Pirates hit three homers, but still fall short of Twins

Pro

Discussion

March 18, 2010

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Thu Mar 18, 2010, 11:31 PM EDT

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Justin Morneau and Jim Thome returned to the lineup for the Minnesota Twins, each following four days of rest.

Thome didn’t take long to shake off the rust.

He went 2-for-2 with his first home run in a Twins uniform and Minnesota defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 on Thursday.

Morneau, who like Thome was resting a sore back, went

0-for-3 with a strikeout, while Joe Mauer went 0-for-3, lowering his spring training batting average to .462.

Delwyn Young further solidified his chances at a bench role for the Pirates, hitting his fourth home run in five games with a two-run shot off Twins reliever Clay Condrey in the sixth inning.

Condrey, whose spring ERA inflated to 10.80, also gave up a solo homer to Jeff Clement in the sixth. Jason Jaramillo added a solo shot off Twins starter Carl Pavano in the third inning for Pittsburgh.

Pavano struck out two, walked none and gave up one hit in five innings.

Pavano lowered his spring training ERA from 3.38 to 2.77. He has struck out eight batters in 13 innings and given up four runs with just the one homer.

“I gave up a lot of multi-run homers last year,” Pavano said.

“That hurt me. I think I’m stronger this year, and I’ll be able to finish games better.”

Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson liked what he saw out of Pavano on Thursday.

“He moved the ball around,” Anderson said. “He used all of his pitches. He feels confident with his delivery.”

Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf also felt confident despite giving up two runs, including Thome’s homer, in four innings.

He struck out two and walked none, giving up four hits.

“I feel like I was able to be into the game more in terms of reading hitters’ swings, picking my pitches,” Ohlendorf said. “I felt really good about (Thursday). My changeup was a really good secondary pitch. My sinker and changeup were really good.”

Brendan Harris, hoping to land a starting spot at third base, hit a solo home run in the seventh inning off Pirates reliever Jack Taschner.

Luke Hughes drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth for the Twins.

Notes: Pirates closer Octavio Dotel, recovering from a strained left oblique muscle, pitched in an intrasquad game Thursday and will return to action Sunday. ... The Twins optioned right-handed pitchers Rob Delaney and Alex Burnett to Triple-A Rochester. Burnett struck out one and pitched a scoreless inning Thursday before his demotion.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Pro

Jordan Staal expected to return to Pens’ lineup today
Jordan Staal’s left knee is fine. His face, however, could use some work.
The Pittsburgh Penguins center plans to play today against Winnipeg in his first game since injuring the knee in a loss to the New York Rangers on Jan. 6.
The road back has gone smoothly enough until Staal started practicing with his teammates this week.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Ex-Pirate Ludwick signs with Reds
The Reds have made a couple moves to improve their depth, finalizing a $2.5 million, one-year contract with outfielder Ryan Ludwick and a minor league deal with left-handed starter Jeff Francis.

February 10, 2012
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
The University of Michigan Board of Regents on Wednesday authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL that would allow the league to hold next year’s Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.

February 8, 2012
Pens fall to Habs in shootout
Tomas Plekanec scored on Montreal’s eighth attempt in the shootout to lead the Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
Steelers make it official: Haley’s their man
The Steelers have named Todd Haley their new offensive coordinator.

February 7, 2012
Steelers press release on Todd Haley
PITTSBURGH ― The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator, it was announced today.

February 7, 2012
Johnstown Generals announce 2012 schedule
The Johnstown Generals will open their second season on the road at Cincinnati on March 3 but will play just three of their 10 remaining games away from Cambria County War Memorial according to a league schedule posted on the United Indoor Football League’s website at uiflfootball.com.

February 6, 2012
Crosby practices with Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby practiced Monday but said he is no closer to returning from a concussion and neck injury that have sidelined him for most of the season.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Report: Haley will be Steelers’ next O-coordinator
The Steelers will hire former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be their offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
More Pro Headlines

Pro

Search Results

Discussion

Pirates hit three homers, but still fall short of Twins

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Contact Us