more than any team in baseball———despite what Clemson Travis says.

Of course, Walker singles off 2nd base bag as shortstop tries futilely to go to his right and reach bouncer.

Burnett has retired 11 straight and Francisco CHAIR-velli hits a long 2-run HR to give Pirates a 4-2 lead.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

I just do not understand why Kang is not playing.

Brad Lincoln comes in with 2 outs and 2 on, replacing AJ in 5th.

4 hitters——walk, hit batter, walk, hit batter——Bucs behind, AJ charged with runs, and game blows up. Not looking too good for my man Lincoln.

So has Gorkys Hernandez finally figured out hitting or this just a brief hot streak?

The real issue nobody seems to have an answer is what has been ailing Cutch? He's missed a ton of AB's... He needs to be on point if the Bucs want to start strong. Kang is non issue IMO...concerned about roster squeezing...hopefully some moves are made and that gets sorted out. I like how Marte has looked.