Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training: Tony Sanchez Blast Lifts Bucs To Win Over Yankees
By Matt Shetler
Feb 26, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Tony Sanchez (26) works out prior to the game at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Pirates got their Grapefruit League slate off to a positive start by erasing an early four-run deficit to come from behind to defeat the New York Yankees 6-5 Wednesday afternoon.
Catcher Tony Sanchez, who homered yesterday in the Black and Gold Game, tied the game at five with a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh and Chris McGuiness gave the Bucs their first lead of the game shortly later with a single that plated Chris Dickerson.
As I looked at earlier today, Sanchez could force the Pirates into a tough decision if he can keep hitting the ball.
The Pirates fell behind early as Opening Day starter Francisco Liriano gave up a pair of runs early in the game.
Brian McCann and Ramon Flores delivered RBI singles for the Yankees in the first inning as Liriano walked a batter and allowed three hits in his only inning of the game.
Newcomer Edinson Volquez also allowed a pair of runs in the second inning on two-run homer from Yangervis Solarte to put the Bronx Bombers up 4-0. In his first outing of the spring, Volquez allowed a walk and a hit. It was the walk that led to the homer, and control is a concern for Volquez heading into the season.
The Bucs got on the board in their half of the second with an RBI single from Jordy Mercer and Starling Marte‘s reaching on an error by Solarte. The inning could have been bigger but Pedro Alvarez struck out with the bases loaded.
The Pirates pitching settled down after that with nice innings from Jeanmar Gomez, Vin Mazzaro and Bryan Morris. All in all the Bucs used nine pitchers, each throwing one inning a piece.
Clint Hurdle‘s starting lineup for the Grapefruit League opener featured: Marte, Russell Martin, Andrew McCutchen, Alvarez, Neil Walker, Gaby Sanchez, Andrew Lambo, Jose Tabata and Mercer.
Tony Sanchez, McGuiness and McCutchen each had two of the Pirates 11 hits on the afternoon.
The Bucs and Yankees will meet again tomorrow in Tampa. Charlie Morton is scheduled to be the starter for the Bucs.