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Pittsburgh Pirates: Takeaways from Game 3 of MLB Spring Training

By Derek Snyder

SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Tyler Glasnow #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up before pitching the third inning of a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on February 26, 2017 in Sarasota, Florida. The Orioles defeated the Pirates 8-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Tyler Glasnow #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up before pitching the third inning of a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on February 26, 2017 in Sarasota, Florida. The Orioles defeated the Pirates 8-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers squared off on Sunday, February 25th in the Bucs’ third 2018 MLB Spring Training game of the season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers squared off at Publix Field Sunday afternoon, with the two teams finishing the game tied. While we would all love to see the Pirates get their first win of preseason baseball, I think we can all agree that wins and losses aren’t necessarily important right now.

At the end of the day, Pittsburgh showed better offensive power on Sunday afternoon, while fighting until the very end. No, they didn’t win the ballgame, but they did force a blown-save in the ninth inning.

Needless to say, that’s all we could’ve asked for from the Bucs in their third game of Spring Training.

Box Score:

In a final score that I guarantee you’ll never see during the regular season, the Pirates and Tigers found a way to tie 8-8 on Sunday afternoon. No, the Bucs couldn’t muster their first win of the 2018 Spring Training schedule, but there are more than enough things to be encouraged about regardless.

Highs:

Once again, Austin Meadows made a huge impact in the Pirates lineup. With Pittsburgh down 8-4 in the eight inning, Meadows hit a bases-clearing triple to bring the Bucs within one run. Not only did that give the Pirates an opportunity to get back in the ballgame, but Meadows’ triple made him 4-5 at the plate so far this preseason.

Needless to say, that’s extremely encouraging for a player who has high hopes of playing in the big leagues.

Take a look at some of the Pirates’ top highlights from Sunday below:

https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/967883803350925312

Lows:

The Pirates pitching staff has been plagued by bad innings this Spring Training, resulting in the team giving up another six runs in the seventh inning on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to two home-runs, one triple and one single, the Tigers were able to put the game just out of reach for Pittsburgh.

If it weren’t for that one bad inning, I would’ve said the Bucs’ pitching staff had a solid day at the ballpark; however, in a game that can change in a moment, the Pirates young pitchers couldn’t get out of trouble late.

Next: Pirates vs Yankees: Takeaways from Game 2 of 2018 Spring Training

Now with an 0-2-1 record heading into the last week of February, the Pirates’ attention will be placed upon the Boston Red Sox on Monday afternoon at 1:05 PM. If you want to take a look at MLB’s preview for this American League vs National League showdown, you can see it here.

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