Billy Cook was 3-for-3 with a home run, double, and three RBIs as the Pirates beat the Red Sox, 9-7 in Bradenton yesterday. Infielder Nick Yorke had two hits, including a three-run home run, and Marcell Ozuna had two hits. Carmen Mlodzinski started for the Pirates and went three-plus innings, giving up two runs, one earned.
The Pirates optioned infielder Jack Branigan and pitcher Ryan Harbin to Indianapolis. Both are working their way back from injuries suffered in spring training.
Jose Urquidy will start for the Pirates tonight against the Yankees in Tampa. It’s a 6:30 airtime on WCCS.
All of baseball is excited to see Konnor Griffin perform in the major leagues this year, but general manager Ben Cherington hinted yesterday that Griffin might not make the team out of spring training. Cherington said, “…there’s 100 plate appearances above High-A, so that’s important information…we’ll see where this goes.”
WBC
Paul Skenes is scheduled to start for Team USA tonight when they take on Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Both teams are 2-0. The game tonight will include a matchup of Skenes against Bucs’ infielder Nick Gonzalez, who is playing for Team Mexico. Gonzalez was 0-4 in Mexico’s first game and had 2 hits in a 16-0 thrashing of Brazil yesterday.
